10 Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Lemosho Route

By Abel

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Activity Highlights:

This route climbs Kilimanjaro from the quieter western side, starting with a night in Arusha before a transfer out to Londorossi Gate. The first two days move through thick rainforest to the Shira Plateau, giving an easier introduction to the mountain before the terrain opens out.

📋 Key Details

Location: Kilimanjaro National Park, near Arusha, Tanzania
Duration: 10 days
Minimum age: 12
Level: Improver, suited to fit trekkers with some hiking background

🏔 What to Expect

From Shira the route joins the busier southern paths for the approach to Barafu Camp and a midnight summit push to Uhuru Peak, followed by a two day descent through Mweka Gate. A full day by day breakdown of camps, distances and walking times is set out below.

Guides pace the group deliberately slowly throughout, since altitude rather than terrain is the main challenge on this walking route. Porters carry camping equipment and food so climbers can focus on pacing themselves and enjoying the changing scenery.

📍 Location

Climbs on the Lemosho route begin and end in Arusha, a lively town close to Kilimanjaro International Airport and set against the backdrop of Mount Meru. The trailhead itself lies further west at Londorossi Gate, reached by a scenic drive through farmland and forest reserves on the mountain's quieter side.

Because this side of Kilimanjaro sees far less foot traffic than the standard routes, the first few days of the trek feel remote and peaceful, with long stretches of forest and moorland to yourselves. Arusha itself is a comfortable base both before and after the climb, with hotels, restaurants and markets within easy reach.

✅ Prerequisites

No previous mountaineering or climbing experience is required, as the entire route is a walking trail, though a good level of general fitness will make the daily distances and the thinner air much more manageable. Regular hill walking or cardio training in the months before your trip is the best preparation.

A pre trip medical check up is worth arranging, especially for anyone with underlying heart, lung or blood pressure conditions, since altitude adds real strain to the body. Guides watch closely for signs of altitude sickness throughout, but a steady pace and open communication about how you are feeling give you the best chance of a safe and successful summit.

⭐ Why Choose Us

Guiding teams on this route know the Lemosho side of the mountain well and use the quieter trails to keep the early days of the trek calmer and less crowded than the more popular approaches. An equipment check on your first night in Arusha means any missing kit can be sorted before you even set foot on the mountain.

Porters carry the group's camping equipment and food throughout, and a full support crew is on hand at every camp, so climbers can concentrate on pacing themselves rather than logistics. Certificates are presented at Mweka Gate on the way down, a nice way to mark the achievement before heading back to Arusha for a shower and a celebration.

Day 1: Arrival and briefing in Arusha

A member of the team meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Arusha. Your guide runs through the days ahead and checks your equipment, so anything missing can still be rented before the climb begins.

Day 2: Londorossi Gate to Big Tree Camp

A transfer takes you west to Londorossi Gate, where the trek begins with a steady four hour walk through rainforest to Big Tree Camp at around 2,780 metres. Distance covered is about seven kilometres.

Day 3: Big Tree Camp to Shira 1 Camp

The trail crosses open moorland scattered with volcanic rock on a longer seven hour day, gaining a good amount of altitude with occasional views of Kibo Peak above the clouds. Shira 1 Camp sits at around 3,500 metres.

Day 4: Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp

A five hour walk across the Shira Plateau brings unusual views of Kibo from the west and helps the body continue acclimatising. An optional afternoon walk from Shira 2 Camp, at around 3,900 metres, adds a little extra altitude before returning to camp for the night.

Day 5: Shira 2 to Barranco Camp

Seven hours of walking take you up past the Lava Tower at 4,640 metres, the high point of the day and a good lunch stop, before a steep descent into the Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp, at 3,960 metres, sits below towering cliffs with wide views over the plains.

Day 6: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

A long but rewarding day climbs the Great Barranco Wall, a steep scramble over rock rather than a technical climb, before crossing beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers to Karanga Camp at 3,963 metres.

Day 7: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

A three hour walk across bare scree slopes brings you to Barafu Camp at 4,640 metres, the base for the summit attempt. The afternoon is spent resting and preparing kit ahead of an overnight start.

Day 8: Summit night to Millennium Camp

The summit push begins around midnight, climbing scree for four to five hours before reaching Stella Point on the crater rim as the sun rises. A further hour of walking reaches Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, followed by a long descent back through Barafu Camp to Millennium Camp at 3,790 metres.

Day 9: Descent to Mweka Gate

A gentler six hour walk through rainforest brings the group down to Mweka Gate, where park formalities are completed and summit certificates handed out. A transfer returns everyone to the hotel in Arusha for a shower and a celebration.

Day 10: Departure

The day is left free before your flight home, with time to explore Moshi town or relax at the hotel. Optional safari or Zanzibar extensions can be arranged for anyone wanting to continue exploring Tanzania.

FAQs:

How does the Lemosho route compare to the Northern Circuit or Machame routes?

Lemosho is quieter than Machame and shorter than the Northern Circuit, giving a good middle ground between crowd levels, cost and acclimatisation time. The approach from the west means the first couple of days see far fewer other trekkers, and the route later joins the southern paths for a well tested final approach to the summit. It is a popular choice for anyone who wants decent acclimatisation without committing to the longest itineraries on the mountain.

Do I need climbing experience for this route?

No climbing skills are needed, as Lemosho is entirely a walking route with no ropes or technical sections. What matters far more is general fitness and the ability to keep walking steadily for several hours a day over ten days. Many first time trekkers choose this route successfully, provided they arrive having done some hill walking or cardio training beforehand.

What happens on summit night?

The push to Uhuru Peak starts around midnight from Barafu Camp, climbing scree slopes in the dark for four to five hours before reaching Stella Point on the crater rim as the sky begins to lighten. From there it is roughly another hour to the summit itself. The whole round trip, including the descent back to a lower camp, typically takes twelve to fifteen hours, so it is the most demanding single day of the whole trek.

What is included in the ten day itinerary?

The trip includes airport transfers, hotel nights in Arusha before and after the climb, all park and camping fees, guides, porters, camping equipment and meals throughout the trek. An equipment check on your first night in Arusha also means any missing gear can be rented locally rather than needing to buy everything beforehand. International flights, visas, insurance and tips sit outside the price and are worth budgeting for separately.

How much walking is involved each day?

Daily walking ranges from around three hours on shorter acclimatisation days up to seven hours on the longer stages between camps, with the summit day being considerably longer again. Distances vary between roughly three and thirteen kilometres depending on the stage, and the pace is always kept deliberately slow to help with acclimatisation rather than covering ground quickly.

Can beginners attempt this climb?

Yes, Lemosho is a realistic goal for fit beginners with no previous high altitude experience, since the route itself involves nothing more technical than sustained walking. The main challenge is altitude rather than terrain, and guides pace the group accordingly. Anyone in good general health who prepares with regular exercise in the months beforehand gives themselves a strong chance of reaching the summit comfortably.

What if I need to rent equipment?

An equipment check takes place on your first evening in Arusha, where your guide reviews your kit against the full packing list. Anything missing, from mountain boots to warm layers, can usually be rented locally before you set off, so you do not need to buy specialist gear you might only use once. It is still worth bringing your own worn in boots if possible, since fit matters more for footwear than for most other items.

Is altitude sickness a risk on this route?

Altitude sickness is a possibility on any Kilimanjaro route, and Lemosho's staged ascent is designed to reduce that risk by giving the body time to adjust gradually. Guides check on everyone daily and know the early warning signs, adjusting the pace or arranging a descent if symptoms become serious. Staying hydrated, walking slowly and being honest about headaches or nausea are the simplest and most effective ways to manage the risk.

What happens after reaching the summit?

After Uhuru Peak, the group descends back through Stella Point and down the scree slopes to Barafu Camp for a well earned breakfast, before continuing further down to Millennium Camp for the night. The following day is a gentler walk through rainforest to Mweka Gate, where certificates are presented before the return to Arusha for a shower and some rest.

Can I extend my trip with a safari afterwards?

Yes, a free day is built in at the end of the itinerary before your flight home, and many climbers use it, or extend further, to add on a safari or a trip to Zanzibar. Options can be arranged directly with the team based on how much extra time you have, and a short break at lower altitude is generally a welcome change of pace after ten days on the mountain.