Tanzania
Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route
KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION — LEMOSHO ROUTE Route Itinerary
The Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route is widely regarded as one of the finest routes on Kilimanjaro, offering exceptional scenery, excellent acclimatisation, and outstanding summit success rates. Our 10-day itinerary includes a dedicated acclimatisation day at Karanga Camp — giving your body the best possible chance of reaching Uhuru Peak. All meals, camping equipment, and an experienced guiding team are included throughout.
Included in Package
Your expedition with Vertex Expeditions includes:
- 8-day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route climb on Mount Kilimanjaro
- 2 nights hotel accommodation (pre- and post-climb)
- All national park fees, camping fees and rescue fees
- All ground transport (Moshi to park gates and return)
- Return airport transfers (Kilimanjaro International Airport to hotel)
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Professional local mountain guides, porters and cook team
- Tents, sleeping mats and all group camping equipment
- Safe drinking water throughout the expedition
- Fully supported itinerary with proper acclimatisation profile
- Pre-expedition guidance and ongoing support from the Vertex team
What’s Not Included
The following are not included in the expedition price:
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Tanzania visa fees
- Personal trekking equipment (e.g. sleeping bag, boots, clothing)
- Tips for guides, porters and mountain crew (recommended $250–$350 per person)
- Drinks and personal snacks
- Single room or single tent supplements (if requested)
- Additional hotel nights outside the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs or extra services
KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION — LEMOSHO ROUTE Route Itinerary
The Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route is widely regarded as one of the finest routes on Kilimanjaro, offering exceptional scenery, excellent acclimatisation, and outstanding summit success rates. Our 10-day itinerary includes a dedicated acclimatisation day at Karanga Camp — giving your body the best possible chance of reaching Uhuru Peak. All meals, camping equipment, and an experienced guiding team are included throughout.
DAY 1 — ARRIVAL Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
All trekkers are required to arrange their own international flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Upon arrival, your Vertex Expeditions representative will be on hand to welcome you and arrange a private transfer to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi. That evening you will meet your lead guide and fellow trekkers for a full pre-climb briefing, covering the route, equipment checks, safety procedures, and what to expect in the days ahead.
Transport: Private transfer Accommodation: Springlands Hotel, Moshi Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2 — LEMOSHO GATE TO BIG TREE CAMP (MTI MKUBWA)
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive from Moshi to Lemosho Gate (2,100m) for park registration. Our porters prepare and pack all supplies before we begin our ascent through beautiful montane forest. The canopy is rich with bird life and the air is fresh and cool. We follow the trail to Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa), named after the enormous camphor trees that surround the site, where we make camp for the night at 2,895m.
Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours Ascent: 535m Max. altitude: 2,895m Accommodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 3 — BIG TREE CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP
We leave the forest behind and emerge onto the vast open Shira Plateau — an ancient caldera offering sweeping views across the moorland. The trail climbs steadily eastwards with panoramas of Shira Cathedral and the glaciers of the Western Breach coming into view. We pass through heath and moorland zones before arriving at Shira Camp (3,500m) for dinner and overnight camping. Tonight will be noticeably colder, with temperatures potentially falling below freezing.
Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours Ascent: 605m Max. altitude: 3,500m Accommodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 4 — SHIRA CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP (VIA LAVA TOWER)
Continuing east across the Shira Plateau, we trek towards the base of the iconic Lava Tower (4,600m) where we stop for lunch and a crucial acclimatisation break. You may begin to feel the effects of the thinner air here — headaches and fatigue are normal and expected. Following the golden principle of ‘walk high, sleep low’, we then descend around 650m to Barranco Camp, dramatically positioned in a valley beneath the Great Barranco Wall. Our descent takes approximately two hours and offers outstanding photography opportunities.
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours Ascent: 700m Descent: 650m Max. altitude: 4,600m Accommodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 5 — BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
A shorter but exhilarating day, beginning with the famous Great Barranco Wall scramble — a steep but non-technical ascent that is one of the most memorable sections of the entire route. Your guides and porters will assist throughout. From the top, we traverse across rocky terrain into the Karanga Valley (3,930m), passing beneath the spectacular icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. We arrive at Karanga Camp in the early afternoon, with time to rest and recover ahead of tomorrow’s acclimatisation day.
Hiking time: 4 hours Ascent: 260m Descent: 280m Max. altitude: 4,210m Accommodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 6 — ACCLIMATISATION DAY AT KARANGA CAMP
Today is a dedicated acclimatisation day — a key part of the Vertex Expeditions programme and one of the primary reasons our summit success rates are strong. Rather than pushing straight to Barafu, we spend an additional day at Karanga Camp allowing your body to properly adapt to the altitude. Your guide will lead a short acclimatisation hike to a higher elevation before returning to camp to rest. Use this day to hydrate well, eat, sleep, and mentally prepare for the summit push ahead.
Hiking time: Short acclimatisation walk Max. altitude: 4,210m Accommodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 7 — KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
We leave Karanga and join the Mweka descent trail junction before continuing our ascent to Barafu Camp (4,600m) — the final camp before the summit. From here, both peaks of Kilimanjaro are clearly visible: Mawenzi to the east and Kibo towering directly above. We arrive in good time to rest, enjoy an early dinner, and receive a final summit briefing from your lead guide. Sleep as much as you can — you will be woken around midnight.
Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours Ascent: 670m Max. altitude: 4,600m Accommodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 8 — SUMMIT NIGHT — BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK, THEN DOWN TO MWEKA CAMP
You will be woken at approximately 23:30 with hot tea and biscuits. We begin our summit bid under headtorch, ascending steep scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers towards Stella Point on the crater rim (5,732m). This is the most physically and mentally demanding section of the trek — a slow, steady pace and consistent breathing are everything. At Stella Point we stop briefly and, weather permitting, witness one of the most breathtaking sunrises on earth. From here it is just one hour to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the highest point on Kilimanjaro and the entire African continent. After taking in the moment at the summit, we begin the long descent back through Barafu for lunch before continuing down to Mweka Camp (3,100m). Trekking poles are essential on the loose scree. Tonight we enjoy our final dinner on the mountain.
Hiking time: 13 – 16 hours Ascent: 1,295m Descent: 2,795m Max. altitude: 5,895m (Uhuru Peak) Accommodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 9 — MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE — TRANSFER TO SPRINGLANDS HOTEL
Your final day on the mountain. After breakfast we make the last descent of approximately 1,300m through the forest to Mweka Gate (1,800m), where you collect your official Kilimanjaro summit certificates from the Park Headquarters — a well-deserved moment. Tips for your crew are traditionally given here. We then transfer back to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi for a shower, dinner, and a very well-earned night’s sleep.
Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours Descent: 1,300m Max. altitude: 3,100m Accommodation: Springlands Hotel, Moshi Meals included: Breakfast / Dinner
DAY 10 — DEPARTURE
After a final breakfast at the Springlands Hotel, your Vertex Expeditions representative will bid you farewell. If you have arranged onward airport transfers, a safari, or a Zanzibar extension through us, we will collect you at the agreed time. We hope to see you on the mountain again soon.
Meals included: Breakfast
Vertex Expeditions Member Benefits
- Vertex Expeditions welcome pack including:
- Branded t-shirt
- Branded hat
- Kilimanjaro summit patch
- Vertex Free personalised training plan tailored to the expedition
- Access to group training hikes and community meet-ups
- Continued support and guidance from the Vertex team
- Discounted personal training and coaching support
- Exclusive discounts with partner outdoor and equipment brands
Additional Notes
- All expeditions are operated in partnership with a fully licensed local operator in Tanzania
- Group sizes are kept manageable to ensure safety and quality of experience
- A detailed kit list, training plan and preparation guidance will be provided after booking
- Clients are responsible for ensuring they are adequately prepared and insured for high altitude trekking
Trip Details
Duration
10 Days
Price (pp)
£2,499
