2019 Full Moon Trek 9 Days Northern Circuit Route Plus 2 Night Hotel Stay

2019 Full Moon Trek 9 Days Northern Circuit Route Plus 2 Night Hotel Stay

This is a long route that give you acclimatization time and good success rate. The Northern Circuit is the newest and longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It begins in the West at the Londorossi Gate and follows the same path as the Lemosho Route for the first two days. After crossing the Shira plateau the path veers north near Lava Tower, following the longer Northern Circuit instead of the more popular Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley The route circles around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain.

Itinerary

Day 1: Moshi to Londorossi gate to Mti Mkubwa camp

Stop At: Mti Mkubwa Camp, Tanzania
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 Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rain forest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at mti mkubwa camp

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
On this day you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of rain forest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Moir Camp (4,200 meters)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Day three is a long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecas’ 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 (see map above). 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 acclimatization process.
Duration: 7 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Moir Camp at 4,200 meters

Day 4: Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters)

Stop At: Buffalo Camp, T K Lemosho Trail, Tanzania
Day four 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 hiking.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters)

Day 5: Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters) to Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Day five 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 acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters.

Day 6: Rongai 3rd Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters)

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Day six 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, headlamp and camera before going to bed.
Duration: 4 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: School Hut area (4,800 meters)

Day 7: Acclimatization day – School Hut area (4,800 meters)

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Use this day for your acclimatization. Your body should already adopt the mountain environment by 7th day. However, if you feel you really want to add a day just to be sure you don’t mess up with the summit night, this will be a perfect day. We have noted that most of people finds it difficult to arrive to the camp and start the night ascend to the peak due to short rest time. Idea behind adding this day is to allow your body to relax before start to peak ascent.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Acclimatization day – School Hut area (4,800 meters)

Day 8: School Hut (4,800 meters) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) to Millennium Camp (3,805m)

Stop At: Uhuru Peak, Tanzania
Night departure from School Hut (4,750 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro’s summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will descend to Barafu Camp, on the south side of Kilimanjaro. After a two-hour rest and lunch you will continue trekking down to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).
Duration: 8 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Millennium Camp (3,820 m).

Day 9: Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

Stop At: Millenium Camp, Tanzania
Today you walk down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to your arranged hotel in Moshi.
Duration: 6 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel in Moshi