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The 8 Days Lemosho Route is one of the most scenic and well-paced ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Approaching the mountain from the western side, this route takes you through rainforest, the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Valley, Karanga and Barafu before reaching Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft).
The 8 Days Lemosho Route itinerary is designed to give you a gradual ascent and more time to adapt to the increasing altitude. Compared with the 7 Days Lemosho Route and 6 Days Lemosho Route, the additional time allows for a more relaxed trekking pace and useful acclimatization opportunities.
Your Kilimanjaro adventure starts and ends in Moshi, where you stay at Kilimanjaro White House. Before the climb, the lodge gives you a comfortable place to rest and prepare for the trek. After reaching Uhuru Peak and descending the mountain, you return to Kilimanjaro White House to relax and celebrate your achievement.
On the mountain, you camp at designated camps along the Lemosho and southern circuit routes. Your mountain crew provides quality tents, meals, drinking water and support throughout the trek, allowing you to focus on walking, acclimatizing and enjoying the scenery.
Kilimanjaro White House is your accommodation in Moshi before and after the 8 Days Lemosho Route. Staying in Moshi gives you a convenient base for your Kilimanjaro preparation before the mountain transfer and a comfortable place to recover after the climb.
During the trek, accommodation changes from the lodge to mountain camps. You sleep in quality 4-season mountain tents at Mti Mkubwa, Shira 1, Shira 2, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu and Mweka camps according to the itinerary.
The mountain team also sets up a separate mess tent with tables and chairs where you can enjoy meals and relax after each day's hike.
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Chat on WhatsAppThe 8 Days Lemosho Route itinerary covers the western slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro before joining the southern circuit. The trek combines gradual altitude gain, scenic landscapes and a challenging summit day. Below is the complete day-by-day hiking program.
After breakfast at Kilimanjaro White House in Moshi, you drive to Londorossi Gate on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. After registration and the necessary park formalities, you continue to the trailhead and begin your hike through the beautiful rainforest. The trail is relatively gentle, giving you a comfortable start to the climb. You continue to Mti Mkubwa Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp, where you spend your first night on the mountain.
Elevation: 2,100 m → 2,650 m · Distance: 6 km · Time: 3–4 hrs · Habitat: Rainforest · Meals: Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you leave the rainforest and gradually enter the heath and moorland zone. The vegetation becomes shorter and the landscape opens as you approach the Shira Plateau. The trail continues uphill toward Shira 1 Camp, with impressive views across the surrounding landscape. This is an important day for beginning your gradual acclimatization to the higher altitude.
Elevation: 2,650 m → 3,610 m · Distance: 8 km · Time: 5–6 hrs · Habitat: Heath & Moorland · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you cross the spectacular Shira Plateau toward Shira 2 Camp. The walking distance is shorter, allowing you to enjoy the scenery and maintain a comfortable pace. You have views of Kibo and the surrounding volcanic landscape. Depending on your guide's recommendation and your condition, an optional acclimatization walk can be taken before returning to camp to rest.
Elevation: 3,610 m → 3,850 m · Distance: 6–7 km · Time: 3–5 hrs · Habitat: Moorland · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This is one of the most important acclimatization days of the 8 Days Lemosho Route. You leave Shira 2 and climb gradually toward Lava Tower at around 4,630 m. After reaching the high point, you descend toward Barranco Camp. This classic climb high, sleep low profile gives your body an opportunity to experience a higher altitude before sleeping at a lower elevation.
The landscape changes into alpine desert as you approach Lava Tower and Barranco. From Barranco Camp, you can enjoy impressive views of the Barranco Wall and the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro.
Elevation: 3,850 m → 4,630 m → 3,960 m · Distance: 10 km · Time: 6–8 hrs · Habitat: Alpine Desert · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you begin the day by climbing the famous Barranco Wall. Although steep in places, the Barranco Wall does not require technical climbing skills. Your mountain guides assist you as you make your way up the wall and continue along the southern slopes toward Karanga Camp.
The relatively short hiking day gives you time to rest and continue preparing for the higher camps and summit attempt. Karanga Camp offers beautiful views across the mountain landscape.
Elevation: 3,960 m → 4,035 m · Distance: 5 km · Time: 4–5 hrs · Habitat: Alpine Desert · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp, the final high camp before the summit. The trail becomes increasingly rocky as you enter the alpine desert zone. After arriving at Barafu Camp, you have an early meal, hydrate and rest while your guides prepare you for the summit attempt.
You go to bed early because the summit trek begins around midnight. Your guide will brief you on the timing, clothing, equipment and summit-day plan.
Elevation: 4,035 m → 4,640 m · Distance: 4 km · Time: 3–5 hrs · Habitat: Alpine Desert · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 is summit day. You wake around midnight and begin the slow climb from Barafu Camp toward Stella Point. The ascent is demanding because of the high altitude, cold temperatures and steep terrain. Your guides set a steady pace with regular breaks.
After reaching Stella Point at 5,739 m, you continue along the crater rim toward Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft). At the summit, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa. After celebrating and taking photographs, you begin the long descent toward Mweka Camp.
You spend your final night on the mountain at Mweka Camp. The descent provides a welcome change in altitude and vegetation as you move toward the forest zone.
Elevation: 4,640 m → 5,739 m → 5,895 m → 3,100 m · Distance: 5 km up / 12 km down · Time: 6–8 hrs up / 5–7 hrs down · Habitat: Stone Scree, Summit & Alpine Desert · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you begin the final descent through the rainforest toward Mweka Gate. The trail becomes easier as you lose altitude and return to lower elevations. At the gate, you complete the exit formalities and receive your Kilimanjaro summit certificate.
Your driver then meets you and transfers you back to Kilimanjaro White House in Moshi. After eight days on the mountain, you can shower, relax and celebrate your successful Kilimanjaro adventure.
Elevation: 3,100 m → 1,640 m · Distance: 10 km · Time: 3–4 hrs · Habitat: Rainforest · Meals: Breakfast
The 8 Days Lemosho Route cost depends on the number of climbers in your private group. The following prices are per person and include the mountain services listed below.
Contact us for current availability, departure dates and the final price for your group.
The 8 Days Lemosho Route gradually takes you from the lower rainforest to the high alpine zones before reaching Uhuru Peak. The route also includes a climb-high, sleep-low section at Lava Tower and Barranco to support acclimatization.
| Location | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Londorossi Gate | About 2,250 m / 7,381 ft |
| Mti Mkubwa Camp | About 2,650 m / 8,694 ft |
| Shira 1 Camp | About 3,610 m / 11,844 ft |
| Shira 2 Camp | About 3,850 m / 12,631 ft |
| Lava Tower | About 4,630 m / 15,190 ft |
| Barranco Camp | About 3,960 m / 12,992 ft |
| Karanga Camp | About 4,035 m / 13,238 ft |
| Barafu Camp | About 4,640 m / 15,223 ft |
| Stella Point | 5,739 m / 18,829 ft |
| Uhuru Peak | 5,895 m / 19,341 ft |
The 8 Days Lemosho Route starts on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro at Londorossi Gate. The trip begins in Moshi, where you stay at Kilimanjaro White House before transferring to the mountain.
The 8 Days Lemosho Route takes eight days and seven nights on the standard itinerary. It covers about 70 km (43 miles), although the exact distance can vary depending on the route conditions and daily trail variations.
The 8 Days Lemosho Route combines beautiful scenery with a gradual trekking schedule. It gives you more time to acclimatize than shorter Lemosho itineraries and includes the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Wall and a summit attempt from Barafu Camp.
Yes. The 8-day Lemosho itinerary provides a gradual ascent and includes an important climb-high, sleep-low section between Shira 2, Lava Tower and Barranco. Your guide also monitors your condition throughout the climb.
Yes. The route passes through several distinct landscapes, including rainforest, heath and moorland, the Shira Plateau, alpine desert, Barranco Valley and the high summit zone.
The 8 Days Lemosho Route is challenging because of the altitude, long trekking days and demanding summit night. However, it does not require technical climbing skills, and the route is suitable for properly prepared hikers with good fitness.
The highest point is Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft). It is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa.
You stay at Kilimanjaro White House in Moshi before and after the mountain trek. During the climb, you sleep in mountain tents at designated camps along the Lemosho and southern circuit routes.
Summit day starts around midnight at Barafu Camp. You climb toward Stella Point and continue to Uhuru Peak. After reaching the summit, you descend through Barafu toward Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.
The route can be suitable for first-time Kilimanjaro climbers who are physically prepared and comfortable with several consecutive days of hiking. The longer itinerary provides a gradual pace, but the altitude and summit day remain physically demanding.
Good preparation can make your Kilimanjaro climb more comfortable and enjoyable. Before booking your trek, learn about the best time to climb Kilimanjaro, prepare your Kilimanjaro packing list and read our guide to altitude sickness prevention.
You can also learn more about training for Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro climbing costs and our other Kilimanjaro climbing routes before choosing your itinerary.