9 Days Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route

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Duration

9 Days / 8 Nights

Difficult Level

Challenging

Minimum Age

10 Years

Best time

January

Tour Overview

The Lemosho Route is widely regarded as the most beautiful way up Kilimanjaro. It starts on the remote western side of the mountain, in pristine rainforest where colobus monkeys and even elephants roam, and crosses the vast Shira Plateau before joining the southern circuit beneath the glaciers.

Our 9-day itinerary is the most relaxed and best-acclimatised climb we offer. It includes a detour to the dramatic Shira Cathedral, two nights on the Shira Plateau, the Lava Tower acclimatisation climb and a full rest day at Karanga Camp before moving up to Barafu Camp for the summit push to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).

With more time to adapt to the altitude, you'll feel stronger on summit night, sleep better and enjoy the whole journey more. It is ideal for first-time climbers, older hikers and anyone who wants the highest possible chance of standing on the Roof of Africa.

Your climb is led by experienced, licensed Licaon Safaris mountain guides, supported by porters and a cook who prepares fresh, hearty meals every day. You sleep in quality four-season mountain tents with sleeping mats, and eat in a mess tent with table and chairs. Your guides carry a first-aid kit and a pulse oximeter and check your health every morning and evening.

Kilimanjaro can be climbed all year, but the best conditions are in the dry seasons, from late June to October and from January to early March, when the trails are drier and the skies clearer. April, May and November are the rainy months; the mountain is quieter then, but expect wet forest sections and cloud.

Itinerary details

Day 1

Londorossi Gate (2,250 m) – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m): about 6 km / 3–4 hours

Elevation: 2,100 m trailhead → 2,650 m (+550 m)
Distance: about 6 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane rainforest
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, the drive from Arusha takes about 3–4 hours to Londorossi Gate on the remote western side of the mountain, passing wheat farms and villages on the way. After registration you continue by 4×4 to the Lemosho trailhead, where you have lunch while your crew prepares the loads.

The trail winds through one of the most pristine rainforests on Kilimanjaro, far quieter than the southern routes. Look for colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and, if you are lucky, signs of elephant or buffalo, which is why an armed ranger sometimes accompanies groups here. Mti Mkubwa ("Big Tree") Camp lies in a forest clearing, and the evening is filled with the calls of birds and tree hyraxes.

Guide’s tip: The drive to Londorossi is long, so bring snacks and something to read. Keep your binoculars handy on the trail, because the western forest has the best wildlife on the mountain.

Day 2

Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m) – Shira 1 Camp (3,610 m): about 8 km / 5–6 hours

Elevation: 2,650 m → 3,610 m (+960 m)
Distance: about 8 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Heath and moorland
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The forest gives way to giant heather and tall grass as you climb steadily towards the rim of the Shira Plateau. The trail crosses several streams and ridges, and the views open out over the western plains. Walk slowly and drink plenty; this is your first big height gain.

Cresting the rim, you look out across the vast, flat Shira Plateau towards Kibo for the first time, a truly memorable moment. Shira 1 Camp sits on the western side of the plateau, with clear night skies that are ideal for stargazing.

Guide’s tip: This is the first real height gain, so keep your pace slow even if you feel strong. Many climbers who push hard here feel it later on.

Day 3

Shira 1 Camp (3,610 m) – Shira Cathedral (3,900 m) – Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m): about 10 km / 5–6 hours

Elevation: 3,610 m → 3,900 m → 3,850 m
Distance: about 10 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Instead of heading straight across the plateau, today you detour south to the Shira Cathedral, a dramatic buttress of rock rising from the plateau rim. The climb to its shoulder is short and gives superb views down the western flanks and across to Kibo's glaciers.

After lunch you cross the plateau to Shira 2 Camp. The extra height gained and lost today is gentle, valuable acclimatisation, and the afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the sunset over Mount Meru.

Guide’s tip: The Cathedral viewpoint is one of the best photo spots on the mountain. Bring a warm layer, as the wind on the rim can be strong.

Day 4

Shira Camp (3,750–3,850 m) – Lava Tower (4,630 m) – Barranco Camp (3,960 m): about 10 km / 6–8 hours

Elevation: up to 4,630 m, then → 3,960 m (about +800 m / −670 m)
Distance: about 10 km
Hiking time: 6–8 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is the key acclimatisation day of the western routes. You head east across the plateau into the alpine desert, a bare, rocky landscape of volcanic boulders, climbing steadily to the 90-metre Lava Tower, a volcanic plug at 4,630 m. Lunch is taken in its shelter. Some climbers feel a headache or shortness of breath here; that is normal, and your guide monitors everyone closely.

The afternoon descent into the Great Barranco Valley is one of the most beautiful stretches of the climb, passing through groves of giant groundsels. Barranco Camp lies beneath the towering Western Breach and the Barranco Wall. Climbing high and sleeping lower gives your body exactly the stimulus it needs, and most people sleep better tonight than the night before.

Guide’s tip: A mild headache at the Lava Tower is common and usually clears as you descend. Tell your guide how you feel honestly; they check your oxygen levels and pulse twice a day.

Day 5

Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – Karanga Camp (3,995 m): about 5 km / 4–5 hours

Elevation: 3,960 m → 4,200 m → 3,995 m
Distance: about 5 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Overnight: Karanga Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The day begins with the famous Barranco Wall, a 257-metre rock face that looks intimidating from camp but is a non-technical scramble on a well-worn path. You use your hands for balance in a few places, and your guides and porters are there to help. At the top (about 4,200 m), the views of Kibo's southern glaciers and the Heim Glacier are breathtaking.

The trail then winds across a series of ridges and valleys beneath the southern icefields before dropping into the Karanga Valley, the last water point on the route. Karanga Camp is reached by lunchtime, leaving a relaxed afternoon to rest, hydrate and let your body continue adjusting to the altitude.

Guide’s tip: Keep your hands free on the Barranco Wall: stow your poles on your daypack and let your guide point out the best hand and foot holds. Take your time, because it is not a race.

Day 6

Acclimatisation day at Karanga Camp (3,995 m): about 3 km / 2–3 hours

Elevation: 3,995 m → about 4,200 m → 3,995 m
Distance: about 3 km
Hiking time: 2–3 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Overnight: Karanga Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This extra day in the Karanga Valley is what makes the 9-day Lemosho one of the most successful itineraries on the mountain. After a relaxed breakfast, your guide leads a short hike above camp to around 4,200 m, before returning for lunch.

The afternoon is yours to rest, read, play cards with your crew or simply enjoy the views of the southern glaciers. By summit night your body will be as ready as it can be for the altitude.

Guide’s tip: This rest day is the secret to the high success rate, so use it well. Hydrate, eat well and keep active with short walks, but don't overdo it.

Day 7

Karanga Camp (3,995 m) – Barafu Camp (4,673 m): about 4 km / 3–4 hours

Elevation: 3,995 m → 4,673 m (+678 m)
Distance: about 4 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Overnight: Barafu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short but steady climb up a rocky ridge brings you to Barafu Camp, whose name means "ice" in Swahili. It is a fitting name for this exposed, wind-swept camp perched on a ridge of rock and scree. The landscape is lunar, with Mawenzi to the east and the summit cone looming directly above.

You arrive by lunchtime, and the rest of the day is for rest. Your guide gives a detailed summit briefing, checks your gear and makes sure your water bottles are insulated so they don't freeze. Eat well at an early dinner and go to bed straight after, because you will be woken just before midnight.

Guide’s tip: Organise your summit kit before dinner, including head torch, spare batteries, insulated water bottle, snacks and hand warmers, so you only need to dress and go when you are woken at midnight.

Day 8

Barafu Camp (4,673 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mweka Camp (3,100 m): about 5 km up, 12 km down / 6–8 hours up, 4–6 hours down

Elevation: 4,673 m → 5,895 m (+1,222 m), then → 3,100 m (−2,795 m)
Distance: about 5 km up, 12 km down
Hiking time: 6–8 hours up, 4–6 hours down
Habitat: Scree, snow and ice at the summit
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Around midnight, after tea and biscuits, you begin the final ascent by head torch. The trail zig-zags up steep scree between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers towards Stella Point (5,756 m) on the crater rim, which most climbers reach at sunrise. It is the hardest, coldest part of the climb, and your guides set a slow, steady rhythm and keep you going with encouragement and hot drinks.

From Stella Point it is a gentler hour along the rim, past towering glaciers, to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the Roof of Africa. After summit photos, you descend to Barafu for a short rest and brunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp in the forest edge. Oxygen returns with every step, and it's the most rewarding dinner of the trip.

Guide’s tip: Carry your water in an insulated bottle or keep it upside down inside your pack so the opening doesn't freeze. Sip regularly and eat a small snack at every break, even if you don't feel like it.

Day 9

Mweka Camp (3,100 m) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m): about 10 km / 3–4 hours

Elevation: 3,100 m → 1,640 m (−1,460 m)
Distance: about 10 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane rainforest
Overnight: Hotel in Moshi or Arusha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, your crew gathers for a farewell song and dance, a Kilimanjaro tradition and a great moment to thank the team that carried you to the top. The trail then descends through lush rainforest, where you may spot colobus monkeys, and the air feels rich and warm after the cold of the summit.

At Mweka Gate you sign out of the park, and successful climbers receive their official summit certificates: green for Stella Point, gold for Uhuru Peak. Your driver meets you here for the transfer back to your hotel and a hot shower.

Guide’s tip: The trail can be slippery and muddy in the forest, so keep your poles out and your boots laced tightly. Your crew's farewell song is a highlight, so have your camera ready.

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Tour Costs

Per person Sharing

Number of PAX

Solo Traveler

2 People

3 People

4 People

5 People

6 People

Price

On Request

$2,674

$2,544

Price includes

All meals and accommodations during the entire safari
A very high quality safari land cruiser with pop-up roof
A professional English speaking safari guide
Unlimited mineral water during the entire safari
Kilimanjaro tea/coffee during game drive
All park fees for all the national parks
Unlimited game drives
All transfers
Flight from Arusha to Zanzibar
Zanzibar activities as in the itinerary
Mto wa mbu cultural walk
Flying doctors rescue cover

Price excludes

Visas
International flights
Lodge and Guides Tips
Drinks at the lodges
All personal related

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