7-Day Lemosho Route – Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour
Often considered the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro, the Lemosho Route offers incredible scenery, low foot traffic in the early days, and excellent acclimatization for a successful summit

Why Choose the 7-Day Lemosho Route?
The Lemosho Route starts on the western side of Kilimanjaro and traverses across the Shira Plateau before joining the Machame trail. With its scenic beauty and balanced altitude profile, it is ideal for those wanting a quieter trail and high summit success in just 7 days. Like Machame, it’s a camping-only route with full crew support.
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Duration | 7 Days |
Route Distance | 67 km (42 miles) |
Difficulty | Moderate |
Accommodations | Tented Camps |
Best Months | Jan–Mar & Jun–Oct |
7-Day Lemosho Route Itinerary
Altitude: 2,100m to 2,650m
Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Description: After registration at Londorossi Gate, a short drive takes you to the trailhead. Trek through lush rainforest to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp.
Altitude: 2,650m to 3,810m
Time: 6–8 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Description: Climb steadily through forest and emerge into the giant heather zone. Arrive at the Shira Plateau and camp at Shira 2.
Altitude: 3,810m to 4,630m (then down to 3,960m)
Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert to valley
Description: Trek across the Shira Plateau, ascend to Lava Tower for acclimatization, then descend into the scenic Barranco Valley. Overnight at Barranco Camp
Altitude: 3,960m to 4,035m
Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Description: Scramble up the Barranco Wall, enjoy views of the Southern Icefields, and continue through Karanga Valley. Overnight at Karanga Camp.
Altitude: 4,035m to 4,673m
Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Description: Short but steep hike to Barafu Camp. Rest and hydrate in preparation for the summit attempt.
Altitude: 4,673m to 5,895m (then down to 3,100m)
Time: 10–14 hours
Habitat: Arctic to rainforest
Description: Begin the climb just after midnight. Reach Stella Point, then Uhuru Peak at sunrise. Descend back to Barafu and onward to Mweka Camp.
Altitude: 3,100m to 1,640m
Time: 3–5 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Description: Final descent through lush forest. Receive summit certificates at the gate. Return transfer to Moshi or Arusha.
What’s Included in the 7-Day Trek
✅ Kilimanjaro park fees
✅ Rescue and camping fees
✅ Experienced guide, cook, and porters
✅ Mountain tents and sleeping mats
✅ All meals and drinking water
✅ Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro gate
What’s Not Included
❌ Flights to Tanzania
❌ Visa fees
❌ Gratuities for crew
❌ Personal gear (clothes, boots, sleeping bag, etc.)
Group Size | Price per Person |
---|---|
1 Trekker | USD $2,165 |
2–4 Trekkers | USD 2,015 |
5-9 Trekkers | USD 1,865 |
10+ Trekkers | USD 1,715 |
Discounts available for larger groups. Contact us for custom quotes.
Ready to Climb Kilimanjaro?
Why Trek Kilimanjaro With Tanzania Trip Service?
Local experienced guides
Focus on safety and proper acclimatization
High summit success rate
24/7 WhatsApp support
Faqs
A: The best route depends on your goals. Lemosho and Northern Circuit are great for acclimatization and scenery. Machame is popular and scenic, Marangu has huts, Rongai is dry and quiet, and Umbwe is very steep and challenging.
A: The Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes are considered the most scenic, offering panoramic views from all sides of Kilimanjaro.
A: The Northern Circuit has the highest summit success rate due to its long duration and excellent acclimatization profile.
A: Marangu offers hut accommodations and a gentle trail, but its shorter duration makes acclimatization more difficult. It's more comfortable but not necessarily easier to summit.
A: All routes except Marangu require camping. Marangu is the only route with mountain huts along the way.
A: 6 to 9 days is ideal. Shorter routes are possible but reduce summit success rates due to limited acclimatization time.
A: The best months are January to March and June to October, which are dry seasons with clear skies and stable weather.
A: Yes, guides are mandatory. Kilimanjaro National Park regulations require all climbers to be accompanied by licensed guides and a mountain crew.
A: You don’t need technical climbing skills, but you should be in good physical shape with strong endurance and mental determination.
A: Rongai, Northern Circuit, and parts of Lemosho are quieter and more remote, making them great options for avoiding crowds.