Lemosho Route: Kilimanjaro's Freshest Route

From gate to gate the Lemosho Route is 64.1 kilometres / 40 miles long. Although the Northern Circuit is still much longer, the Lemosho Route is considered to be one of the longer routes on Kilimanjaro. The route can be done in either eight days or seven days. The hard numbers:

Days: 7 or 8 days

Total Distance: 64.1 kilometres (40 miles)

Ascent: 4,430 metres (14,534 feet)

Descent: 5,230 metres (17,159 feet)

Day-to-day distance on a 8-day climb

Day 1: 8.5 kilometres (5.3 miles)

Day 2: 6.4 kilometres (4.0 miles)

Day 3: 6.5 kilometres (4.0 miles)

Day 4: 9.6 kilometres (6.0 miles)

Day 5: 4.5 kilometres (2.8 miles)

Day 6: 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles)

Day 7: 16.6 kilometres (10.3 miles)

Day 8: 8.7 kilometres (5.4 miles)

The Lemosho Route is considered the most beautiful of all routes on Kilimanjaro. It’s probably not the first time you read that sentence and although we don’t want to disagree, we can state that the Machame Route is pretty magic too. So if they’re both beautiful, then what makes the Lemosho Route so special? The Lemosho Route is fresh! It is one of the newer routes on the mountain, and although it shares more than half of the route with the Machame, the start is as fresh as can be. It’s also a bit easier on your legs. The part from Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp and basically all the way to the Shira Plateau is rather gentle and less strenuous than the first two stages on the Machame Route. Also, it’s more remote and the trail is, again, fresher.

The Lemosho Route was designed with acclimitization in mind. A gentler ascent allows your body more time to prepare itself for higher altitudes. This brings us to another good reason for choosing this route: Success rates are sky high and can really be compared to those of the (much longer) Northern Circuit Route. What also helps on the Lemosho Route is the extra day. You typically hike this route in 7 or 8 days, which is longer than for example the Rongai, Machama, and definitely the Marangu Route. More time on the mountain is never a bad idea. Let’s be honest: How often do you climb Kilimanjaro?

The difficulty of Kilimanjaro climbing routes is hard to gauge and even harder to explain. There are different ways to get up Kilimanjaro and the one route is more technical than the other. However, the difficulty should not be measured in technical aspects but in terms of acclimatization.

When it comes to acclimatization, the Lemosho Route is the easiest route. Especially if you also take distance into consideration and compare this to the much longer Northern Circuit. Yes, the Northern Circuit is best for acclimatization but it also comes with about 40 kilometers of extra hiking than any other route.

If you like hiking, by all means, the Northern Circuit is the better route, but in all other situations, the Lemosho Route beats all the other Kilimanjaro routes. Yes, the Lemosho Route has some technical sections like the Barranco Wall, but it also makes it the better option when it comes to climbing high and sleeping low. Acclimatization is the deciding factor when it boils down to whether or not you will be able to summit Kilimanjaro. In that regard, the Lemosho Route may be considered as one of the easiest routes on Kilimanjaro, especially when tackled in 8 days and 7 nights. 

The Barranco Wall is a steep and imposing rock formation that trekkers on the Lemosho Route encounter during their ascent. It is known for its challenging terrain, featuring sections of scrambling, climbing, and exposed ridges. Despite its name, the Barranco Wall is not a vertical wall in the traditional sense, but rather a steep incline covered with boulders. As such, it’s not a climb but rather a scramble. When we climbed Kilimanjaro in August 2022, we were actually surprised to see how easy it was. Not that it’s easy, but it’s definitely not worth having sleepless nights about. Having said all that, if you have a fear for heights, the Barranco Wall can be triggering.

Elevation on the Barranco Wall equates to 257 metres (843 feet), and scaling it won't take much more than an hour. There can be a bit of a queue on this section as everyone has to manoeuvre across hurdles like for example Kissing Rock. You can only get around this outcrop if you get very intimate with it, hence the funny name. Again, this section is not really a massive challenge. Another reason for the Barranco Wall being busy is that it is the first thing on the menu for everyone who spends the night in Barranco Camp. This is also why the Barranco Wall is called the Breakfast Wall. Everyone is basically having this challenge for breakfast at around the same time. Groups tend to all start early and voila, it's busy. Want to have a look? Check our video below.

There are no seasonal restrictions on Kilimanjaro. The mountain is open to trekking and climbing expeditions all year round. Having said that, there are certain months which are more suitable than others. The rainy season lasts from April to May and November to December.

The dry season includes January to March and June to October. As such, the Lemosho Route is a route which is best enjoyed during the dry season. The dry season is also the busy season. If you are looking for a quieter time to climbing Kilimanjaro, you can actually consider taking the Lemosho Route during the rainy season

We’ve said this before and we will say it again. Kilimanjaro is a trekking mountain, not a climbing mountain. Trekking = Hiking, so the best training for Kilimanjaro is to go hiking. Some websites will tell you that you need to cross-train, biking, swimming, weight training, or even go on a diet. No. Again, pole pole. Just become the best version of yourself and start with that process about two months in advance. You can follow a strict training plan or just keep the following things in mind.

We recommend a minimum of three hiking/walking sessions per week, each lasting at least one hour. The specifics of your sessions, such as distance, duration, and elevation gain, will largely depend on the available trails in your area. Ideally, you should look for trails that are a few miles long and include a challenging uphill section that can be completed in approximately one hour. Finding a convenient location for your training will enable you to schedule regular sessions and easily track your progress.

Additionally, try to make time for longer day hikes, as they are excellent training opportunities. A solid day hike typically lasts four to six hours and involves moderate elevation changes of around 1,000 feet (305 meters), all while carrying a 20 lb. (9 kg) pack. If you feel up to the challenge, don't hesitate to tackle harder trails; they will provide even more beneficial training for your Kilimanjaro climb. If you don't have access to outdoor trails, don't worry. Training on stairs can be an excellent alternative to simulate the climbing experience on Kilimanjaro. You can also make use of a stair master machine for productive training sessions.

To mimic the challenge of climbing the mountain, wear your backpack and maintain a slow and steady pace. We suggest dedicating 1-2 hours to climbing stairs or using the StairMaster. What goes up, must come down. Descending Kilimanjaro is harder than climbing Kilimanjaro. Train your downhill walking!

Now, are you feeling confident and do you think you have most of the hiking under the belt? Then you can change it up. Go for a run, do stretching exercises, yoga, maybe even weight. Essentially, anything that can help to improve your overall fitness is a plus. Just make sure your main focus is hiking.