Lemosho Route is the most affluent and beautiful trail for trekking on Kilimanjaro, and also one of the best routes for acclimatization and is very successful. Compared to other trails like Machame, Marangu, and Rongai, it begins higher up the mountain at 2250 meters above sea level and climbs slowly over 70 kilometers. It is actually an improvement on the original Shira Route which gains altitude faster and a shorter route but offers very low and poor acclimatization advantage.
kilimanjaro 8 days Lemosho route
Itinerary Details
Day by Day Itinery
Day 1 Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet Malaki Safaris representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay. In the evening there will be a briefing with our presenter, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.
Day 2 High-Altitude Drop Off Destination and Trekking to Shira 2 Camp
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold another briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle (roughly 3–4 hours) to Kilimanjaro National Park’s western entrance: Londorossi Gate (2,200 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group continues upwards towards their drop off point by off-road vehicles (reaching 3,500 meters). Here you can see stunning views of the Shira Plateau for the first time.
The route from your drop off point to your first high-altitude camp Shira 2 features a moderate gain in altitude and is not too physically challenging. Due to this, you will be able to properly begin the process of acclimatization. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents and cook dinner for you.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may, therefore, start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Change in Elevation: Lemosho Glades (3,500 m) — Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Day 3 Trekking from Shira 2 Camp to The Lava Tower and Descent to Barranco Camp
After breakfast, you will leave Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be.
Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case, you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters.
Change in Elevation: Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m) — Lava Tower (4,630 m) — Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
Hiking distance: 12 km
Hiking time: 6–8 hours
Day 4 Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Early wake-up, breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but doesn’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered a warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude, and the descent back down to the camp.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp:
Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) — Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — Destination point en route to Barafu Camp (4,270 m)
Hiking distance: 2.5 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours
Day 5 Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
In the morning after breakfast, you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp:
Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
Hiking distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Kosovo Camp (4,800 m)
Hiking distance: 2 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours
Day 6 Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp
Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).
Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
Hiking distance: 15 km
Hiking time: 8–12 hours
Day 7 Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,650 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.
Change in Elevation: Millennium Camp (3,820 m) — Mweka Gate (1,650 m)
Hiking distance: 12 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Day 8 Departure
Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport that will be the end of our 8 Days expeditions.
Our Reviews
EXCELLENT Based on 39 reviews Posted on Tripadvisor Giulia PVerified Knowledgeable, attentive and passionate about wildlife Malaki was an incredible guide who made our safari an unforgettable experience. He was extremely knowledgeable, attentive and passionate about wildlife. He knows so much about the animals and their natural environment, and always showed great respect for nature and wildlife. We felt in very good hands throughout the entire safari. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide!Posted on Tripadvisor Marta PVerified Indimenticabile Malaki ci ha fatto vivere un’esperienza unicaPosted on Tripadvisor Matteo CVerified Esperienza incredibile Guida pronta e preparata che ti fa vivere l'esperienza del safari autentica nel rispetto della natura. Persona speciale. Ha contribuito a farci vivere dei momenti indimenticabili.Posted on Tripadvisor Luca GianquittoVerified Una delle esperienze più belle della mia vita Malaki è stato una guida eccezionale e ha reso il nostro safari un’esperienza davvero indimenticabile. È sempre stato gentile, disponibile, professionale e preparatissimo. Ha fatto di tutto per farci vivere ogni momento nel migliore dei modi, condividendo con noi la sua passione e facendoci sentire sempre a nostro agio. Grazie a lui siamo riusciti a goderci il safari al massimo e a vivere un’esperienza che porteremo sempre nel cuore. Grazie di tutto, Malaki! Se tornassimo in Tanzania, sceglieremmo senza alcun dubbio di fare un altro safari con te. ❤️Posted on Tripadvisor Željana LVerified Adventure of a lifetime We spent unforgettable a six days with Malaki team. Everything was perfectly organized. The welcome at the airport was masterful and our adventure of a lifetime begins.A Tanzanian stuned us with her beauty.Unreal of Tarangire National Park,Ngorongoro Crater,Original Maasai Lodge,Serval wildlife,Materuni Village and soo much more.We had the opportunity to see landspapes and wildlife.Special thanks to the best and the fastsets driver Richard. Thank you for everything. We can't wait to come back. Malaki Safaris are the best team.Posted on Tripadvisor Milena NVerified unforgettable a trip to remember. I still feel like I was dreaming. The Malaki team is phenomenal and the energy is great. For every recommendation. next time we will come with children :) Asante sana :)Posted on Tripadvisor Marija SVerified Amazing I had an absolutely amazing experience with Malaki Safaris! From the very beginning, everything was organized professionally and with great attention to detail. The team was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to help, which made me feel safe and relaxed throughout the entire trip. The safari itself exceeded all my expectations. We had the opportunity to see breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife up close. Our guide was experienced and passionate, sharing fascinating insights about the animals and the environment, which made the experience even more special. Everything—from transportation and accommodation to daily activities—was perfectly arranged. I truly felt that every moment was carefully planned to give us the best possible experience. I highly recommend this agency to anyone looking for a memorable and authentic safari adventure in Africa. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I would gladly travel with them again! See you next year 🐘Posted on Tripadvisor Martin SVerified Nezaboravno putovanje Sa ekipom Malaki Safaris smo proveli 6 nezaboravnih dana. Momci su fenomenalni, od samog doceka na aerodromu do poslednjeg trenutka u njihovom mestu, apsolutno se osecate sigurno. Imacete utisak da ste sa prijateljima kod svoje kuce. Njihovo iskustvo, znanje i trud ce doprineti da osetite Tanzaniju i safari, ne samo da budete tu. Veliki pozdrav za celu ekipu! Svima najiskrenije preporucujemo!Posted on Tripadvisor Anastasija DVerified Amazing Safari experience! An absolutely incredible experience with Malaki Safaris! Everything was perfectly organized, and the team was extremely professional, kind, and attentive to every detail. These 6 days felt like pure magic - from breathtaking safaris to feeling completely safe and cared for at all times. They created memories we will cherish for a lifetime. A huge thank you for everything — we can’t wait to come back! Highly recommended!Posted on Tripadvisor Keira BVerified Trip of a lifetime! My mom and I had the joy of going on a 5-day safari with Malaki last fall through Tarangire, Ngorongoro crater, and the Serengeti. He was a perfect match for us - responsive to our needs and interests, incredibly knowledgeable about the animals and parks, very professional, warm and friendly. He helped us spot all the animals on our wishlist, with lots of up close encounters. It was very magical, and the trip of a lifetime!