Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route map starts on the western side, offering a remote and wild experience. It shows climbers traversing the Shira Plateau, one of the largest high-altitude plateaus, before converging with Machame at Barranco Camp on day 3. The map highlights possible wildlife sightings (antelope, buffalo, elephant) in the early stages, with a longer itinerary (7-8 days, ~70km) for better acclimatisation, summiting at Uhuru Peak via Stella Point. The path showcases diverse landscapes, from lush forests to alpine deserts, with a high success rate (90-95% for 7-day itineraries).

Lemosho route 7-day and 8-day itinerary

The Lemosho Route could be realistically completed in 6 days, 7 days or 8 days.  At Tranquil Kilimanjaro, we highly recommend the longer yet manageable 8 days Lemosho Route package. The 8-day tour allows more extra time for acclimatization which in turn helps in combating altitude sickness, ensuring a smooth summit success rate of over 90%.

Your first and the second day on Lemosho Route will be used to trek on the mountain’s rainforest region, traversing towards the Shira Ridge which has a table-like terrain heading to the east from the western side of the mountain.

The first two days will be more quiet and solitary but as the route progresses further, you will meet increased traffic of climbers as the trail enjoins the Machame Route near the Lava Tower which is more popular and somehow crowded. The route passes beneath Kilimanjaro’s ice fields via a trail popularly known as the Southern Circuit.

Distance of the Lemosho Trail

The Lemosho route is around 67 kilometres or 41 miles long from gate to gate and reaches Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at a staggering height of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet).

Lemosho Route Summiting and descent

Summiting using the Lemosho route is made possible but ascending on summit night from Barafu. Going down the mountain takes a different course from the ascent trail, which is made possible using the Mweka route.

For a more enjoyable hike using the Lemosho Route, previous trekking experience is an added advantage, however with training and making sure you are fit, summiting is very much possible as normal trekking days feature a solid 6-8 hours trek with daily ascents of 900m (2,953 ft.) to 1,000m. (3281 ft.)

You will need to be mentally and physically prepared to trek long days with extreme weather and altitudes the higher you climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Below are the frequently asked questions concerning the Lemosho Route Climb, for more general questions about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

How difficult is the Lemosho route?

The Lemosho route is not a difficult route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro if you were to compare it with the other routes leading to the Uhuru Peak Summit. Therefore it is safe to say that the Lemosho Route is one of the easier routes to climb Kilimanjaro because of a few factors as highlighted below:

1. Its longer itinerary facilitates better acclimatization time even though one of the most difficult parts of the route include climbing the Barranco Wall and the final steep, summit night.
2. The Lemosho Route has one of the highest summit rates, boasting an impressive 80% to 90% summit success rate especially via the highly recommended 8-day Lemosho route climb which includes extra time for acclimatization hence less altitude sickness issues.

The 7-day Lemosho itinerary can be chosen by more experienced mountain climbers who have already undergone acclimatization conditions.

No technical climbing is required to climb via the Lemosho Route, but a good level of fitness is recommended.

What is the success rate of the Lemosho route?

The Lemosho Route has a high summit success rate of 80% to 90%. The longer the duration spent on the Mountain using the Lemosho route, the higher the chances of summiting smoothly. But all in all this route has a very high summit success rate regardless

For example, if you take the 8 days Lemosho Route package, your chances of summiting to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro are as high as 90%. It is still very achievable that you’ll reach the Uhuru peak summit using the 7-day Lemosho Route package, with a success rate of 85%.

The lowest success rate of reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro via the shorter 6 days Lemosho Route drops to a relatively lower 65% summit success rate which is even higher than climbing via the Machame Route. Read more about this route at www.lemoshoroute.com

Where will you sleep along the Lemosho Route?

The Lemosho Route is favoured for its remote start and excellent acclimatisation opportunities. Climbers sleep in tents throughout. The first night is typically at Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820m), followed by Shira Camp 1 (3,500m) and Shira Camp 2 (3,850m). Some itineraries include a night at Moir Hut (4,150m), though this is less common and typically involves tents. The route then proceeds to Barranco Camp (3,900m), Karanga Camp (3,960m), and Barafu Base Camp (4,670m) before the summit attempt. Descent is via Millennium Camp (3,820m) or Mweka Camp (3,100m). All accommodations are in tents, with porters setting up sturdy, 4 season tents and providing sleeping mats.

Lemosho Route Reviews

Below are some of the Lemosho Route reviews from some of the clients that climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with us using the Lemosho Route.

The 8 Days Lemosho route was easier than we thought. After searching on google for a reliable Mount Kilimanjaro tour company, we came across, Tranquil Kilimanjaro. The reservations team worked with us to put together a climbing tour for the 7 of us. From the moment they picked us up at Kilimanjaro International Airport, everything went smoothly. The guides and porters were amazing and friendly. The hardest part of our Kilimanjaro challenge must be the summit night but not as hard as we imagined. We are thankful to Tranquil Kilimanjaro for their great support in conquering Mount Kilimanjaro. P.S Drink more water, eat energy-giving foods and rest easy!

Eléa Binoche – Paris, France

What will I eat when trekking the Lemosho Route?

When trekking the Lemosho Route, you’ll enjoy full board service, with experienced cooks preparing three hot meals daily, plus snacks and beverages. The meals are carefully planned to provide the energy and nutrients needed for high-altitude trekking, balancing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. We recommend informing us of any dietary restrictions in advance, as we can accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets. For more details, see our sample meal plan and menu here.

Breakfast

Start your day with a hearty breakfast to fuel your trek. Typical offerings include:

• Porridge with milk
• Boiled or fried eggs
• Bread or toast with spreads like butter, jam, or peanut butter
• Fresh fruit such as bananas or oranges
• Hot beverages like tea, coffee, or hot chocolate

Lunch

Lunch is a mix of portable and nutritious options to keep you going. Expect:

• Sandwiches with fillings like meat, cheese, or egg
• Fresh fruit
• Sliced vegetables
• Sometimes macaroni with meat sauce
• On certain days, a hot lunch may be prepared at a designated stop

Dinner

Dinner is a hot, filling meal designed to replenish your energy after a day of trekking. It usually includes:

• Stews or curries with meat
• Rice or pasta
• Grilled meats
• Vegetables
• Bread or chapati as an accompaniment

Energy Snacks

Throughout the day, you’ll have access to snacks to maintain your energy levels during hikes. These include:

• Nuts (e.g., peanuts, almonds)
• Dried fruits (e.g., apricots, raisins)
• Chocolate bars
• Cookies
• Popcorn
• Energy bars

Vegetarian and Vegan Diets

We can accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets if notified in advance.

• Vegetarian options might include tofu scramble, cheese sandwiches, and lentil curries.
• Vegan options could feature plant-based meals like hummus wraps, vegan chilli, and overnight oats with plant-based milk.
  For more information on vegetarian diets, please see here (#).

This food plan ensures you’re well-nourished and energised for the stunning and challenging journey up the Lemosho Route! More about vegetarian meals.

What makes Lemosho so unique, and why choose this route?

The Lemosho Route is celebrated for its scenic beauty and lower foot traffic, making it a favourite for those seeking a more secluded experience. Starting on the western side, it spans about 70 km and typically takes 7-8 days, offering excellent acclimatisation opportunities. Its uniqueness lies in traversing the expansive and beautiful Shira Plateau, providing panoramic views and a chance to spot wildlife, before joining the Machame Route. The longer duration increases costs but significantly boosts summit success rates. This route is ideal for climbers prioritising both scenery and acclimatisation.