Lemosho Route (7 Days)
Lemosho's quiet western start and Shira plateau, compressed into seven strong days.
Lemosho Route (7 Days)
The seven-day Lemosho keeps everything that makes the route our guides' favourite — the quiet rainforest start beyond the last road, the enormous Shira plateau, the Barranco Wall and the southern circuit's summit line — and compresses the early stages by a single night. Where the eight-day version crosses the plateau over two gentle nights, this itinerary links Shira 1 and Shira 2 in one continuous push, trading a little acclimatisation margin for a day saved. The walking begins in genuine forest an hour beyond any road, with colobus monkeys overhead and buffalo sign on the trail, then climbs through heather onto the Shira caldera — one of the highest plateaus on earth, dominated by the shattered western breach wall. From the plateau the route takes the classic climb-high, sleep-low day through Lava Tower down to Barranco, and the itinerary's architecture from there matches the eight-day line exactly: the wall at dawn, the Karanga Valley, the deliberate short day to Barafu, and the midnight summit push to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres. The trade is stated honestly: seven days gives a strong but tighter acclimatisation profile than the eight-day Lemosho, and the summit rate, while very good, sits a step below it. Trekkers with a free extra day should choose the longer version; those whose calendar is fixed will find this one of the strongest seven-day itineraries on the mountain. Accommodation is camping throughout in private two-person tents, with a dining tent, crew and the full Kilimanjaro inclusion structure described on this page. Summit attempts are conducted according to weather, trail conditions, altitude considerations and the assessment of the mountain guide team.
- 01Lemosho's remote rainforest start, reached beyond the last road
- 02The Shira plateau's enormous skies beneath the western breach wall
- 03Climb-high-sleep-low through Lava Tower down to Barranco
- 04Barranco Wall at dawn and the southern circuit to the summit
- 05Seven days with a stronger profile than any other 7-day line we sell
The full line, day by day.
Click any day below to read the full story — every day carries its own photo, elevation and overnight details.
Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa
Breakfast at your Moshi hotel, then the drive to Londorossi Gate for registration and park formalities while the crew assembles. A 4x4 continues up the forest track to the Lemosho trailhead, where the walk begins in genuine, quiet rainforest — the least-visited corner of the mountain's forest belt, where the soundscape is birdsong and dripping leaves rather than other groups. The trail climbs steadily through giant figs and ferns, with colobus and blue monkeys often overhead and fresh signs of buffalo and elephant on the path. Lunch is served en route by the crew, and the guide keeps the pace slow and conversational on the first day's grade. By late afternoon you reach Mti Mkubwa — Big Tree Camp — on the forest edge, where the dining tent is up, dinner is hot, and the first evening health check is logged before an early night.
FROM THE LINE
The route in pictures.
Press any photo to open it full-screen.
THE FINE PRINT
What the price covers.
Clear terms, no surprises on the mountain or the plain — every trip is quoted privately, per departure.
In the price
- Airport pick-up and drop-off between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Moshi
- Two nights of hotel accommodation in Moshi — one night before the trek and one night after the trek, or alternatively any two nights
- All Kilimanjaro National Park fees, including applicable taxes
- All meals and unlimited drinking water while on the mountain
- Private toilet tent — one toilet for every five climbers (not applicable on the Marangu Route, which uses the park huts' facilities)
- Salaries for mountain guides, assistant guides, cooks, and porters
- Transportation to and from the park gate
- Oxygen for altitude-related emergencies
- Complete camping equipment: mountain tents, tables and chairs, cooking equipment, dining tent, and sleeping mattresses
- Please note: sleeping bags are NOT included — sleeping bags can be arranged separately upon request
Not included
- Mandatory inbound travel insurance certificate
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Tanzania visa fees
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal mountain climbing equipment and gear
- Alcoholic and other personal beverages
- Tips and gratuities for the mountain crew
- Personal expenses not mentioned under the inclusions
- Please note: sleeping bags are not included — available to arrange on request
WE SUPPLY, YOU PACK
Four-season sleeping bag (rentable — sleeping bags are not included) · Broken-in boots, gaiters, down parka for summit night · Headlamp with spare batteries, 2-litre water capacity · Duffel up to 15 kg — the porters' hard limit
OPTIONAL COMFORT & TREK ADD-ONS
Enhance your climb.
Add any of these to your booking — tell your trip planner which options you would like.
Private tent
$100 per trekA private tent option for guests who prefer additional privacy during the mountain experience.
Luxury mattress
$35 per climberA 3-inch-thick, 2.5-foot-wide mattress, compared with the standard 1.5-inch-thick, 2-foot-wide mattress.
High-profile tent
$40 per tentA higher-profile tent option providing additional space and comfort.
Required when using a camp cot — add it separately if you book a cot.
Camp cot
$150 per cotAn optional raised sleeping arrangement for additional comfort.
A high-profile tent is required when using a camp cot.
Hot water bottle
FREE upon requestAvailable to help keep the sleeping bag warm during cold mountain nights.
Day pack porter
$10 per dayAn optional porter service for guests who prefer additional assistance carrying their day pack.
Gamow bag
$300 per trekAn optional altitude-support equipment service.
Post-climb massage
$20 per half hourA post-trek recovery option available after completing the climb.
Post-trek laundry service
$10/kgSame-day laundry service is available.
Please note: Some optional add-ons may require additional porters during the trek. The salaries for any additional porters required because of these services are included in the applicable add-on price.
Asked on every briefing call.
Is the Lemosho Route suitable for beginners?+
Yes. The 8-day Lemosho Route provides a gradual ascent and good acclimatization opportunities, although participants should be physically prepared for high-altitude trekking
How high is Mount Kilimanjaro?+
Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, is 5,895 meters above sea level
Is this a private trek?+
Yes. The package is arranged as a private trekking experience for the guest or private group
Are meals included?+
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided during the trek.
Is airport transfer included?+
Yes. KIA Airport transfers are included according to the package arrangements.
Is camping equipment provided?+
Yes. Mountain tents, a dining tent and camping mattresses are included.
