Roof of Africa: Guided Kilimanjaro Trek via the Lemosho Route

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, local, English-speaking trekking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 10-day Kilimanjaro trekking Lemosho route adventure (8 days of trekking)
    • Accommodation: 7 nights in a tent and 2 nights in a hotel in Moshi (double occupancy)
    • Camping equipment: spacious 2-person tent with 2-inch foam mattress, walk-in dining tent with table and chairs, wash basins with hot water morning and evening, and a portable private toilet tent with toilet paper
    • All meals during the trek: Hot breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and daily snacks
    • Drinks throughout the climb (minimum 3 liters of sterilized water per trekking day, plus water, tea, and coffee at camps)
    • Chef, waiter, and 4-5 porters per client for equipment and personal luggage (max 15 kg / 33 lbs)
    • Airport transfers
    • Bus from hotel to Kilimanjaro National Park and back
    • Kilimanjaro National Park fees (entry, camping/hut, rescue, conservation, taxes)
    • Safety equipment: pulse oximeter, first aid kit, and oxygen bottle

  Not included:

  • • Flights
    • Visa fee
    • Personal gear rentals
    • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
    • Insurance — mandatory, available to add at checkout
    • Guide gratuities — customary
• How fit do I need to be?

  For this guided Kilimanjaro trek via the Lemosho route, a great level of fitness is essential. That said, this 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 handle an all-day hike on weekends, you’re in the right range. The ascent demands endurance and stamina, qualities best built through consistent cardiovascular training and strength work before the trip.

  What sets the Lemosho route apart is its built-in acclimatization profile. The longer timeline gives the body the best possible chance to adjust to altitude, and the dedicated team monitors everyone throughout. Following your guides’ advice is essential; altitude sickness is a real concern, but the summit success rate via Lemosho is above 90% and your safety always comes first. Mental resilience and a positive attitude matter just as much as physical preparation.

• What's the accommodation like?

  During the trek, you’ll sleep in a 2-person tent equipped with a 2-inch foam safari mattress, carried by the porters from camp to camp. There are no showers, running water, or electricity on the mountain, but hot water for a bowl wash is provided every morning and evening. Each camp has a walk-in dining tent with a table and chairs and a portable private toilet tent with toilet paper.

  Before and after the trek, you’ll stay at a comfortable mid-budget hotel in Moshi with double rooms: a solid base to unwind, store extra gear, and properly recover from the climb.

• What kind of weather should I expect?

  Expect a wide range of conditions across the route’s five ecological zones. Temperatures at the base range from 20°C to 32°C (68°F to 90°F), while the Kibo crater averages -7°C (19°F) and can drop to -26°C (-15°F). Layering is essential.

  The main climbing seasons are July to September and December to February, which offer dry, clear conditions and the best odds for a clear summit day. June to October is the driest stretch overall, though slightly colder at altitude. The rainy seasons run March to May and October to December, bringing fewer crowds, lush landscapes, and more snow on the peak.

• Should I tip the crew members?

  Tipping is customary and meaningful on Kilimanjaro. Trip costs cover park fees, but tipping the local team, including guides, porters, cook, and crew, is a direct way to recognize exceptional work and support the livelihoods of people who make the climb possible. The standard minimum is around 15% of the total trip cost per person, divided among the team.

  Tipping typically takes place in US dollars on the final day during a tipping ceremony, with a separate envelope for each crew member. Recommended daily rates:

  • • Lead guide: $20-30
    • Assistant guide: $15-25
    • Cook: $15-25
    • Waiter: $10-15
    • Porter: $8-10
    • Toilet porter: $10-15

  After the trip, donating quality mountain gear is another well-received gesture; high-performance gear is often unaffordable for local team members.

• What food will we eat on the mountain?

  Meals combine local Tanzanian dishes with more western-style options. Breakfasts typically include porridge, breads, eggs, pancakes, and fruit. Lunches and dinners range from Tanzanian staples like rice, beans, chapati, and ugali (maize porridge), to beef stews, vegetable curries, soups, pastas, fried fish, stir-fries, and salads.

  A dedicated chef prepares meals with altitude and energy needs in mind throughout the trek. Bringing a supply of your own favorite snacks is recommended, especially granola or protein bars.

  Note for participants with anaphylactic allergies: the team takes careful precautions with dietary requirements, but given the number of other trekkers on the mountain, some risk of cross-contamination exists. If you are comfortable with that, you can be accommodated on the program.

• What about hygiene on the mountain?

  There are no showers on the mountain. The team provides a basin of hot water each morning and evening for washing up. Most trekkers rely on wet wipes for a quick body clean between washes, and dry shampoo is a useful addition to the packing list for hair.

  A portable private toilet tent with toilet paper is set up at each camp. Please do not leave toilet paper, wet wipes, or any hygiene waste on the mountain: pack biodegradable disposable bags for this purpose and dispose of them at camp each morning.

• What do I need to bring?

  You’re allowed one duffel bag or backpack on the trek. No suitcases or wheeled bags; porters carry luggage on their shoulders or heads. The maximum weight is 15 kg (30 lbs). The hotel in Moshi offers storage for anything not coming on the mountain. Note that it is illegal to bring plastic bags into Tanzania.

  Bring comfortable moisture-wicking, wool, fleece, or synthetic clothing. Do not bring cotton blends. Please dress respectfully: it is culturally appropriate in Tanzania to cover shoulders and keep skirts or pants past the knees. Full-length tights while hiking are fine.

  Clothing:

  • • Hiking boots
    • 3-4 heavyweight socks
    • 3-4 lightweight socks
    • 6-8 underpants
    • Thermal base layers (1 lightweight, 1 mid-weight)
    • 1-2 hiking pants (full-length tights are fine)
    • 2 mid-layer bottoms (fleece or wool)
    • Waterproof/rain pants
    • 4-5 quick-drying t-shirts
    • 2 mid-layer tops (fleece)
    • Waterproof winter coat
    • Rain jacket
    • Hat with brim or visor
    • Warm hat
    • Ski mask or balaclava
    • Waterproof gloves
    • Optional: scarf, hand/foot warmers, gaiters, bandana

  Toiletries:

  • • Travel-size bottles
    • Shampoo and conditioner
    • Face and body wash
    • Toothbrush and toothpaste
    • Oxybenzone-free sunscreen (reef-safe), SPF 30+
    • Lip balm with SPF 30+
    • Bug spray with DEET
    • Ear plugs
    • Deodorant
    • Quick-dry towel
    • Wet wipes
    • Personal medication kit (painkiller such as Aspirin or Paracetamol, malaria prophylaxis, and possibly Diamox to help prevent altitude sickness)

  Other equipment:

  • • Daypack for daily essentials
    • Sleeping bag rated to 0-20°F / -18 to -6°C (rentable through the guides if needed)
    • Headtorch with extra batteries
    • Water bottles with a minimum 3-liter capacity in your daypack; a combination of bottles and a hydration bladder works well, but bring at least one rigid bottle as hydration bladder hoses can freeze on summit day
    • Granola or protein bars
    • Outlet power converter (Tanzania uses 230V, Plug Type G)

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• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this Kilimanjaro trek Lemosho route adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1. 
    • It takes a minimum of 5 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 15 participants.

  A Kilimanjaro trek Lemosho route adventure can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.

  If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your Kilimanjaro trek Lemosho route adventure is Moshi. To get there, most people fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). 

  The guide will be at the airport to welcome you and arrange the transfer to the hotel in Moshi.

• Safety measures and insurance

  Mountaineering insurance is mandatory on this trip. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.