Behold Kilimanjaro’s towering silhouette against the Tanzanian horizon, an invitation to reach its majestic heights. This Lemosho Route expedition offers you a chance to venture into the heart of the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. With a remarkable 90% success rate, local all-woman crew and strategic acclimatization, the equatorial snow-capped wonder is now within reach. Add to that cultural tours before and after the trek, and you’ve got a superb African escapade merging a bucket-list adventure—perhaps your first of the 7 Summits—and broadening your horizons. Traverse from emerald rainforests to celestial alpine deserts, weaving bonds, pushing boundaries, and inscribing your narrative upon Kilimanjaro’s storied slopes.
We booked Ekeney and her team in july 2019 for a Kilimanjaro climb, following the Lemosho route. This was a trip that I co-arranged with my business partner, and we had 3 paying customers with us. Ekeney had her team leaders Happiness and Baracka with her, as well as a larger team of porters, chef and others. It was easy to see her years of experience and her abilities to create a safe and comfortable environment for everyone involved in the trip. During the entire trip we felt well taken care of in all aspects, both in terms of safety, our physical as well as mental health. They frequently checked in with us on how everyone was doing, which made us feel safe and at ease. They also contributed to the group by being such wonderful, diverse and fun people. The whole team surprised Ekeney on top of the mountain as it was her birthday and it is an experience that I will never forget. I can highly recommend Ekeney as a guide and wish her and her whole team the best of luck. Asante sana!
I climbed Kilimanjaro with Ekeney for New year 2021 ! What an expedition, what an experience. It feels like we were sister going dancing macarena all the way to the top !! I highly recommend to make any trip with her. She is the African sun that will light up any excursion you will do. Asante sana rafiki yangu
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
For this guided Kilimanjaro trek via the Lemosho route, a very good fitness level is crucial. That said, this journey is more akin to a hiking expedition than a technical climb. If you can run for 30 minutes two to three times a week, and enjoy an all-day hike at weekends, you should be fine. Kilimanjaro’s ascent involves endurance and stamina, qualities that should be nurtured through consistent cardiovascular exercises and strength training prior to your adventure.
What truly sets the Lemosho route apart is its careful design that accommodates gradual acclimatization. While maintaining an active lifestyle is key, remember that the supportive team of guides and porters is there to make your journey possible. Their expertise, combined with the route’s manageable incline, maximizes your odds of success, making the summit an attainable goal. Remember that altitude sickness is a real concern, but following your guide’s advice is essential to ensure your safety and success (the success rate is higher than 90% via Lemosho route). Both of these extended timeline options allow your body to adjust to the changing altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
As you prepare for this awe-inspiring adventure, keep in mind that mental resilience and a positive attitude are equally as vital as physical readiness. Embrace the camaraderie among fellow trekkers, relish the stunning landscapes, and trust in the guidance provided by your experienced team.
You’re allowed to bring one duffel bag or backpack on the trek that will fit all your clothes and climbing gear. Please don’t bring suitcases or wheeled bags because porters carry your luggage on their shoulders or heads. The maximum weight of your luggage is 15 kg (30 lbs). Don’t over pack and make sure not to go over that limit. If you need anything from the lists below, let your guides know and they can help rent it. You should also keep in mind that your hotel offers a convenient storage solution for items you won’t be carrying on the trek.
In general, bring comfortable riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking, wool, fleece, or synthetic material. Do not bring cotton blends. Please dress respectfully—it’s culturally appropriate and recommended in Tanzania to cover shoulders and ensure any skirts or pants are past the knees. Full-length tights while hiking are fine. Here’s a list of clothing we recommend you bring:
Here’s a list of toiletries:
Here’s a list of other equipment we recommend you bring:
During the Kilimanjaro guided tour, you will stay at campsites and sleep in a 2-person tent equipped with safari mattresses for added comfort. Tents are carried by the dedicated porters from campsite to campsite. While the camping experience doesn’t offer running water, showers, or electricity, you’ll be provided with warm water for a refreshing bowl wash in the evenings and mornings. Your camp will also feature a walk-in dining tent with table and chairs and a private portable toilet tent with toilet paper.
Additionally, before and after the trek, you’ll enjoy the convenience and comfort of a mid-budget hotel in Moshi featuring double rooms. This will provide you with a relaxing space to unwind and rejuvenate before embarking on your adventure and after completing your trek.
Expect diverse weather during your guided Kilimanjaro adventure in late June to early July and late September to early October. Base temperatures range from 20°C to 32°C, while Kibo crater averages -7°C, dropping to -26°C. Kilimanjaro features five ecological zones, from rainforest to arctic.
Main climbing seasons are July to September and December to February, offering dry, clear conditions for better summit chances. June to October is the driest but slightly colder. Rainy seasons from March to May and October to December mean fewer climbers, lush landscapes, and more snow atop the peak, ideal for photographers.
Tipping is customary and appreciated on your guided Kilimanjaro trekking trip. While your trek costs cover National Park fees, tipping the local team – guides, porters, and other crew members – is a meaningful way to show gratitude for their exceptional work. Tips significantly impact their lives and help support their families. The standard minimum is about 15% of your total trip cost per person, shared among the team. However, if service doesn’t meet expectations, tipping isn’t obligatory. Generous tipping is welcomed for outstanding service.
Tipping is a historical tradition, recognizing crew efforts. This is crucial, especially after the pandemic’s impact on tourism and rising costs of living in Tanzania.
To express gratitude, many also donate gear post-trip. Quality mountain gear is often unaffordable for local team members, making gear donations invaluable. Daily recommended tip rates vary:
Tipping usually happens in US-Dollars on the climb’s last day during a Kilimanjaro tipping ceremony, involving an envelope for each member of the crew.
Participants will eat a combination of local Tanzanian dishes and more western-style dishes during their guided Kilimanjaro trekking tour. Breakfasts typically include porridge, breads, eggs, pancakes and fruit. Lunches and dinners range from traditional Tanzanian staples of rice, beans, chapati (pancakes) and ugali (maize porridge), to coastal Tanzanian beef stews and vegetable curries, to more western soups, pastas, fried fish, stir fries, and salads.
You will be accompanied by a team of chefs who will prepare meals for you in accordance with the altitudes you’re climbing. We also recommend bringing along some of your favorite snacks, especially granola or protein bars.
Note for anaphylactic participants: Your guides will control the diet and take very careful precautions with allergies, but due to a number of other hikers on the mountain, some risk of cross-contamination exists. If you are comfortable with that, you can be accommodated on the program.
As you will be drinking lots of water during your guided Kilimanjaro hike/climb, you will be urinating a lot. Also, high altitude makes you urinate more frequently, even more so if you’re taking Diamonix. Using a female urinating device (a funnel) will be a great option to make it easier when there’s no bush or rock to hide behind! A portable toilet tent will be available for the night that you’re camping out, but all other nights you will be using the toilet in the hut.
Regarding keeping your body clean on the mountain, you will be given a bowl of hot water in the mornings and once you reach the accommodation after hiking. Using wet wipes for “washing” your body is what most women do. You will probably not be able to give your hair a proper wash during your Kilimanjaro trek, so dry shampoo may be an option. Regarding your period, even if you don’t expect to have it during the climb, the altitude can mess with your hormones and induce it. Make sure to bring enough tampons and other sanitary products you might need.
Please do not leave any toilet paper, wipes, etc. on the mountain. Pack biodegradable (compostable) disposable bags to put your hygienic rubbish in. You can get rid of these mornings before heading off.
Group sizes and prices:
Kilimanjaro trekking via Lemosho route can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has trekkers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To reach the starting point of your expedition, you will need to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport on Day 1 of your itinerary (Day 0 for the 9-day program). This is where your incredible journey begins. Upon your arrival at the airport, your designated guide will be there to warmly welcome you. They will ensure a smooth transition by providing you with an airport transfer to your hotel in Moshi.
Medical and travel protection is mandatory for this Kilimanjaro women’s climb via Lemosho. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
To secure your spot, a deposit in the amount of 30% is required at the time of booking. The remaining amount must be paid 90 calendar days prior to the trip departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If you cancel the booking…
Your guides reserve the right to cancel any tour without prior notice where it is unavoidable. In that case, they agree to refund all payments made by the client. Clients can also transfer the amount paid to an alternate date. In circumstances where the cancellation is due to force majeure, refunds will be less unrecoverable costs. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, your guides are entitled to withdraw from the contract before the start of the trip.
Trip prices are subject to variable and seasonal pricing, both of which are standard practice within the travel industry. Your guides reserve the right to impose surcharges due to unfavorable changes in exchange rates, increases in transportation or local operator costs, taxes, or if government action should require us to do so. If any surcharges result in an increase of more than 10% of the trip price, you may cancel the booking within 14 days of notification of the surcharges and obtain a full refund.
Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.
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I had an amazing time with Ekeney and her team. They took very good care of me the entire time I was in Tanzania. They ensured I was mentally ready for the hike and during the hike, pampered me, consoled me and encouraged me all the way to the summit.