8 days / 7 nights on the mountain · Uhuru Peak 5,895 m

8-day Lemosho route

The most beautiful way to the top: from the untouched western rainforest, with time to acclimatize.

From $2,675per person, group of 6–10 · $2,850 each for 2–5

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SummitUhuru Peak via Stella Point

Sleep inHigh-quality tents

DifficultyChallenging but very rewarding

Best forPhotographers, first-timers who want the best chance

Overview

The route at a glance

Many people say Lemosho is the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro, and they are right.

Your adventure starts at Kilimanjaro Airport, where your driver takes you to a quiet hotel in Moshi with a garden and pool for a thorough pre-climb briefing.

For eight days you climb from the untouched western side. On day one you are in thick rainforest; on day two the vast Shira Plateau opens up like another planet. We climb high and sleep low, with lunch at Lava Tower (4,630 m) and the night lower at Barranco (3,960 m), the golden rule of acclimatization. Then you conquer the Barranco Wall, sleep under the stars at Karanga and Barafu, and make your midnight push to Uhuru Peak.

Lemosho is long, and that is its strength: your body has a full week to adjust to the altitude. Afterwards, want to see lions? Add a Wildecho safari. We are safari specialists too.

Day by day

Detailed itinerary

DAY0
Arrival: karibu Tanzania
You arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport, where your Wildecho Exped driver welcomes you with a Wildecho board. Transfer to a hotel in Moshi for dinner and a full briefing with your head guide: we check your gear and you can ask all your questions.
Overnight: Hotel in Moshi
DAY1
Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast, drive about 2 hours to Londorossi Gate, then 30 minutes on to Lemosho Gate to register. Start in the rainforest of tall trees, monkeys and birds, an easy walk to Mti Mkubwa ("Big Tree") Camp, where your tent is up and a hot meal is ready.
Altitude2,100 → 2,650 mDistance7 kmTime4–5 hrsHabitatRainforest
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp
DAY2
Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
Leave the forest for the moorland as the huge Shira Plateau opens up and you see Kibo's Western Breach for the first time. The air is getting thinner.
Altitude2,650 → 3,505 mDistance7 kmTime5–6 hrsHabitatMoorland
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
DAY3
Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Walk across the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world. The afternoon is for rest, photos and card games in the mess tent, while your guide does health checks.
Altitude3,505 → 3,850 mDistance10 kmTime5–6 hrsHabitatMoorland
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
DAY4
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
The most important acclimatization day. Climb to Lava Tower (4,630 m), a huge volcanic rock, for lunch; you may feel the altitude here. Then descend 670 m to Barranco Camp. Sleeping lower after climbing high is the secret to summiting. Amazing sunset at Barranco.
Altitude3,850 → 4,630 → 3,960 mDistance11 kmTime7–8 hrsHabitatAlpine desert
Overnight: Barranco Camp
DAY5
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp: the Barranco Wall
After breakfast, face the famous Barranco Wall. It looks scary but is not technical: just hands and legs, about an hour up to an amazing view. Then a gentle up-and-down walk to the Karanga Valley, with an afternoon acclimatization walk to about 4,200 m.
Altitude3,960 → 4,035 mDistance5 kmTime4–5 hrsHabitatAlpine desert
Overnight: Karanga Camp
DAY6
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
A short walk to Barafu ("ice" in Swahili), your base camp, with the summit path in view from your tent. Early dinner at 5 pm and sleep from 6 pm: tomorrow is summit night.
Altitude4,035 → 4,640 mDistance5 kmTime4–5 hrsHabitatAlpine desert
Overnight: Barafu Camp
DAY7
Summit night: Uhuru Peak, then down to Mweka
Wake at 11 pm for tea and biscuits, headlamp on. Pole pole: 6–7 hours of slow climbing on scree to Stella Point (5,756 m), then about an hour along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak for sunrise over Africa. You did it. After photos, descend to Barafu for lunch and continue to Mweka Camp.
Altitude4,640 → 5,895 → 3,090 mDistance17 kmTime13–15 hrsHabitatArctic to rainforest
Overnight: Mweka Camp
DAY8
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate: celebration
An easy 4-hour descent through rainforest. Receive your summit certificate at Mweka Gate, then drive back to Moshi for a hot lunch, hot shower and a cold Kilimanjaro beer, followed by the tipping ceremony. You are now a Kilimanjaro climber.
Altitude3,090 → 1,650 mDistance10 kmTime4 hrsHabitatRainforest