6 Days
Adventure
10-20 People
Any Language
We at Bestday Safaris do not believe it is wise to spend any less than 6 days on the mountain for the simple fact that we want our clients to feel good both mentally and physically and to reach their goal – the ‘roof of Africa’. The Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route is the longest of our routes to climb the mountain, designed for those of you who have the time and want to maximize your chances of summiting. It approaches the mountain from low down in the pristine rainforest on the western side, emerging and crossing the World Heritage site of the Shira plateau.
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite.
We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing. From here, it is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth. Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.
Experience Africa’s highest peak with guided climbs, breathtaking views, and rewarding challenges that inspire adventure, resilience, and lifelong memories.
Before taking on Kilimanjaro, knowing the details makes all the difference. Our FAQs cover routes, weather, and preparation, guiding you toward a safer, smoother, and unforgettable climb up Africa’s tallest mountain.
The length of the Lemosho Route on Kilimanjaro is around 70 kilometres (43 miles). The route approaches the Kilimanjaro Mountain from the western side. You’ll begin climbing from the Londorossi Gate.
The route passes through various types of landscapes. They range from rainforests to moorlands. Then, the climber will approach the alpine deserts and finally reach the arctic summit of Uhuru Peak.
It takes around 6 to 7 days to complete Climbing Kilimanjaro when you choose the Lemosho Route. Yes, you can complete the climb in 6 days. But it’s better to extend the climb to an additional day. This allows for better acclimatization (this is the body’s natural way to adapt to high altitude).
BestDay Safaris offers Kilimanjaro Climbs via both 6-day and 7-day routes. For more details on preparation for the climb, refer to our Kilimanjaro Travel Guides.
The Lemosho Route is moderately complex. The Barranco Wall is one of the most complicated parts of the climb.
Climbers need to be in good physical shape and possess a great deal of mental strength to navigate this area. The varied terrain, unpredictable Kilimanjaro Weather, and reduced oxygen levels as you ascend to higher elevations are all factors that make things more challenging.
If something goes wrong, our trained guides and support personnel at BestDay Safaris will do all they can to make sure you are safe. They know how to carry the first aid equipment and give basic medical help if someone needs it.
If necessary, they will follow the Kilimanjaro Rescue methods to safely evacuate.
Guests Remember UsWhen someone says a trip changed them, we listen. Many guests have written about moments that stayed long after they left, wildlife, culture, and friendships. Their voices give you a glimpse of the Tanzania we’re proud to show.
I can’t thank best day safari enough for the incredible journey they planned for us.Climbing Kilimanjaro was a dream come true & the guides and the support team made us feel safe.
Bestday Safaris designed this fantastic safari to meet our needs. There were eight of us, two families of friends, split between two jeeps with the fantastic guides Tuma and Emanuel.
These were days we will never forget. The organization by Bestdays Safari was flawless in every way.Yuna is a truly special person – she fulfilled every single request of mine.
Whether you are ready for Tanzania Safari Dream or Kilimanjaro Adventure or Beach Relaxation for a few days or a few weeks long, our experts will create an itinerary from scratch, fully tailored to your wishes. Want to visit a beautiful destination or start an adventure to reach the top, or relax in a paradise, we will make it happen.
