Climb Kilimanjaro: the Lemosho Route

The Lemosho route starts on the western side of the massif and leads the team gradually out of damp mountain forest onto the open Shira plateau. The trail then joins the southern circuit of Kibo and passes the Lava Tower, Barranco, Karanga and the Barafu assault camp.

The main acclimatisation element of the trip is the climb to the Lava Tower at 4360 m followed by a descent to sleep at Barranco at about 4000 m. The body receives an altitude stimulus but recovers lower down. That scheme is more useful than a direct daily gain, but it does not rule out acute mountain sickness.

The climb up the Barranco Wall looks technical, but on the standard trail it is not rock climbing. What matters is stability on uneven ground, no pronounced fear of exposure and a readiness to move at the group’s pace.

The summit push begins at night from Barafu. After reaching the crater rim the team continues to Uhuru Peak at 5895 m and descends south through Mweka. It is a long day: fatigue, cold and a large loss of altitude call for sustained attention and for following the guide’s decisions.

Before the trip you need to build endurance and get used to long days on foot. Follow the guidance on preparing for mountain ascents and study the signs of altitude sickness in advance.

For a more compact trip Machame is the alternative, and for nights in huts, Marangu.

The natural drama of Lemosho is built on contrasts. In the damp forest the air smells of earth and vegetation; on Shira the horizon opens for tens of kilometres; near the Lava Tower the landscape becomes almost extraterrestrial; and above Barranco the southern glaciers of Kibo appear. That is why the route stays interesting even on days without a large gain in altitude.

Lemosho is easy to combine with a safari after Kilimanjaro: a few hours after a cold summit night participants find themselves among the savannahs of northern Tanzania. If you would rather end the trip by the ocean, a stay on Zanzibar is the natural choice.

Day 1. Arrival in Tanzania.

Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi. After check-in there is a briefing, a check of personal equipment and preparation of the duffel bag. Night at the hotel. In the evening the group meets the team and discusses for the first time the crossing of five high-altitude natural zones that lies ahead.

Day 2. Moshi to the western side of Kilimanjaro to the forest camp.

Drive to the western gate of the national park, registration and the drop-off at the start of the trail. The first stage passes through damp mountain forest and allows the gain in altitude to begin without a sharp pace. Night in tents. In the forest the air stays warm and humid, and the noise of the city gives way quickly to rustling leaves and the sound of mountain streams.

Day 3. Forest camp to Shira 1 to Shira 2.

The team leaves the forest for the heather moorland and the Shira plateau. After a rest in the Shira 1 area the stage continues to the Shira 2 camp at 3810 m. Night in tents. On the open plateau Kibo appears whole for the first time, and behind you lie the ruined walls of the ancient Shira volcano.

Day 4. Shira 2 to the Lava Tower to Barranco.

The route climbs to the Lava Tower at about 4360 m, then descends to the Barranco camp at about 4000 m. The day puts into practice the principle of climbing high and sleeping low and plays a key part in acclimatisation. Night in tents. At the Lava Tower the green slopes disappear, and the road passes among dark lava, mist and the glaciers of the southern side.

Day 5. Barranco to the Barranco Wall to Karanga.

After descending into the gorge the team climbs the trail on the Barranco Wall and continues to the Karanga camp at 3995 m. A day that is short in distance leaves time to recover. Night in tents. From the wall opens one of the main views of the route: the Karanga valley and the glaciers of Kibo above the clouds.

Day 6. Karanga to Barafu.

The stage to the Barafu assault camp at about 4670 m. After check-in participants prepare clothing, head torches, water and food for the night departure. If everyone is feeling well, a short acclimatisation walk above the camp is possible. An early rest. Night in tents. Barafu looks severe and almost lifeless: from here the closeness of summit day is felt particularly clearly.

Day 7. Ascent of Uhuru Peak, 5895 m, and descent to Millennium.

The departure begins at night. The team climbs to the crater rim and continues to the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak at 5895 m. The decision to continue is taken by the guide, taking account of the weather, the pace and each participant’s condition. After the summit the group descends to the Millennium camp at 3820 m. Night in tents. The brightest moment comes at dawn, when the sun appears above the glaciers and the whole of East Africa opens up below.

Day 8. Millennium to the Mweka gate to Moshi.

The descent through forest to the Mweka gate at about 1640 m, completion of the route formalities and transfer to Moshi. After check-in participants rest at the hotel. Night at the hotel. In a few hours cold volcanic desert gives way to warm forest, and only tiredness recalls the night on the summit.

Day 9. End of the trip.

Breakfast and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The departure time is agreed against the confirmed flight. If you wish, the journey continues with a safari or a flight to the Indian Ocean.

• A Mountain Guide team leader with groups of four participants or more
• The services of a local English-speaking mountain guide
• The services of a cook and porters
• Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to the hotel
• Transfer from the hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport after the trip
• All the road transfers set out in the itinerary
• Two nights in a three-star hotel in Moshi, twin occupancy, with breakfast
• The Kilimanjaro National Park permit and compulsory fees
• Accommodation in twin tents during the mountain part of the trip
• Full board during the mountain part of the trip – breakfast, lunch and dinner

• International flights to Tanzania and back
• The transfer between Nairobi and Moshi, if a participant chooses to fly via Kenya
• Medical insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 5895 m and evacuation – compulsory for participation
• A Tanzanian visa, if the participant requires one for their nationality – $50 for most nationalities; requirements depend on nationality, and a different visa type applies to US citizens
• Lunches and dinners at the hotel before and after the climb
• Single occupancy – the cost is confirmed separately
• Personal equipment and clothing
• Tips for the local mountain team – the recommended amount is confirmed before the trip
• Any costs arising from a departure from the itinerary

The Kilimanjaro climb by the Lemosho route can be run privately on your own dates. This format suits a single participant, a family, a group of friends or a corporate team. A Russian-speaking Mountain Guide leader can be added to a private trip for a group of any size, quoted individually. There is more detail on the private Kilimanjaro climbs page. For a first experience at altitude you can add an acclimatisation day and build a longer version of the route. Shortening the trip is discussed only after your experience has been assessed, since it reduces the time available to adapt to altitude. A private trip can add a safari after Kilimanjaro, or time on Zanzibar. The dates, hotels, internal flights within Tanzania and the final price of any additional sections are confirmed separately before the contract is signed. To receive a quote, write to us through the Contacts page and tell us the make-up of your group, your preferred dates, your altitude experience and whether you need a Russian-speaking guide.

Entry requirements depend on your nationality and on your flight routing. Before buying tickets, check the rules for Tanzania and for every transit country against official sources. To take part you will need:

• A passport valid for at least six months on the date of entry and with at least one free page
• A return ticket or confirmation of onward travel
• A Tanzanian visa, where one is required; you can apply through the official eVisa system
• Medical insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 5895 m and evacuation
• An international yellow fever vaccination certificate, if you are arriving from a country at risk or have spent at least 12 hours in transit through one
• Your booking confirmation for the trip and the host team’s contact details

We recommend keeping digital copies of your documents on your phone and in cloud storage. Check the current visa and health requirements again before you fly.

Kilimanjaro climbs run all year round. The driest and most popular spells usually fall between January and early March, and from June to October. This does not mean clear weather is guaranteed: cloud, rain, snow, strong wind and a sharp drop in temperature are possible in any month. The main rainy season around Kilimanjaro usually falls between March and May, and above all in April and May. A shorter rainy spell runs from October to December and is often most noticeable in November. Climbing is possible in these months, but the lower trails can be wet and slippery, kit is harder to keep dry, and cloud can limit the views. The western Lemosho approach runs through humid forest, so in the rainy season the first stages call for especially good waterproofing of your kit. Wind and exposed ground are felt more keenly on the Shira plateau and the southern circuit of Kibo. It can be warm and humid at the start of the route, while night temperatures in the high camps fall below 0 °C. The coldest stage is the night start for the summit. You need warm layers, protection from wind and rain, and waterproof packing for your sleeping bag, clothing, documents and electronics. A detailed month-by-month comparison is published in our article on the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.

Two nights in a 3-star hotel in Moshi, in twin rooms, are provided before the mountain section and after it finishes. Breakfasts are included. The specific hotel is confirmed before departure. During the climb the group sleeps in two-person tents. The local team moves and pitches the camp. You provide your own sleeping bag and mat, following the equipment list. Full board is provided during the climb. Agree the menu in advance, along with any vegetarian, allergy or other dietary requirements. Lunches and dinners at the hotel before and after the mountain are paid separately.

Lemosho is a camping route. toilet and washing facilities in the camps are basic and depend on the infrastructure of each site. There is no proper shower during the mountain section. On the mountain section you cannot count on a shower, mains power, Wi-Fi or regular mobile signal. Signal depends on the camp, the weather and the network, so it should not form part of a work or family communication plan. Charge your phone, camera gear and power bank before the route starts, and protect them from cold and damp. Earplugs are useful for sleeping. In the wet season, damp clothing cannot always be dried out completely before the next stage.

Check and test your equipment before the trip. Pay particular attention to broken-in footwear, a warm set for the summit night, and keeping your kit dry. The permitted weight of your duffel bag is confirmed before departure.

Personal equipment

• Day pack of 25-35 litres with a rain cover
• Duffel bag for the items your porter carries
• Sleeping bag with a comfort rating of -5 to -10 °C
• Foam sleeping mat
• Trekking poles
• Dry bags or strong waterproof sacks for your sleeping bag and clothing

Clothing and footwear

• Broken-in trekking boots with good grip
• Light footwear for the hotel and for town
• waterproof shell jacket
• waterproof shell trousers
• Quick-drying trekking trousers
• A set of base layers
• Fleece jacket or another warm mid layer
• Down jacket with a hood
• Warm gloves or mittens
• Thin gloves
• Warm hat
• Buff or balaclava
• Sun hat
• Trekking socks, plus a separate warm pair for summit day
• Gaiters

Other items

• Head torch with spare batteries
• Power bank and charging cables
• Sunglasses
• Ski goggles for wind and snow
• Vacuum flask, 1 litre, without a push-button lid
• Reusable water bottle
• Sun cream and lip balm with SPF
• Insect repellent for the lower part of the route
• Quick-drying towel
• Personal toiletries
• A personal first-aid kit suited to your own medical needs; take medicines only as directed

Discuss malaria risk and prophylaxis with your doctor before the trip. There is background information in our article on avoiding malaria.