Mount Kilimanjaro is a bucket-list destination, and for climbers coming from high-altitude regions, choosing the right route is essential. The Lemosho Route stands out as the best option, offering a gradual ascent, stunning landscapes, and the highest summit success rates.
Why Lemosho is the Best Route for High-Altitude Climbers
1. Best Acclimatization Strategy
The Lemosho Route follows the “climb high, sleep low” principle, allowing climbers to gradually adapt to Kilimanjaro’s altitude. Over 8 days, trekkers gain elevation steadily, reducing the risk of altitude sickness.
2. Unparalleled Scenic Beauty
Lemosho offers diverse landscapes, taking trekkers through:
✔️ Lush rainforests with rich wildlife
✔️ The vast, open Shira Plateau
✔️ The dramatic Lava Tower rock formation
✔️ The thrilling Barranco Wall climb
✔️ The stark beauty of Kilimanjaro’s alpine desert
3. Higher Summit Success Rate
With 90%+ summit success rates, Lemosho provides the best chance of reaching Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft / 5,895 m) safely and successfully.
The Kosovo Camp Advantage (Exclusive to Climb Kili)
Unlike most operators that stop at Barafu Camp, Climb Kili takes climbers to Kosovo Camp (16,000’ / 4,876m) for a strategic advantage. This higher-altitude base camp shortens the summit night climb, allowing trekkers to avoid the initial steep and exhausting ascent from Barafu, leading to a more efficient and less strenuous summit push.
Benefits of Kosovo Camp:
✅ Shorter summit night trek – Reducing fatigue and increasing success rates.
✅ Less crowded, more restful – Ensuring better sleep before the summit push.
✅ Superior acclimatization – Spending the night at a higher altitude improves altitude adaptation, lowering the risk of altitude sickness.
By incorporating Kosovo Camp into our itinerary, Climb Kili significantly improves summit success rates, making the final ascent to Uhuru Peak more manageable and enjoyable.
With 90%+ summit success rates, Lemosho provides the best chance of reaching Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft / 5,895 m) safely and successfully.
8-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Itinerary (Climb Kili Exclusive)
Day 1: LONDOROSSI GATE to MTI MKUBWA CAMP
📍 Altitude: 7,742’ (2,360m) → 9,498’ (2,895m)
📏 Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km)
⏳ Time: 3-4 hrs
The group begins their trek on Kilimanjaro’s western side after a restful night at the hotel. The journey starts at Londorossi Gate, trekking through lush montane forest before reaching Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp. Their tents are set up and ready, allowing them to rest comfortably for the night in the rainforest.
Day 2: MTI MKUBWA CAMP to SHIRA CAMP
📍 Altitude: 9,498’ (2,895m) → 11,500’ (3,505m)
📏 Distance: 4.9 miles (8 km)
⏳ Time: 5-6 hrs
The trail leads out of the rainforest into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock covered in lichen. The group crosses the Shira Ridge, reaching the high-altitude Shira Plateau, where they get their first clear views of Kilimanjaro’s peak.
Day 3: SHIRA CAMP to MOIR CAMP
📍 Altitude: 11,500’ (3,505m) → 13,800’ (4,206m)
📏 Distance: 8.7 miles (14 km)
⏳ Time: 5-7 hrs
Trekking across the expansive Shira Plateau, climbers can visit the ancient Shira Cone before reaching Moir Camp, nestled in a gorge at the end of a dormant lava flow. The secluded location offers a perfect place to rest and acclimate.
Day 4: MOIR CAMP to BARRANCO CAMP via LAVA TOWER
📍 Altitude: 13,800’ (4,206m) → 15,000’ (4,500m) → 13,000’ (3,962m)
📏 Distance: 4.3 miles (7 km)
⏳ Time: 4-6 hrs
The group ascends to Lava Tower at 15,000′, providing a key acclimatization opportunity before descending into the Barranco Valley, passing through the dramatic Senecio forest. The night is spent at Barranco Camp, with a stunning view of the famed Barranco Wall.
Day 5: BARRANCO CAMP to KARANGA CAMP
📍 Altitude: 13,000’ (3,962m) → 13,100’ (3,992m)
📏 Distance: 2.2 miles (3.2 km)
⏳ Time: 4-5 hrs
Today, the group tackles the Barranco Wall, a thrilling yet non-technical climb leading into Kilimanjaro’s arctic zone. The route continues to Karanga Valley, offering spectacular glacier views.
Day 6: KARANGA CAMP to KOSOVO CAMP
📍 Altitude: 13,100’ (3,992m) → 16,000’ (4,876m)
📏 Distance: 2.6 miles (3.5 km)
⏳ Time: 5-6 hrs
Instead of stopping at Barafu Camp, Climb Kili continues to Kosovo Camp for an exclusive advantage:
✅ Shorter summit night climb
✅ Less crowded, more restful
✅ Better acclimatization
The team will rest at Kosovo Camp, making final preparations before the midnight summit push.
Day 7: KOSOVO CAMP to SUMMIT to MWEKA CAMP
📍 Altitude: 16,000’ (4,876m) → 19,341’ (5,895m) → 10,065’ (3,068m)
📏 Distance: 13 miles (21 km) (5 km ascent / 12 km descent)
⏳ Time: 6-7 hrs ascent / 4-6 hrs descent
The summit bid begins at midnight, ascending to Stella Point (18,885’) in time for sunrise before continuing to Uhuru Peak (19,341’), the highest point in Africa. After celebrating, the group descends to Mweka Camp for a well-earned rest.
Day 8: MWEKA CAMP to MWEKA GATE
📍 Altitude: 10,065’ (3,068m) → 5,400’ (1,645m)
📏 Distance: 6.4 miles (10.3 km)
⏳ Time: 3-4 hrs
The final trek through lush rainforest leads to Mweka Gate, where climbers receive their summit certificates before returning to the hotel for a warm shower and celebration.
With Climb Kili’s expert guides, exclusive Kosovo Camp advantage, and small-group experience, this journey offers the best route to summit success! 🏔️
