Lemosho is Kilimanjaro’s longest standard route, approaching from the quieter western side before joining the Machame path higher up. The extra days translate directly into better acclimatisation, and Lemosho consistently posts among the highest summit success rates of any route on the mountain.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
A drive to the Londorossi Gate, then a trek through rainforest to Mti Mkubwa (“Big Tree”) Camp (2,780m), roughly 3–4 hours.
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Accommodation
All levelsMountain tent camping, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A climb out of the forest onto the Shira Plateau, reaching Shira 1 Camp (3,505m), roughly 5–6 hours.
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Accommodation
All levelsMountain tent camping, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A gentle day crossing the plateau to Shira 2 Camp (3,850m), roughly 3–4 hours, allowing genuine acclimatisation.
Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Accommodation
All levelsMountain tent camping, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A “climb high, sleep low” day, ascending to the Lava Tower (4,630m) before descending to Barranco Camp (3,960m), roughly 6–7 hours.
Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
Accommodation
All levelsMountain tent camping, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A climb up the Barranco Wall, then on to Karanga Camp (4,035m), roughly 4–5 hours.
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Accommodation
All levelsMountain tent camping, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A shorter day to Barafu Camp (4,673m), the final camp before the summit push, with an early dinner and rest before the midnight departure.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Accommodation
All levelsMountain tent camping, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A midnight departure for the summit push, reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m) around sunrise, then a long descent to Mweka Camp (3,100m), roughly 12–14 hours total.
Summit Day: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, Descend to Mweka Camp
Accommodation
All levelsMountain tent camping, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
A final descent to Mweka Gate, collecting summit certificates, then a transfer back to Arusha or Moshi.
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, Transfer to Arusha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Permits & Costs
| Kilimanjaro National Park fees, camping & rescue fees | Included in package price |
| Full mountain crew: guides, cook, porters | Included |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Climbers who want the best realistic odds of reaching Uhuru Peak and are willing to invest the extra day to get there.Tour Includes
- All park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- Full mountain crew: guide, assistant guides, cook, porters
- All meals on the mountain
- Mountain tents & camping equipment
- Pre-climb briefing and gear check
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Personal climbing gear (available for hire locally)
- Visas
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Travel & high-altitude insurance