The 8 day Kilimanjaro Lemosho route is the climb we recommend to most people. It starts on the quiet western side and crosses the Shira Plateau. It then joins the Machame path near Lava Tower and it gives your body the most time to adapt.
- FromUSD 2,590per person sharing, 6 people, budget tier
- Duration8 days, 7 nights on the mountain
- StartsMoshi or Arusha (Nairobi pickup available)
- Best forClimbers who want the best chance of reaching the summit
- StylePrivate or group joining
Rated 5.0 on Google from 46 reviews. Price confirmed in writing before you pay.
That extra time pays off. Summit success on eight days is often quoted near 90 percent, which beats shorter routes. The scenery is superb, with fewer crowds in the early days.
This page gives the day by day plan, the cost at three tiers, fees, training advice and the best months. Send your dates on WhatsApp for a written quote.
Highlights
- Best acclimatisation of the standard routes
- Quiet western start through remote rainforest
- Shira Plateau views and the Lava Tower day
- Licensed guides, assistant guides and a full porter team
- Park, camping and rescue fees listed openly
- Higher summit success than 5 and 6 day plans
Day by day plan
- Day 1
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
You drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate, about 3 hours and register. A short drive takes you to Lemosho Gate at 2,100 metres. You walk about 3 hours through thick rainforest to Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,750 metres. You may see colobus monkeys and an armed ranger walks with you.
- Day 2
Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
You leave the forest and cross heather and moorland. The walk takes about 5 to 6 hours. You reach Shira 1 Camp at 3,500 metres with a first view of Kibo. The evening is cold and clear, so wear warm layers.
- Day 3
Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp
This is a short day over the Shira Plateau, about 4 hours. You gain only a little height, which helps your body adapt. You sleep at Shira 2 Camp at 3,850 metres. The afternoon is for rest and the stars are dazzling.
- Day 4
Shira to Lava Tower and Barranco
You walk to Lava Tower at 4,630 metres for lunch, then descend to Barranco Camp at 3,960 metres. This high and low pattern helps acclimatisation. The walk takes about 7 hours. You sleep well afterwards.
- Day 5
Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp
You scramble up the Barranco Wall, a rocky face with great views. After that you cross valleys to Karanga Camp at 3,960 metres. The day is 4 to 5 hours and the afternoon is free to rest.
- Day 6
Karanga to Barafu Camp
You climb about 3 hours to Barafu Camp at 4,670 metres. You eat, rest and prepare for summit night. Your guide checks your oxygen level and gear. You sleep early.
- Day 7
Summit day and Mweka Camp
You wake at 11 pm and leave at midnight. Stella Point comes after about 6 hours and Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres appears at sunrise. You descend to Barafu for breakfast, then on to Mweka Camp at 3,100 metres. The day is 12 to 15 hours long.
- Day 8
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
You walk down through the forest for about 3 hours. At the gate you receive your summit certificate. A driver takes you back to your hotel for a hot shower and a celebration dinner.
8 day Kilimanjaro Lemosho route, guide price per person sharing, USD
| Tier | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | USD 2,990 | USD 2,740 | USD 2,590 |
| Mid range | USD 3,590 | USD 3,300 | USD 3,150 |
| Premium | USD 4,490 | USD 4,150 | USD 3,950 |
- Guide price per person sharing, confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before any payment
- Includes park, camping and rescue fees, guides, porters and mountain meals
- Group climbs compare at USD 3,299 to 5,324 on the market
- A 9 day Lemosho with an extra acclimatisation night adds about USD 250 to 400 per person
- Premium adds a private toilet tent, extra staff and a lodge night
Get my exact price on WhatsApp
Reserve this trip
Pick your dates and group. See the total. Hold it with a deposit.
Pay by Mpesa, bank transfer or card once we confirm in writing. Free changes until you confirm.
Included
- Park conservation, camping and rescue fees
- Licensed mountain guide, assistant guides and porters
- A camp cook, tents, mats and a dining tent
- All meals and drinking water on the mountain
- Pickup and drop off in Moshi or Arusha
- Summit certificate and daily oxygen checks
Not included
- International flights and your Tanzania visa
- Hotel nights before and after the climb on the budget tier
- Tips for guides and porters
- Personal gear and sleeping bag hire
- Travel insurance
- Drinks, snacks and showers
Why the 8 Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Wins on Success
The 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route gives your body time to adapt. You spend two nights on the Shira Plateau, cross Lava Tower and sleep lower after each high point. That is the pattern that experts recommend.
The route is also quieter at the start. You see wildlife in the forest and few other groups until Barranco. Many climbers say the scenery is the best on the mountain.
Our Kilimanjaro routes compared guide shows how Lemosho stacks up against Machame, Marangu and Rongai.
How Much Is the 8 Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route?
For the 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route, our budget price starts at USD 2,590 per person for six people. Four people pay about USD 2,740 each and two pay about USD 2,990 each. Mid range starts near USD 3,590 for two and premium near USD 4,490 for two.
Park fees make up about USD 1,250 of the price on eight days. Conservation fees are about USD 70 per day and camping about USD 50 per night. See our Kilimanjaro climbing cost page for the full table.
Lemosho or Machame: Which Should You Choose?
Machame is shorter and cheaper by about USD 300 per person. Lemosho adds a day, a quieter start and higher success. If your budget allows, Lemosho is the better bet.
Our 6 day Kilimanjaro climb from Nairobi is a lighter option for fit trekkers. If you want a first test, try 3 day Mount Kenya climb to Point Lenana first.
The Lemosho Camps and Daily Rhythm
Camps on the 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route are in the same spots every year and your crew sets them up before you arrive. Tents are for two people, with thick mats. A dining tent holds a table and chairs.
Days start with tea at 6 am and end with dinner at 6.30 pm. Walking days are 4 to 7 hours, except for summit day. Your guide sets a slow pace and reminds you to drink often.
- Mti Mkubwa: forest camp with big trees
- Shira 1 and 2: open plateau with huge views
- Barranco: below the great wall with a valley view
- Barafu: rocky camp on the ridge, the summit base
Fitness and Training
Train for the 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route for three months with weekly hikes and cardio. Build to a 5 to 6 hour walk with a daypack. Include stairs or hills and work on your legs and core.
Nairobi has good options. Our hiking trips from Nairobi, the Ngong Hills hike and the Mount Longonot hike all help. The 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route rewards steady stamina more than speed.
Best Time to Climb the Lemosho Route
For the 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route, Jan to Mar and Jun to Oct are the best windows. Lemosho is quiet even in the peak months, because many climbers pick shorter routes. Feb is cold and clear at the top.
Apr, May and Nov bring heavy rain and the forest is muddy. The best time to visit Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda page explains the pattern across East Africa.
Summit Night on the Lemosho Route
The summit push is the same on every route. You leave Barafu at about midnight with a headtorch and warm layers. The path zigzags up loose scree to Stella Point at 5,756 metres.
From there a gentler walk of about 1 hour takes you to Uhuru Peak. You may arrive for sunrise, with glaciers glowing orange. Many climbers cry. The 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route has done its job by then, since you are rested and well adapted.
Food, Water and Weight Loss on the Mountain
Our cooks prepare three hot meals a day. You get porridge, eggs, soup, pasta, rice, stew and fresh fruit early on. Appetite drops at altitude, so we pack snacks like biscuits, nuts and chocolate.
You need 3 to 4 litres of water a day. We boil and treat water at each camp. Tell us about allergies or diets when you book the 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route.
What to Pack for Eight Days
Weather ranges from tropical rainforest to arctic summit. Pack in layers and keep your clothing dry. We send a full list and you can hire large items from us.
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Down jacket rated for minus 15 degrees Celsius
- Thermal base layers and two pairs of warm socks
- Gloves, a woollen hat and a buff
- Broken in boots and a pair of camp shoes
- Trekking poles, which we can hire
- Headtorch, sunglasses and high factor sunscreen
- Duffel bag with a waterproof liner
Tipping and Porters
Porters carry your duffel, the tents and the food. A fair total tip is about USD 300 to 400 per climber on an 8 day trip. This is split among the guides, cook and porters.
Pay it in USD cash on the last day. We give you a sheet to follow. For general principles see our tipping guide.
Safety, Insurance and Health
On the 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route, your guide checks your oxygen and pulse each day. They carry a first aid kit and oxygen. If anyone struggles, a guide escorts them down. Park rescue is available on request.
You must have travel insurance that covers trekking to 6,000 metres. See the travel insurance guide. Malaria is a risk in the lowlands, so read our vaccinations and malaria guide.
Adding a Safari After the Climb
Many climbers add a safari to rest tired legs. A 3 or 4 day trip to Tarangire and Ngorongoro is a good fit. See our Kilimanjaro trek and wildlife safari for a ready plan.
Book on the book and pay page with a deposit and pay the balance in instalments. Message us on WhatsApp at +254 720 731957 for a written quote on the 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route.
How to book your 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route
Booking your 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route with us takes about five minutes of your time. The rest is our job. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, so there are no surprises along the way.
- Send your dates. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, how many people are coming and the ages of any children. Tell us if you have a budget in mind. We plan with it, not around it.
- Get a written quote. We reply with a clear price per person, what it includes and what it does not. No hidden park fees and no vague extras. If a cheaper camp or a shorter route makes more sense, we say so.
- Tweak it until it fits. Change a camp, add a night or swap a park. Ask as many questions as you like. Changes cost nothing until you confirm.
- Confirm with a deposit. A deposit holds your vehicle, guide and rooms. You get a written confirmation with every detail and the date the balance is due.
- Travel day. Your driver guide meets you at your hotel or the airport with a name board. You have their number and ours for the whole trip.
What every trip with us includes
Every 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route plan we put together comes with the basics done properly. You ride in a safari vehicle with a pop up roof, with a professional driver guide who knows the parks. Water is in the cooler box and park fees are sorted in advance so you do not stand in a queue at the gate.
We also stay reachable. If something changes on the road, a flat tyre, a closed route or a sudden storm, we sort it and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
Paying safely
We share payment details in writing only and every payment gets a receipt. The payment options and the balance date sit on your written quote, so nothing is left to memory or a phone call.
Why book with a Nairobi team
We live here. We drive these roads all year, we know which camps are honest about their photos and we know when a park is too busy to enjoy. That local knowledge is what turns a good 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route into a great one. Our Google rating sits at 5.0 from 46 reviews and we plan to keep it that way.
Ready when you are. Send us a message and we will put a plan together for you shortly.
Questions people ask
How much is the 8 day Lemosho route?
The 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route costs from about USD 2,590 per person for six people in the budget tier. Two people pay about USD 2,990 each. Mid range starts near USD 3,590 for two. Fees, staff and meals are included.
Which Kilimanjaro route has the best success rate?
The Lemosho route over 8 days has the best rate, often quoted near 90 percent. Machame on 7 days follows. Marangu on 5 days has the lowest rate. More days give better acclimatisation.
How many days do you need to climb Kilimanjaro?
Seven or eight days is the sweet spot. An 8 day Kilimanjaro lemosho route gives the best chance. Six days works for very fit climbers. Five days is possible on Marangu, but success is lower.
How difficult is Kilimanjaro for a first time climber?
It is a long walk at altitude, not a technical climb. Summit night is the hardest part. With training and a good pace, most healthy first timers do well on eight days.
What is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
Jan to Mar and Jun to Oct are best. Feb is quiet and clear. Jul and Aug are busiest, although Lemosho stays calm. Apr, May and Nov are wet.
Can I do the Lemosho route in 9 days?
Yes. A 9 day plan adds a night at Karanga or Barranco and boosts your success rate slightly more. It costs about USD 250 to 400 per person more.
Do I need a medical check before the 8 day Kilimanjaro Lemosho route?
We suggest a check with your doctor if you have heart, lung or blood pressure problems. Tell us about any medicine you take. Our guides cannot give medical advice, but they watch you closely on the mountain and act fast if anything seems wrong.
Is the Lemosho start safe from wildlife?
Armed rangers walk with you on Day 1 in the forest. Buffalo and elephants are rare but possible. Your guide knows what to do and incidents are very rare.
Official information: Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA).
Ready when you are. Send your dates and group size. We reply with a clear price and a plan you can change.
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