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Setup at the Karanga Campsite - Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route, Tanzania
Setup at the Karanga Campsite  | Kyle Super
Trekking the lower forest en-route to Kilimanjaro - Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route, Tanzania
Trekking the lower forest en-route to Kilimanjaro  | Kyle Super
Ascending Mt Kilimanjaro - Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route, Tanzania
Ascending Mt Kilimanjaro  | Peter Brooke

Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route

The most scenic Kilimanjaro route, with more acclimatisation days built in than most other trails up the mountain

Tanzania
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 29 reviews

10 Days from

$4060 USD

Trip Code: KLL
View dates to Book
Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement Hotels Only
$180 USD
Single Supplement Tent Only
$310 USD
Single Supplement
$480 USD
Duration
  • 10 Days
Activities
  • 8 day trek
Style
  • Classic Adventures  
Accommodation
  • 7 nights camping
  • 2 nights hotel
Meals
  • 9 Dinners
  • 8 Lunches
  • 9 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
6 / 10

Moderate to Challenging

Carbon Footprint  

36kg of CO2-e PP per day

(321kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route Trip highlights

  • Climb Africa's highest peak via the Lemosho Route - its most scenic trail, starting on the mountain's quiet western slopes
  • Spend two full days acclimatising across the Shira Plateau, camping at Shira One and Shira Hut, with sweeping views of the upper mountain
  • Cross five distinct zones on one trek; rainforest home to colobus monkeys, open moorland, volcanic ridgelines near Lava Tower, alpine desert, and arctic summit conditions at Uhuru Peak

Overview

The Lemosho Route is Kilimanjaro's most scenic and best-paced trail. Starting on the mountain's quiet western slopes, its extra rest and acclimatisation days give trekkers a longer physical adjustment to altitude than many other Kilimanjaro routes.

The trek begins in dense rainforest home to black-and-white colobus monkeys, then climbs onto the open Shira Plateau - camping first at Shira One (3,550m/11,647ft), then Shira Hut (3,840m/12,598ft) - before crossing lava ridgelines near Lava Tower (4,550m/14,928ft) and scrambling up the Barranco Wall.

Two further acclimatisation camps, Karanga (4,000m/13,123ft) and Barafu (4,600m/15,092ft), prepare trekkers for the final ascent.

The summit push starts before dawn. Trekkers reach Stella Point (5,735m/18,816ft) on the crater rim around sunrise, then continue around the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) - the famous roof of Africa.

Itinerary

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Today is an arrival day. If you choose to fly into Kilimanjaro Airport we recommend a private transfer to Arusha where the rest of the day is at leisure. We stay at the Moivaro Coffee Plantation which has spacious rooms, a pool, and restaurant. This afternoon at 16:30 you will meet the rest of the group and your guide for a trip briefing.

Meals: D

After completing the necessary registration formalities, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho Gate roadhead. The last section of the road is of poor quality and difficult to drive after rain, and the drive there should be considered as part of the adventure, sometimes we start walking a kilometre or two below the roadhead. We often have our lunch at the roadhead before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. We camp at Lemosho Big Tree Camp (2650m); [2-3 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

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 centre of the plateau at “Shira One” (3550m). [6-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

An easy day to help acclimatisation, and to explore the volcanic rock formations of Shira Plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut (3840m). This campsite has stunning views, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau. The views from here of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. [4-5 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

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 junction (4550m) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3900 m), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [5-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4000m), the last water point on the way to the summit. [4-5 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4600m) for lunch. There is a short acclimatisation walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4800m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. [3-5 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5735m/18,816ft), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite Millenium (3800m). [11-15 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

A sustained descent on a well constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka (1650m). Here we sign out from the National Park before walking on for a further 15 minutes through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village where our vehicle awaits. The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalisingly close! Overnight at Moivaro Coffee Plantation. [4-6 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

In Arusha, after breakfast at your hotel, the trip arrangements end.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

37 scheduled departures between 22 Aug 2026 and 22 Feb 2028.

  • Departs 22 Aug 2026 – ends 31 Aug 2026 (10 days)
  • Departs 1 Sep 2026 – ends 10 Sep 2026 (10 days)
  • Departs 20 Sep 2026 – ends 29 Sep 2026 (10 days)
  • Departs 9 Oct 2026 – ends 18 Oct 2026 (10 days)
  • Departs 20 Oct 2026 – ends 29 Oct 2026 (10 days)
  • Departs 19 Dec 2026 – ends 28 Dec 2026 (10 days)
  • … and 31 more departures.
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • Park entrance fees (valued at US$1,109)
  • 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners
  • 2 nights in 3 star hotel in Arusha on a twin share basis
  • 7 nights fully supported camping on a twin share tent basis
  • Group camping equipment including tent (sleeping bag and mat not included - available for hire locally)
  • Experienced local mountain guides
  • Cook and camp crew
  • Porters to carry personal and group equipment
  • Emergency oxygen

Not included

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Visa fees
  • Arrival and departure transfers in Arusha
  • Meals not listed as included
  • Personal expenses such as phone calls and laundry
  • Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Sleeping bags and mats
  • Any items not listed as included
Climbing Safely On Kilimanjaro - What To Look For
Climbing Safely On Kilimanjaro - What To Look For
Kilimanjaro Treks - What To Look For In A Quality Trek

Reviews (29)

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Kilimanjaro summit day is not heroic, It's ugly, slow, cold, uncomfortable, and deeply mental. probably the hardest day of my life.

but definitely an unforgettable experience.

everything was organized at the highest level, all three guides and porters are real heroes.

the descent itself was real torture, there was little time to recover.

If you have already come to Arusha then definitely go on a safari

Nenad|Serbia
10 Feb 2026
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Expert guides with very hardworking porters . And a great chef who cooks great meals

Ivy|WA, Australia
16 Dec 2025
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Amazing experience, world expeditions took care of everything

Aaron Comley|Loma Linda, California United States
5 Mar 2025
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Amazing trip, great guides - challenging summit day but we all made it!

Jules Pearce|Selby, VIC Australia
25 Feb 2025
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Trip of a lifetime. Special thanks to our lead guide Musa and his team!

Peter Exterkate|NSW Australia
25 Feb 2025
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Great trip!

Justin McLaughlin|Alexandria, Virginia United States
6 Nov 2024
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I just completed the Lemosho route and had a fantastic experience. The local crew were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Always ready to assist when needed. Our group all achieved our goals and returned safely. I would highly recommend this trip to others.

Gary Pike|Golden Grove, SA Australia
31 Oct 2024
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A great adventure with a supportive and caring team

Tina Lyndon|Melbourne, VIC Australia
20 Aug 2024
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Challenging trip ,crew on the ground were wonderful encouraging and dedicated to us all to acheive our goal.

Thank you World Expeditions Ngaire

Ngaire Currie|Manukau, NSW New Zealand
29 Oct 2023

Responsible Travel

Extra trip info

Camp with stunning views of Kibo | Natalie Tambolash

Camping on Kilimanjaro

Our camping equipment is of proven quality and specifically designed for use on Kilimanjaro. We provide quality Vango mountain tents on a twin share basis, however they are rated as 3 person tents which allows plenty of personal space and ample luggage storage area in the two porches. A limited number of these tents are available as single tents at a supplementary charge (reserve in advance). You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and mat (or hire locally – reserve in advance).

Camping beneath the snow capped peak of Kilimanjaro | Chris Buykx

Camping on Kilimanjaro

Breakfast and dinner are served in our communal mess tent with folding chairs, tables and a solar light. This tent is also available for communal use in the afternoon and evening. We supply a private toilet tent on all camping routes as we have found that the long drop toilets maintained by the national park are of a sub-standard quality.

Trekking group starting our adventure at Londorossi National Park gate | Heike Krumm

Climbing Kilimanjaro requires a series of permits and national park fees set by the Tanzanian government. These costs apply to every climber and are included in your trek price when travelling with a licensed operator.

Fees typically include conservation fees charged per person per day inside Kilimanjaro National Park, camping or hut accommodation fees depending on the route, and mandatory rescue fees that support the park’s mountain safety services.

Additional summit or crater fees may apply on certain routes.

Because these fees are charged daily, the total permit cost increases with the number of days spent on the mountain. Longer routes therefore cost more to operate, but they also allow for better acclimatisation and a higher chance of reaching the summit.

All Kilimanjaro climbs must be arranged through a licensed operator and accompanied by registered mountain guides.This system ensures climbers are supported by trained staff and that park regulations, safety standards and porter welfare rules are followed on the mountain.

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Avoid April and May, Kilimanjaro's long rains. November brings short rains but rarely lasts all day. Outside these windows, days are generally warm (up to 27°C) and nights cold, with summit night temperatures as low as –15°C.

Check the inclusions for exact inclusions, but generally park entrance fees, meals on the mountain, 2 hotel nights in Arusha, mountain guides, cook and camp crew, porters, and emergency oxygen. International flights, visas, travel insurance and tips are not included.

You're supported by experienced local mountain guides and crew, and the group carries emergency oxygen. The Lemosho Route's extra acclimatisation days — camping at four different altitudes before summit night — are specifically designed to reduce altitude-related risk.

You should already be a regular outdoor exerciser, training aerobically 3–4 times a week for at least three months beforehand, ideally hill walking with a daypack. This is graded Moderate to Challenging (6/10) — for many trekkers it's the hardest physical walk of their life.

No - this trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. It involves 8 days of trekking at altitude, including a steep, unrelenting summit push, and requires a good level of fitness and mobility throughout.

The minimum age is 14. Younger trekkers should be experienced walkers, as summit night involves 11–15 hours of continuous walking at high altitude in cold conditions.

  • We've been providing active and immersive adventures since 1975, setting the standard for responsible trekking.
  • Trek with one of the first companies to implement a formal Porter Welfare Policy on Kilimanjaro, including proper meals, gear, fair pay and medical care.
  • Be supported by highly trained local guides, certified in wilderness first aid and experienced in high altitude trekking.

Guaranteeing A Great Tanzania Trip

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