Super Luxury SafarisSuper Luxury Safaris
8 day itinerary

8 Day Kilimanjaro Climb: Lemosho Route

Lemosho in eight days, the longer western approach we recommend when acclimatization matters more than a short holiday.

From $14,400 per personFinal quote depends on travel dates, lodge choice and group size.

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Route map

From start to finish

Starts in Mount Kilimanjaro and ends in Arusha.

Start: Mount Kilimanjaro End: Arusha

Tanzania

  1. Start Mount Kilimanjaro (Day 1-7)
  2. End Arusha (Day 8) Land Cruiser

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Digital itinerary

Day by day

Every package has a shareable digital itinerary: overnight notes, the route, and a print-ready PDF view.

  1. Day 1 Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa in a mountain tent at Big Tree Camp
  2. Day 2 Mti Mkubwa to Shira One in a mountain tent at Shira One
  3. Day 3 Shira One to Shira Two in a mountain tent at Shira Two
  4. Day 4 Shira Two to Barranco Camp in a mountain tent at Barranco Camp
  5. Day 5 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp in a mountain tent at Karanga Camp
  6. Day 6 Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp in a mountain tent at Barafu Camp
  7. Day 7 Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp in a mountain tent at Mweka Camp
  8. Day 8 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha

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Kilimanjaro & Trekking

Lemosho starts on the west side of the mountain and joins the Machame circuit at Shira. Eight days: forest camp, Shira One, Shira Two, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu, summit, Mweka. It is the camping itinerary we recommend when you can spare the days.

Park fees, camping fees, crew and tents are included.

Shira plateau on the Lemosho Route

Day 1: Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Lemosho rainforest, Big Tree Camp country

A remote western gate, then forest camp at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree). Fewer climbers than Machame on this first afternoon, and a night in the trees with a Super Luxury crew who will still be with you at Barafu. Overnight in a mountain tent at Big Tree Camp.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira One

Shira plateau on Kilimanjaro

Onto the Shira plateau from the west — a longer, quieter arrival than Machame. The plateau opens slowly. Kibo grows. Overnight in a mountain tent at Shira One.

Day 3: Shira One to Shira Two

Mawenzi from the Shira plateau

A shorter plateau day for acclimatization, with Mawenzi and Kibo both in the sky. This is the extra night that makes eight-day Lemosho the itinerary we recommend. Overnight in a mountain tent at Shira Two.

Day 4: Shira Two to Barranco Camp

Barranco Valley

Lava Tower for the high point of the day, then down into Barranco Valley under the icefields. Walk high, sleep lower. Overnight in a mountain tent at Barranco Camp.

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Karanga Camp

The Barranco Wall in the morning, then on to Karanga so you sleep lower than Barafu. Overnight in a mountain tent at Karanga Camp.

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Barafu Camp

To Barafu on the rocky ridge. Rest. This is the last camp before midnight. Overnight in a mountain tent at Barafu Camp.

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Uhuru Peak

Summit night, then the long descent to Mweka Camp. Stella Point, Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa — then down. Overnight in a mountain tent at Mweka Camp.

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha

Mweka descent

Gate, certificates, transfer to Arusha or Moshi, which ends the climb.

The package

What is included — and what is not

Two separate lists, so you can see what the itinerary price covers before you request a quote.

Covered

Included in this itinerary

In the package price, for the dates and lodge or camp class on your quote.

  • Kilimanjaro National Park fees, camping or hut fees, and rescue fees for this route.
  • Certified mountain guide, assistant guides, cook and porters as required for the group size.
  • Transport between Arusha or Moshi and the gate.
  • Mountain tents, sleeping mats, dining tent and all meals on the mountain.
  • Purified drinking water on the mountain.
  • All meals cooked and served on the mountain.
  • A live-music and traditional-dance farewell evening in Arusha or Moshi after your descent.
  • Two nights in Arusha or Moshi on a bed-and-breakfast basis — one before the climb and one after — unless the quote uses a different hotel plan.

You arrange these

Not included

Budget separately, or ask us to add them to your proposal.

  • International flights
  • Airport taxes and visa or eTA fees
  • Alcoholic drinks and any specialty dining not named on your quote
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature, laundry and souvenirs
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional extras such as a hot-air balloon, Maasai village visit or spa, unless added to the quote
  • Sleeping bag, trekking poles and personal climbing clothing (rent in Arusha if needed)
  • Tips for the mountain crew, paid on the mountain

When to travel

Season and routing

Dry months (January–March and June–October) are the usual climbing window. April–May and November are wetter, with heavier trail mud. We still run climbs in the rains if you accept that. Summit night is cold on every route. Eight-day Lemosho is our preferred camping itinerary for summit success. We do not sell a seven-day Lemosho as the flagship — that length skips a camp we want you to have.

Where you sleep

Choose your stay style

Four ways to travel the same parks. Pick one style for the whole safari, or mix nights — we quote what you actually want. Names below are properties we often confirm. The lodge or camp on your quote is the booking; nothing here is reserved until you approve it.

  1. Camping Safari tents, a cook, the night sounds of the park. The honest, close-to-the-ground way to safari.
  2. Mid-range En-suite lodges and tented camps we use most — a proper bed, a shower, and the game still at the door.
  3. Luxury Pools, full-service dining, the better rooms in the same parks.
  4. High-end Suite camps and private houses when the trip is built around silence and space.

Arusha or Moshi — the night before and after the climb

Camping

We do not camp in town. You need a proper bed, a shower and a breakfast before the gate.

Mid-range

Planet Lodge, Mvuli Hotel, or a similar Arusha / Moshi hotel on bed and breakfast.

Luxury

Gran Meliá Arusha, Arusha Coffee Lodge — a quieter garden night before Machame or Marangu.

High-end

Legendary Lodge, Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge — small, private houses when the climb is part of a longer high-end safari.

Before you book

Practical notes

  • This is a trekking itinerary, not a technical climb. You still need fitness for six to eight hours a day and a summit night that starts around midnight.
  • We follow park altitude rules. If the guide turns you back, that decision stands.
  • Tips for the mountain crew are not included. We send a suggested tipping sheet with the quote.
  • Town nights before and after the climb are camping-to-high-end hotels in Arusha or Moshi. On the mountain you sleep in park huts (Marangu) or mountain tents (all other routes).

OUR AFFILIATES

Singita Elewana Collection Meliá Karibu Africa Safaris Legendary Expeditions