Lemosho Route 7-Day vs 8-Day: Which Group Climb is Best?
Why the Lemosho Route is Kilimanjaro's Best
The Lemosho Route is widely considered the best overall route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers stunning scenery, excellent acclimatization, and the highest success rates of any route. Starting from the western side of the mountain, it crosses the beautiful Shira Plateau before joining the Machame Route for the final ascent.
But here's the question every climber faces: should you do the 7-day or 8-day version?
The 7-Day Lemosho Route
The 7-day Lemosho is the faster option, with 6 days of trekking plus arrival and departure days. Here's the typical itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive in Kilimanjaro, transfer to hotel in Moshi
- Day 2: Lemosho Glades (2,385m) to Big Tree Camp (2,780m) — 7km, 4 hours
- Day 3: Big Tree Camp to Shira 2 Camp (3,900m) — 16.5km, 9-11 hours
- Day 4: Shira 2 to Barranco Camp (3,960m) via Lava Tower (4,640m) — 10km, 7 hours
- Day 5: Barranco to Karanga Camp (3,963m) — 5.5km, 5 hours
- Day 6: Karanga to Barafu Camp (4,640m) — 3km, 3 hours
- Day 7: Summit Uhuru Peak (5,895m), descend to Millennium Camp (3,790m) — 13.4km, 12-15 hours
Success rate: 85-90%
Best for: Fit trekkers who want a faster climb and are comfortable with altitude.
The 8-Day Lemosho Route
The 8-day version adds an extra acclimatization day, which makes a significant difference. Here's what changes:
- Day 3 is split: Instead of going directly to Shira 2, you camp at Shira 1 Camp (3,850m) first
- Day 4 becomes an acclimatization day: You hike up to 4,200m and descend back to camp
- More gradual ascent: Your body has more time to adjust to the altitude
Success rate: 90-95%
Best for: First-time high-altitude trekkers, those who want the best chance of summiting, and anyone who prefers a more relaxed pace.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | 7-Day | 8-Day |
|---|---|---|
| Summit Success Rate | 85-90% | 90-95% |
| Total Distance | 70km | 76km |
| Acclimatization | Good | Excellent |
| Difficulty | Moderate-Hard | Moderate |
| Cost | From $2,549 | From $2,897 |
| Best For | Fit, experienced | Everyone |
Our Recommendation
If it's your first time at high altitude, or you want the best possible chance of reaching the summit, choose the 8-day Lemosho. The extra day of acclimatization is worth every penny. The additional cost is usually just $300-400 more than the 7-day version.
If you're an experienced hiker with high-altitude experience and want to save some money, the 7-day Lemosho is still an excellent choice with a very high success rate.
Book Your Lemosho Group Climb
Both versions of the Lemosho Route are available as group departures with Bush Lion Tours. Check our upcoming dates or contact us on WhatsApp for personalized advice.
