This page provides a comprehensive and impartial guide to climbing Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route.
Lemosho Route Overview
The Lemosho Route has long been considered one of the best overall routes up Kilimanjaro.
Often completed in seven days, trekkers on the Lemosho Route have an excellent chance of reaching the summit and the path they take to get there tends to be much less busy in the first couple of days than the more-popular Machame Route.
The route approaches the mountain from the west and enjoys breathtaking and unique views from the Shira Plateau.
Later in the trek, the Lemosho Route follows the same spectacular route up the mountain as the Machame Route, past Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall. Trekkers descend via the Mweka route.
The Lemosho Route also offers trekkers the opportunity to see large wildlife in their first two days on the trail, including antelope, buffalo or even elephants!
Lemosho Route - Typical Itinerary
The Lemosho route can be completed in 6, 7 or 8 days. The 7 day option is the most popular and provides for good acclimatisation.
Below we have set out the standard route variation for the 6 day option. For the 7 and 8 day variations see the next section. Click each day to read more.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Lemosho Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Lemosho Altitude
The Lemosho Route has one of the better altitude profiles on Kilimanjaro for acclimatisation. Despite a relatively high start at Londorossi Gate, the ascent on the first few days is quite gradual.
The route also builds in the important Walk High, Sleep Low principle with the ascent to Lave Tower on day 3 (7-day Lemosho) or day 4 (8-day Lemosho).
Lemosho Route Variations
The Lemosho Route is also operated as a seven or eight-day trek.
For the seven-day version, trekkers spend their second night on the trail at Shira Camp 1, rather than Shira Camp 2.
Their third night is spent at Moir Hut, and the fourth night is spent at Barranco Camp.
Seven-day trekkers arrive at Barafu Camp on their fifth day, and make their summit bid on the sixth day of trekking. They descend via the Mweka route on the seventh day.
Eight-day trekkers gain another valuable day for acclimatization. The eight-day route is identical to the seven-day route, except that trekkers split the journey from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp into two days, spending the night at Karanga Camp after scrambling up the Barranco Wall.
The eight-day version of the Lemosho Route is highly-recommended by tour operators as it gives trekkers the best chances of reaching the summit.
Recommended Guidebook
Mount Kilimanjaro: Trekkers Guide to the Summit
Mount Kilimanjaro: Trekkers Guide to the Summit is a practical and super insightful guidebook that has been used by 1000s of climbers as an authoritative resource to prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro.
The book is available on Amazon Kindle or an eBook version can be downloaded here.
Preparing for the Lemosho Route to Kilimanajro
When is the best time to trek Lemosho Route?
September is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro, as the weather is best. That said, since it is close to the equator it is possible to climb the mountain at any time of the year. April and May are the rainy season so most hikers avoid these months.
How much does the Lemosho trek cost?
The costs of trekking on the Lemosho Route will vary based on a few factors, such as what season you choose to hike, whether you choose the six, seven or eight-day option, or whether you choose to use a Western guiding company or communicate directly with a local guiding company. Here are the major costs to consider when planning to undertake the Lemosho Route:
- Visa, Vaccinations, Insurance etc: ~$300-$500
- Equipment (buying and hiring): ~$200-$300
- Flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport/Dar es Salaam/Nairobi: ~$800
- Tour Agency: About $1,500 for a very cheap local agency (not recommended) to ~$3,500 for an expensive Western agency. You could do an independent trek for ~$1,500 employing a local guide (only recommended for experienced high altitude trekkers).
- Tips: ~$200-$300
- Misc (additional food, unplanned travel / hotels etc): $200
Total Costs: $3,200 – $5,100
Are permits required for the Lemosho hike?
A permit is required to climb Kilimanjaro, regardless of route. Furthermore, all trekkers must be accompanied by a guide and porters. If you are joining an organised tour, these will be arranged for you.
How difficult is the Lemosho Route?
The Lemosho Route is widely considered to be one of the easiest routes up Kilimanjaro. Hikers of all ages regularly reach the summit via the Lemosho Route, with a summit success rate of above 90% (on the 8-day variation). That said, it's a good idea to work on your aerobic fitness before taking on the trek. Kilimanjaro is a serious undertaking that should not be approach lightly.
Is altitude sickness a risk on the Lemosho?
The Lemosho Route is designed to allow hikers some time for acclimatization before the summit push. That said, altitude sickness is a serious concern and trekkers should be informed of the risks, symptoms and warning signs before they go. If you are particularly concerned about altitude sickness, the eight-day Lemosho Route is probably your best chance to reach the summit as it allows ample time for acclimatization.
It is important to have a solid understanding of the risks associated with high altitude trekking and how the body acclimatises to high altitude. See our detailed article on Altitude Sickness and Acclimatisation.
What gear do I need for the Lemosho route? (Packing List)
Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro requires a number of essential pieces of trekking clothing and equipment. You will be exposed to a range of altitudes where temperatures fluctuate dramatically between night and day.
To help you plan and prepare for your trek we have written a detailed Kilimanjaro gear list.
For more packing lists see our Resources page, as well as detailed gear reviews.