9 Days Northern Circuit Route
Duration
9 Days
Max People
10
Tour Type
Climbing
Kilimanjaro
The Northern Circuit is the longest and most peaceful route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It begins on the western side, circles around the quiet northern slopes, and offers great acclimatisation time. Trekkers walk through forests, moorlands, and alpine deserts before reaching the summit. With fewer crowds and high success rates, it’s ideal for a scenic and steady climb.
- The longest Kilimanjaro route with the highest summit success rate.
- Offers gradual altitude gain for safer and better acclimatisation.
- Walk through quiet northern slopes with fewer crowds and distractions.
- Enjoy amazing views of the Shira Plateau and Kibo Peak.
- Traverse forests, moorlands, alpine deserts, and ice-capped summit zones.
- Peaceful trail experience with low traffic and natural surroundings.
Arrival Day: Welcome to Tanzania
You arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Moshi. Enjoy dinner and rest well. If you’ve booked airport pickup, our team will meet you. In the evening, you’ll attend a pre-trek briefing. Your guide will check your gear and help you rent anything needed. It’s best to arrive a day early before the trek starts.
Accommodation:
Client-selected: Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury hotel in Moshi
Dinner: Served at the hotel or a local restaurant
Day 1: Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast, we drive for about 3 hours to the Londorossi Gate (1,830m). Then, we take a 4WD to Lemosho Glades. We begin hiking through the rainforest to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m). The trail is around 6 km and takes 2–3 hours. The forest is green and full of life. You’ll sleep in tents. Meals include lunch and dinner.
- Elevation: 1,830m to 2,650m
- Hiking Distance: 6 km
- Time: 2–3 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
Today’s hike climbs into moorland. The trail gets steeper as we pass streams and climb to Shira Ridge. We then descend gently to Shira 1 Camp (3,500m), located near a stream. You’ll hike 8 km in 4–5 hours. It’s a great day to see Kibo Peak in the distance. Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll sleep in tents.
- Elevation: 2,650m to 3,500m
- Distance: 8 km
- Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 3: Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp
We walk across the wide Shira Plateau with beautiful views. The hike is gentle and helps with acclimatisation. Today’s hike is 8 km and takes about 4–5 hours, ending at Shira 2 Camp (3,850m). You may do short walks in the afternoon. Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The camp sits in open moorland. You sleep in tents.
- Elevation: 3,500m to 3,850m
- Distance: 8 km
- Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 4: Shira 2 to Moir Hut via Lava Tower
This is a long day. We hike 14 km in 5–7 hours, climbing to Lava Tower (4,600m) for lunch. The trail passes through the Garden of Senecios. After resting at Lava Tower, we descend to Moir Hut (4,200m). This climb high and sleep low day helps your body adjust. Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You sleep in tents.
- Elevation: 3,850m to 4,200m
- Distance: 14 km
- Time: 5–7 hours
- Habitat: Moorland / Alpine Desert
Day 5: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
We climb out of the valley and may take a short side hike up Little Lent Hill (4,375m). The main trail goes across the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro. You’ll hike 12 km in 5–6 hours to Buffalo Camp (4,020m). This area is quiet and scenic, with views of Kenya. Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You sleep in tents.
- Elevation: 4,200m to 4,020m
- Distance: 12 km
- Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: High Alpine
Day 6: Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp
We start with a climb up Buffalo Ridge and descend into Porfu Camp for lunch. The path continues around the mountain to Third Cave (3,800m). Today’s distance is 8 km and takes 5–7 hours. This is a shorter hike, helping you rest and adjust to the height. Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You sleep in tents.
- Elevation: 4,020m to 3,800m
- Distance: 8 km
- Time: 5–7 hours
- Habitat: High Alpine
Day 7: Third Cave to School Hut
We climb steadily up to the Saddle, the space between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. From here, we walk toward the School Hut (4,800m). It takes 4–5 hours to walk 15 km. You’ll rest early and eat dinner, then prepare for the summit push. Pack warm clothes, snacks, and a headlamp. Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You sleep in tents.
- Elevation: 3,800m to 4,800m
- Distance: 15 km
- Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 8: Summit Day – Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp
Wake up at 11:30 PM for tea and snacks. Begin your night climb to Gilman’s Point (5,681m), then on to Uhuru Peak (5,895m). You’ll see the sunrise from the top of Africa. Then, descend back to Barafu, and continue to Millennium Camp (3,950m). The total trek today is 17 km and can take 14–16 hours. Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Elevation: 4,800m to 5,895m, then down to 3,950m
- Distance: 6 km up / 11 km down
- Time: 14–16 hours
- Habitat: Ice cap, scree, alpine desert
Day 9: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate & Departure
Today, you hike 10 km downhill to Mweka Gate (1,680m), which takes 3–4 hours. The path goes through lush rainforest. You’ll get your summit certificate and return to Moshi by car. At the hotel, you can relax or prepare for your flight home. Meals include breakfast and lunch.
- Elevation: 3,950m to 1,680m
- Distance: 10 km
- Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Sleeping Mattress
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Hotel (available as an optional add-on)
- Tanzania visa
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Tips and gratuities
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
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