MOUNT KILIMANJARO TREK
8-Day Lemosho Route
The Remote & Scenic Route
The Lemosho Route is a newer route — more remote and possibly more beautiful, though a bit longer and slightly more expensive. It starts on the western side of the mountain at Lemosho Gate, a further drive from town, and was introduced as an alternative to the Shira route. After beautiful forests and moorlands, it crosses the Shira Plateau on Day 3 to connect with the Machame Route at Lava Tower and down toward Barranco Valley via the Southern Circuit. You may be lucky enough to spot buffalo, elephant and other game. Because this route can be done over a longer period for acclimatization, it has a higher summit success rate.
DURATION
7 or 8 Days
DIFFICULTY
Medium
SCENERY
Excellent
TRAFFIC
High
Welcome To Tanzania
Thank you for choosing Chagga Village. Feel at home and enjoy your Africa adventure with us. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll be met by a Chagga Village representative and transferred for overnight accommodation at Chanya Lodge B&B. Your head guide will meet you for a briefing, gear check, and to arrange any equipment you may need to hire.
Trip At A Glance
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 0
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1Lemosho Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp
Departing from Moshi, a 45-minute drive takes you through welcoming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. We patiently wait while our permits are issued, watching the bustle of crews preparing for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and winding trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna and wildlife. At these lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery — we highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.ELEVATION2,389m / 7,838ft → 2,785m / 9,137ftDISTANCE
4.8km / 3mi
DURATION
3–4 hrs
TERRAIN
Rainforest
ALTITUDE GAIN
396m
DAY 2Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp
After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rainforest and continue on an ascending path — leaving the forest behind, the trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop.ELEVATION2,785m / 9,137ft → 3,504m / 11,496ftDISTANCE
7.9km / 5mi
DURATION
4–6 hrs
TERRAIN
Moorland
ALTITUDE GAIN
719m
DAY 3Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp
We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day — a gentle walk east toward the glaciated Kibo peak, across the plateau, leading to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. From here you can also continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site at the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.ELEVATION3,504m / 11,496ft → 3,895m / 12,779ftDISTANCE
6.9km / 4.3mi
DURATION
5–7 hrs
TERRAIN
Moorland
ALTITUDE GAIN
391m
DAY 4Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward Kibo Peak before continuing southeast toward the Lava Tower — nicknamed the “Shark's Tooth” (elev. 4,650m / 15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we reach a second junction leading to the Arrow Glacier, then descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.ELEVATION3,895m / 12,779ft → 3,986m / 13,077ftDISTANCE
10.1km / 6.3mi
DURATION
4–6 hrs
TERRAIN
Semi Desert
ALTITUDE GAIN
91m
DAY 5Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we climb a steep ridge up the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to watch the power, agility and strength of your crew as they move over the wall with apparent ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.ELEVATION3,986m / 13,077ft → 4,034m / 13,235ftDISTANCE
5.2km / 3mi
DURATION
4–5 hrs
TERRAIN
Alpine Desert
ALTITUDE GAIN
48m
DAY 6Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp
We continue up toward Barafu Camp — reaching it means you've completed the South Circuit, with breathtaking views of the summit from many angles. An early dinner and rest follow, as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.ELEVATION4,034m / 13,235ft → 4,662m / 15,295ftDISTANCE
3.3km / 2mi
DURATION
4–5 hrs
TERRAIN
Alpine Desert
ALTITUDE GAIN
628m
DAY 7Barafu Camp → Summit Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Excitement builds as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2am. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We make our way toward the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, staying warm and focused on the accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction, we ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim, where you'll be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise. From here, the remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak is likely to include snow the whole way. Congratulations — one step at a time, you've reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy, we begin the steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. Gaiters and trekking poles are strongly recommended for the loose gravel and volcanic ash terrain. A well-deserved rest awaits for your last evening on the mountain.ASCENT4,662m / 15,295ft → 5,895m / 19,341ft (gain 1,233m) DESCENT TO CAMP5,895m / 19,341ft → 3,106m / 10,190ft (loss 2,789m)DESCENT
13km / 8mi down
DURATION
5–6 hrs
TERRAIN
Glaciers & Snow
DAY 8Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Moshi
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it's time to say goodbye. We continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather warms considerably, the terrain turns wet, muddy and steep — gaiters and trekking poles are highly recommended. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long-overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!ELEVATION3,106m / 10,190ft → 1,633m / 5,358ft ACCOMMODATIONOvernight stay at Chanya Lodge B&B, before your onward journey home, on safari, or to a relaxing trip in ZanzibarDISTANCE
9.1km / 5.7mi
DURATION
3–4 hrs
TERRAIN
Rainforest
ALTITUDE LOST
1,473m
DEPARTUREDeparture
Today you'll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home.
What's Included / What's Not Included
What's Included
Crew
- ✓ Lead Guide(s) and Assistant Guide(s) for groups of 2+ — English-speaking and Wilderness First Responder trained
- ✓ Cook, porters, and equipment and personal client luggage transport (15kg per client)
- ✓ A porter-to-client ratio of 3–4 porters per client
Equipment
- ✓ Sleeping mat (2-inch foam) and pillow
- ✓ Walk-in dining tent and table with backed chairs
- ✓ Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening
Food & Drink
- ✓ Three meals per day plus an afternoon snack during the trek
- ✓ Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available on request
- ✓ Treated drinking water (minimum 3L per day while trekking, with additional water available at camp)
- ✓ Coffee and tea throughout the trek
Health & Safety
- ✓ Pulse oximeter and altitude sickness checklists
- ✓ First aid kit and emergency oxygen
Preparation & Fees
- ✓ Kilimanjaro National Park fees and VAT
- ✓ Camping/hut, rescue, conservation and other taxes
- ✓ Fair and sustainable crew wages
- ✓ Pre-trek briefing with your guide
Accommodation & Transfers
- ✓ Round-trip airport transfer between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Moshi
- ✓ Round-trip transfer between Moshi and the park gate
- ✓ Hotel stays in Moshi pre- and post-trek (2 nights total) on a bed & breakfast basis
What's Not Included
- ✗ Gratuities / tips
- ✗ Personal trekking gear such as a sleeping bag and clothing
- ✗ Beverages of choice (soda and alcohol at hotels)
- ✗ Additional accommodation or meals resulting from an early descent
- ✗ Tanzania entry visa
- ✗ Travel insurance
- ✗ Domestic or international flights
- ✗ Expenses of a personal nature
- ✗ Personal hire gear such as trekking poles or sleeping bags
- ✗ Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc.
Ethical Climbing
At Chagga Village, we believe the tourism industry has an obligation — and a great opportunity — to protect the world's natural habitats, cultural heritage sites and communities. We actively promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
We're proud to raise public awareness around the fair treatment of porters on Kilimanjaro, and to help implement procedures that ensure fair and ethical treatment through fair salaries, mountain equipment, food, clothing and sleeping conditions for crew members.
Every climb is audited to ensure crew members receive proper salaries, tips, food, equipment and sleeping conditions. Check out our TripAdvisor profile to see what our clients are saying.
Recommended Tipping Guide
Tipping is customary on Mount Kilimanjaro for all members of your mountain crew. Although they receive a fair wage, they rely on tips as part of fair total compensation. Industry recommendations are $20 a day to the guide, $15 a day to your assistant guide, $12 a day to the cook, and $8 a day to each porter — divided among everyone on the trip.
NOTETo ensure fair and transparent tipping for each crew member, there will be a tipping ceremony at the Chagga Village office following your descent from the mountain. Envelopes will be provided to divide your tips for each member of the crew.
Know Before You Go
Please note that we are completely flexible and able to customize your trip to suit your time, budget and interests.
