What You Need to Know: The 7-day Lemosho suits first-timers who want quieter trails than Machame without adding an eighth day. It costs from US$2,090 per person (2 climbers, mid-range hotels), the same as the 7-day Machame, with 6 nights on the mountain: two quiet days in the western forest and across the Shira Plateau, then Lava Tower, Barranco, Karanga and the summit from Barafu. Day 2 is long, about 10 miles (16 km). Choose the 8-day Lemosho if you can spare one more day.
Is the 7-Day Lemosho Climb Right for You?
It is the right climb if you have seven days for the mountain, want a quieter start than Machame, and can manage one long walking day early on. It is not the right climb if you want the gentlest profile we offer, or if a 7–8 hour second day sounds like too much.
The last four days are the same as the 7-day Machame, through Lava Tower, Barranco and Karanga to Barafu. The difference is the first two: Lemosho trades Machame's steep, busy forest ridge for the empty western forest and the full width of the Shira Plateau.
| The 7-day Lemosho suits you if… | Consider another climb if… |
|---|---|
| You want a quieter start than Machame | You can take one more day: the 8-day Lemosho, our most gradual climb |
| You have seven days for the mountain | You would rather avoid a long Day 2: the 7-day Machame |
| You want to see the whole Shira Plateau | You want huts instead of tents: the 6-day Marangu |
| You can walk 7–8 hours on one day | You are climbing in the rainy months: the Rongai route |
How the 7-Day Lemosho Differs from Machame
Both climbs take seven days and cost the same. Lemosho starts further west, at the Lemosho trailhead beyond Londorossi Gate, and spends its first two days in quiet forest and across the full Shira Plateau. It then joins the Machame trail at Lava Tower, so Days 3 to 7 are identical.
The quiet start is the main reason to choose it: on Machame you share the forest ridge with most climbers on the mountain, while on Lemosho you may see only a few groups until Lava Tower. The cost of that quiet is Day 2, which crosses from the forest to Shira 2 in about 10 miles (16 km) and 7–8 hours. It is long but not high, and your guide sets an easy pace.
On acclimatization the two are close: both include the climb-high, sleep-low day at Lava Tower and a night at Karanga before Barafu. If you want an extra night high up before Lava Tower, the 8-day Lemosho adds it.
The 7-Day Lemosho Route at a Glance
Lemosho trailhead – Mti Mkubwa – Shira 2 – Lava Tower – Barranco – Karanga – Barafu – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate.
You go up the western side and down the south-east on the Mweka trail.
| Day | Sleep at | Altitude | Walking time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mti Mkubwa Camp | About 8,700 ft (2,650 m) | 2–3 hours |
| 2 | Shira 2 Camp | 12,631 ft (3,850 m) | 7–8 hours |
| 3 | Barranco Camp (via Lava Tower, about 15,100 ft / 4,600 m) | About 13,000 ft (3,960 m) | 5–6 hours |
| 4 | Karanga Camp | 13,238 ft (4,035 m) | 3–4 hours |
| 5 | Barafu Camp | 15,354 ft (4,680 m) | 3–4 hours |
| 6 | Mweka Camp (via Uhuru Peak, 19,341 ft / 5,895 m) | 10,138 ft (3,090 m) | 10–13 hours |
| 7 | Hotel in Moshi (via Mweka Gate, 5,512 ft / 1,680 m) | — | 3–5 hours |
7-Day Lemosho Itinerary: Why Each Day Matters
Day 1 is short, Day 2 is the long plateau crossing, and from Day 3 you follow the southern circuit with its climb-high, sleep-low day at Lava Tower and two short days before the summit.
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Day 1: Lemosho trailhead (about 6,900 ft / 2,100 m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (about 8,700 ft / 2,650 m)
The drive to the western side is longer than to Machame Gate, so we collect you early. After registration at Londorossi Gate you continue to the Lemosho trailhead and walk about 4 miles (6 km), 2–3 hours, through montane rainforest. The trail can be wet, so waterproof boots and poles help.
It is a short day on purpose: settle into the slow pace and drink well.
Purpose: an easy start in quiet forestRainforestLunch, dinner -
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 2 Camp (12,631 ft / 3,850 m)
About 10 miles (16 km) and 7–8 hours, the longest day before the summit. You leave the forest, climb through heath and moorland to the rim of the Shira Plateau, then cross it with Kibo growing ahead of you.
The distance is long but the gradient is mostly gentle. Your guide breaks the day into short sections with regular water and snack stops; lunch is taken on the trail.
Purpose: cross the Shira PlateauHeath, moorland and plateauBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Shira 2 to Lava Tower and down to Barranco Camp (about 13,000 ft / 3,960 m)
About 5 miles (8 km) and 5–6 hours. You climb across alpine desert to Lava Tower at about 15,100 ft (4,600 m), then descend into the Barranco Valley to sleep about 2,100 ft (640 m) lower.
This is the key acclimatization day. A headache at Lava Tower is common and usually eases on the way down; tell your guide if it doesn't.
Purpose: climb high, sleep lowAlpine desertBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (13,238 ft / 4,035 m)
About 3 miles (5 km) and 3–4 hours. The Barranco Wall is an 820 ft (250 m) scramble where you use your hands for balance in places, with no technical climbing. Then on to Karanga, with views of the southern glaciers.
A short day and an afternoon of rest at almost the same altitude: the extra night that makes summit day manageable.
Purpose: the Barranco Wall; rest at KarangaAlpine desertBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (15,354 ft / 4,680 m)
About 2.5 miles (4 km) and 3–4 hours to the summit base camp. The afternoon is for rest, water, an early meal, the summit briefing and getting your layers, headlamp and bottles ready.
Purpose: arrive rested; prepareAlpine desertBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft / 5,895 m), then down to Mweka Camp
You start around midnight, climb steeply to Stella Point and continue along the rim to Uhuru Peak: 5–7 hours. Then you descend to Barafu for a break and on to Mweka Camp, another 5–6 hours. The next section explains the night step by step.
Purpose: the summitArctic summit zoneSnacks, lunch, dinner -
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi
About 6 miles (10 km) and 3–5 hours through the forest. At Mweka Gate you sign out, receive your summit certificate and usually tip the crew, then we drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.
Purpose: descend; certificatesRainforestBreakfast
Summit Night on the Lemosho Route, Step by Step
Summit night on the 7-day Lemosho is the same as on the Machame route: about 3,900 ft (1,200 m) of climbing from Barafu in the dark and cold, then a long descent. It is the hardest part of the climb.
How Hard Is the 7-Day Lemosho Climb?
It is a hard trek, but not a technical climb. Besides the altitude and summit night, the long second day is what sets this climb apart.
| Challenge | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Altitude | The real difficulty; time and pace protect you, fitness doesn't |
| Day 2 | About 10 miles (16 km) and 7–8 hours, mostly at a gentle gradient |
| Summit night | 6–8 hours uphill in the dark and cold, then a long descent |
| Barranco Wall | An 820 ft (250 m) scramble with hands in places, not technical |
| Camping | Six nights in tents, near or below freezing at the higher camps |
How Much Does the 7-Day Lemosho Climb Cost?
The 7-day Lemosho climb costs from US$2,090 per person for 2 climbers with mid-range hotels in Moshi, the same as the 7-day Machame. It is US$1,915 with budget hotels and US$2,235 with luxury hotels. The price is for a private climb on your own dates; budget, mid-range or luxury changes only your two hotel nights in Moshi.
| Climbers | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$1,945 | US$2,130 | US$2,325 |
| 2 | US$1,915 | US$2,090 | US$2,235 |
| 3 | US$1,925 | US$2,125 | US$2,225 |
| 4 | US$1,915 | US$2,090 | US$2,235 |
| 5 | US$1,920 | US$2,110 | US$2,230 |
| 6 | US$1,915 | US$2,090 | US$2,235 |
Where the money goes
| Park fee (per climber) | Rate | 7-day Lemosho |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation fee | US$70 per day | US$490 |
| Camping fee | US$50 per night | US$300 |
| Rescue fee | US$20 per climb | US$20 |
| VAT | 18% | US$146 |
| Total park fees | About US$956 |
What the 7-Day Lemosho Price Includes, and What It Doesn't
Included
- Kilimanjaro National Park fees, VAT and trekking permits
- A crew of seven per climber: mountain guide, cook and five porters
- Tents, sleeping mats, mess tent with table and chairs, and a private portable toilet tent
- All meals on the mountain, drinking water and hot drinks
- First-aid kit, emergency oxygen, pulse oximeter and stretcher
- Return airport transfers, and transfers to Londorossi Gate and the Lemosho trailhead and from Mweka Gate
- One hotel night in Moshi before and one after the climb
Not included
- International and domestic flights, and visa fees (US$100 for US citizens)
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult from October 1, 2026 (we can help you buy it)
- Travel insurance that covers trekking up to 19,700 ft (6,000 m) and helicopter evacuation
- Personal climbing gear (rental available in Moshi)
- Tips for the mountain crew (tipping guide)
- Meals and activities in Moshi, drinks, laundry and personal items
- The card-processing fee when you pay the deposit online
Tips to budget for
When Is the Best Time for the Lemosho Route?
Late May to October and January to March. We don't recommend April, early May, November or the late-December holiday period. The southern and western routes are the wettest side of the mountain, so in the long rains the forest trail turns to deep mud and wet gear makes the high camps much colder. July to September brings the clearest skies and the most climbers; January to March is a little warmer and quieter. The western forest on Day 1 is wet even in good months; the plateau crossing on Day 2 is at its best in the dry season.
| Months | Our advice |
|---|---|
| January – March | Recommended: warmer, quieter |
| April – early May | Not recommended: long rains |
| Late May – October | Recommended: dry season, busiest months |
| November | Not recommended: short rains |
| Late December | Not recommended: holiday crowds |
7-Day Lemosho Compared with the 7-Day Machame and 8-Day Lemosho
These are the two climbs most often weighed against the 7-day Lemosho.
| 7-day Machame | 7-day Lemosho | 8-day Lemosho | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nights on the mountain | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Start | Machame Gate, busy | Lemosho trailhead, quiet | Lemosho trailhead, quiet |
| Day 2 | 4–5 hours | 7–8 hours | 5–6 hours |
| High night before Lava Tower | No | No | Near Moir Hut |
| Price from (2 climbers, mid-range) | US$2,090 | US$2,090 | US$2,335 |
Full itineraries: the 7-day Machame and the 8-day Lemosho.
What Else to Read Before You Book
This page covers what is particular to the 7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Lemosho Route. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Kilimanjaro acclimatization: altitude sickness symptoms and how our guides check you at every camp.
- Safety on Kilimanjaro: our crew, oxygen, pulse oximeters and evacuation plan.
- Kilimanjaro climbing FAQs: food, water, toilets and daily routine on the mountain.
- Kilimanjaro packing list: everything to bring, layer by layer.
- Rental gear in Moshi: what you can rent and the price for the whole climb.
- Where to sleep before and after the climb: hotels in Moshi and the nights included.
- Kilimanjaro booking and refund terms: deposit, balance and cancellation.
- Tipping your Kilimanjaro crew: suggested amounts per climber and how the crew shares them.
Common Questions About the 7-Day Lemosho Climb
Is Lemosho harder than Machame?
Not harder overall. Day 2 is longer, but the summit day and the last four days are the same as on Machame.
Is the Lemosho Route crowded?
The first two days are noticeably quieter. From Lava Tower onwards you share the trail and camps with Machame climbers.
Where does the Lemosho Route start?
At the western trailhead, reached by road from Moshi. The drive is longer than to Machame Gate, so the first morning starts early.
Is the 7-day Lemosho harder than the 7-day Machame?
Not overall. Day 2 is longer, about 10 miles (16 km), but the rest of the climb is the same, and the start is quieter.
Should I choose 7 or 8 days on Lemosho?
Eight if you can. The extra day costs US$245 per person, splits the long plateau crossing and adds a high night near Moir Hut.
The Bottom Line
Choose the 7-day Lemosho if you have seven days, want a quieter start than Machame and don't mind one long day on the Shira Plateau. If you can add a day, the 8-day Lemosho is better still; if the long Day 2 worries you, the 7-day Machame costs the same.
To plan your climb, send us your preferred dates, the number of climbers and your hotel level (budget, mid-range or luxury) through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com. Our sales team in Moshi will confirm availability and send your written quotation.