The Lemosho Route is widely considered the most scenic and one of the most successful ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Starting from the quieter western side of the mountain, it crosses six distinct ecological zones — from lush montane rainforest, alive with colobus monkeys and (on the first day) the chance of an armed ranger escort past resident buffalo and elephant, through heath, moorland, and alpine desert, to the harsh, beautiful arctic zone at the summit.
This 7-day mountain itinerary (9 days including your arrival and departure) gives your body an unusually gradual, gentle ascent profile, crossing the vast Shira Plateau before joining the well-tested “climb high, sleep low” path through Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall shared with the Machame Route. That longer, gentler build-up is exactly why Lemosho carries one of the highest summit success rates of any route on the mountain — commonly cited well above 90% on itineraries of 7 days or more.
Because it approaches from the west, Lemosho is also markedly quieter in its early days than routes like Machame or Marangu, offering a genuine sense of solitude before converging with other climbers for the final push to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the highest point in Africa.
Lemosho Route elevation profile — 8 camps across 7 days on the mountain, from Londorossi Gate (2,250m) via the western Shira Plateau to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and down to Mweka Gate.
Can start any day
Customizable
Itinerary
Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4
Breakfast, Lunch
& Dinner
Kilimanjaro Int.
Airport (JRO)
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by your East Africa Sauvage representative and transferred comfortably by road to your hotel in Arusha, where you’ll spend the night before your climb begins.
Take the rest of the day to relax, unpack your climbing gear, and settle in after your flight. In the evening, your lead mountain guide will meet you for a thorough pre-climb briefing — reviewing the route, checking your equipment, answering questions, and making sure you’re fully prepared for the days ahead.
Enjoy a hearty dinner and a good night’s rest, since tomorrow your Lemosho Route adventure begins in earnest.
Comfort Safari accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Merves Lodge, Mvuli Lodge, or Shoki Shoki Lodge, offering simple, well-located comfort before and after your climb.
Signature Safari accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Palace Hotel, Golden Crest, or Planet Lodge, each rated 3-star for a more polished stay bookending your climb.
Royal Safari Experience accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Grand Melia Hotel, Mt Meru Hotel, or Kibo Palace Arusha, all 5-star properties for a top-tier rest before and celebration after your climb.
After breakfast, you’ll drive from Arusha to Londorossi Gate (2,250m) on the western side of Kilimanjaro, where your permits are processed. From there, a further drive takes you to the Lemosho trailhead, from where the hike begins.
Because this remote western forest is home to buffalo, elephant, and other wildlife, groups on the Lemosho Route are often accompanied by an armed ranger on this first day — a small but memorable difference from busier routes on the mountain.
The trail winds gently through dense montane rainforest, alive with birdsong and the chance to spot black-and-white colobus monkeys in the canopy. After roughly 3 hours of walking, you’ll reach Mti Mkubwa — “Big Tree Camp” — (2,650m), your first night on the mountain.
Camp: Mti Mkubwa / Big Tree Camp (2,650m)
Distance: ~6 km | Hiking Time: 3 hours | Habitat: Montane Rainforest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is a long but rewarding day as the forest thins into heath and moorland, and then opens onto the vast, high-altitude Shira Plateau — the floor of an ancient collapsed volcanic caldera.
As you climb out of the trees, the views open up dramatically, with the Shira Ridge and, on clear days, Kibo’s summit visible ahead. It’s a significant altitude gain in a single day, so your guides will keep the pace deliberately slow — “pole pole,” as it’s said in Swahili.
After 7 to 8 hours of walking, you’ll reach Shira 2 Camp (3,900m), set on the open plateau with sweeping views back over the plains below.
Camp: Shira 2 Camp (3,900m)
Distance: ~8 km | Hiking Time: 7–8 hours | Habitat: Moorland
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is one of the most important acclimatization days on the mountain, built around the “climb high, sleep low” principle. The trail climbs steadily across semi-desert terrain to Lava Tower (4,630m), an imposing volcanic rock formation, where you’ll stop for lunch.
Rather than camping at this altitude, you then descend into the dramatic Barranco Valley, giving your body the chance to adjust after the higher push — a key reason Lemosho carries one of the strongest summit success rates of any route on the mountain.
You’ll arrive at Barranco Camp (3,960m), tucked beneath the towering Barranco Wall, for dinner and an overnight stay.
Camp: Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Distance: ~10 km | Hiking Time: 6–7 hours | Habitat: Semi-Desert
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The day begins with the Barranco Wall — a steep, hands-on scramble that looks intimidating from camp but is more straightforward than it appears, with no technical climbing skills required. Be prepared to use all four limbs in places as you work your way to the top.
From the top of the wall, the trail undulates across a series of valleys and ridges toward Karanga Valley. Camps here are chosen deliberately — the extra time at altitude is important for safe acclimatization, and sunsets over the southern glacial valleys are spectacular.
After 3 to 5 hours, you’ll reach Karanga Camp (4,035m), the last water point before the summit push.
Camp: Karanga Camp (4,035m)
Distance: ~5 km | Hiking Time: 3–5 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A shorter, half-day walk takes you up onto the exposed Barafu Ridge — barren, rocky, and increasingly cold as the vegetation thins to almost nothing. Desolate alpine desert stretches in every direction, with strong winds a regular feature of this exposed camp.
After 3 to 4 hours, you’ll reach Barafu Camp (4,673m), your base camp for the summit attempt. In the evenings, splendid views of Mawenzi Peak are the norm from here.
The afternoon is for resting, an early dinner, and trying to sleep as best you can — because tonight’s wake-up call comes around midnight. Your crew will lay out final summit-day preparations before you turn in.
Camp: Barafu Camp (4,673m)
Distance: ~4 km | Hiking Time: 3–4 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This is the night you’ve been training for. Between midnight and 2am, you’ll set off by headlamp between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, climbing steadily through heavy scree toward Stella Point (5,756m) on the crater rim — the most mentally and physically challenging stretch of the entire climb.
At Stella Point, you’ll pause to catch your breath and, weather permitting, take in one of the most magnificent sunrises you’re ever likely to see. From here, it’s a further push along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the summit of Kilimanjaro and the highest point on the African continent.
After celebrating on the Roof of Africa, you’ll begin the long descent — first back down to Barafu Camp for a hot lunch and rest, then continuing down through changing vegetation zones to Mweka Camp (3,080m). Including the summit push, today typically involves 12 to 16 hours of hiking, making it by far the longest day of the trek.
A well-earned dinner and deep sleep await at Mweka Camp, back in the moorland below the alpine zone.
Camp: Mweka Camp (3,080m)
Distance: ~17 km (5 km ascent / 12 km descent) | Hiking Time: 12–16 hours | Habitat: Arctic Summit to Moorland
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a final breakfast at Mweka Camp, your crew will gather for a traditional song and dance in celebration of your summit before you set off on the descent to Mweka Gate (1,630m) — a relatively short, easy walk of about 2 to 3 hours through lush green forest.
At the gate, you’ll sign out with park authorities and receive your official summit certificate — green for those who reached Stella Point, gold for Uhuru Peak. Your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Arusha.
On arrival, enjoy a well-earned hot shower, a proper bed, and time to rest and clean up. Celebrate your achievement with a relaxed dinner and a comfortable overnight stay, certificate in hand.
Comfort Safari accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Merves Lodge, Mvuli Lodge, or Shoki Shoki Lodge, offering simple, well-located comfort before and after your climb.
Signature Safari accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Palace Hotel, Golden Crest, or Planet Lodge, each rated 3-star for a more polished stay bookending your climb.
Royal Safari Experience accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Grand Melia Hotel, Mt Meru Hotel, or Kibo Palace Arusha, all 5-star properties for a top-tier rest before and celebration after your climb.
After a leisurely breakfast, take some time to relax and reflect on your incredible achievement before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey.
You leave Tanzania having stood on the Roof of Africa — a memory that will stay with you long after the blisters have healed. Thank you for climbing with East Africa Sauvage; we hope to welcome you back for a safari adventure across East Africa soon.
No accommodation required tonight — departure day.
Our day trip vehicles come equipped with standard safari amenities. If you’d like to enhance comfort during your game drives or picnic stops, optional gear add-ons—such as blankets, binoculars, and gourmet lunch packs—are available at an extra cost as listed above. Early booking is recommended to ensure availability.
| Safari Tier | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax | 7 Pax+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Safari | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Comfort Safari | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Signature Safari | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Royal Safari Experience | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Safari Tier | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax | 7 Pax+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Safari | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Comfort Safari | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Signature Safari | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Royal Safari Experience | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Safari Tier | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax | 7 Pax+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Safari | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Comfort Safari | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Signature Safari | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Royal Safari Experience | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Wildlife safari
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Wildlife safari
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Wildlife safari
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Wildlife safari
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Per Person
Wildlife safari
Starting From
Per Person
Wildlife safari
Starting From
Per Person
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