Trip overview
The longest and newest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, Northern Circuit, is known for excellent acclimatization and breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes. For the present moment, a minimal number of travelers have set foot on this trail, and the route is hardly ever crowded.
It is recommended to those who enjoy long trekking experiences in remote wilderness, with a few other trekkers around.
It takes at least eight to 9 days to climb Kilimanjaro through the Northern Circuit which is why the route boasts a very high success rate.
Tour Highlights
- Quieter than most other routes
- Very high summit success rate
- Excellent acclimatization profile
Northern Circuit route map
Itinerary
9 days Northern Circuit
Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. Upon arrival, you will meet your mountain guide who will brief you on the upcoming trek and conduct a full equipment check to ensure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing items can be rented on this day. You will spend the night at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, allowing time to rest and prepare for the climb.
Driving distance: 55 km
Driving time: Approximately 1 hour
Habitat: Cultivated zone
Accommodation: Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
DAY 1 - MOSHI - LEMOSHO GATE - MTI MKUBWA CAMP
You’ll be picked up from your Moshi or Arusha accommodations and make the drive towards the Londorossi Gate.
Stopping along the way in a local village for lunch and to buy last minute supplies, you’ll then liaise with your guides and begin your ascent through the verdant rainforest that clothes the lower reaches of Kilimanjaro.
You’ll have a short three-hour hike through the forest today, but keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as Colobus monkeys as you make your way to Mti Mkubwa Camp to set down for the evening.
- Elevation: 2,100 meters to 2,820 meters
- Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles
- Trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Zone: Rainforest
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2 - MTI MKUBWA CAMP - SHIRA 1 CAMP
You’ll cross over a vast plateau on your way to Shira 1 Camp, where you’ll have spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Setting up camp here for the evening, you’ll find your path has now crossed with those on the Machame Route.
- Elevation: 2,820 meters to 3,610 meters
- Distance: ~8km / 5 miles
- Trekking time: 5-6 hours
- Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 - SHIRA CAMP 1 - SHIRA 2 CAMP
- Elevation: 3,610 meters to 4,200 meters
- Distance: ~15km / 8 miles
- Trekking time: 5-7 hours
- Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 - SHIRA CAMP 2 - MOIR HUT CAMP
- Elevation: 3,610 meters to 4,200 meters
- Distance: ~12km / 7 miles
- Trekking time: 5-7 hours
- Zone: High alpine zone
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 - MOIR HUT CAMP - POFU CAMP
Wake up to the refreshing mountain air in the high altitude Kilimanjaro slopes. You’ll have breakfast, gather your gear, and climb out of the Moir Valley. A short detour sees you reach the summit of Lent Hills to admire the views before rejoining the Northern Circuit trail. Journey along rolling terrain that incline and decline, taking you around the northern slopes of Kibo before reaching Pofu Camp. Set up for the night at a stunning campsite with the spacious Kenyan plains stretching out below you.
- Elevation: 4,200 meters to 4,020 meters
- Distance: ~12km / 7 miles
- Trekking time: 5-7 hours
- Zone: High alpine zone
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 - POFU CAMP - THIRD CAVE
Your Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit adventure continues with a revitalizing morning climbing up to the top of ‘Buffalo Ridge’. After stopping for lunch, you’ll continue eastwards through High and Low Alpine scenery passing increasingly sparse and rare vegetation. The day’s journey ends after circumventing the northern slopes to reach the Rongai Third Cave Camp. By this stage of the trek, you’ll be fully acclimatized to the high altitude.
- Elevation: 4,020 meters to 3,800 meters
- Distance: ~8km / 5 miles
- Trekking time: 5-7 hours
- Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 - THIRD CAVE - SCHOOL HUT
This is the final leg of the trip before your last ascent up to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. The highlight of the day will be the trek up and over The Saddle, a lunar landscape that lies between the Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. You’ll then head southwest to School Hut (4,800 m) to rest in preparation for the end of your amazing journey. Your guides will thoroughly check all your gear and supplies in preparation for an early morning start.
- Elevation: 3,800 meters to 4,800 meters
- Distance: ~15km / 8 miles
- Trekking time: 4-5 hours
- Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 - SCHOOL HUT - MWEKA CAMP
- Elevation: 4,800 meters to 5,895 meters
- Down to 3,950 meters
- Distance: ~6km / 3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km / 6 mile descent
- Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent
- Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9 - MWEKA CAMP - MWEKA GATE
The last hike is a short one and will lead us to Mweka Gate. Your Viva Africa Tours team will proudly issue you with a Gold Summit Certificate and celebrate. Our drivers will be in the nearby village to transport you to the hotel for a hot shower, soft mattress and set of clean clothes.
- Elevation: 3790 meters to 1630 meters
- Distance: ~10km / 6.5 miles
- Trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Zone: Rainforest zone
- Meals Provided: Breakfast
Included
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 3 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the Parkview Inn
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- 2- way private airport transfers
- Oxygen cylinder
- Oximeter
Excluded
- Flights
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- Travel Insurance
