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 31 reviews Posted on 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!Posted on Patrick MVerified Tanzanian safari Malaki was AMAZING!!! He is one of the most knowledgeable, humble, and kind people I have been around. He was a wonderful guide for our family's week long safari!Posted on Andrea SVerified Absolutely unforgettable experience An absolutely beautiful experience, worth every moment! Our guide Malaki was phenomenal – very dedicated, patient, full of energy and truly committed to making everything unforgettable. 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He had deep knowledge of the areas we visited, each unique in its own way, which helped immerse us in the landscape while watching the animals in their natural habitat. He knew where to go to help us have a rich and authentic experience. He was warm, patient and attentive, meeting and exceeding the needs of our 10 person group. Highly recommend!!Posted on bklyntraveller9Verified Malaki gave us a once in a lifetime experience, everything we had hoped for and more! We truly could not have been in better hands than with Malaki as our guide through Tanzania. Traveling from Serengeti, Ngorogoro crater and Tarangire national park, Malaki ensured we had the fullest experience. We were 10 people across 2 jeeps ages 80 down to 12. Malaki didn't just drive us from place to place, he brought Tanzania alive for us. He was incredibly knowledgeable, gracious, warm-- and not to mention, full of humor, effortlessly managing logistics while enriching every game drive and cultural experience with context and insight. If you are looking for an expert and a person you can relax and put your trust in, Malaki is your guide!Posted on Lidiya KVerified Superb experience! We had a superb experience. Though we booked our adventure on a very short notice - the trip went far beyond our expectations. Amazing trip to Tarangire and then yet even more breathtaking visit to Ngorongoro. We had a wonderful thoughtful and professional guide Jeremia with us who didn't leave a single question of ours unanswered. And there were plenty. Organization is on a very high level. We enjoyed every moment!Posted on Ivan_BalakhonovVerified Unforgettable experience Me and my friends had two free days to spend in Arusha region and were looking for a short safari to Tarangire and Ngorongoro. We were recommended Malaki Safaris and this turned out to be good advice.Malaki immediately got involved in arranging everything for us and despite of short notice organized our safari to perfection. During the trip all went smoothly and without even a tiny glitch. Our guide, Jeremiah, was amazing. He is a careful driver, has answers to any questions and reads ever-changing situation in parks very well so we were able to catch some really special moments. Accomodation for overnight stay at Marera Valley Lodge was also wonderful and we didn't have to worry about anything while on the road or in the lodge. This was definitely an experience of the lifetime and whenever I plan to come back I know with whom to explore Serengeti, which is now on the top of my things-to-do list.Posted on finnkaiVerified Malaki is an above and beyond safari guide and person Our 4-person Tanzania adventure with Malaki of Malaki Safaris was beyond expectations. Malaki’s combination of professionalism, warmth, knowledge, passion, and cultural connection made the trip phenomenal. Our itinerary took us to Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Empakai, Lake Natron, and Central and Southern Serengeti. Every place awed us with the wildlife and scenery, and we enjoyed staying at a variety of lodges and tented camps, all in beautiful settings. We also spent 2 days hiking with local Maasai guides who taught us about some of their traditions and current realities facing pastoral people in Tanzania. Malaki is a skillful, responsive communicator, so trip planning was enjoyable rather than stressful. He provided suggestions, and he customized our safari according to preferences we expressed. A review below from September 2023 by tomtom771 highlights outstanding aspects of Malaki Safaris, all important to consider when splurging on a trip of a lifetime. Many Tanzania safari itineraries are similar, but it’s the guide who makes the biggest difference. Malaki is from a rural Maasai village, and he pursued his formal education in cities. He knows Tanzania’s landscapes, wildlife, and cultures from lived experience, and he truly loves sharing all of it. Our group had a particular interest in birds, and Malaki eagerly brushed up on his already impressive birding repertoire. When we had questions, Malaki usually had answers, and he often came back later with more information. He has stellar abilities maneuvering the jeep to maximize views and photo opportunities, and he manages to do so without ticking off other drivers. When one of our group members stayed on in Tanzania to do solo travel, Malaki continued to check in on him, occasionally arranging lodging or transfers as a courtesy. It’s not essential that one has a guide who you befriend and hope to see again, but with Malaki we got the best of both worlds, an A+ safari and a talented guide who brightened every day.Posted on sandrabVerified A good, honest and knowledgeable guide! Malaki was highly recommended to us by a friend, and we had a great time with him on the 14-day tour he designed. He guided us at Tarangire National Park, Ngorogoro Crater and Serengeti NP. He worked with us on our budget and is a good communicator. He was very patient, knowledgeable with animals and birds and his pleasant personality made our adventure lots of fun! You could tell that he’s been guiding tours for many years. Other guides respected him and he has good contacts in the area. We stayed in a variety of lodges/tented camps, all pleasant and at times luxurious. If you want an honest guide with good morals and great experience, you can’t go wrong with Malaki.