The Connoisseur's Route

Lemosho.

Kilimanjaro's Lemosho Route is available in 7-day and 8-day itineraries. It starts quieter than the more travelled Machame and Marangu routes, giving climbers the feeling of having Mount Kilimanjaro to themselves during the early days of the trek. Though it eventually joins the Machame trail, the opening stages offer peaceful paths and unique, breathtaking views found on no other route, making Lemosho widely regarded as the best Kilimanjaro route for trekking.

Side

Western approach

Days

7 / 8

Options

Distance

67 km

Round-Trip

Grade

Moderate

From

$2,370

Group Departure

— 01

Altitude profile

TRAILHEAD·2,100M

MTI MKUBWA·2,780M

SHIRA 1·3,450M

SHIRA 2·3,840M

BARRANCO·3,960M

KARANGA·3,995M

BARAFU·4,673M

UHURU·5,895M

MWEKA·3,068M

— 02

Duration & trek type

Prices listed by trek type and duration. Join a scheduled group departure, or begin your own private trek. Package rates are updated annually to reflect changes in Kilimanjaro National Park fees.

Prices are indicative per person, based on standard camping or lodge tier as quoted. Luxury upgrades and single supplements are quoted on enquiry.

Days on mountain	Group departure	Private party
7 days	$2,370	$2,550
8 days	$2,675	$2,865

Compare

Which trek type fits you?

We offer daily departures via both group and private treks. To see which type suits you best:

Group departure

Pros

Lower per-person price - the clearest upside when budget matters most.
Join existing groups - if you don't want to trek alone, we can pair you with other trekkers.
Built-in social experience - meet fellow trekkers, share stories around the camp, and form new lasting friendships.

Cons

Fixed pace and itinerary - Itineraries are pre-set, so trekkers move together as a group rather than at their own preferred pace.
Less solitude - shared tents, communal meals, limited alone time while on the trail.

Private party

Pros

Customizable - you can set your own pace and customise the itinerary and duration of the
Personalised attention - the guides and crew focus only on you, which is better for photography and dietary needs.
Only guests you invite - quieter camps and company you are already comfortable with.

Cons

Higher investment - the crew costs are not split with other trekkers, so the smaller the group, the higher the person package cost.
Isolating - for small groups, there are no built-in trekking companions, and you could feel lonely on longer treks.

If this trip is a once-in-a-lifetime investment for you, private often protects what you cannot redo — how you feel on the mountain every day.

Tell us preferred dates and party type — we will confirm availability within one business day.

— 03

The itinerary

An indicative plan. Every climb is privately tailored to your party’s pace and acclimatisation profile.

DAY 01

Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Day 1 of the Lemosho route begins with a hotel pickup in Moshi and a scenic drive west to Lemosho Gate (~2,100 m) on Kilimanjaro's western flank. From the trailhead, a gentle afternoon's walk climbs through dense montane rainforest, colobus monkeys and turacos calling from the canopy, before reaching Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp.

2,100 m → 2,820 m · 6 KM · 3 H

Tonight · Forest camp. Black-and-white colobus often visible at dusk.

Meals · Breakfast (Hotel) | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 02

Mti Mkubwa to Shira 2 Camp

Leaving Mti Mkubwa, the rainforest thins into open heath and moorland by mid-morning as the trail crosses Shira Ridge onto the Shira Plateau, one of the world's highest lava fields and continues to Shira 2 Camp (~3,840 m), framed by the first dramatic view of Kibo, Kilimanjaro's main summit cone. Cool air and often windy.

2,820 m → 3,845 m · 16 KM · 8 H

Tonight · Shira 2, on the open plateau. Bring a layer for sunset.