8-Day Lemosho Route
The Most Scenic Path to Kilimanjaro Summit Success

Customizable Lemosho Climb Itinerary

Start Planning Your Summit Success

The 8-Day Lemosho Route is your path to the summit, and the Ekuseni Friend philosophy is your guide. We combine the mountain’s best acclimatization strategy with world-class care to ensure your climb is safe, comfortable, and successful.

The Ekuseni Difference on the Lemosho Route

You’ve chosen the Lemosho Route because you are seeking the ultimate Kilimanjaro experience: unmatched beauty, a high success rate, and true personal care.

We know you might be concerned about the commitment of the longer 8-day route or being just another climber in a large group.

At Ekuseni, we address these worries with our “Visit a Friend” philosophy. The 8-day itinerary is intentionally gentler and smarter, maximizing your safety and success by prioritizing slow, safe acclimatization.

We guarantee a truly intimate journey on the mountain’s most scenic trail, ensuring you feel supported and treated like family from the quiet, remote start to the moment you stand on Uhuru Peak.

Lemosho Kilimanjaro Climb, at a Glance

  • Duration: 8 Days (7 nights camping on the mountain).
  • Perfect for: Trekkers who prioritize scenic beauty, photographers, those seeking the absolute highest chance of summit success, and climbers who want a less crowded start.
  • Key Destinations: Lemosho Gate, Shira Plateau, Lava Tower (for acclimatization), Barranco Wall, Karanga Valley, Barafu Camp, and ultimately, Uhuru Peak (The Roof of Africa).
  • Ekuseni Difference: The 'Start Quiet, Finish Strong' Plan. We choose the 8-day Lemosho for its world-class acclimatization profile. This includes high-altitude medical checks twice daily, private portable flush toilets, and a dedicated, mountain-trained chef ensuring you are rested and fueled for the summit.

Lemosho Hike Highlights

  • Traversing the Remote Shira Plateau: Walking across this vast, ancient caldera is a truly unique experience on Kilimanjaro. It offers panoramic views of the entire mountain structure, making for unbelievable sunrises and sunsets high above the clouds.

  • The Best Acclimatization Profile: The route is famous for its gentle ascent over a long period, especially the crucial “climb high, sleep low” day at Lava Tower. This deliberate schedule gives you the best biological advantage and highest safety margin for summit night.

  • Lush, Untouched Rainforest Start: Beginning on the quieter Western side means trekking through pristine, dense rainforests. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare Colobus monkeys as you start your journey in this beautiful, fertile zone.

  • Conquering the Great Barranco Wall: A fun, non-technical scramble that requires hands-on effort. Our expert guides ensure this challenging feature is exhilarating, safe, and provides stunning photo opportunities before continuing to Karanga Camp.

Kilimanjaro Climb, Lemosho Route Gallery

8-Day Lemosho Climb, Itinerary

A Note on Your Schedule and Flexibility

This itinerary focuses exclusively on the 8 climbing days on Mount Kilimanjaro. To ensure the highest chance of success and to honor your health, we strongly encourage all our guests to plan for a full rest day before the trek begins and a full recovery day after the descent. This flexibility allows you to acclimatize to local conditions before exerting yourself and ensures a relaxed departure from Tanzania.

Day 1: Lemosho Gate to Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa Camp)

The adventure begins as we transfer you from your lodge in Moshi/Arusha to Lemosho Gate. After registration, we start a gentle, slow ascent (Pole Pole) through the dense, fertile rainforest. This first day is crucial for starting your acclimatization easily and ends with your first night on the mountain at Big Tree Camp.

Leaving the dense forest, we climb into the open moorland zone where the scenery dramatically changes. The reward for this ascent is a magnificent sight: you will catch your first clear, panoramic views of the main Kibo cone. You will spend your second night at Shira 1 Camp, which is essential for your body’s gradual adaptation to altitude.

This is a relatively short and gentle trekking day across the vast, ancient Shira Plateau. This allows for excellent passive acclimatization and provides a perfect opportunity to truly absorb the spectacular volcanic landscape and open sky. We set up camp at Shira 2, enjoying views of Mount Meru.

Immediately after breakfast, we tackle the famous Great Barranco Wall. This is a fun, non-technical climb that our expert guides will manage, ensuring you feel safe and confident. From the top of the This is the most strategic day for your summit success. We execute the critical “climb high, sleep low” strategy by ascending sharply to the dramatic Lava Tower (4,600m/15,190ft) for lunch, reaching high altitude briefly. Then, we descend to the beautiful Barranco Camp.

This deliberate altitude training day drastically improves your body’s efficiency., we enjoy stunning views before trekking to the small, stunning Karanga Camp. This short, rewarding trek gets the most exciting section done while you are fresh, setting you up perfectly for the next step.

Immediately after breakfast, we tackle the famous Great Barranco Wall. This is a fun, non-technical climb that our expert guides will manage, ensuring you feel safe and confident. From the top of the Wall, we enjoy stunning views before trekking to the small, stunning Karanga Camp. This shorter trek is designed for recovery and setting you up perfectly for the next step.

We undertake a short but strenuous climb through the alpine desert to Barafu (Swahili for “ice”) Camp, the mountain’s final basecamp. We arrive early, allowing maximum time to rest, hydrate, and prepare all your gear before an early dinner. Your dedicated guide handles all logistical preparations, leaving you with zero stress so you can focus only on getting crucial hours of rest before the midnight summit attempt.

We begin the midnight push under the stars. Your personal guide will encourage you every step of the way, leading you to Stella Point, and finally to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) for sunrise. After celebrating, we begin the long descent to Mweka Camp. This is the ultimate goal, and that feeling of watching the sun rise over the African continent is your reward for your dedication.

Your final day on the mountain is an easy walk through the beautiful rainforest to the Mweka Gate. You receive your official summit certificates before we ensure a smooth, comfortable transfer from the mountain back to your post-climb accommodations in Moshi/Arusha.

What's Included and Excluded?

Transparency is key to a smooth journey. Here is a clear breakdown of what is covered in your Lemosho Climb arranged by Ekuseni:

Price Includes

  • Professional Mountain Crew: Certified, experienced English-speaking Lead Guide (WFR-trained), Assistant Guides, dedicated Chef, and Porters.

  • Safety & Medical: Comprehensive medical kit, oxygen cylinder, and portable Hyperbaric Chamber carried on every climb. Daily health checks are performed twice by our WFR-trained guides.

  • Park Fees: All National Park entry, camping, rescue, and conservation fees as required for the 8-day Lemosho Route.

  • Accommodation: High-quality, four-season sleeping tents (used for two people maximum for space and comfort).

  • Meals: All meals on the mountain (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) prepared fresh by our mountain chef, plus purified drinking water.

  • Camping Comfort: Dining tent, tables, chairs, thick sleeping mattresses, and a private flush toilet facility for our group.

  • Transfers: All necessary road transfers between Moshi/Arusha and the Lemosho and Mweka Gates.

Price Excludes

  • Flights: International flights to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

  • Accommodation: Hotels/lodges before and after the climb (We can happily arrange these for you upon request).

  • Gear: Personal clothing and equipment (sleeping bag, trekking poles, etc.)—though high-quality rentals can be arranged.

  • Tipping: Gratuities for your mountain crew (recommended guideline provided when you book with us).

  • Insurance: Travel and medical insurance, including coverage for high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation.

  • Personal Items: Visa fees, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, laundry, and personal spending money.

Ready to Summit? Start Planning Your Climb Now

Use this form to tell us about your group, preferred travel dates, and any specific questions you have about gear or our high summit success rate.

This is not a commitment to book. This is simply the fastest way to connect with your Ekuseni friend and receive a personalized quote and detailed information pack tailored specifically to your Machame climb.

Common Questions, Expert Answers

Why choose the 8-day Lemosho over the 7-day Lemosho itinerary?

The 8-day itinerary is widely recommended because it gives you a crucial extra night on the mountain to rest and acclimatize. The slower, more gradual pace significantly reduces the risk of altitude sickness and maximizes your chances of reaching the summit comfortably.

Because of its superior acclimatization schedule, the 8-day Lemosho route has one of the highest success rates on the mountain, often exceeding 85% for climbers who are reasonably fit and well-prepared.

The Lemosho route is longer, but the daily trekking hours and elevation gain are more manageable, making the pace gentler and less physically strenuous on a day-to-day basis than the popular Machame route.

Lemosho starts on the remote western side, so the first three days are the quietest and most tranquil of any route. It only merges with the Machame trail later at Shira Camp, offering a perfect balance of solitude and safety.

The most popular and best times to climb are during the dry seasons: January–March and June–October. These periods offer the clearest skies and most stable weather, though you should always be prepared for cold temperatures near the summit.

What kind of gear do I need for the Lemosho climb? Can I rent it?

You will need layered, high-quality gear for temperatures ranging from tropical to Arctic. We provide all group camping gear. As your friend, we can happily arrange high-quality rentals for personal items like a 4-season sleeping bag, down jacket, and trekking poles if you prefer not to travel with them.

No previous high-altitude experience is required, but you must be reasonably fit. We recommend a consistent training routine that includes long walks or hikes (6–8 hours) and cardiovascular exercise starting at least two to three months before your climb date.

Forget basic backpacking food. Our dedicated Mountain Chef prepares fresh, hot, energy-boosting meals throughout the trek, catering to dietary needs. We also provide high-quality tents and a private, clean flush toilet facility for our group—a small but critical comfort feature.

We encourage booking at least 6 to 9 months in advance, especially if you plan to travel during peak season. Booking early secures your desired dates and allows you ample time to train and secure international flights.

Absolutely! Ekuseni specializes in creating seamless, customized journeys. We highly recommend combining your climb with a world-class Safari in Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro) or a relaxing Zanzibar beach holiday for the perfect celebration and recovery.