The Ultimate 8-Day Lemosho Route Expedition
From $2019Per Person
The Ultimate 8-Day Lemosho Route Expedition
The Lemosho Route is widely celebrated as the most scenic and successful approach to Mount Kilimanjaro. Approaching from the west, this route offers a quiet, remote start through pristine rainforest before joining the main trail on the Shira Plateau. With an 8-day progression, we maximize the “Climb High, Sleep Low” principle, providing a world-class success rate for our climbers.
Safari Highlights Overview
| Destination | Highlight | Nights | Accommodaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 0: Pre-Trek Briefing (Arrival Day) | Pre-Trek Briefing (Arrival Day) | 1 | Hotel & Camping |
| Day 1: Moshi to Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree Camp) | Moshi to Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree Camp) | 1 | Moshi to Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree Camp) |
| Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp | Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp | 1 | Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp |
| Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp | Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp | 1 | Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp |
| Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp | Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp | 1 | Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp |
| Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp | Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp | 1 | Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp |
| Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp | Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp | 1 | Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp |
| Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (Summit) to Mweka Camp | Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (Summit) to Mweka Camp | 1 | Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (Summit) to Mweka Camp |
| Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi | Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi | 0 | Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi |
ITINERARY
Your journey begins with a warm welcome. Today is dedicated to a comprehensive pre-trek briefing with our lead guides at your hotel in Moshi. We will conduct a thorough gear inspection to ensure you are safe and prepared, finalize medical protocols, and discuss the weather conditions for the week ahead.
- Accommodation: Not Included (Available as an optional add-on)
- Meals: Not Included (Available as an optional add-on)
After breakfast (at your own arrangement), we take a scenic 3-hour drive to the Lemosho Gate for registration. Your trek begins in the deep, emerald-green rainforest. Unlike other routes, Lemosho starts in a remote wilderness where you are likely to encounter Colobus monkeys and colorful Turacos. The trail is often misty and damp, winding through ancient trees draped in “Old Man’s Beard” moss. It is a gentle start designed to help you find your rhythm and breathe in the fresh mountain air.
- Elevation: 2,100m (6,890ft) to 2,650m (8,694ft)
- Distance: 7 km (4 miles) | Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest | Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Today, the trail steepens as we leave the forest canopy and enter the heath and moorland zone. You will see the vegetation change to giant heather and volcanic shrubs. We cross several mountain streams and ascend the Shira Ridge—one of the oldest volcanic craters on the mountain—before descending gently to Shira 1 Camp. On a clear day, you will get your first magnificent view of Kibo Peak across the vast plateau.
- Elevation: 2,650m (8,694ft) to 3,610m (11,844ft)
- Distance: 7 km (4 miles) | Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A beautiful morning hike across the vast, high-altitude Shira Plateau. This day is intentionally shorter to allow for “active recovery.” You will explore the “Cathedral,” a massive rock buttress with breathtaking views. This extra day at 3,800m+ is a strategic move by Tanzania Songbirds Safaris to ensure your body produces the necessary red blood cells for the summit push later in the week.
- Elevation: 3,610m (11,844ft) to 3,850m (12,631ft)
- Distance: 10 km (6 miles) | Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This is a critical “Climb High, Sleep Low” day. We climb to the Lava Tower (4,630m), a massive 300ft volcanic plug, where we stop for a hot lunch. This altitude exposure is vital for success. Afterward, we descend into the beautiful Barranco Valley. You will walk through the “Garden of Senecios”—unique, prehistoric-looking plants—at the base of the massive and awe-inspiring Barranco Wall.
- Elevation: 3,850m (12,631ft) to 3,900m (12,795ft)
- Distance: 12 km (7 miles) | Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
- Habitat: Semi-Desert | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We begin with the famous “Breakfast Climb” up the Barranco Wall. This is a fun, non-technical scramble that rewards you at the top with the most iconic photo opportunities of the southern glaciers. We traverse a series of ridges and valleys, finally descending into the Karanga Valley before a short climb to the camp. This day is designed to keep your energy high while continuing the acclimatization process.
- Elevation: 3,900m (12,795ft) to 3,995m (13,106ft)
- Distance: 5 km (3 miles) | Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The trail turns upward toward the Barafu (Ice) Camp. The landscape is now a stark, lunar desert with cold winds. We arrive in the early afternoon, allowing you plenty of time to rest and hydrate. Our team will serve an early dinner, and you will be in your sleeping bag by 7:00 PM, as your guides will wake you around midnight for the final push to the Roof of Africa.
- Elevation: 3,995m (13,106ft) to 4,673m (15,331ft)
- Distance: 4 km (2 miles) | Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The Summit Day. At midnight, we begin the steep ascent by headlamp. This is a true test of spirit as we reach Stella Point (5,756m) just as the sun rises over the Mawenzi Peak. From there, it is a 1-hour snowy walk to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)—the highest point in Africa. After standing on the summit, we descend back to Barafu for lunch and then continue down to Mweka Camp for a well-deserved sleep.
- Elevation: 4,673m to 5,895m (Summit) then down to 3,100m (10,170ft)
- Distance: 18 km (11 miles) | Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
- Habitat: Arctic Summit / Stone Scree | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a final “Tipping Ceremony” where we celebrate with our incredible mountain crew, we descend through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate. Here, you will sign the park register and receive your official gold summit certificates. Our vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi where the tour concludes.
- Elevation: 3,100m (10,170ft) to 1,640m (5,380ft)
- Distance: 10 km (6 miles) | Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest | Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
ITINERARY
Your adventure begins with a professional orientation at your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Our Lead Guides will conduct a Vital Technical Briefing, including a full gear audit and a review of the safety protocols required for trekking in a national park inhabited by big game. We will discuss the “Pole Pole” pacing strategy and the specific challenges of the rapid 3-day ascent to ensure you are mentally and physically prepared for the vertical gain.
- Focus: Safety synchronization and wildlife protocols.
- Accommodation: Not Included (Available as an optional add-on).
After a scenic drive to the Momella Gate, we finalize park formalities and meet our armed park ranger, who will accompany us through the wildlife zones. The trek begins across open grasslands, offering the rare opportunity to see buffalo, giraffes, and zebras on foot. We ascend through the lush montane forest, passing the famous “Arched Fig Tree”—a natural cathedral formed by ancient roots. We reach Miriakamba Hut in time to watch the sunset over the plains.
- Elevation: $1,500\text{m}$ to $2,514\text{m}$ ($8,248\text{ft}$)
- Distance: $10\text{km}$ | Time: $4\text{–}6\text{ hours}$
- Habitat: Montane Forest | Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Today, the trail becomes significantly steeper as we climb through the “Giant Heather” zone. We ascend the wooden steps of Mgongo wa Tembo (Elephant Ridge), which provides stunning views of the Meru Crater floor and the perfectly formed Ash Cone below. After reaching Saddle Hut and enjoying a hot lunch, we take a short acclimatization hike to the summit of Little Meru ($3,820\text{m}$) for panoramic vistas of Kilimanjaro before returning for an early dinner and summit rest.
- Elevation: $2,514\text{m}$ to $3,570\text{m}$ ($11,712\text{ft}$)
- Distance: $8\text{km}$ | Time: $3\text{–}5\text{ hours}$
Habitat: Forest and Moorland | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The Defining Moment. We rise at midnight for a light snack and begin the final push under a starlit sky. The trail leads steeply to Rhino Point ($3,800\text{m}$), then follows a narrow, exhilarating ridgeline of volcanic rock and ash to Socialist Peak ($4,566\text{m}$). After witnessing a spectacular sunrise over Kilimanjaro, we descend back to Saddle Hut for brunch. The final leg is a long descent back to the Momella Gate, where your driver awaits to take you back to your hotel for a celebratory shower.
- Elevation: $3,570\text{m}$ to $4,566\text{m}$ (Summit) then down to $1,500\text{m}$
- Distance: $5\text{km}$ up / $13\text{km}$ down | Time: $12\text{–}14\text{ hours}$
- Habitat: Alpine Desert & Rainforest | Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
INCLUDED
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
EXCLUDED
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- International and domestic flights
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Tanzania Visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)