9 Days Lemosho Route Trek Mount Kilimanjaro, staying at Crater
Highlights
- • Trek Kilimanjaro through the scenic Lemosho Route
- • More time for acclimatization with a 9-day itinerary
- • Spend a night at Crater Camp at around 5
- 790 metres
- • Reach Uhuru Peak at 5
- 895 metres
- • Walk through rainforest
- moorland and alpine desert
- • Enjoy spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro
- • Experienced Kiwia Africa Tours mountain guide and support crew
- • A slower and more immersive way to experience Kilimanjaro
About this experience
The Lemosho Route starts on the western side of Kilimanjaro and takes you through rainforest, open moorland, high-altitude desert and the dramatic summit area. The longer itinerary gives you more time to adjust to the altitude and enjoy the different landscapes along the way.
One of the special parts of this trek is the overnight stay at Crater Camp, located inside Kilimanjaro's crater at around 5,790 metres. Staying there gives you a completely different experience of the mountain, with the opportunity to see the crater and the surrounding volcanic landscape.
The main goal is Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, the highest point in Africa. The summit climb is challenging, but our experienced guide will walk with you, set a steady pace and monitor how you are doing throughout the trek.
After reaching the summit, we descend from the high-altitude area and continue down the mountain. Our Kiwia Africa Tours team will support you throughout the journey, from the first day on the mountain until you return to Moshi.
What's included
- Professional English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guide
- • Mountain porters and cook
- • Kilimanjaro National Park entry and camping fees
- • Crater Camp fees
- • All mountain accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- • Tents and camping equipment
- • Meals during the trek
- • Drinking water on the mountain
- • Transportation to the Lemosho trailhead
- • Transportation from the mountain after the trek
- • Park rescue fee
- • Summit certificate after a successful summit attempt
- • Government taxes and applicable park fees
What's not included
- • International flights
- • Tanzania visa
- • Travel insurance
- • Personal trekking equipment
- • Sleeping bag
- unless included or rented through us
- • Tips for the mountain crew
- • Personal expenses
- • Alcoholic and other personal drinks
- • Laundry
- • Extra hotel nights in Moshi
- • Medical or evacuation costs not covered by the park rescue service
- • Any services not mentioned in the itinerary
Meeting point
Moshi hotel / agreed pickup location
What to bring
Important information
- Info: The weather and trail conditions on Kilimanjaro can change quickly, so the itinerary may be adjusted by the guide when necessary. The Crater Camp night is at very high altitude and can be cold, so good preparation and proper clothing are important. Our guide will walk with you throughout the trek and monitor how you are feeling as you gain altitude. Your safety is always more important than reaching a particular point on the mountain. The exact trekking times and distances can vary depending on weather, trail conditions and the pace of the group.
- Requirements: You should be reasonably fit and comfortable walking for several hours each day. Previous mountain climbing experience is not required, but you should be prepared for long trekking days and cold conditions at high altitude. Because this trek reaches almost 5,900 metres, you should discuss any medical conditions with your doctor before travelling and make sure you have suitable travel insurance.
- Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchair users or people with significant mobility impairments. The trek involves steep, uneven and rocky mountain trails and extended periods of walking at high altitude.
- Age: 12 plus
Itinerary
Arrival in Moshi and Kilimanjaro Trek Briefing
12:00 PM
📍 parkview Inn Hotel Moshi
Welcome to Tanzania. Our team will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This is a relaxed day to recover from your journey and get ready for the climb. Your mountain guide will meet you for a short briefing, go through the route with you and check your trekking equipment. You will also have time to ask any questions before the adventure begins.
Included: Airport pickup, private transfer, hotel accommodation, trek briefing, dinner
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (6.00h)
📍 Mti Mkubwa Camp, Kilimanjaro National Park
After breakfast, we leave Moshi and drive towards Londorossi Gate, where we complete the park registration before continuing to the Lemosho trailhead. Once we start walking, the trail takes us through beautiful and quiet rainforest. The first day is not too long, so we take our time and enjoy the forest, fresh air and surrounding scenery. We arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp in the afternoon and have time to rest while our crew prepares the camp. Altitude: 2,360 m → 2,895 m Distance: Approximately 6 km Trekking duration: 3–4 hours
Included: Park fees, guide, porters, cook, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinking water, camping accommodation, camping equipment
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (7.00h)
📍 Shira 1 Camp, Kilimanjaro National Park
Today we leave the rainforest behind and start walking into the heath and moorland zone. The landscape becomes more open, with grasses, heather and volcanic rocks replacing the dense forest. We continue steadily towards the Shira Plateau and, as the weather allows, you will get your first clear views of Kibo. After reaching Shira 1 Camp, we settle in and enjoy the evening while our bodies continue getting used to the higher altitude. Altitude: 2,895 m → 3,505 m Distance: Approximately 8 km Trekking duration: 5–6 hours
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinking water, guide, porters, cook, park/camping fees, camping accommodation
Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (8.00h)
📍 Moir Hut Camp, Kilimanjaro National Park
We spend the day crossing the beautiful Shira Plateau as we gradually gain altitude. The walk is not rushed, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the wide-open views and the changing landscape. We continue towards Moir Hut, located near the base of Lent Hills. This is an important acclimatization day because we spend more time at a higher altitude before moving even higher. In the evening, we have dinner and rest at camp. Altitude: 3,505 m → approximately 4,200 m Distance: Approximately 11 km Trekking duration: 5–7 hours
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinking water, guide, porters, cook, Hut accommodation and camping equipment
Moir Hut to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (8.00h)
📍 Barranco Camp, Kilimanjaro National Park
Today we climb higher towards Lava Tower, reaching around 4,630 metres. You may notice the altitude more today, so we walk slowly and take regular breaks. After spending time around Lava Tower, we begin our descent towards Barranco Camp. This climb-high-and-sleep-lower approach is useful for acclimatization. The scenery also becomes more dramatic, with rocky slopes and giant plants around the Barranco area. We arrive at camp in the afternoon and have time to rest. Altitude: 4,200 m → 4,630 m → 3,976 m Distance: Approximately 10 km total Trekking duration: 6–8 hours
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinking water, guide, porters, cook, park/camping fees, camping accommodation
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (6.00h)
📍 Karanga Camp, Kilimanjaro National Park
We start the morning with the famous Barranco Wall. It looks impressive from below, but there is no technical climbing involved. Our guide will help you find the best way up while the crew supports you along the trail. Once we are over the wall, we continue through a series of valleys and rocky slopes before reaching Karanga Camp. It is a shorter day, which gives us some time to rest and prepare for the higher camps ahead. Altitude: 3,976 m → 3,995 m Distance: Approximately 5 km Trekking duration: 4–5 hours
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinking water, guide, porters, cook, camping accommodation and park/camping fees
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (6.00h)
📍 Barafu Camp, Kilimanjaro National Park
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and continue towards Barafu Camp, our final camp before the summit. The trail becomes rocky and the vegetation becomes very limited as we climb higher. We arrive at Barafu in the afternoon, have lunch and get some rest. Your guide will give you a briefing about the summit climb and make sure everything is ready for tomorrow. Try to rest as much as possible because the summit climb begins early. Altitude: 3,995 m → 4,673 m Distance: Approximately 4 km Trekking duration: 4–5 hours
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinking water, guide, porters, cook, camping accommodation, park fees and summit briefing
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Crater Camp
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (10.00h)
📍 Uhuru Peak / Crater Camp, Kilimanjaro National Park
Today is the big day. We start early and slowly make our way towards Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 metres. The climb is demanding, but our guide will keep a steady pace and give you breaks when needed. After reaching the summit, we celebrate, take photos and enjoy the incredible views before continuing a short distance into the crater to our campsite. Spending the night at Crater Camp is one of the most unusual experiences on Kilimanjaro, with the volcanic crater and high-altitude landscape all around you. Altitude: 4,673 m → 5,895 m → approximately 5,750 m Distance: Approximately 6 km Trekking duration: 6.5–9 hours
Included: Breakfast/light meal, lunch, dinner, park fees, rescue fee, guide, porters, cook, drinking water, camping accommodation and summit support
Crater Camp to Mweka Camp
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (7.00h)
📍 Mweka Camp, Kilimanjaro National Park
After breakfast at Crater Camp, we leave the high-altitude crater area and begin our long descent. We pass back towards Barafu, where we can stop for lunch before continuing down the mountain. The landscape changes quickly as we lose altitude, and eventually we reach Mweka Camp in the upper forest. After the demanding days at high altitude, this is a good opportunity to relax, enjoy dinner and get some proper rest. Altitude: approximately 5,750 m → 3,068 m Distance: Approximately 12 km Trekking duration: 4–6 hours
Included: Breakfast, lunch, guide, porters, drinking water, summit assistance
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Moshi
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (6.00h)
📍 Mweka Gate / Moshi
After breakfast, we begin our final walk down through the rainforest towards Mweka Gate. The trail can be wet and muddy, but the feeling is different now because you know the climb is almost finished. At the gate, we complete the park formalities and collect your summit certificate. Our vehicle will then meet you and take you back to Moshi, where you can shower, relax and celebrate completing your Kilimanjaro adventure. Altitude: approximately 3,068 m → 1,640 m Distance: Approximately 10 km Trekking duration: 3–4 hours
Included: Breakfast, lunch, guide, porters, drinking water, park exit procedures, summit certificate where applicable, transfer to Moshi, hotel accommodation
Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (4.00h)
📍 Moshi → Kilimanjaro International Airport
After breakfast, enjoy your final morning in Moshi before heading to the airport. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home or your next destination. If your flight is later in the day, we can arrange a later hotel check-out or an extra activity on request. Duration: Approximately 1–1.5 hrs driving
Included: airport transfer, breakfast
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring for this activity? ▾
• Passport and travel documents • Good waterproof hiking boots • Warm jacket and fleece • Thermal base layers • Waterproof jacket and trousers • Warm hat and gloves • Hiking trousers and comfortable shirts • Headlamp and spare batteries • Sunglasses and sunscreen • Water bottles or hydration system • Walking poles • Personal toiletries • Small daypack • Personal medication • Camera and power bank • High-energy snacks • Warm sleeping bag suitable for high altitude
Is this activity suitable for children? ▾
Age policy: 12 plus
What languages are available for this tour? ▾
English
Where is the meeting point? ▾
Moshi hotel / agreed pickup location
What is the cancellation policy? ▾
Free cancellation up to 15 days before the trek start date. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the trek may be subject to charges because we need to arrange park permits, guides, porters, accommodation and other mountain services in advance. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel your booking, and we will explain the options available.
Group size: 1–21 participants
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
This activity has a cancellation policy. to read the policy.
Activity provider
KIWIA AFRICA TOUR
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