Day 1
2,986 ft
Arrive · Kilimanjaro Intl.
JRO · · · ·
Driver pickup, transfer to Moshi. Hotel briefing and gear-check the same evening.
Route Guide · Western Approach · 70 km
LEMOSHO.
THE ONE WE
RECOMMEND FIRST.
Eight days up the western glades. The longest acclimatization profile we offer over 8 days on the mountain. The route that takes you through every climate zone on the mountain.
We've walked this trail more than any other since 2008. If you're asking us where to start, this is it.
From $2,989 · per climber
02 · The honest overview
LEMOSHO.
WESTERN APPROACH.
Eight days on the mountain via the western glades. Our most-recommended itinerary, long enough to acclimatize, short enough to plan around work.
WHY BOOK THIS ROUTE
- Long acclimatizationEight days on the mountain with a climb-high-sleep-low day at Lava Tower, the profile behind a 94% summit rate.
- All five climate zonesRainforest, heath, alpine desert, arctic, and summit. No route shows you more of the mountain.
- Quiet first three daysThe western approach stays empty until Barranco, by the time you meet the crowds you have your legs.
- Shira PlateauA full day crossing an old caldera above 12,000 ft, the most cinematic ground on Kilimanjaro.
- South-side descentUp the west, across the plateau, down through Mweka, two-thirds of the mountain, not a there-and-back.
HONEST DRAWBACKS
- Not the cheapestEight days costs more than six. The Marangu hut route runs roughly $900 less if budget decides.
- Busy from BarrancoFrom day four you merge with Machame traffic. Rongai and the Northern Circuit stay quieter.
- Steep summit approachThe Stella Point ascent is steeper (if shorter) than the routes that summit via Gilman's Point.
03 · Day by day
THE ITINERARY
Day 2
6,890 → 9,121 ft
Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa
Rainforest · 6 km · 3 – 4 hrs
Permit formalities, drive to the trailhead, three easy hours through cloud forest.
Day 3
9,121 → 12,598 ft
Mti Mkubwa → Shira 2
Heath → plateau · 14 km · 7 – 8 hrs
A long day combining what the 10-day splits in two, ridge climb, then a long traverse of the Shira plateau to camp.
Day 4
12,598 → 15,223 → 12,992 ft
Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Barranco
Climb high · sleep low · 10 km · 6 – 8 hrs
The single most important acclimatization day on the mountain. Up to 15,223 ft at Lava Tower, down to Barranco for the night.
Day 5
12,992 → 13,238 → 15,331 ft
Barranco → Karanga → Barafu
Wall + summit camp · 9 km · 7 – 9 hrs
Barranco Wall first thing, lunch at Karanga, push on to Barafu in the afternoon. The biggest day before the summit push.
Day 6
15,331 → 19,341 → 10,171 ft
Summit · Uhuru Peak · Mweka
Summit day · 17 km · 12 – 15 hrs
Midnight start. Stella Point at sunrise, Uhuru by 7 AM, then long descent to Mweka.
Day 7
10,171 → 5,381 ft
Mweka → Moshi
Certificates · 10 km · 3 – 4 hrs
Walk out through the rainforest. Certificates at the gate, hot showers, celebration dinner.
Day 8
2,986 ft
Buffer / Rest day in Moshi
Optional · · · ·
Built-in buffer for delayed flights or a slow re-entry. Optional Materuni waterfalls or coffee farm tour at extra cost.
Day 9
2,986 ft
Departure or Safari add-on
JRO · · · ·
Late check-out and transfer to the airport, or onwards to the Serengeti.
Day 1
2,986 ft
Arrive · Kilimanjaro Intl.
JRO · · · ·
Driver meets you at the airport. Forty-five minutes east to our boutique hotel in Moshi. A briefing, a gear-check, and an early dinner. Nothing else.
Day 2
6,890 → 9,121 ft
Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa
Rainforest · 6 km · 3 – 4 hrs
Rangers, registration, then a short drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Three hours through cloud forest with colobus monkeys overhead, easy first day, designed to keep you fresh.
Day 3
9,121 → 11,499 ft
Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1
Heath / moorland · 8 km · 5 – 6 hrs
Out of the forest into giant heather. Long ridge climb to the western edge of the Shira Plateau. First clear view of Kibo if the cloud lifts.
Day 4
11,499 → 12,598 ft
Shira 1 → Shira 2
Alpine desert · 11 km · 5 – 6 hrs
A wide, slow walk across the plateau. Climb-high-sleep-low protocol, we ridge up to 12,795 ft before dropping into Shira 2. Acclimatization day in disguise.
Day 5
12,598 → 15,223 → 12,992 ft
Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Barranco
Climb high · sleep low · 10 km · 6 – 8 hrs
The acclimatization day. Up to Lava Tower at 15,223 ft for lunch. Down 2,297 ft into the Barranco Valley before dark, your body learns the altitude tonight.
Day 6
12,992 → 13,238 ft
Barranco → Karanga
The Wall · 5 km · 4 – 5 hrs
The famous Barranco Wall first thing, a scramble, not a climb. By lunch you are over it. Short afternoon to Karanga; an early night before the push.
Day 7
13,238 → 15,331 ft
Karanga → Barafu
Summit camp · 4 km · 3 – 4 hrs
A short climb to summit base camp. Eat early. Sleep early. We wake you at 11 PM.
Day 8
15,331 → 19,341 → 10,171 ft
Summit · Uhuru Peak · Mweka
Summit day · 17 km · 12 – 15 hrs
Headlamps on at midnight. Stella Point at sunrise. Uhuru, the roof of Africa, by 7 AM. Photos. Then six hours of careful descent, all the way down through the rainforest to Mweka.
Day 9
10,171 → 5,381 ft
Mweka → Moshi
Certificates · 10 km · 3 – 4 hrs
A rainforest stroll out. Certificate ceremony at the gate. Hot showers and a celebration dinner at the hotel.
Day 10
2,986 ft
Departure or Safari add-on
JRO · · · ·
Late check-out. Transfer to the airport, or onwards to the Serengeti, we book the safari leg directly with our partner camps.
04 · What you pay for
EVERYTHING
IN THE PRICE.
Included
- Park & gate fees (camping, rescue, summit, conservation)
- Two pre-climb hotel nights, one post-climb
- JRO airport transfers (both directions)
- WFR-certified lead guide on every climb
- 1:2 guide-to-climber ratio · max 12 per group
- Daily pulse-ox + Lake Louise altitude monitoring
- Emergency oxygen on every trek (Gamow bag on Northern Circuit)
- Helicopter evacuation insurance to 5,000 m
- Ferrino four-season tents + sleeping cot
- Three meals daily on the mountain
- Filtered, treated drinking water, unlimited
- KPAP-compliant porter wages, audited
Not included
- International flights to JRO
- Tanzania entry visa (~$100)
- Travel & medical insurance (required)
- Personal climbing gear (rental list provided)
- Lunch & dinner in Moshi
- Tips for guides & porters (~$340 / climber)
On the trail
GALLERY
Photography placeholders — final route images will replace these before launch.
Summit morning on the roof of Africa
High alpine terrain
Summit-night ascent
The final push to the top
High camp before summit night
Big country below the mountain
In their words
CLIMBERS ON
THIS ROUTE.
★★★★★5.0 · 461 reviews on Tripadvisor4.9★ on Google · Read all reviews →
Mike Jvia Tripadvisor★★★★★
Awesome 9-day climb via the Lemosho Route
This was an awesome expedition, as conducted with guides Victor and Meshack. The accommodations, food, and keen awareness of providing a safe experience were all exceptional, and we were very surprised to experience such luxury at such an affordable price. The climb was challenging for me as a 71 year old. However, the patience exhibited by the guides and true dedication to assuring we were successful in reaching the summit safely, was outstanding. A company with high standards, reasonable pricing and a genuine respect to the local Tanzanians conducting the trip.
Read on Tripadvisor →● Lemosho · 9 Days
★★★★★
So lucky we heard about Peak Planet
My husband and two of our friends did the 10-day Lemosho route in August. Peak Planet was recommended to us by another friend, so we did not do too much research beforehand — but we are so lucky we heard about them.
Read on Google →● Lemosho · 10 Days
★★★★★
A fantastic trip from start to finish
I just got back from doing the Lemosho route. Well done Peak Planet! Really a fantastic trip — beautiful, challenging, and the people were wonderful, including my hiking group, the guides, and porters. Just an amazing experience!
Read on Google →● Lemosho
05 · Upcoming departures
PICK A DATE
LEMOSHO
Arrival
Aug 21
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Departure
Aug 30
7 of 12 spotsOpen
$3,169
Per climber · All in
LEMOSHO
Arrival
Aug 24
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Departure
Sep 02
5 of 12 spotsFilling
$3,169
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LEMOSHO
Arrival
Sep 10
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Departure
Sep 19
12 of 12 spotsOpen
$3,169
Per climber · All in
LEMOSHO
Arrival
Sep 20
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Departure
Sep 29
9 of 12 spotsOpen
$3,169
Per climber · All in
LEMOSHO
Arrival
Sep 27
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Departure
Oct 06
7 of 12 spotsOpen
$3,169
Per climber · All in
LEMOSHO
Arrival
Oct 09
→
Departure
Oct 18
6 of 12 spotsFilling
$3,169
Per climber · All in
CodeRouteLengthDifficultyDatesAvailabilityPriceAction
06 · Our verdict
WOULD WE BOOK THIS ROUTE?
For a first Kilimanjaro, this is the one we book most. Eight days on the mountain buys the acclimatization that turns a hopeful attempt into a healthy summit, and the western traverse is the most scenic line on the hill.
“If you are asking us where to start, start here. The extra days earn their keep on summit morning.”
Ben J., Experience Designer
07 · Ready to book?
GET A QUOTE
FOR THIS ROUTE.
Send a quote request and our team will reply within four hours with a full breakdown — no hidden fees, no upsells at the briefing.
From $2,989 per climber