1. Acclimatisation is Non-Negotiable

Altitude Sickness is the single biggest threat to your climb. The Machame, Marangu, or shorter Lemosho routes (6 or 7 days) often force you to rush your ascent. This means skipping crucial camps and making one or two massive daily elevation gains before the summit push.

The 8-day Lemosho itinerary is built around the fundamental principle of acclimatisation. We are giving your body the time it needs to adapt, which minimises the risk of altitude sickness and maximises your chance of reaching Uhuru Peak comfortably.

The Gentle Start: Rainforest and Shira Plateau

The Lemosho route offers a beautiful, gradual start. Day one sees you trekking through the lush rainforest, a gentle introduction to the trail. This initial stage is not a big shock for the body or for acclimatisation, allowing you to settle into the routine effortlessly.

As you ascend, you cross the vast Shira Plateau. This high-altitude desert is an exceptional acclimatisation spot. Historically, the plateau was a strategic meeting point and, tragically, a site of tribal warfare centuries ago. Today, it's a vast wilderness, sometimes revealing ancient buffalo tracks and rare high-altitude birdlife—a perfect, flat area for your body to adjust before the gradients increase.

2. The Power of "Climb High, Sleep Low"

Our 8-day itinerary is designed to maximise the proven mountaineering technique of "Climb High, Sleep Low." This means we hike to a higher altitude during the day (challenging the body) and then descend to a lower camp to sleep (allowing the body to recover in thicker air).

On the Lemosho route, we achieve this perfectly through three key stages:

A. Shira Cathedral & Extra Acclimatisation

Our Legend Expeditions team often takes an optional ascent up Shira Cathedral, a high point near your camp. This is a deliberate move to gain extra altitude away from the main crowds, giving your lungs an extra workout before you drop back down to Shira Camp for the night.

B. Lunch at Lava Tower (4,600m)

This is a defining feature of the Lemosho route. We trek up to Lava Tower, which sits at a formidable 4,600 meters. We stop here for a well-deserved lunch, exposing you to a significant altitude. Crucially, we then descend to the Barranco Camp (around 3,985 meters) to sleep. The difference of over 600 meters between your lunch altitude and your sleep altitude is a game-changer for acclimatisation.

C. Barranco to Karanga Crossing

Even between the famed Barranco Wall and Karanga Camp, the trail takes you higher than where you eventually pitch your tent. This continuous practice of "up-and-down" movement is precisely why the Lemosho route is so effective.

3. Minimising Strain Before the Summit Push

When you’re preparing for a 12-hour summit night, the last thing you need is a body already exhausted from a 10-hour day.

The final day of trekking before the summit attempt, moving from Karanga to Barafu Camp (High Camp), is intentionally short (only 3–4 hours). This means you arrive at the high camp early, have plenty of time to rest, hydrate, and prepare your gear, ensuring you aren't massively strained before the midnight summit push. This strategic rest is critical for maximising your energy when it matters most.

My Final Word on the Lemosho Route

For a guide, safety and success are synonymous. The Lemosho Route, specifically the 8-day itinerary, is the most beautiful, strategic, and ultimately the most ethical choice on the mountain. It gives your body the respect it deserves, increases your comfort, and delivers the highest success rates.

When you climb with Legend Expeditions, you are not just getting a great route; you are climbing with a team that prioritises you and, crucially, provides the highest level of care and wages for the entire support crew. We believe in getting everyone, climber and porter alike, to the top and back down safely.

If you are serious about standing on Uhuru Peak, choose the route built for success.

If you'd like to chat with me and ask questions about the climb (even if you have booked with another company) you can schedule a call with me HERE.

Thanks for reading!