Route Overview
Northern Circuit Route – 9 Days, 8 Nights Trek
The Northern Circuit route is one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360 degrees of beautiful scenery, including the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes. As the longest route on Kilimanjaro, the Northern Circuit allows for the best acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate; therefore, this route is highly recommended.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge, before crossing the Shira Plateau. The route then heads north and circles clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp to School Hut, before summiting from the east.
- Detailed Trekking Itinerary
DAY 1
Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Campsite
The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate, and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first-day trek to MtiMkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephants and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.
- Elevation 2100meters to 2800meters
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time:3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
DAY 2
Big Tree Camp – Shira 1 Camp
Our trek continues after breakfast, following the trail leading out of the forest and into the heather zone. The land here resembles a savanna grassland with an amazing view of heather bushes growing next to each other to resist the cold weather, making it the perfect spot for a picnic lunch. The trek gets steeper as we approach the Shira ridge before descending to Shira 1 camp. A magnificent view of Kibo across the Shira plateau will blow your mind.
- Elevation 2800meters to 3500meters
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
DAY 3
Shira 1 – Shira 2 Campsite
Our route continues toward the Shira 2 campsite after breakfast. We will use this day to explore the Shira plateau, a great exercise to help your acclimatization, as we take an easy walk facing Kibo from the east across the plateau, toward Shira 2 campsite. Hot lunch will be served once we reach the camp. You will have another acclimatization walk later in the afternoon to prepare you for the summit attempt.
- Elevation 3500meters to 3900meters
- Distance: 7 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
DAY 4
Shira Campsite 2 – Moir Campsite
Today is a long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters. This is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low, which is good for the acclimatisation process.
- Elevation 3900meters to 4200meters
- Distance: 14 km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
DAY 5
Moir Campsite – Buffalo Campsite
This day involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. From here, the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters). The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day of hiking.
- Elevation 4200meters to 4020meters
- Distance: 12 km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
DAY 6
Buffalo Campsite – Rongai Third Cave
The day starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Porfu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before, and by now you should be feeling well acclimatised to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
- Elevation 4020meters to 3800meters
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
DAY 7
3rd Cave – School Hut Campsite
The hike today involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle, which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut, you will be served an early dinner, and then you should get some shut-eye, as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, a headlamp, and a camera, before going to bed.
- Elevation 3800 meters to 4800meters
- Distance: 15 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
DAY 8
School Hut – Uhuru Peak and then onto Millennium Campsite
You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave, where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours of trekking to reach Uhuru Peak, so dig deep for the energy.
The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim, and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief, so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters), where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters).
Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain. In total, you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight, so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated, and keep your blood sugar levels up.
- Elevation 4800meters to 5895 meters to 3950 meters
- Distance: 6km ascent and 10.5 km descent
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent and 4-5 hours descent
- Habitat: Arctic to Alpine desert
DAY 9
Millennium Campsite – Mweka Gate
The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. It is customary to give your guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi.
- Elevation 3850meters to 1800meters
- Distance: 10km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain forest
- Our custom-made Tanzania Safari Packages and Kilimanjaro Climbing packages are of world class standards, ideal for groups, organizations, families, backpackers and individuals alike, and for both leisure and business travel. Our sole focus and expertise is unique and top rated in Tanzania and Eastern Africa as a whole.
Cost Includes
- All Entrance fees and Government taxes
- Airport Transfers (upon Arrival and Departure)
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Rescue Fees and all taxes.
- Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
- Oxygen Tanks, Pulse Oximeter, and First Aid Kit
- Transfers from the Hotel to the Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from the Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel.
Cost Excludes
- International and local airfare.
- Yellow fever vaccination passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
- Local transportation before and after the climb.
- Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc.
- Tips for the support team
- Private Toilet and hot shower tent
- Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.
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