FIF Tours and Travel

Home › Safaris › Kilimanjaro climbs

Kilimanjaro climb · 8 days, 7 nights

8-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Climb

The quiet western route, with the best summit odds

  • 8days
  • Arushastarts
  • 7camp style
  • $3,230per person, 2 travelling
Book this trip See the route WhatsApp
All 16 photos

Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 8-day trek along the Lemosho Route of Mount Kilimanjaro. Start in Arusha and journey through rainforest, alpine plateaus, and rugged terrain. Take on the Barranco Wall, reach the summit at Uhuru Peak under starlight, then descend through scenic valleys. Finish at Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificate—marking the end of an epic adventure.

  • Uhuru Peak

Best time to go

  • Jan: good
  • Feb: good
  • Mar: good
  • Apr: quieter
  • May: quieter
  • Jun: good
  • Jul: good
  • Aug: good
  • Sep: good
  • Oct: good
  • Nov: quieter
  • Dec: good

Meals included

6 breakfasts6 lunches7 dinners

Route

Arusha → Mweka Gate

7 nights

Day by day

Scroll through the days and the map follows you. Tap a day number on the map to jump to it.

  1. Day 1: Arusha to Lemosho Gate to Big Tree Camp

    Arusha → Lemosho Gate → Big Tree Camp

    Big Tree Camp 2,780 m BLD

    1. Pick-up from your hotel in Arusha. Drive through the scenic countryside to Lemosho Gate (2,150m), taking approximately 4–5 hours.

    2. Arrive at the gate for registration and final park formalities. Meet your mountain crew and prepare for the hike.

    3. After lunch, drive to Lemosho trailhead, your starting point.

    4. Begin trekking through the lush montane rainforest, home to black-and-white colobus monkeys and rich birdlife. The trail ascends gently, offering a cool and serene environment.

    5. Arrive at Big Tree Camp (2,840m). Porters set up tents as you rest and enjoy tea or coffee.

    6. Dinner is served at camp, followed by a short briefing by your guide for the next day.

    Tonight you sleep atBig Tree Camp · 2,780 m Budget camping

  2. Day 2: Big tree to Shira 1 Camp

    Big Tree Camp → Shira 1 Camp

    Shira 1 Camp 3,505 m BLD

    1. Wake up to hot tea or coffee and breakfast at Big Tree Camp (2,840m). Prepare for your second day of trekking.

    2. Begin your hike toward Shira 1 Camp. The trail climbs steadily through the final stretch of rainforest and transitions into heath and moorland — a dramatic change in landscape.

    3. Enjoy scenic views of rolling hills and valleys as you cross small streams and volcanic rock formations.

    4. Stop for a packed lunch along the trail.

    5. Continue the ascent with occasional glimpses of Kibo Peak ahead.

    6. Arrive at Shira 1 Camp (3,610m / 11,843 ft) after covering approximately 9 km. Porters will set up camp.

    7. Dinner is served at camp, followed by an evening briefing.

    Tonight you sleep atShira 1 Camp · 3,505 m Budget camping

  3. Day 3: Shira 1Camp to Shira 2 Camp

    Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp

    Shira 2 Camp 3,850 m BLD

    1. Wake up at Shira 1 Camp (3,610m) and enjoy breakfast with panoramic views across the plateau.

    2. Begin trekking eastward across the expansive Shira Plateau toward Shira 2 Camp. The trail is mostly gentle, allowing time to enjoy the scenery and acclimatize.

    3. Cross ancient lava ridges and alpine meadows dotted with giant groundsels and lobelias .

    4. Stop for lunch along the trail and rest.

    5. Continue hiking across rocky terrain with clear views of Mount Meru and the western breach of Kilimanjaro.

    6. Arrive at Shira 2 Camp (3,850m / 12,631 ft) after a 10 km trek. The altitude starts to feel more noticeable.

    7. Dinner is served, followed by a health check and guide briefing for the next day’s ascent.

    Tonight you sleep atShira 2 Camp · 3,850 m Budget camping

  4. Day 4: Shira 2 camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

    Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp

    Barranco Camp 3,960 m BLD

    1. Wake up at Shira 2 Camp (3,850m) to a warm breakfast and health check. Today is a key acclimatization day.

    2. Begin your gradual ascent toward Lava Tower (4,600m). The trail climbs steadily into alpine desert terrain, with less vegetation and cooler air.

    3. Reach Lava Tower, a massive volcanic formation. Stop here for lunch and rest at high altitude.

    4. Begin descending toward Barranco Camp, dropping nearly 700m. This helps your body adjust to altitude.

    5. Enjoy stunning views of the Breach Wall and Barranco Valley, home to giant senecio trees.

    6. Arrive at Barranco Camp (3,940m) after covering around 12 km.

    7. Dinner and briefing at camp.

    Tonight you sleep atBarranco Camp · 3,960 m Budget camping

  5. Day 5: Barranco camp to Karanga Camp

    Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp

    Karanga Camp 4,035 m BLD

    1. Wake up at Barranco Camp (3,940m) and enjoy breakfast with views of the towering Barranco Wall ahead.

    2. Begin your challenging but exciting climb up the Barranco Wall (approx. 4,200m). Though steep, it’s non-technical and takes about an hour to summit.

    3. After conquering the wall, follow a rolling trail through ridges and valleys with beautiful views of the southern glaciers.

    4. Arrive at Karanga Camp (4,050m) after covering around 4 km. This is a short but important acclimatization day.

    5. Hot lunch is served at camp. The rest of the afternoon is for rest, hydration, or optional short acclimatization hikes.

    6. Dinner and health check at camp.

    Tonight you sleep atKaranga Camp · 4,035 m Budget camping

  6. Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

    Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp

    Barafu Camp 4,673 m BLD

    1. Wake up at Karanga Camp (4,050m). Have breakfast and prepare for the final climb to Barafu Camp (4,673m).

    2. Start the 4 km trek uphill through alpine desert to Barafu Camp.

    3. Arrive at Barafu Camp. Rest, eat lunch, and hydrate well to prepare for summit night.

    4. Early dinner, followed by a gear check and briefing. Get some rest before the big climb.

    5. Wake up and begin the midnight summit ascent under the stars. The climb is steep and challenging, heading toward Uhuru Peak (5,895m).

    6. Reach Uhuru Peak by sunrise. Celebrate your achievement, take photos, then start descending.

    7. Return to Barafu Camp to rest and recover.

    Tonight you sleep atBarafu Camp · 4,673 m Budget camping

  7. Day 7: Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp

    Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp

    Mweka Camp 3,100 m BLD

    1. After a restful night at Barafu Camp, have breakfast and prepare for the descent.

    2. Begin the long trek down from Barafu Camp toward Mweka Camp (3,100m). The trail descends through moorland, then dense forest, with cooler temperatures and lush scenery.

    3. Stop for lunch along the way. Enjoy the change in vegetation and relax your legs after summit day.

    4. Arrive at Mweka Camp, where your porters will set up camp. Rest and recover from the previous night’s strenuous climb.

    5. Dinner is served at camp, followed by a briefing and celebration of your success so far.

    Tonight you sleep atMweka Camp · 3,100 m Budget camping

  8. Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

    Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate

    End of trip 1,640 m BLD

    1. Wake up at Mweka Camp (3,100m) for breakfast and final pack-up.

    2. Begin your descent through the Mweka Forest, a lush and scenic route down to Mweka Gate (1,650m). Enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest one last time.

    3. Arrive at Mweka Gate and complete the park exit formalities. Celebrate your success and receive your official Kilimanjaro summit certificate.

    4. Meet your transfer vehicle and begin the drive back to Arusha.

    5. Arrive in Arusha for a well-deserved rest or onward travel. End of trek: Congratulations on completing the Lemosho Route!

On the mountain

1 night

Big Tree Camp

Day 1

1 night

Shira 1 Camp

Day 2

1 night

Shira 2 Camp

Day 3

1 night

Barranco Camp

Day 4

1 night

Karanga Camp

Day 5

1 night

Barafu Camp

Day 6

1 night

Mweka Camp

Day 7

Prices

In US dollars, per person. The more of you travel together, the less each person pays.

Travellers

—per person

—in total

Book at this price
Start datesSolo1 tent2 people1 tent3 people2 tents4 people2 tents5 people3 tents6 people3 tents
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026$4,278$3,230$3,024$2,860$2,828$2,716
Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027$4,278$3,230$3,024$2,860$2,828$2,716

What is included

Included

  • Transport
  • From your hotel in Arusha to the trailhead into Kilimanjaro National Park then back to your hotel.
  • Mount Kilimanjaro National Park entry fee
  • Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping / hut fees
  • All fresh and nutritious meals on the mountain
  • Snacks
  • Purified drinking water
  • Sleeping mat
  • Medical equipment (pulse oximeter and emergency oxygen)
  • Arrangement of any rental equipment if required
  • Mountain Crew
  • 2 Qualified experienced English-speaking guides
  • Experienced cook
  • Porters
  • Climb certificate
  • You will receive a Kilimanjaro certificate if you reach any of the three Kilimanjaro summits, i.e. Gilman’s Point, Stella Point or Uhuru Peak. With a responsible tour operator, proper preparation on your end prior to the trek, and physical fitness level, this is absolutely possible with us.

Not included

  • Traveller’s Insurance
  • It is highly recommended that you buy traveller’s insurance for your Kilimanjaro adventure since this protects you from unpredictable circumstances. Your insurance should cover the following categories:
  • Delayed, cancelled or interrupted flights and other delays
  • Overseas medical expenses
  • Emergency rescues
  • Lost or damaged luggage
  • A travel Insurance for hiking up to an elevation of 6,000 meters is an important requirement.
  • Your internal flights
  • Tanzania Visa
  • It costs $100 per person for US citizens and $50 for all other Nationalities. You can visit Tanzania’s ambassador office in your country or visit www.eservices.immigtation.go.tz to apply online.
  • Your Personal Gear
  • Mostly your outfit (cloths for climbing)
  • If you wish to hire all or some of your gears, kindly keep in mind that the expenses are not included in your package price and therefore extra charges will apply.
  • Crew Tip
  • Tipping on Mt. Kilimanjaro is an essential way of expressing gratitude for the services one receives from the crew. We suggest an amount of $250 - $300 per person to be shared by the whole team. You’re free to give more or less of the suggested amount; it is never compulsory.
  • Personal & Medical Items
  • Your international Flights
  • Any changes done by you during safari
  • Laundry services at your booked hotel
  • Mandatory tourism insurance fee of USD 44 per person (payable upon checking in at the Airport)

Book this trip

Tell us your dates and how many are travelling. We confirm availability and send you an invoice with every detail.

Booking terms

50% deposit to confirm, balance at the start of the safari or by bank transfer a week before. Card or PayPal payments carry the handling fee (usually 5–8%).

Read the full terms and conditions (PDF)
Plan my trip, step by stepChat on WhatsApp

You may also like

WA