8 Days Kilimanjaro Climb via Lemosho Route
The Lemosho route is highly regarded for acclimatization, offering a unique experience on the first day with the presence of an armed ranger due to local wildlife such as buffalo and elephants.
While the minimum trek duration is 7 days, we highly recommend extending it to 8 days.
This not only helps mitigate altitude sickness but also allows for more rest and preparation before the summit attempt.
Why Choose the Lemosho Route
- Highest summit success rate on Kilimanjaro
- Stunning and diverse landscapes
- Excellent acclimatization profile
- Less crowded at the start
Kilimanjaro Adventure
8 Days Kilimanjaro Climb via Lemosho Route
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time: 2–3 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast and briefing, drive approximately 3 hours to Lemosho Gate. From here, continue by 4WD through forest tracks to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades.
Begin your trek through lush rainforest to Mti Mkubwa Camp (“Big Tree Camp”), surrounded by dense vegetation and rich wildlife.
Accommodation: Budget Camping
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, the trail gradually steepens as you leave the forest and enter the moorland zone. Cross small streams and ascend along the Shira Ridge before descending gently to Shira 1 Camp on the Shira Plateau.
Accommodation: Budget Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Enjoy a relatively gentle trek across the expansive Shira Plateau. This is an important acclimatization day with optional short hikes available.
Arrive at Shira 2 Camp, offering stunning views of Kibo Peak.
Accommodation: Budget Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-Desert
Ascend toward Lava Tower, also known as “Shark’s Tooth,” reaching a high point of 4,650m. After lunch, descend to Barranco Camp.
This “climb high, sleep low” strategy is essential for proper acclimatization and increases your chances of summit success.
Accommodation: Budget Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, climb the famous Barranco Wall, a steep but manageable ascent with rewarding views.
Continue across ridges and valleys to Karanga Camp, a shorter day designed to aid acclimatization.
Accommodation: Budget Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Climb steadily to Barafu Camp, completing the southern circuit of the mountain. Enjoy spectacular views of the summit from different angles.
Spend the afternoon resting, hydrating, and preparing for your summit attempt.
Accommodation: Budget Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Distance: 5 km ascent / 13 km descent
- Hiking Time: 5–7 hours up / 5–6 hours down
- Habitat: Arctic / Alpine
Around midnight, begin your summit push toward Stella Point, navigating steep scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
Continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. Witness a breathtaking sunrise before descending back to Barafu for a short rest, then continue to Mweka Camp.
Accommodation: Budget Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
After breakfast, descend through lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you will receive your summit certificate.
Your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Arusha.
Accommodation: None (End of Trek)
Meals: Breakfast
Drinks: Not included
All prices are per person, valid year-round. Group discounts apply — the more trekkers, the lower your per-person cost. Children and youth rates available upon request.
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents:
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- All Park fees, Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries, and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with tables and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Accommodation in Arusha
- Airport transfers
- Tips for guides, cook, and porters
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania Visa fee
- Mountain gear
Note: We have a discount for kids under 15 years old
What to Pack for Kilimanjaro
Clothing
Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying, preferably moisture-wicking and non-cotton. Layers work best! You will want active wear for daily activities and casual dressy clothes for the evening.
- Long pants
- Shorts
- Short-sleeved shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Undergarments, sports bra
- Sweater, jacket, windbreaker
- Rain jacket and/or rain poncho
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit and cover
- Belt
- Sun hat with brim and chin strap
- Bandana (for dust, washing, etc.)
Footwear
Your daily activities may get your shoes dirty or muddy. Streets can be uneven. Light sandals are not good for daily tours and hikes, but they are nice for relaxing at your hotel.
- Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, closed-toe, preferably waterproof
- Tennis shoes, sandals, dressy shoes, and/or flip-flops
- Comfortable, breathable socks
Baggage
- Suitcase or duffel (check weight restrictions for internal flights)
- Day pack for daily activities and easy access + rain cover
- Waterproof/plastic bags for organizing gear and dirty clothing (Ziplocs and garbage bags work)
- Packing cube, compression bag, stuff sacks, toiletry bag, foldable shopping bag
- Money belt, security pouch, document organizer
- NOTE: A carry-on bag on most flights is limited to 22″ x 14″ x 9″.
Electronics
Store electronics in sealed waterproof bags. Remember to set the date and time on your cameras.
- Cell phone, cord, plug, headphones (check on international charges)
- Headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries
- GoPro, camera, video camera, SD cards, batteries, charger/power cord
- Tripod (travel size), selfie-stick
- Air Tags
- Lens cleaning cloth
- Electrical adapter
Day Pack
Take along any items you need for the day in a separate day pack:
- Binoculars
- Camera + disks, batteries, lenses, tripod, cleaning cloth
- Video camera, cell phone, Go Pro, etc.
- Water
- Snacks + to share with guides, other travelers, etc.
- Wet wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Passports
- Money
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellent
- Hat
- Bandana
- Hair binder
- Jackknife
- Magazines/books/headphones/kite/frisbee
- Safari notebook + pen
- Safari wildlife book
Toiletries
- Hairbrush, comb, mirror, hair ties
- Soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair gel
- Shaving supplies
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Nail clippers, nail file, nail brush
- Facial tissue, Toilet paper
- Moist towelettes
- Hand sanitizer
- Q-tips
- Sewing kit
- Insect repellent
- Small travel towel
- Cosmetics, feminine products, travel jewelry
First Aid
You only need one first aid kit in your travel group, so coordinate with your travel companions.
- Prescription drugs
- Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Aspirin
- Band-aids/blister tape
- Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment
- Throat lozenges
- Vitamins
- Antihistamines
- Melatonin or other sleep aid
- Gauze bandages and tape
- Diarrhea medicine (Imodium AD or similar), Ginger, and Ginkgo can be helpful for stomach problems
- Antibiotics (talk to a doctor)
Documents
- Passport (make sure it is valid > 6 months after the end of your trip)
- Visas for all countries as necessary
- Airline e-tickets (make sure name on ticket matches name on passport)
- Copy of AWR travel itinerary
- Travel insurance information + Medical insurance card
- Document organizer
- Make copies of passports, visas, driver’s licenses, airline tickets/schedules, travel itineraries, credit cards (front and back), frequent flyer numbers, travel insurance, and emergency contact information. Leave a copy with someone at home and email it to yourself (or store it in the Cloud). Put copies of your travel itinerary in each checked bag.
Pool/Beach
- Swimsuit and cover-up
- Beach sandals
- Reef shoes (for sharp rocks and coral)
- Scuba card
- Waterproof camera
Other
- Cash (including some small bills, U.S. dollars must be new with no tears)
- Credit cards (check for international fees)
- Water bottle and Camelbak
- Sunglasses, strap
- Eyeglasses, contacts/case/solution
- Binoculars
- Pocket knife (put in checked luggage)
- Notebook, lots of pens
- Books, playing cards, games, crossword puzzles, frisbee, football, kite
- Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
- Duct tape (can be wrapped around water bottle)
Packing for the flight
- Passport, flight e-tickets, AWR travel itinerary
- Books, magazines, e-readers, cards, games
- Cell phone, headphones
- Toiletries
- Snacks
- Water bottle (empty through security)
- U-shaped neck pillow
- Eye shades, ear plugs
- Kleenex, wet wipes
- Melatonin or other sleep aid
- Compression socks
"We summited Kilimanjaro! The guides were incredibly knowledgeable about altitude sickness prevention. We felt supported every step of the way. The porters treated us like family."
"The Lemosho route was perfect. Less crowded than other routes, stunning views, and our guide Mwajuma's stories made the trek unforgettable. Would 100% trek again."
"At 60 and 58, we weren't sure we could do it. But the team believed in us. Summit day sunrise at 19,341 feet was the most moving moment of our lives. Thank you."
"Everything was perfectly organized. The food at the camps exceeded expectations. Most importantly, the guides genuinely cared about our safety and well-being."
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
