Kilimanjaro Lemosho (8 Day Route)

Tanzania
10 Days
9B 8L 9D
From$2,650 USD

Kilimanjaro's Lemosho route is a great choice for low traffic, beautiful scenery, and a high summit success rate.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) & transfer to Moshi Town

We pick you up from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi town, where you spend the night.

At the hotel, your guide will brief you on the upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. If you're missing anything important, not to worry, we offer gear rentals.

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We pick you up at your hotel at around 8:00 AM and transfer you to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro.

After registration, we start a 3-4 hour steady climb through the forests of the Lemosho Glades to reach Big Tree Camp, where we spend the night.

(Trekking distance: 7km / 4.3 miles).

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Today we cover a lot of ground with 9-11 hours of hiking across a plateau.

We cross grassy moorland scattered with volcanic rocks as we head towards our destination at Shira Camp 1. There are some steep sections, and we gain a reasonable amount of altitude. This is a steady ascent and gives us a chance to acclimatise.

(Trekking distance: 8km / 5 miles).

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Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo.

Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. We enjoy stunning panoramic views during the 5-6hr trek.

In the afternoon, we take an acclimatisation walk, then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.

(Trekking distance: 8km / 5 miles).

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The day begins with an ascent into the climatic zone of the upland desert and the lava ridges. We trek beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach.

Our highest point for the day is the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4,640m). This is an amazing place to enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, we descend a steep slope to our camp, which is located at the base of the Great Barranco Valley. This location is sheltered by towering cliffs with extensive views of the plains below. Time on the trail is 6-7 hours.

(Trekking distance: 10km / 6.2 miles).

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Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco ravine. We then exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a steep climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring.

Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head toward the Karanga Valley. From here, we have another ascent to our night’s camp at Karanga.

For those feeling strong, we go for a mid-afternoon acclimatisation trek up to around 4,200m before descending back to camp for the night. Time on the trail today is 5-6 hours.

(Trekking distance: 5.5km / 3.4 miles).

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Today we're trekking for 3-4 hours. After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu Camp. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes, free of any vegetation. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude.

On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting to prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm at camp.

We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep, as we get up between 11:00 PM and midnight to start our summit.

(Trekking distance: 3km / 1.9 miles).

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Around midnight, we start our bid for the summit.

We climb scree slopes for 4-5 hours, gaining significant height over a short distance. We hope to reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5,739m) as the first rays of the sun hit. Spectacular ice cliffs surround us with views of the jagged Mawenzi Peak and beyond.

In another hour, we should reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895m).

After celebrating this achievement, we return to Stella Point and then descend on scree slopes back to Barafu Camp for breakfast.

Finally, we head down to Millennium Camp for a well-earned rest. It's a long day with 12-15 hours trekking.

(Trekking distance: 13.4km / 8.3 miles).

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A gentle trek (6-7 hours) takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate.

Here we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up back home with pride!

We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a hot shower (and a cold beer or two) before our big celebration.

(Trekking distance: 12.1km / 7.5 miles).

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This is a free day to wind down after the trek before your flight home.

Depending on flight times, you may want to explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

If you have a spare hour, we would love for you to plant a tree as part of our environmental conservation efforts in the Kilimanjaro region.

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What's Included

Included
  • Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters.
  • Accommodation: You stay in a hotel before and after the trek. During the trek, you sleep in tents.
  • All tour permits and camp fees.
  • -29°C Extreme Limit sleeping bags and mats.
  • Airport transfers (3 available pick-up times depending on your flight).
  • All food during the 8-day trek (breakfast, lunch & dinner).
  • Dinner at the hotel on the first & last nights, as well as breakfast on departure day.
  • Filtered water throughout the trek.
  • Tree donation in support of local environmental conservation projects.
Not Included
  • International and local flights.
  • Lunch on the first & last day.
  • Tips & gratuities.
  • Personal travel/rescue insurance.
  • Visa fees.
  • Single supplement: US$90 per person (optional).
  • Portable toilet: US$150 per group (optional).
Have a question?

If you have any questions about this trip or want to speak with an expert, get in touch.

We're ready to help.

Team Images
Team Images
Team Images

Rated 5.0

45 verified reviews

Sammy Higgs
Sammy Higgs

(Oct 2024)

An amazing Kilimanjaro trip! We did the Lemosho route and our guide, Lawrence, was super helpful and supported us the whole way, along with our assistant guide, Lawrence. The food on the mountain was excellent, and you are fed very well! I'd recommend confirming any dietary requirements prior and beginning the tour to ensure there are suitable options. The porters were amazing and we were very grateful of their support, with our belongings, the amazing food, assistance and not forgetting supporting us on summit day. A healthy tip is recommended! If you are looking to donate hiking gear/clothing, I'd recommend bringing this out with you. We had such a great trip, I'd recommend Ashante Tours!

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Simon MacDonnell
Simon MacDonnell

(Oct 2023)

Just returned from a 8 day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro and it was AMAZING. Cannot recommend this more highly. The local guides and porters were just incredible, knowledgeable and so so supportive. I have to give a MASSIVE THANK YOU to Julio and Julius and his team especially Augustin, Amos and Joaquin who I will always be indebted to for their kindness, help and support.Everyone at Ashante are legends. Heshima Kubwa Wow what an inspiring journey and mumbling in so many ways. Highly recommend

Jackson
Jackson

(Oct 2023)

Our trip was perfect. Most importantly, our guide Arden was amazing. He, and the entire crew, were knowledgeable, supportive, and incredibly easy to get along with. Climbing the Lemosho route was one of the best experiences of my life and I would not change a thing. I highly recommend Ahsante Tours with Arden as your lead guide. Trust me, you will not regret this choice when you are standing at the tip of Africa! A truly transcendent experience.

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David
David

(Aug 2023)

Had a fantastic trip from start to finish, everything was well organised and catered for from the guides and porters to the food.

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Karen
Karen

(Aug 2023)

Just got back from an amazing summit to Kilimanjaro, absolutely faultless trip, guides Derek and Augustine were amazing, encouraging and very professional, only thing I would probably do differently is book a toilet, now we didn’t initially because we thought someone has to carry it, but it gets emptied at each camp and especially in the middle of the night if you have to get up it’s difficult to navigate where the toilets are in each camp. I celebrated half a century during the trip and the chef even baked a huge cake iced cake and they all sang to me at night, totally memorable experience which I will never forget, definitely take ear plugs, vitamin C tabs to flavor water, take some nice treats to share around and most of all be kind, these guys work hard and earn little so tip whatever you can at the end. We booked the hot springs and waterfall tour as we had 1 day spare and didn’t fancy traveling 5 hrs each way to do safari, roads are slow and a bit crazy so we were glad we just booked a day tour after.

FAQs

Before you go

Kilimanjaro is a steep mountain with a long summit day. You need to be fit enough to hike for eleven hours upslope. To train, we recommend running or playing sports at least 2-3 times a week. It's also great to do a few practice hikes with a 5kg rucksack before you arrive for your trek.

The following is a packing list for Kilimanjaro: DOCUMENTS • Passport • Travel insurance details • Boarding passes for flights • Two passport photos • Driver’s license (if needed) • Cards and cash GEAR & CLOTHING (please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking): • Sleeping bag liner (optional) • Trekking boots: all-season, lightweight • Trainers/ Crocs to wear around camp • 2-3 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts) • 2 thermal, long-sleeved tops (merino wool works well) • Fleece/soft-shell jacket • Lightweight rainjacket for everyday use (keep in daypack) • Waterproof outer shell jacket • Down jacket for warmth • Travel clothes and city wear • Underwear • Base-layer trousers/ thermal leggings • Waterproof trousers • Trekking trousers • Trekking shorts (optional) • Two thick wool mountaineering socks • Lightweight and breathable trekking socks • Gloves (inners and outers) • Wool hat/ beanie • Neck warmer/ buff • Brimmed hat/ cap • Small daypack (25l - 35l capacity is generally fine) • Duffel or rucksack with straps(90L capacity recommended) • Dry Liner or Dry Bag • Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best. • Sunglasses • Suncream • General toiletries, contact lenses, glasses (if needed) • Towel • Head torch, • Electronics (travel adaptor, phone & charger, power bank) • Lip Balm and moisturising lotion • Travel wash & small wash cloth • Hand sanitiser, wet wipes • Trekking poles (optional) If you don't want to purchase your own kit or need to travel light, you can hire most of the equipment from our guides in-country. Get in touch for the list and rental prices. Please note that all plastic bags, regardless of their thickness, are prohibited from being brought into Tanzania. This excludes packaging for medical supplies.

When you go above altitudes of 2,500m (as is the case on Kilimanjaro), there is less oxygen, which poses a risk of altitude sickness. High altitude sickness can happen to anybody, regardless of age or fitness. Symptoms vary between individuals but commonly include headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and numbness in fingers and toes. These symptoms can come on unexpectedly and get severe quickly. To decrease the chances of experiencing altitude sickness, you need to allow your body time to acclimatise properly. Although impossible to completely prevent, we've designed our itineraries to give guests the best chance to adjust to the altitude changes. This 8-day route is a little longer than other Kilimanjaro treks and includes acclimatisation days to give you the best chance of making it to the summit. Ahsante guides have years of experience in recognising and helping guests deal with altitude sickness. Note that oxygen is not used on Kilimanjaro to help guests reach the summit or to 'treat' altitude sickness. The only cure for altitude sickness is to immediately descend to lower ground. In severe cases, oxygen may be given to provide enough temporary relief to allow the affected guest to descend. In extreme cases, altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro can be fatal. We put your safety first. Our guides have years of experience, and their decision on whether or not to continue is final.

See inclusions and exclusions above.

Most non-citizens need a Tanzanian tourist visa. This is easily obtained upon arrival. Tanzanian visas are also available online. Beware when purchasing your visa online, as there are many companies that are not legitimate. Below is a link to the official Tanzanian High Commission UK website. While applying for a visa, you will need the following host company details: Full Name: Ahsante Tours & Safaris Limited Mobile number: +255759690257 Email: info@ahsantetours.com Company name/Registration number: 100817209 Physical address: Plot 29-A, Karanga Drive, Moshi – Kilimanjaro Accommodation (where you will stay): Weru Weru River Lodge Address: P.O.Box 855, Mailisita, Moshi-Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

The currency used in Tanzania is Tanzanian Shillings. Some places will accept USD ($). However, you will be given an unfavourable exchange rate if you pay in dollars.

Yes, if you are travelling solo and would like your own room and tent for the duration of the trip, you can pay for a single supplement. The single supplement is an optional extra with a cost of $90 per traveller. This is payable in-country. Should you not wish to apply the single supplement, we will pair you with another group member to share accommodation during the trek (twin hotel room and shared tent).

Porters are included as part of your trekking team. The porters will carry all the supplies, camping gear, water and also your main luggage. There is a 15kg limit for personal luggage that the porters will carry. This should be packed into a flexible duffel bag, 90l is a good size. This personal luggage includes your sleeping bag (provided) which must also fit into the duffel bag. Extra luggage and suitcases can be left in the locked storage room of the lodge.

On your trip

It is customary in Tanzania to tip guides and porters. The amount that you tip is completely up to you. As a good rule of thumb, generally, participants will tip around US$200 per customer (not per guide). You can give this to the head guide, and they will distribute it amongst the team of guides, porters, and cooks.

You stay in a hotel (Panama Graden Resort or similar) at the beginning and end of the trek. The lodges offer twin shared rooms and basic showering facilities. During the trek, you will be given a 3-man tent and use it as a twin share. Single supplements are available for the duration of the trip for an extra $90. Please send us a message after booking if you want to add this option. If you would like to book any additional nights at the hotel, you can book using the link below.

You will have chefs with you on the hike who can cater to all dietary requirements. During the trek, you will be provided with three nutritious and filling meals each day to keep your energy levels high. Please provide full details of any dietary requirements and allergies on your Trip Form. You will receive a link to fill this out shortly after booking. You can also update the form on your Skyhook dashboard. Note that lunch (at the hotel) on your first and final day is not included.

Portable toilets are an optional extra. The cost for this extra service is $150, payable at our offices, in-country. The group can decide whether they would like this extra service and split the cost between group members.

Every day on the trek, we provide you with filtered water to fill up your bottles. The water is filtered and boiled by a Katadyn filtration system. We recommend you also bring water purification tablets or a filter bottle.

We pick you up from Kilimanjaro International Airport on the first date of your trip. There are three available pick-up times (10:00 AM, 5:00 PM, or 11:59 PM). On the last day, you can fly at any time. Your guides will arrange transfers that work best for the group.

Other FAQs

Most groups have 12 people, with a maximum of 14.

Kilimanjaro is very close to the equator, so the temperatures are very similar year-round. They can range from around 20°C(68°F) at the base to -10°C (14°F) on the summit. The dry season is June-September, and during these times there is typically just a dusting of snow on the summit. These are also the busiest months. The wet season is Nov-May, where snow depth on the summit can regularly be 20-30cm.

We recommend that you check in with your personal healthcare advisor or travel doctor before your trip to Africa. We have provided a useful link below where you can find information on vaccine requirements.

Yes, of course! Safari in Tanzania is an amazing experience - simply message the Skyhook team before/after booking and we'll help you arrange a 2-7 day safari experience.

The minimum age for this trek is 18 years.

Your head guide is Holyfield

All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip your guides run Ahsante Tours, based in Moshi.

By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!

Holyfield