The best 9-day Kilimanjaro climbing lemosho route itinerary + Cost Overview package
This 9-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Lemosho Route is one of the most popular and scenic routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The route starts from the western side of the mountain and follows a gradual ascent, allowing for better acclimatization and higher success rates. The Lemosho route passes through a variety of landscapes, including lush rainforests, heathlands, and alpine deserts, before reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak, which stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet).
Along the way, climbers will encounter a wide variety of flora and fauna, including unique wildlife such as colobus monkeys and giant ground squirrels. This extra day of acclimatization on the 9-day Lemosho route is particularly beneficial for climbers, as it allows for more time to adjust to the altitude and reduces the risk of altitude sickness.
This extra day also offers an opportunity to explore the Shira Plateau and its unique geological formations.
Overall, the 9 days Lemosho route is considered a challenging but rewarding trek, offering breathtaking views of the mountain and its surroundings. It is often recommended for climbers who want to take their time to acclimatize properly and enjoy the unique beauty of the mountain. The extra day of acclimatization makes this route particularly suitable for climbers who are concerned about the effects of altitude on their bodies.
Departure / Return Location
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Departure Time
Please arrive at least 2 hours before flight.
Included
- Park fees
- Camp fees
- Rescue fees
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Portable toilet
- Accommodation in Arusha or Moshi
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Emergency oxygen
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Medical Kit and Oximeter
Not Included
- Both National and International flights
- Medical insurance
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
The best Kilimanjaro climbing Lemosho route cost/price for 2024
The average cost to climb Kilimanjaro for 9 days is $2300 to $3500; the price varies from cheap, budget operators to large Western travel agents selling outsourced climbs at an inflated price. There are various, unavoidable fixed costs for any tour operator, and if a climb seems too cheap, you’ve got to ask yourself why.
Kilimanjaro climbing Lemosho route tour itinerary for 9 days
A full, detailed day-by-day itinerary for the best 9-day Lemosho route: Day 1: Kilimanjaro-Rorest; Day 2: Forest Camp-Shira Camp; Day 3: Shira camp 1, Shira camp 2, or Moir hut; Day 4: Shira camp 2-Barranco camp via lava tower; Day 5: Barafu camp-Karanga camp; Day 6: Karanga camp, Barafu camp; Day 7: Barafu camp-crater; Day 8:Kilimanjaro-Mweka; Day 9: Mweka-Moshi
From the Londorossi Gate to the Forest Camp Elevation (ft): 7,800 ft to 9,500 ft Distance: 6 km. Hiking Time: 3–4 hours Habitat: rain forest Full board is available at the forest camp, known as “Big Tree Camp.” After completing the necessary registration formalities at the Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho roadhead. We often have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through a beautiful and lush forest. This area has a variety of game, including buffalo. We camp at Lemosho Forest Camp, known as “Big Tree Camp,” at 7,800 ft.
Day 02: FOREST CAMP – SHIRA 1
forest camp to Shira One camp. Elevation (ft): 9,500 ft to 11,500 ft Distance: 8 km. Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Moorland. Full Board at Shira One Camp We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the center of the plateau at Shira One (11,500 ft).
Day 03: SHIRA 1 – SHIRA 2 OR MOIR HUT.
Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir HutElevation (ft): 11,500 ft to 13,800 ftDistance: 14 km.Hiking Time: 5-7 hoursHabitat: Moorland.Shira 2 camp provides full board.We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we stay at Shira 2 Camp or continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity.Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth. You might have the option of spending the night at Shira 2 camp or Moir Hut. Despite a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain, today is a short day, and you arrive at Shira 2 camp in time for lunch. A good day for acclimatization, with the option of an afternoon walk with your guides.
Day 04:SHIRA 2 – BARRANCO CAMP VIA LAVA TOWER.
Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp or Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Elevation (ft): 13,800 ft to 13,000 ft; distance: 7 km Hiking Time: 4-6 hours Habitat: Semi-desert. Full board at Shira 2 or Moir Hut camp after a morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower (14,900 ft), we descend to the bottom of the Barranco Valley to camp at Barranco Camp (12,790 ft), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below.
Day 05:BARAFU CAMP – KARANGA
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp Elevation (ft): 13,000 ft to 13,100 ft Distance: 5km. Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Full Board at Karanga Camp A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-east flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice Fields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to Karanga Camp (13,100 ft), the last water point on the way to the summit.
Day 06:KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP
Karanga Camp to Barafu CampElevation (ft): 13,100 ft to 15,300 ftDistance: 4 km.Hiking Time: 4-5 hoursHabitat: Alpine DesertFull Board at Barafu Hut CampWe follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu Hut (14,800 ft) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent in the early morning.
Barafu Camp to Crater Camp Elevation (ft): 15,300 ft to 19,345 ft Distance: 6 km ascent; 12 km descent Hiking Time: 7-8 hours of ascent and 4-6 hours of descent. Habitat: Arctic. Full Board at Mweka Hut Camp Unlike other routes with a nighttime ascent, your hike selection affords you a daytime ascent to Kibo crater. The going is slow, but with constant encouragement from your climb team, the rim of Kibo is reached before descending a little way into the caldera to Crater Camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing, and short walks can be taken with one of your guides.
After a night in the crater, you now have the shortest final summit bid of any route. With such a short distance to the summit from the crater (around 1 hour), timing your arrival with the sunrise is much easier and quite spectacular. The summit of Kilimanjaro is the top of the highest freestanding mountain in the world. After your summit bid, you then descend for a final night on the mountain at Mweka Camp, passing back through the heat zone. Endemic proteas, pollinated by Malachite Sunbirds, are plentiful. Overnight at Mweka Camp (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Day 09:MWEKA CAMP – ARUSHA Or MOSHI
Mweka Camp to Arusha or Moshi Elevation (ft): 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft Distance: 10 km. Hiking Time: 3–4 hours Habitat: rain forest Half Board. 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). Kilimanjaro Nature Tours vehicles will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.
