9 Northern Circuit Route - Mount Kilimanjaro

9 Northern Circuit Route - Mount Kilimanjaro

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 also has the most acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate. Thus, the Northern Circuit route is highly recommended.

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Arusha 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. Descend is made via the Mweka route.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Tanzania

Pass By: Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Tanzania
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to the Outpost Lodge, close to Arusha. . The rest of the day will be at leisure and you may choose to relax at the hotel or perhaps explore the town of Arusha (taxi required). In the evening, you will attend a briefing in preparation of your upcoming trek.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Outpost Lodge

Day 2: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Mti Mkubwa

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft

Distance: 8 km/5 miles

Hiking Time 5-6 hours

Habitat: Heath

We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Shira 1 Camp

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Heath

We explore the Shira Plateau. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. The heath zone displays abundant wildflowers and unique Senecio trees.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Shira 2 Camp

Day 5: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Moir Hut

Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,580 ft

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Lava Tower

Day 6: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We trek out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers great views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Buffalo Camp

Day 7: Buffalo Camp to Third Cave

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft

Distance: 8 km/5 miles

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Heath

As we head up Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly sparse. This route is rarely travelled and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. We trek through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Third Cave

Day 8: Third Cave to School Hut

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue on to our camp, School Hut. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: School Hut

Day 9: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 15,600 ft to 19,341 ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Artic

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Mweka Camp

Day 10: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km/6 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Outpost Lodge

Day 11: Departure Tanzania

Pass By: Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Tanzania
Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.