10-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the successful 7-day Lemosho Route

Route Desciption

The Lemosho route is the route with the highest success rate. In addition, this route offers a wonderful panoramic view of the beautiful landscape of West Kilimanjaro. In the second stage of this route, it joins the Machame route. On the way you will pass beautiful landscapes and landmarks such as the famous Barranco wall.

You can do the ascent via the Lemosho route in seven or eight days. The difference between the two routes: the 7-day tour starts at an altitude of 3,500 meters, the 8-day tour starts at an altitude of 2,200 meters. As the 8-day ascent begins at a lower altitude, you hike through the tropical rainforest on the first day. This is not the case for the 7-day ascent. Here you drive by car through the tropical rainforest and only hike through the tropical rainforest on your way back

Plan Itenary
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport our Tanzania Specialist guide is there waiting for you. He then drops you off at your hotel, where you can relax from your flight.
Preparation for your climb: You meet your guide before the start of your climb, where he briefs you and offers advice on what to wear, what to pack, and other important tips to make your climb as comfortable as possible.

Lemosho Route (1/7) | Drop off (3,500 m/11,483 ft) – Shira 1 Camp (3,510 m/11,515 ft)

Today you start your incredible journey via the Lemosho Route. Your guide picks you up in the morning and takes you on an approximately 4-hour drive to the western entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park (2,200 m). The road leads through a beautiful tropical rainforest after which you arrive at the drop-off point at 3,500 meters where you can admire the beautiful Shira plateau. The walking route to the first camp is flat which allows you to get used to the high altitude

 
 
Lemosho Route (2/7) | Shira 1 Camp (3,510 m/11,515 ft) – Shira 2 Camp (3,890 m/12,762 ft)

In the morning you depart from Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m) to Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m). This walk is not difficult and you can enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and the unique flora of Kilimanjaro’s surroundings as you climb higher. On a clear day, Shira 2 Camp is the perfect location to see Mount Meru (the fifth peak of Africa). After lunch, take an acclimatization walk to Lava Tower Camp (elevation gain of 200m) to increase the chances to summit and reduce the chances of altitude sickness.

Lemosho Route (3/7) | Shira 2 Camp (3,890 m/12,762 ft) – Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft) – Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft)

From Shira Camp 2 to the beautiful Lava Tower at 4,630 m (15,190 ft), you go through many ascents and descents with amazing views along the way. You have lunch at Lava Tower for one to two hours for your body to acclimatize as you might feel uncomfortable with the increase in altitude. After lunch, you descend to Barranco Camp. Watch out for strange-looking flowering plants that grow up to five meters high! Barranco Camp is located at the foot of the imposing Barranco Wall, which is impressive in both its sheer size and steepness.

Lemosho Route (4/7) | Barranco Camp (3950 m/12,959 ft) – Karanga Camp (4,040 m/13,254 ft)

After breakfast, you depart from Barranco Camp to the Barranco Wall. For many people, this is their favourite part of the climb. Once at the top of the Barranco Wall, you have a spectacular view of the Kibo Volcano and Mount Meru.

Afterwards, a more difficult hike starts to reach Karanga Camp. This route has many ascents and descents, so keep the right pace. You have lunch at the camp and after a rest, you can take an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp.

Lemosho Route (5/7) | Karanga Camp (4,040 m/13,254 ft) – Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft)

Barafu Camp is the starting point for your ascent to the Uhuru Peak – the top of Kilimanjaro! You start after breakfast and arrive at the camp around lunch. Have a rest and after you regain your strength, take an acclimatization hike to Kosovo Summit Camp (4,870m) and back. Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and experience the thrill of high-altitude camping as you prepare for the final push to the summit around midnight.

 
Lemosho Route (6/7) | Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) – Millennium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft)

Today is the day! Around midnight you start from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak. The climb leads over good trails and the most challenging part is the high altitude. Once you reach the summit you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise, which is quite impressive at this height! After a short time at the top, where you celebrate your ultimate triumph, you descend slowly to the scenic Millennium Camp.

Lemosho Route (7/7) | Millennium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m/5,380 ft) – Hotel

The Millennium camp is located in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up today, you feel a sense of relief from the reduced altitude and satisfaction from reaching the summit. After breakfast, you take an easy walk to the park exit.

Your driver then takes you back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest!

Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

Sadly, this is the end of your holiday and the time to go home has arrived. Enjoy your last hours in Tanzania before our driver comes to pick you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Still longing for more? It’s also possible to add a few days of safari or a beach holiday to your Kilimanjaro adventure!

Why choose us

FAQ

Absolutely yes. We will arrange all airport transfers for you from and to the airport so that you don’t have to worry about how to get to your hotel. One of our drivers or guides will come to pick you up and take you back to the airport. This is already included in our offers and services.

A private departure can be arranged at any time according to your individual travel dates for highest flexibility. A group departure has a planned schedule on a specific date and let you share some costs while travelling. So if you are on a budget and want to meet friends from all over the world you can join one of our groups.

Absolutely yes. Our handpicked hotels all offer you to safely store your luggage during your climb. In this way you can leave all gear that you won’t need during your climb at the hotel. That is very convenient if you are planning to go on a safari or to Zanzibar after your hike.

Tanzania Horizon Safaris has worked out a very transparent cancellation policy. In most cases we can offer a voucher if you have  to postpone your travel. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Please note that deposits are non-refundable as they have to be used for making reservations for your hotel and transport.

*If a booking is cancelled the client is subject to a cancellation fee as follows:

  • until 4 weeks prior to departure – 30% Cancellation Fee
  • 4-2 weeks prior to departure – 50% Cancellation Fee
  • 2-1 weeks prior to departure – 75% Cancellation Fee
  • less then 1 week prior to departure – 100% Cancellation Fee: The company reserves the right to cancel any tour at its sole and absolute discretion, without prior notification in instances where this is unavoidable. However, in that case the company agrees to refund all money that has already been paid by the client. This shall be the company’s sole responsibility to the client and no claim for any damages, howsoever arising, shall accrue against the company.