8-Day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb
A private 8-day climb of Mount Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho route, with our own licensed crew and two hotel nights in Moshi, 10 days in total.
The Scenic Way to the Roof of Africa
Lemosho starts on the quiet western side of Kilimanjaro and climbs through every zone of the mountain: rainforest, heather and moorland, the wide Shira Plateau, alpine desert and finally the glaciers of the summit. It joins the busier southern circuit only on day four, and its eight days give your body the time it needs to adjust to the altitude, which is why many climbers choose it.
Why You'll Love It
- The quieter western start, through rainforest few other routes pass
- 8 days on the mountain for better acclimatisation, with a "climb high, sleep low" day at the Lava Tower
- Our own licensed guides, cook and porters, with a personal porter for your bag
- Private toilet tent, emergency oxygen and sleeping bag included
- Two nights in a hotel in Moshi, before and after the climb
Altitude Profile
Camp altitudes in metres, as commonly published; D1–D8 are the days on the mountain. Day 4 climbs to the Lava Tower and sleeps lower at Barranco to help you acclimatise.
On the Mountain
Your driver meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and takes you to your hotel in Moshi, the town at the foot of the mountain. In the afternoon your lead guide comes to brief you on the climb, check your equipment and answer your questions. Anything you are missing can still be sorted out today.
Overnight: Hotel in Moshi (mid-range, or similar)
Meals: Dinner is not included on arrival day
↑ 395 m · about 2–3 hours on foot
After breakfast you drive around the western side of the mountain to the Londorossi park gate to register, then continue to the Lemosho trailhead. The first walk is short and gentle: a narrow path through thick, mossy rainforest where you may hear or see black-and-white colobus monkeys. Your crew has the tents ready when you arrive at Big Tree Camp.
Overnight: Big Tree Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
↑ 720 m · about 4–5 hours
You leave the forest behind and climb into heather and moorland, where the trees shrink to tall bushes. The path rises and falls over ridges until you reach the edge of the Shira Plateau, an ancient collapsed volcano, with the first close views of Kibo's summit.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
↑ 400 m · about 3–4 hours
A shorter, easier day across the wide plateau, which helps your body adjust to the altitude. On clear days you can see Mount Meru rising above the clouds to the west. Spend the afternoon resting at camp.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
↑ 740 m, ↓ 680 m · about 6–7 hours
The most important day for acclimatisation. You climb through rocky alpine desert to the Lava Tower, a tall volcanic rock at 4,640 m, and have lunch there. Then you descend into the Barranco Valley, among giant groundsels and lobelias, to sleep lower than you climbed. This "climb high, sleep low" pattern gives your body the best chance to adapt before summit night.
Overnight: Barranco Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Small net gain, with steep ups and downs · about 3–4 hours
Right after breakfast you climb the Barranco Wall, the steepest part of the route. It is a scramble, not a technical climb: in places you use your hands on the rock, and your guides show you every step. From the top you follow the mountain's southern side, crossing valleys below the glaciers, to Karanga Camp.
Overnight: Karanga Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
↑ 605 m · about 3–4 hours
A steady climb over rocky, open ground to Barafu, the base camp for the summit. You arrive by early afternoon, have an early dinner, prepare your warm clothes and headlamp with your guide, and go to bed early.
Overnight: Barafu Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
↑ 1,255 m, ↓ 2,815 m · about 10–14 hours
You start around midnight with hot tea and biscuits, climbing slowly by headlamp in the cold. After about 5–7 hours you reach Stella Point on the crater rim, then walk another hour or so along the rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, ideally as the sun rises. After photos you descend to Barafu for a rest and a meal, then continue down to Mweka Camp in the forest edge. It is the longest and hardest day of the climb.
Overnight: Mweka Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
↓ 1,450 m · about 2–3 hours
A last walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you sign out of the park and receive your summit certificate. Your driver takes you back to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and a well-earned rest.
Overnight: Hotel in Moshi (mid-range, or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast you are transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight, or you can continue straight onto one of our safaris.
Meals: Breakfast
Price Per Person — Private Climb
| Group Size | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $2,690 |
| 2 People | $2,390 |
| 3 People | $2,290 |
| 4 People | $2,190 |
| 5 People | $2,150 |
| 6+ People | $2,100 |
Trip Notes
- Start & end: Moshi (Kilimanjaro Airport transfers available on request)
- 10 days in total: 8 days on the mountain + 2 hotel nights
- Private climb: your group only, on the dates you choose
- Groups of more than 6: price on request
- Prices may change if park fees change
Includes
- Kilimanjaro National Park conservation, camping and rescue fees
- Licensed mountain guides, cook and porters from our own crew
- A personal porter to carry your main bag
- Private portable toilet tent
- Emergency oxygen carried on the climb
- Mountain tents and a sleeping bag
- All meals on the mountain and drinking water
- 2 nights' hotel in Moshi with breakfast
- Transfers between your Moshi hotel and the park gates
- Summit certificate
Excludes
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance covering trekking to 6,000 m and evacuation
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Personal climbing clothes and boots
- Drinks other than drinking water
- Lunch and dinner in Moshi
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
- Any government increase in park fees or taxes after booking
Questions Climbers Ask
How hard is the Lemosho route?
No climbing experience is needed, but it is a real physical challenge. Most days are 3 to 7 hours of steady walking, the Barranco Wall needs your hands in places, and summit night is 10 to 14 hours in the cold at high altitude. Regular hiking or cardio training in the months before your trip makes a big difference.
Why choose 8 days instead of 6 or 7?
More days on the mountain give your body more time to adjust to the altitude, which is the main reason people turn back before the summit. The 8-day Lemosho route adds a gentle day on the Shira Plateau before the high section.
When is the best time to climb?
The drier months, roughly January to early March and June to October, are the most popular. April, May and November are the rainiest months: the trails are quieter but wetter and colder. We can climb all year.
What about altitude sickness?
Headache, nausea and tiredness are common as you climb. Your guides check on you every day and decide with you whether it is safe to continue. We carry emergency oxygen, but the real treatment for serious altitude sickness is going down. Talk to your doctor before the trip, especially about any medicines.
What insurance do I need?
Travel insurance that covers trekking up to 6,000 metres and emergency evacuation is essential. Please check the altitude limit in your policy before you book.
What do I need to bring?
Warm layers, a down jacket, waterproof jacket and trousers, gloves, a warm hat, broken-in hiking boots, a headlamp and a daypack. Your sleeping bag is included. We send you a full packing list after booking.
Is tipping expected?
Tipping the mountain crew is customary on Kilimanjaro and is not included in the price. We send you clear guidance before the climb so you can plan for it.
