What You Need to Know: The 8-day Lemosho is the most gradual climb we run and the one we recommend to first-timers who can spare eight days. It costs from US$2,335 per person (2 climbers, mid-range hotels), with 7 nights on the mountain: a quiet western start, two days across the Shira Plateau, a high night near Moir Hut at 13,800 ft (4,200 m), then Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall and Karanga before the summit from Barafu. Choose the 7-day Machame if you have one day less.
Is the 8-Day Lemosho Climb Right for You?
It is the right climb if this is your first high mountain and you can give it eight days, you would like quiet trails for the first days, and you want the most comfortable acclimatization profile we offer. It is not the right climb if your holiday only allows six or seven days on the mountain, or if you would rather sleep in huts.
Lemosho starts on the far western side, where few climbers begin, and joins the busier southern circuit at Lava Tower. You get the quiet of the west, the scenery of the south and, on this version, an extra night that the 7-day Lemosho doesn't have.
| The 8-day Lemosho suits you if… | Consider another climb if… |
|---|---|
| This is your first climb above 13,100 ft (4,000 m) | You have seven days, not eight: the 7-day Lemosho or 7-day Machame |
| You want the most gradual ascent we offer | You want to sleep in huts: the 6-day Marangu |
| You prefer quiet trails for the first days | You are climbing in the rainy months: the drier north side on the Rongai route |
| You can walk 5–7 hours a day, several days in a row | You want even more time and the fewest people: the 9-day Northern Circuit |
Still undecided between routes? Our guide to choosing the right Kilimanjaro route compares all six, and our Kilimanjaro climbing packages page lists every climb with prices.
Why Eight Days Gives You the Best Chance
Because every extra night lets your body adjust before summit night, and on this climb the extra nights come where they help most. Compared with the 7-day Lemosho, the long plateau crossing is split over two days, and you sleep near Moir Hut at 13,800 ft (4,200 m) before crossing to Lava Tower and down to Barranco.
Kilimanjaro National Park records from the early 2000s showed 64% of climbers reaching the summit on 7-day climbs and 85% on 8-day climbs, across all routes. The figures are old and today's rates are higher everywhere, but the pattern is what guides still see: the more time you give the mountain, the better you feel on summit night.
The 8-day climb costs US$245 more per person than the 7-day Lemosho, a small part of the cost of flying to Tanzania. If you can take the extra day, take it.
The 8-Day Lemosho Route at a Glance
Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa – Shira 1 – Moir Hut – Lava Tower – Barranco – Karanga – Barafu – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate.
You go up the western side and come down the south-east on the Mweka trail, so you never walk the same path twice.
| Day | Sleep at | Altitude | Walking time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mti Mkubwa Camp | About 8,700 ft (2,650 m) | 3–4 hours |
| 2 | Shira 1 Camp | 11,500 ft (3,500 m) | 5–6 hours |
| 3 | Moir Hut camp (via Shira 2) | 13,800 ft (4,200 m) | 5–7 hours |
| 4 | Barranco Camp (via Lava Tower, about 15,100 ft / 4,600 m) | About 13,000 ft (3,960 m) | 6–8 hours |
| 5 | Karanga Camp | 13,238 ft (4,035 m) | 4–5 hours |
| 6 | Barafu Camp | 15,354 ft (4,680 m) | 3–4 hours |
| 7 | Mweka Camp (via Uhuru Peak, 19,341 ft / 5,895 m) | 10,138 ft (3,090 m) | 10–14 hours |
| 8 | Hotel in Moshi (via Mweka Gate, 5,512 ft / 1,680 m) | — | 3–4 hours |
The altitudes and walking times are the ones our guides plan with; your pace and the weather decide the actual times.
8-Day Lemosho Itinerary: Why Each Day Matters
The first three days lift you slowly from the forest to a high night near Moir Hut. Day 4 is the climb-high, sleep-low day at Lava Tower. Days 5 and 6 are short on purpose, so you reach summit night with energy left.
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Day 1: Londorossi Gate (about 6,900 ft / 2,100 m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (about 8,700 ft / 2,650 m)
We collect you from your hotel in Moshi after breakfast for the drive west to Londorossi Gate, the longest transfer of any route. While your guide registers the climb, the porters weigh and pack the loads. Then you walk about 4 miles (6 km), 3–4 hours, through rainforest with giant ferns, birds and colobus monkeys.
Mti Mkubwa means 'big tree' in Swahili, and the camp sits under the forest canopy. It is a short first day: walk slower than feels necessary. Every guide on the mountain will tell you pole pole, 'slowly, slowly'.
Purpose: an easy start in the forestRainforestLunch, dinner -
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp (11,500 ft / 3,500 m)
About 5 miles (8 km) and 5–6 hours out of the forest, through giant heather and moorland, and up onto the western rim of the Shira Plateau. Kibo comes into view for the first time, and on clear afternoons you see Mount Meru to the west.
You gain about 2,790 ft (850 m) today, so a mild headache in the evening is common. Drink well and mention it at the health check.
Purpose: leave the forest; first views of KiboHeath and moorlandBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Shira 1 to Moir Hut camp (13,800 ft / 4,200 m) via Shira 2
About 6–7 miles (10–12 km) and 5–7 hours across the Shira Plateau, a collapsed volcanic caldera, past giant senecios to the camp near Moir Hut on the north-western side of Kibo. This is the day the 7-day Lemosho doesn't have.
Sleeping at 13,800 ft (4,200 m) on Day 3 is a strong acclimatization stimulus, and it makes the next day over Lava Tower easier. Moir Hut is off the main trail, so the camp is usually quiet.
Purpose: a high, quiet acclimatization nightAlpine desertBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Moir Hut to Lava Tower and down to Barranco Camp (about 13,000 ft / 3,960 m)
About 6 miles (10 km) and 6–8 hours. You climb to Lava Tower, a 300 ft (90 m) volcanic plug at about 15,100 ft (4,600 m), usually have lunch near it, then descend into the Barranco Valley past giant groundsels to sleep about 2,100 ft (640 m) lower.
Many climbers feel the altitude at Lava Tower. That is the point of the day: going high and sleeping lower is the best preparation for the summit.
Purpose: climb high, sleep lowAlpine desertBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (13,238 ft / 4,035 m)
About 3 miles (5 km) and 4–5 hours. The day starts with the Barranco Wall, an 820 ft (250 m) rock face you climb on a trail of ledges and steps. It is a scramble, not a technical climb: you use your hands in a few places, and your guide shows you each step. Then you cross ridges and valleys to Karanga, with the southern glaciers above.
You arrive by lunchtime and rest at almost the same height you slept at, another quiet acclimatization night.
Purpose: the Barranco Wall; rest at KarangaAlpine desertBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (15,354 ft / 4,680 m)
About 2.5 miles (4 km) and 3–4 hours up a rocky ridge to the summit base camp. Keep it slow: the next 10–14 hours start tonight.
The afternoon is for the summit briefing, a health check, a gear check and an early dinner. Lay out your layers, fill your bottles and keep them and your phone inside your sleeping bag so they don't freeze. Few people sleep well at this altitude; resting with your eyes closed still helps.
Purpose: arrive rested; prepareAlpine desertBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft / 5,895 m), then down to Mweka Camp (10,138 ft / 3,090 m)
About 11 miles (17 km) and 10–14 hours in total: about 3,900 ft (1,200 m) up to the summit, then about 9,200 ft (2,800 m) down to Mweka Camp. The next section explains the night step by step.
Purpose: the summitArctic summit zoneSnacks, lunch, dinner -
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (5,512 ft / 1,680 m), drive to Moshi
About 6 miles (10 km) and 3–4 hours down through the rainforest, on a trail that is often wet: poles help your knees. At Mweka Gate you sign out of the park and receive your summit certificate, and this is usually where climbers thank and tip the crew. We drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.
Purpose: descend; certificatesRainforestBreakfast
Summit Night on the Lemosho Route, Step by Step
Summit night is the hardest part of any Kilimanjaro climb: 6–8 hours uphill in the dark and cold, at altitudes where each breath holds about half the oxygen it would at sea level. On the 8-day Lemosho you start it after seven nights on the mountain, which is why most climbers on this itinerary feel stronger than on shorter climbs.
| Time (approximate) | What happens |
|---|---|
| 11 pm | Wake-up, tea and biscuits, health check, layers on |
| Midnight | Start from Barafu Camp by headlamp, in a slow line behind your guide |
| Midnight – 5 am | Steep zigzags on loose volcanic scree; short rests only, to stay warm |
| 5 – 6 am | Stella Point (about 18,900 ft / 5,756 m) on the crater rim, often at sunrise |
| 6 – 7 am | About an hour along the rim to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft / 5,895 m); photos, then start down |
| 9 – 11 am | Back at Barafu: rest, food and drink |
| Midday – 4 pm | Descend to Mweka Camp (10,138 ft / 3,090 m); thicker air, and most climbers feel much better |
Temperatures near the summit at night are usually well below freezing, and the wind makes it feel colder. Wear all your layers from the start, keep water in insulated bottles or close to your body, and eat small snacks even if you are not hungry. Your guide watches every climber closely; if anyone shows signs of serious altitude sickness, a guide takes them down at once while the rest continue. Trekking poles make the long descent much easier on your knees.
Altitude Sickness and How We Manage It on the Lemosho Route
Most climbers feel some effect of altitude above 11,500 ft (3,500 m): a headache, poor sleep, less appetite or breathlessness. That is normal. What matters is noticing when it gets worse, and going down when it does.
The 8-day Lemosho has the most gradual profile of any climb we run on the south side: three nights between 11,500 ft (3,500 m) and 13,800 ft (4,200 m) before Lava Tower, a climb-high, sleep-low day on Day 4, and two short days before Barafu.
Your guide checks your blood-oxygen saturation and pulse with a pulse oximeter at every camp and asks how you feel. Low readings are normal at altitude, so the readings never decide anything alone: the guide looks for readings falling day after day together with worsening symptoms, or any sign of confusion, loss of balance or breathlessness at rest. Those signs mean going down, whatever the time of day.
- Pulse-oximeter and symptom check at every camp
- Emergency oxygen, a first-aid kit and a stretcher on every climb
- One guide per climber: if you need to go down, a guide goes with you and the rest of the group continues
- Helicopter evacuation for serious cases, arranged through companies such as Pro Flight
What you can do: walk slowly, drink 3–4 liters of water a day, eat even when you don't feel like it, and tell your guide honestly how you feel. Ask your doctor before the trip about acetazolamide (Diamox) and any medical conditions, and make sure your travel insurance covers trekking up to 19,700 ft (6,000 m) and helicopter evacuation. Our acclimatization guide explains the warning signs in more detail.
How Hard Is the 8-Day Lemosho Climb?
It is a hard trek, but not a technical climb, and of all our climbs it is the one where the altitude is spread most gently. You need to walk several hours a day for seven days in a row, sleep in a tent and push through one very long summit day.
| Challenge | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Altitude | Still the real difficulty; the 8-day profile gives you the most time to adjust |
| Summit night | 6–8 hours uphill in the dark and cold, then 6–8 hours down |
| Barranco Wall | An 820 ft (250 m) scramble with hands in places; exposed in short sections but not technical |
| Length | Eight days and seven nights on the mountain, with seven nights in tents |
| Steep descents | Long downhill days on Days 7 and 8; hard on the knees |
To prepare, spend the 8–12 weeks before the climb walking hills or stairs with a loaded daypack, building up to two long walks of 5–6 hours on consecutive days, and wear in your boots on those walks. Our guide to how hard Kilimanjaro is and how to train has a fuller plan.
Your Kilimanjaro Guide, Crew and Food
Every climber on our Kilimanjaro climbs has a crew of seven: one mountain guide, one cook and five porters. For two climbers that is a crew of 14 for all 8 days. The crew carries the tents, sleeping mats, a mess tent with table and chairs, a private portable toilet tent for your group, the food, water and the safety kit, so you carry only a daypack with water, snacks, layers and a camera.
Our mountain guides are certified through Tanzanian universities, have three years of guiding experience and are licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. They set the pace, run the health checks and make the safety decisions. Our mountain gear comes from major international outdoor brands such as Patagonia and The North Face.
Each porter carries no more than 18 kg (40 lb). We have been a KPAP partner since 2023, so our porters' pay, equipment and loads are open to the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project's checks, and we are members of TATO, the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators.
Food on the mountain
Your cook prepares breakfast, lunch and dinner every day and doesn't repeat a meal during the climb, so the menu changes daily. Meals are built around filling staples such as potatoes, rice, spaghetti and chicken, and every lunch and dinner starts with a fresh soup, such as potato, pumpkin or cucumber, which helps you drink and eat enough when altitude dulls your appetite. Vegan, vegetarian and allergy requirements are followed for every meal; tell us when you book.
A typical day on the mountain
Your guide wakes you with a hot drink, and breakfast follows. You set off with your daypack while the porters pack the camp, overtake you on the trail and have the tents up before you arrive. Lunch is packed or served on arrival, depending on the day. Afternoons are for rest and short acclimatization walks; evenings for dinner, the health check and the guide's briefing on the next day. Most climbers are asleep by 8 pm.
How Much Does the 8-Day Lemosho Climb Cost?
The 8-day Lemosho climb costs from US$2,335 per person for 2 climbers with mid-range hotels in Moshi. It is US$2,160 with budget hotels and US$2,480 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$2,190 | US$2,375 | US$2,565 |
| 2 | US$2,160 | US$2,335 | US$2,480 |
| 3 | US$2,170 | US$2,370 | US$2,470 |
| 4 | US$2,160 | US$2,335 | US$2,480 |
| 5 | US$2,165 | US$2,355 | US$2,475 |
| 6 | US$2,160 | US$2,335 | US$2,480 |
Prices are per person and confirmed in your written quotation.
Where the money goes
About half the price is Kilimanjaro National Park fees, which every operator pays at the same rate. For 8 days on the mountain the 2026 non-resident fees come to:
| Park fee (per climber) | Rate | 8-day Lemosho |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation fee | US$70 per day | US$560 |
| Camping fee | US$50 per night | US$350 |
| Rescue fee | US$20 per climb | US$20 |
| VAT | 18% | US$167 |
| Total park fees | About US$1,097 |
Park fees change from time to time; your quotation uses the rates on the day you book. Most of the rest pays the crew of seven per climber, their food and equipment, the safety kit, transfers and your hotel nights. If another quote is far below ours for the same number of days, ask what has been left out: fewer crew, heavier porter loads, poorer tents, no oxygen, or park fees added later. Our Kilimanjaro cost guide shows a whole-trip budget from the US.
What the 8-Day Lemosho Price Includes, and What It Doesn't
Park fees, the full crew, meals, camping equipment, safety kit, transfers and two hotel nights are included. Flights, insurance, tips and personal gear are not.
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 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
Using the daily ranges in our tipping guide, US$20–30 for the guide, US$10–15 for the cook and US$5–10 for each porter, a crew of seven for 8 days comes to about US$440–760 per climber, given at the end of the climb.
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 at the start is especially wet in the rains; in the dry months the Shira Plateau views are at their best.
| 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 |
More detail, month by month: the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.
What to Pack for the Lemosho Route, and What You Can Rent in Moshi
Layers matter most: you walk from warm rainforest to temperatures well below freezing on summit night. Eight days means more nights near freezing, so a warm sleeping bag matters more than on a shorter climb.
| Category | Essentials |
|---|---|
| Feet | Broken-in waterproof hiking boots, gaiters, hiking and thermal socks |
| Layers | Base layers, fleece, insulated down or synthetic jacket, waterproof jacket and pants |
| Summit night | Warm hat, thick gloves or mittens, buff, insulated water bottles |
| Sleeping | Sleeping bag rated to about 14 °F (−10 °C) (rental available) |
| Daypack | Headlamp and spare batteries, sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks, 3 liters of water capacity |
If you don't own the warm items, rent them in Moshi. Our prices are for the whole climb: sleeping bag US$25, down or synthetic jacket US$20, hiking boots US$25, gaiters US$20, hiking poles US$15, headlamp US$15 and thick waterproof gloves US$10; a sleeping pad is included. See the full Kilimanjaro packing list and every item on our gear rental page.
8-Day Lemosho Compared with the 7-Day Lemosho and 9-Day Northern Circuit
These are the climbs people most often weigh against the 8-day Lemosho. All three start at Londorossi in the west.
| 7-day Lemosho | 8-day Lemosho | 9-day Northern Circuit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nights on the mountain | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| High night before Lava Tower | No | Near Moir Hut (13,800 ft / 4,200 m) | Moir Hut (13,800 ft / 4,200 m) |
| Day 2 | Long: forest to Shira 2 | Moderate: to Shira 1 | Moderate: to Shira 1 |
| Summit from | Barafu (south) | Barafu (south) | School Hut (north) |
| Crowds | Quiet start, busy south | Quiet start, busy south | Quietest |
| Price from (2 climbers, mid-range) | US$2,090 | US$2,335 | US$2,580 |
Full itineraries: the 7-day Lemosho and the 9-day Northern Circuit. If you also want to compare with the most popular route, see the 7-day Machame. Prefer to climb with others? The 8-day Lemosho has 2027 group departures on July 8 and July 21.
Before and After the Climb: Your Nights in Moshi
Your package starts the day you land and ends the morning after you come off the mountain.
- Arrival day: we meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport for the drive of about an hour to your hotel in Moshi.
- Gear check: try on anything you are renting on arrival day, so items that don't fit can be swapped before the climb.
- Climb morning: pickup after breakfast for the drive to Londorossi Gate; bring your passport, as the park registers every climber.
- After the climb: a shower, a proper bed and a night in Moshi before your onward travel.
With a spare day, our day trips around Moshi, such as the Materuni waterfalls and coffee farm or the Chemka hot springs, start from US$115 per person, with lunch, and are an easy way to rest your legs. Many climbers then add a safari to Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, or a few days on Zanzibar: see our Kilimanjaro, safari and Zanzibar tour and where to stay before and after the climb.
Climb Mount Meru first: our own team also runs 3- and 4-day climbs on Mount Meru (4,566 m), from US$1,150 per person. Climbing Meru a few days before Kilimanjaro is the best acclimatization there is, and we quote the two climbs together, with a rest day in Moshi between them.
Booking and Cancellation Terms for Your Kilimanjaro Climb
Pay a 30% deposit to confirm, and the balance on arrival. You get a full refund if you cancel 60 days or more before arrival. Deposits can be paid through Pesapal by card or mobile money, or by bank transfer in US dollars.
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
Full terms: our Kilimanjaro refund policy.
Common Questions About the 8-Day Lemosho Climb
Is 8 days better than 7 days on Kilimanjaro?
For most first-time climbers, yes. The extra day means a more gradual ascent and a more comfortable summit night.
Where do you sleep on the 8-day Lemosho Route?
In tents at Mti Mkubwa, Shira 1, near Moir Hut, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu and Mweka camps.
Is the 8-day Lemosho suitable for beginners?
Yes. It needs good fitness but no climbing experience. The Barranco Wall is a scramble, not a technical climb.
Can I join a group on the 8-day Lemosho?
Yes. Our 2027 group departures start on July 8 and July 21, at the same per-person price as a private climb. See our Kilimanjaro group climbs.
Is the 8-day Lemosho worth the extra day?
For a first climb, yes. The extra day costs US$245 per person and splits the long plateau crossing, with a high night near Moir Hut before Lava Tower.
Are there toilets on the mountain?
The public camps have basic long-drop toilets, so on every camping climb we carry a private portable toilet tent for your group.
What do you eat on the climb?
Three cooked meals a day from your own cook, with soup before every lunch and dinner and no meal repeated during the climb. Vegan, vegetarian and allergy requirements are followed; tell us when you book.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. It must cover trekking up to 19,700 ft (6,000 m) and helicopter evacuation, which we arrange through companies such as Pro Flight when it is needed.
The Bottom Line
If this is your first Kilimanjaro climb and you can give it eight days, the 8-day Lemosho is the climb we would choose for you: quiet first days, the full Shira Plateau, a high night near Moir Hut and the gentlest build-up to summit night we offer. Choose the 7-day Machame or 7-day Lemosho if you have one day less, and the Northern Circuit if you want nine days and the fewest people.
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.