Machame Route

The Lemosho Route typically costs $2,800–$3,300 per person depending on the operator, group size, and level of accommodation before and after the trek. The price usually includes park fees, crew wages, tents, meals, transfers, and all logistical support on the mountain. Optional extras like gear rental, private toilets, and extra acclimatisation days can increase the overall cost.

Yes, the Barranco Wall is a key part of the Machame route. It’s a steep, rocky cliff that you’ll climb on Day 5, and while it looks intimidating, it’s more of a scramble than a technical climb.

Your guides will be there to help and support you every step of the way. Successfully conquering the Barranco Wall is one of the most memorable and rewarding moments on the trek — plus, it leads you into the stunning Karanga Valley as you continue toward the summit.

The Machame route is often called the "Whiskey Route" and is known for offering some of the most stunning and varied scenery on Mount Kilimanjaro.

You’ll hike through lush rainforest, cross the Shira Plateau, pass beneath the towering Lava Tower, and navigate the surreal, moon-like Barranco Valley. As you climb higher, the views open up to sweeping panoramas of the mountain and the plains below. Each day brings new landscapes, making the Machame route a favourite for both its beauty and sense of adventure.

The Lemosho route covers a total distance of 70 km (43 miles), making it a mid-length option compared to other Kilimanjaro routes—not the shortest, but not the longest either.

You can climb Lemosho in 7 or 8 days, but the 8-day option is strongly recommended. The extra day gives your body more time to adapt to the altitude, which significantly improves your summit success rate and reduces the risk of altitude sickness.

Like all Kilimanjaro routes, Lemosho is challenging; climbing Africa’s highest peak is no walk in the park! That said, Lemosho sits comfortably in the middle when compared to the other six ascent routes. It’s not the easiest, but not the toughest either.

You might like to see this detailed description of the Lemosho route itinerary.

Because of its gradual ascent profile, the Lemosho Route has one of the highest success rates on Kilimanjaro. Most operators report 85–95% summit success on the 8-day version. Fitness, pacing, and acclimatisation days all play a role in achieving Uhuru Peak.

The best times are the dry seasons:

These months offer clearer skies, more stable weather, and better trail conditions. The wetter months (April–May and November) are less predictable and more strenuous.

Lemosho is quieter than the popular Machame Route, especially during the first two days when the trail passes through a remote western section of the mountain. It becomes busier when it merges with the Machame Route at Shira Camp, but overall it’s considered one of the more peaceful experiences on Kilimanjaro.

Yes — all accommodation on the Lemosho Route is tent-based camping. Campsites are designated by the park, and your crew sets up and takes down the tents each day. Climbers typically spend one night in a lodge before and after the trek.

Yes. The Lemosho Route is considered one of the best choices for first-time high-altitude trekkers because it gives you a gradual ascent, excellent acclimatisation, and more time to recover between camps. A good fitness base is still important, but no technical climbing is required.