11-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the successful 8-day Lemosho Route. One of the most beautiful and unique ways to get to the top is the Lemosho path. It starts on the western side of the mountain, is less busy so you can enjoy hiking in peace, and is famous for having stunning views the whole way.

You need to be pretty fit to do this way, and it costs more than the others. It also takes a little longer, which is a good thing because it gives you more time to get used to the altitude, which is another reason why it has the best success rate.

Start getting ready for the walk of your life and the picture you’ll take at the top with the biggest smile on your face.

Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb
Day 2: Lemosho Route (1/8) | Lemosho Gate (2,100 m/6,889 ft) – Big Tree Camp (2,780 m/9,120 ft)
Day 3: Lemosho Route (2/8) | Big Tree Camp (2,780 m/9,120 ft) – Shira 1 Camp (3,510 m/11,515 ft)
Day 4: Lemosho Route (3/8) | Shira 1 Camp (3,510 m/11,515 ft) – Shira 2 Camp (3,890 m/12,762 ft)
Day 5: Lemosho Route (4/8) | 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)
Day 6: Lemosho Route (5/8) | Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft) – Karanga Camp (4,040 m/13,254 ft)
Day 7: Lemosho Route (6/8) | Karanga Camp (4,040 m/13,254 ft) – Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft)
Day 8: Lemosho Route (7/8) | Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) – Millenium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft)
Day 9: Lemosho Route (8/8) | Millennium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m/5,380 ft) – Hotel
Day 10 – 11: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

Tanzania Zanzibar Safari gives a one-of-a-kind service during the climb.

The hardest thing you can do is climb Kilimanjaro. Little things can make a big difference, that’s why we send you up with trained guides, porters, and a cook. Through the Lemosho way, they take care of you by checking on your health twice a day and giving you tasty food. Does that sound like too much? Not if you want to get to the top! Because we know that altitude sickness can sneak up on you and that good eating is important to keep you going on a tough climb.

You can also get a lot of information from us to help you get ready for your climb via the Lemosho way. It tells you about Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro, how to get ready, and what you can buy or rent. Another thing we want to bring up is that we work with the Kilimanjaro Responsible Travel Organization (KRTO). That means that while we climb, we look out for our team and the mountain. This way, you can climb without worrying. Are you ready for an event you’ll never forget?

*We can send you the menu ahead of time if you’d like to see it.

How fit do you have to be to go up Kilimanjaro the Lemosho Way?

Kilimanjaro is very hard to climb because of its high elevation, fast ascent rate, and changing weather. You will walk for six to seven hours every day on average when you climb. It is definitely possible if you are healthy and fit. You can do many things to improve your chances of making it to the top and to make sure you enjoy the hike.

Take your time. Allow your body time to adjust and get used to the altitude by hiking slowly.
Get ready. Also, being in good shape helps a lot with the climb. Hiking a few months before the climb is a great way to prepare, especially walks that last more than one day. But running and other physical activities are also good ways to get ready.

Add one more day. There is no way to know ahead of time who will get altitude sickness. This risk will go down if you climb for one more day. Because the climb is spread out over more days, your body has more time to get used to being taller. We really think you should do this to improve your chances of getting to the top.

Day by day breakdown

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb

When you get to Kilimanjaro International Airport, our Tanzania Zanzibar Safari guide will be there to meet you. After the trip, he drops you off at your hotel where you can rest.
Getting ready for your climb: Before you start your climb, you meet your guide. He tells you about the climb and gives you important tips on what to wear, what to bring, and how to make it as easy as possible.

Day 2: Lemosho Route (1/8) | Lemosho Gate (2,100 m/6,889 ft) – Big Tree Camp (2,780 m/9,120 ft)

You’ll be picked up at your hotel by our guide in the morning and taken to the Londorossi Gate on the west side, where your amazing Kilimanjaro climb starts. After getting registered and getting your ascent pass, you go to Big Tree Camp, which is the first camp on the route. You need to cross a jungle, so don’t forget to bring your rain jacket. As you get used to the altitude, take a 300-meter walk to Shira 1 Camp after lunch. For dinner, go back to Big Tree Camp.

Day 3: Lemosho Route (2/8) | Big Tree Camp (2,780 m/9,120 ft) – Shira 1 Camp (3,510 m/11,515 ft)

After an early wake-up call and breakfast, the hike begins with a slow climb to 3,505 meters, where the first view of the Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano is truly breathtaking. The walk to Shira 1 high mountain camp is pretty easy and only takes about 5–6 hours. This helps with the important process of getting used to the altitude, which is a key part of trekking success. When you get to the camp, lunch is given, and you can either rest in your tent or go for a walk in the area.

Day 4: Lemosho Route (3/8) | Shira 1 Camp (3,510 m/11,515 ft) – Shira 2 Camp (3,890 m/12,762 ft)

You walk from Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp today. It’s not hard to do this walk, and as you go up, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and unique plants around Kilimanjaro. Shira 2 Camp is the best place to see Mount Meru, which is the fifth highest mountain in Africa, on a clear day. As you get used to the altitude, take a walk to Lava Tower Camp after lunch (an elevation gain of 200m). This will increase your chances of reaching the top and lower your risk of getting altitude sickness.

Day 5: Lemosho Route (4/8) | 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)

Today, the Lemosho route and the Machame route meet. From Shira Camp 2, you can walk to the beautiful Lava Tower, which is 4,630 m (15,190 ft) high. There are a lot of ups and downs in this part of the walk, but the views are beautiful. You might start to feel a little shaky because of the height after a long walk. So, it’s important to find the right speed so that your body can get used to the higher place. You go down to Barranco Camp at the base of Barranco Wall after lunch.

Day 6: Lemosho Route (5/8) | Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft) – Karanga Camp (4,040 m/13,254 ft)

You leave Barranco Camp for the Barranco Wall after breakfast. A lot of people love this part of the climb. You can see the Kibo Volcano and Mount Meru in all their glory from the top of the Barranco Wall.

After that, the walk to Karanga Camp gets harder. Keep the right pace because this path goes up and down a lot. You have lunch at the camp, and then you can take a break and go on a walk to get used to the altitude. The hike will take you to Barafu Camp.

Day 7: Lemosho Route (6/8) | Karanga Camp (4,040 m/13,254 ft) – Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft)

You’ll hike to Barafu Camp today (after breakfast, of course!). You can start your climb to Uhuru Peak, which is the top of Kilimanjaro, from this camp. Around lunchtime, you get to the camp. Rest, and when you’re ready, go on a hike to Kosovo Summit Camp (4,870 m) and back to get used to the cooler air. As you get ready for the last push to the top around midnight, take in the breathtaking views of the nearby peaks and feel the thrill of camping at a high elevation.

Day 8: Lemosho Route (7/8) | Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) – Millenium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft)

Today is finally the big day! The climb from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak starts around midnight. The hardest part of the climb is getting to the top, which is done on good paths. Enjoy a beautiful sunrise when you reach the top, which is pretty amazing from this height! After a short party at the top (because, hey, you just climbed Kilimanjaro!), you start the slow drop to the beautiful Millennium Camp.

Day 9: Lemosho Route (8/8) | Millennium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m/5,380 ft) – Hotel

There is a tropical jungle where the Millennium camp is located. Today when you wake up, you’ll feel relieved that you’re not as high and happy that you made it to the top. You can easily walk to Mweka Gate, which is the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park, after breakfast.

After that, your car takes you back to the hotel so you can rest. Memories, views, and a real sense of success that you will never forget are waiting for you!

Day 10 – 11: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

It’s time to go home now that your vacation is over. Have fun in Tanzania for a few more hours before our driver picks you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your trip home. Do you still want more? You can also add a few days of hiking or a trip to the beach to your Kilimanjaro trip!