The Lemosho route is one of our preferred routes due to its low traffic, beautiful scenery, and high summit success rate. The Lemosho route starts off from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the lush rainforest to the Shira Plateau.
We recommend a minimum of 7 days to attempt this route but 8 days is preferable for better acclimatization and summit success. The Lemosho route joins the Machame route at Shira 2 Camp and then follows the same route through the southern circuit and descending at Mweka Gate.
Day 1: Arrival in Kilimanjaro
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by a Green Tours Tanzania representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Your guide will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Meals
Meals are not included. You have the option of having lunch and/or dinner at the hotel or a restaurant in town.
Accommodation
Accommodation is at the Weru Weru River Lodge on a Bed & Breakfast basis. Alternative accommodation of the same standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable
*For those on a lower budget, you can request alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.
Day 2: Lemosho Glades (2385m / 7825ft) to Big Tree Camp (2780m / 9121ft)
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00 am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process, you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.
Distance
7km / 4.3mi
Duration
3 – 4 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.
Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2780m / 9121ft) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m / 12795ft)
Today you will cover a lot of ground as you trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. We will trek through Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds as we head toward our destination which is Shira 2. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude as we head towards Shira 1 and parts of the route are fairly steep. As you proceed towards Shira 2 you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views.
Distance
16.5km / 10.3mi
Duration
9 – 11 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.
Day 4: Shira 1 Camp (3500m / 11483ft) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m / 12795ft)
Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.
Distance
8km / 5mi
Duration
5 – 6 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.
Day 5: Moir Hut Camp (4175m / 13698ft) to Pofu Camp (4030m / 13222ft)
We walk heading North to Moir Valley, we climb out of this to the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375m (14350ft) before striking eastwards around the Northern Circuit Trail and Finish our day at Buffalo/Pofu Camp
Distance
12km / 7.5mi
Duration
6 – 7 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.
Day 6: Pofu Camp (4030m / 13222ft) to Third Cave (3900m / 12,795ft)
The day starts with a climb up heading east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
Distance
8km / 5mi
Duration
4 – 5 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.
Day 7: Third Cave (3900m / 12,795ft) to School Hut (4,750m / 15,584ft)
We begin a day with a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. We then continue walking southwest up to School Hut. After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, and headlamps before going to bed.
Distance
15km / 9.3mi
Duration
– 8 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.
Day 8: School Hut (4,750m / 15,584ft) to UHURU PEAK (5895m / 19,340ft) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft)
We start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance
22km / 13.7mi
Duration
12 – 15 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.
Day 9: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft) to Mweka Gate (1630m / 5,348ft)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration.
Distance
12.1km / 7.5mi
Duration
6 – 7 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Accommodation is at the Weru Weru River Lodge on a Bed & Breakfast basis. Alternative accommodation of a similar standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable.
*For those on a lower budget, you can request alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.
Day 10: Depart Kilimanjaro
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*We also welcome you to spare an hour of your day to plant a tree, as part of our environmental conservation efforts in the Kilimanjaro region.
*Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania
Meals
Breakfast Included
