Tanzania Climb Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trekking Tour

The Scenic Western Traverse to Uhuru Peak


Stand on the Roof of Africa via Kilimanjaro's most scenic route. The Lemosho trek begins with a gradual western approach through pristine, wildlife-laden cloud forest before crossing the spectacular Shira Plateau and descending into the Great Barranco Valley, the most striking spot on the mountain according to the Kilimanjaro IMAX film. From here, ascend the exhilarating Breakfast Wall, a non-technical 1,000-foot scramble that is one of the great moments of any Kilimanjaro climb. The route passes through Kilimanjaro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crossing five distinct ecological zones from rainforest to arctic summit. Eleven days of varied terrain, a strategic pre-trek recovery night on the slopes of Mount Meru, and a summit night at Crater Camp just 800 feet below Uhuru Peak make this the complete Kilimanjaro experience.


Extend your Tanzania adventure with MT Sobek's Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti Safari Extension, a five-day journey through three of Tanzania's greatest parks.

11 Days • 10 Nights

Stand on the Roof of Africa via Kilimanjaro's most scenic route. The Lemosho trek begins with a gradual western approach through pristine, wildlife-laden cloud forest before crossing the spectacular Shira Plateau and descending into the Great Barranco Valley, the most striking spot on the mountain according to the Kilimanjaro IMAX film. From here, ascend the exhilarating Breakfast Wall, a non-technical 1,000-foot scramble that is one of the great moments of any Kilimanjaro climb. The route passes through Kilimanjaro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crossing five distinct ecological zones from rainforest to arctic summit. Eleven days of varied terrain, a strategic pre-trek recovery night on the slopes of Mount Meru, and a summit night at Crater Camp just 800 feet below Uhuru Peak make this the complete Kilimanjaro experience.


Extend your Tanzania adventure with MT Sobek's Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti Safari Extension, a five-day journey through three of Tanzania's greatest parks.

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Acclimatize on Mount Meru then cross the vast Shira Plateau, one of the highest in the world

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Sleep at Crater Camp, 18,800 feet up, and climb just 800 feet to Uhuru Peak on summit morning

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Highlights


  • Acclimatize on Mount Meru then cross the vast Shira Plateau, one of the highest in the world
  • Take on the legendary Breakfast Wall, a thrilling hands-and-feet climb unique to the Lemosho route
  • Sleep at Crater Camp, 18,800 feet up, and climb just 800 feet to Uhuru Peak on summit morning

Tanzania Climb Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trekking

Start: Arusha, Tanzania  End: Arusha, Tanzania

Itinerary


  • Welcome to Tanzania

    Day 1

    Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where an MT Sobek representative will meet you and transfer you to the KIA Lodge, just five minutes from the airport. Tonight is yours to rest and recover. Enjoy a hot shower, a comfortable bed, onsite dining, and a savannah garden perfect for unwinding before your adventure begins.

    Accommodation: KIA Lodge

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • A Game Drive in Arusha National Park

    Day 2

    After breakfast, meet your guide and the rest of the group in the lobby for a brief introduction and welcome orientation. Then transfer into Arusha National Park, watching for giraffes, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and Cape buffalo along the way. Pause midday for a beautifully prepared picnic lunch in the open bush, then continue on to Itikoni Tented Camp, nestled in the lush forest of Mount Meru's slopes at almost 6,800 feet. Settle into your canvas tent, relax by the fire, and join the group for a welcome dinner beneath the stars.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Deluxe Camp-Itikoni Camp

    Activity: 2-hour private transfer

    Transportation: 2-hour private transfer

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Hike the Forested Slopes of Mount Meru

    Day 3

    Spend a leisurely morning soaking in camp views of Kilimanjaro, Meru, and the Ngurdoto Crater before lunch. Afterwards, gather for a briefing and gear check, separating what you'll carry on the mountain from what will be waiting for you when you return. Then head out for an afternoon hike through the cedar and podocarpus forests of Mount Meru, a 14,968-foot dormant volcano and Tanzania's second-tallest peak. A perfect introduction to the altitude, with good chances of spotting colobus monkeys, bushbuck, giraffe, and a host of bird life along the way. Look up and you'll catch impressive views of Meru's dramatic ash cone summit.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Deluxe Camp-Itikoni Camp

    Activity: 1-2 hours/2 miles optional hiking with 2,000' elevation gain; camp at 6,000'

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Trek Through Kilimanjaro's Montane Forest

    Day 4

    Today your Kilimanjaro trek begins. After an hour's drive from camp you'll arrive at the forested edge of Kilimanjaro National Park. From here, walk about three hours through undisturbed cloud forest, ascending among moss-covered trees and through mist-shrouded jungle. Keep your eyes open for Colobus monkeys, signs of elephants, and other forest wildlife along the way. Enjoy a flora-filled ascent toward camp, stopping to replenish with a hearty lunch along the way. Settle into camp near Machame Hut at 9,000 feet, then gather with your group in the mess tent for a warm, thoughtfully prepared dinner before turning in for the night.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 1-hour private transfer

    Transportation: 1-hour private transfer

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Trek to the Shira Plateau at 11,600'

    Day 5

    Embark on a slow-paced hike through the forest, ascending through Kili's enchanted cloud forest and into its high-elevation Hagenia forest zone. Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and Hartlaub's turacos are some of the wildlife and bird life you might spot as you make your way upward through these equatorial transition zones. Over the ascent, dense forest gradually gives way to the expansive moorland and heather of the Shira Plateau, where your camp tonight sits at 11,600 feet with stunning views of the 19,341-foot Kibo peak.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 7.2 miles hiking with 3,100' elevation gain

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Cross the Shira Plateau from West to East

    Day 6

    Cross the Shira Plateau today, one of the highest plateaus in the world, on a relatively flat four-hour traverse through vast moorland and heather. Ancient lava flows and dramatic rock formations like the pyramid-shaped Shira Cathedral line the route as you move from the plateau's western edge toward Kili's eastern slopes. Spend another hour ascending the western slope of Kibo, the largest of the mountain's three volcanic cones, with the dramatic Western Breach coming into full view as you climb. Camp tonight at Moir Camp at 13,600 feet, one of the mountain's most remote and peaceful sites, surrounded by steep slopes and ridgelines that reward patient campers with dramatic sunsets and star-filled skies.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 6 miles/5 hours hiking with 2,000' elevation gain

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Into the Great Barranco Valley

    Day 7

    Head east to the Great Barranco Valley, a high-altitude gorge brimming with lush vegetation and sheer rock faces that the Kilimanjaro IMAX film called the most striking spot on the mountain. Camp tonight at 13,000 feet, your first night at this elevation and a critical acclimatization milestone before the summit push. From camp, the towering Barranco Wall looms above you, tomorrow morning's first and most exhilarating challenge. Once settled, head out for a short afternoon walk through the extraordinary prehistoric-looking Senecio forests for further acclimatization.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 6 miles/5-7 hours hiking

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Ascend the Breakfast Wall to Barafu Camp

    Day 8

    The morning starts with Kilimanjaro's famous Breakfast Wall, a steep 1,000-foot hands-and-feet climb that separates the Barranco Valley from the Karanga Valley below. Though non-technical, it's an invigorating stretch that rewards you with stunning views of the southern glaciers and the valleys below. From the top, descend into the deep and scenic Karanga Valley—a vital acclimatization stop—before climbing out and traversing to Barafu Camp at 15,330 feet, where other climbers typically base themselves for a midnight summit attempt. Instead, you'll get a restful night before setting out the next day for Crater Camp.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 4.5 miles/6-8 hours hiking with approximately 2,330' elevation gain

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • The Push to Crater Camp - Africa's Highest Campsite

    Day 9

    Wind your way up the non-technical Barafu route to the crater rim of Kilimanjaro's main summit massif, a dramatic threshold with the whole of Africa spread out below you. The landscape here is unlike anything lower on the mountain—volcanic gravel, ice fields, and the vast silence of the crater. If energy allows, spend some time exploring the inner crater and ash pit, one of the rarest experiences on Kilimanjaro and a sight very few climbers ever see. Then make your way to Crater Camp, the mountain's highest campsite, perfectly perched beside the Furtwangler Glacier at 18,800 feet. As the sun sinks westward over Mount Meru, settle in for your final night before your dawn summit bid.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 2 miles/7-9 hours hiking

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Summit Kilimanjaro

    Day 10

    Summit day is finally here. Start your 800-foot ascent in the early morning, leaving enough time to be standing on Kili's 19,341-foot top near dawn. The moment at Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point, is yours to take in. Soak up the views, breathe it in, and relish the accomplishment. Then begins the long descent: first to Barafu Hut to refuel, then continuing down to your final camp near Mweka Hut at 10,170 feet. The trail from Barafu is rocky and steep at first, but softens into lush rainforest as you drop through the lower slopes, a fittingly beautiful end to the mountain.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 8 miles/8-10 hours hiking

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Down the Mountain & Back to Arusha

    Day 11

    Start your morning with a final 4,500-foot descent, hiking 3 to 5 hours to reach the park gate and your pick-up point. A celebratory lunch awaits, along with the chance to say a proper goodbye to your mountain staff before boarding your transfer to the KIA Lodge in Arusha. A hot shower, a comfortable bed, and a story-swapping dinner with the group round out an extraordinary journey. Rest well before your flight home, or wherever your travels take you next.

    Activity: 4 miles/3-5 hours hiking with 4,500' elevation loss

    Transportation: 1.5- to 2-hour private transfer

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Why Travel With Us?


  • Since 1969, MT Sobek has led adventure travel across the world's most storied mountain destinations, building a reputation for exceptional guides, thoughtful itineraries, and experiences that go deeper than the standard tour.
  • The Lemosho Route offers the widest variety of terrain and scenery on Kilimanjaro, from pristine cloud forest to the dramatic Barranco Valley and the legendary Breakfast Wall. Add a pre-climb night on Mount Meru and a summit night at Crater Camp just 800 feet from Uhuru Peak.

  • MT Sobek has led treks on Kilimanjaro since 1974 and holds a 98% summit success rate, the highest on the mountain. Expect highly qualified guides, full emergency equipment, nourishing meals, and a private acclimatization camp at 6,000 feet.

Dates & Prices


Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates youโ€™ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.

  • Go Private
  • Inclusions

Go Private

Go Private with MT Sobek


Gather your favorite travel companionsโ€”family, friends, colleagues, or clubโ€”and enjoy an exclusive departure thatโ€™s easy to book and completely unforgettable.

Private Trip Request

Private Trip Requirements


A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your private departure.

Minimum age for guests on this trip is 18 years old.

Choose Your Own Travel Dates


March, July, December

Call for Private Trip Pricing

800-974-0300

Inclusions

Price Includes


  • Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
  • All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
  • All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
  • Snacks and water between meals
  • Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
  • Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
  • Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
  • Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
  • Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Price Does Not Include


  • International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
  • Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
  • Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
  • Travel Protection Program
  • Personal expenses

Contact An Expert


800-974-0300

Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.

Your Guides


The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Wines T.

Wines T.

Wines was born and raised in the Kilimanjaro region, at the base of Mountain Kilimanjaro, and studied wildlife in colleges in Arusha (Tanzania) and Kampala (Uganda). He has been guiding Kilimanjaro adventures for 9 years and has led or assisted over 200 summit bids. Wines brings a wealth of knowledge, both about Tanzanian wildlife and local history, and speaks multiple languages such as Chaga, Maasai, Kiswahili, English, and French. Wines is a fun and friendly guide, who is well-loved for his organization and communication skills, and he enjoys helping guests of all ages to fulfill their dream of climbing Kilimanjaro.

Elias M.

Elias M.

Elias is a keen outdoorsman who fell in love with the natural beauty of Tanzania at an early age. In addition to being an accomplished climber, he is also a graduate of wildlife studies at the College of African Wildlife Management in Tanzania. Upon his graduation, he decided to pursue a career as a mountain guide and has led over 100 climbs of Kilimanjaro across his 20-year career. Elias currently resides in Arusha with his family and is very much looking forward to hosting you in Tanzania.

Noel M.

Noel M.

Noelโ€”or โ€œMchiliโ€ as he is known โ€” was born at Pare Mountain in the Kilimanjaro region. He first started climbing in 1988 when he attempted the first summit of Mount Meru and has been guiding for 17 years. In addition to being an accomplished climber and caring guide, Noel is a graduate of wildlife studies and is passionate about sharing Tanzaniaโ€™s amazing wildlife. Recently he has enjoyed leading immersive walking safaris with the Hadzabe in Eyasi and Maasai in Ngorongoro, and his goal is to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for every guest.

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Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where an MT Sobek representative will meet you and transfer you to the KIA Lodge, just five minutes from the airport. Tonight is yours to rest and recover. Enjoy a hot shower, a comfortable bed, onsite dining, and a savannah garden perfect for unwinding before your adventure begins.

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[Breakfast] => 1 [Lunch] => 1 [Dinner] => 1 [Travel_Type] => [Quotation] => [Quotation_Attribution] => [Quotation_Location] => [Itinerary_Location] => [Latitude] => -3.132101 [Longitude] => 37.372077 ) [10] => Array ( [DayFrom] => 11 [DayTo] => 11 [Headline] => Down the Mountain & Back to Arusha [ActivityOverview] => 4 miles/3-5 hours hiking with 4,500\' elevation loss [EstimatedLength] => [ActivityLevel] => [ItinBlock] =>

Start your morning with a final 4,500-foot descent, hiking 3 to 5 hours to reach the park gate and your pick-up point. A celebratory lunch awaits, along with the chance to say a proper goodbye to your mountain staff before boarding your transfer to the KIA Lodge in Arusha. A hot shower, a comfortable bed, and a story-swapping dinner with the group round out an extraordinary journey. Rest well before your flight home, or wherever your travels take you next.

[Breakfast] => 1 [Lunch] => 1 [Dinner] => 1 [Travel_Type] => 1.5- to 2-hour private transfer [Quotation] => [Quotation_Attribution] => [Quotation_Location] => [Itinerary_Location] => [Latitude] => -3.424 [Longitude] => 37.065 ) ) [ActivityHighlight] => Climbing Kilimanjaro requires sustained periods of up to 15 hours of strenuous hiking at high altitude. You must be in excellent physical and mental condition. Previous experience and a signed Physician Certificate is required. [Trip_Level] => 5 )

Activity Level


This trip is rated activity level 5. Climbing Kilimanjaro requires sustained periods of up to 15 hours of strenuous hiking at high altitude. You must be in excellent physical and mental condition. Previous experience and a signed Physician Certificate is required.
Learn more about activity levels here.

Activity Snapshot

Day 2

2-hour private transfer

Day 3

1-2 hours/2 miles optional hiking with 2,000' elevation gain; camp at 6,000'

Day 4

1-hour private transfer

Day 5

7.2 miles hiking with 3,100' elevation gain

Day 6

6 miles/5 hours hiking with 2,000' elevation gain

Day 7

6 miles/5-7 hours hiking

Day 8

4.5 miles/6-8 hours hiking with approximately 2,330' elevation gain

Day 9

2 miles/7-9 hours hiking

Day 10

8 miles/8-10 hours hiking

Day 11

4 miles/3-5 hours hiking with 4,500' elevation loss

*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guideโ€™s discretion.

Accommodations


Accommodation ranges from a deluxe acclimatization camp with canvas-style tents set in tropical gardens to well-equipped high-altitude camps with four-season dome tents built for whatever the mountain throws at you.
MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro
MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

Guests on the epic Kilimanjaro summit bid sleep in comfortable four-season Mountain Hardwear dome tents, sleeping up to two guests. Delicious hearty meals are served in the custom-designed mess tent. Each camp (Machame, Shira, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu, Crater, and Mweka) commands exceptional views of rugged plateaus or verdant valleys, often amidst afro-alpine scenery well above cloud level.

MT Sobek Deluxe Camp-Itikoni Camp
MT Sobek Deluxe Camp-Itikoni Camp

Nestled at the base of Mount Meru in Arusha National Park, our deluxe camp offers luxury-style canvas tents with wooden beds, linens, comforters, pillows, and en-suite toilets and showers. Day hikes from camp lead to enchanting forests and waterfalls. Guests savor delicious meals in the dining tent or relax in the cozy library lounge with a wood-burning stove.

KIA Lodge
KIA Lodge
Perched on a low hill less than five minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport, KIA Lodge is your first real taste of Tanzania. Forty spacious thatched-brick cottages sit privately within a savannah garden alive with over a hundred bird species, each en suite with hot showers, air conditioning, and a mosquito net. The hilltop swimming pool looks out over Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, and the Maasai plains in every direction. Add a full-service spa, open bar, onsite restaurant, and laundry, and you have everything you need to arrive tired and wake up ready for the mountain.

Weather


Warm and sunny in the bush, with occasional showers. On Kilimanjaro expect the full range, including dramatic temperature swings by elevation, wet days, cold nights, and the possibility of snow at any time of year.

 
Jan
Mar
Jul
Dec
Arusha 
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Arusha
82
59
82
62
71
56
80
60
Mount Kilimanjaro 10,000ft 
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Mount Kilimanjaro 10,000ft
70
20
70
20
60
10
70
20
Mount Kilimanjaro 19,341ft 
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Mount Kilimanjaro 19,341ft
28
5
28
5
18
0
28
5

FAQs


Who will meet me at the airport?
Our representative will meet you in the arrivals hall after you have proceeded immigration, luggage collection and customs on your own. Look for your MT Sobek representative holding a signboard bearing your name(s).
Do I need a visa to enter Tanzania?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen, you need a visa to enter Tanzania. You may obtain your Tanzania visa in advance OR upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. The current fee for a visa is $100 for a 12-month multiple-entry tourist visa.

What qualifications do your Kilimanjaro guides have?

Our leaders undergo extensive training to provide the safest Kilimanjaro climbs. Every year we operate an annual Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training in Arusha, Tanzania. A Porters Association also selects the porters; they will carry an identification card allowing them to carry your belongings, and assist you up the mountain.

Do I have to be extremely fit to climb Kilimanjaro?

Yes, this is a Level 5 trip which requires a high level of fitness. The very best way to prepare for climbing to high altitude is to climb to high altitude! Although this is difficult for most people, remember that the higher the altitude and the longer the hikes, the better. This also allows you to get used to your backpack and boots.

What safety equipment do the guides carry?

As well as being wilderness first responders, our guides carry hyperbaric chambers, oxygen, and satellite phones. Guests' blood oxygen levels are monitored daily.

What are the camps on Kilimanjaro like?

Our sleeping tents offer storm-proof comfort and our chefs create culinary masterpieces. Expect fresh ingredients and gourmet meals.

What is the minimum age for this trip?

The standard minimum age for this trip is 18 but check out our private trip options for families and groups with younger guests.

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Guest Reviews


If you are looking for a challenge that is reachable, this is it. MT Sobek will feed your mind, body and soul as you move along with knowledgeable guides, who are educated in the environment, physiology, and psychology. This is a unique experience that is worth every penny.

Caroline L.
MT Sobek Guest, Tanzania Climb Kilimanjaro

MT Sobek's trip guide, assistants, cooks, and porters were all very experienced and devoted to making our trip successful and a pleasure while attempting our goal of reaching the summit. I can't praise the porters enough; they made the trip extra special with their personal attention to us, helping us in so many ways. They are extraordinary people, experienced, helpful, and fun.

France C.
MT Sobek Guest, Tanzania Climb Kilimanjaro