Lemosho approaches Kilimanjaro from the west. The first two days are in quiet rainforest, far from the busier southern trails, before the route crosses the full width of the Shira Plateau and joins the Machame trail near Lava Tower. It covers about 70 km over seven or eight days.
Lemosho at a glance
| Length | 7–8 days, about 70 km |
|---|---|
| Start | Londorossi Gate, then Lemosho trailhead |
| Descent | Mweka Route |
| Sleeping | Tents |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Crowds | Quiet at first, busier after Lava Tower |
The eight-day itinerary
| Day | Stage | Sleep at |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lemosho trailhead to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp | About 2,780 m |
| 2 | Out of the forest to Shira 1 Camp | About 3,500 m |
| 3 | Across the Shira Plateau to Shira 2 Camp | About 3,850 m |
| 4 | Lava Tower (4,630 m), down to Barranco Camp | About 3,960 m |
| 5 | Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp | About 4,035 m |
| 6 | Karanga to Barafu Camp | About 4,670 m |
| 7 | Summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), down to Mweka Camp | About 3,100 m |
| 8 | Down to Mweka Gate | Moshi |
Why climbers choose Lemosho
- Acclimatisation. Eight days and a gradual profile give one of the best summit success rates on the mountain.
- The Shira Plateau, a vast high plain formed by an old collapsed volcano.
- Wildlife in the western forest, where black-and-white colobus are common.
- Quiet first days before you meet climbers from other routes.
Lemosho or Machame?
Both share the same trail from Lava Tower to the summit. Lemosho adds a quieter start and an extra day, which helps acclimatisation, at a slightly higher cost. Read our Machame Route guide and Kilimanjaro routes compared.
See our eight-day Lemosho Route, or the nine-day Northern Circuit that starts the same way.
Frequently asked questions
About 70 km over seven or eight days. Eight days is recommended.
Lemosho has a quieter start, more time on the Shira Plateau and usually an extra day for acclimatisation. It costs a little more.
Eight-day Lemosho climbs have some of the highest summit rates on Kilimanjaro.
