The Northern Circuit Route is the longest and newest route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, offering trekkers a unique and less crowded path. It circles the mountain, providing stunning and varied scenery, including views from the northern slopes that are rarely seen by climbers on other routes. This 9-day itinerary allows for excellent acclimatization, increasing the likelihood of a successful and enjoyable summit experience.
After breakfast, you’ll drive to Londorossi Gate for registration. After completing the formalities, a short drive takes you to the Lemosho trailhead. The trek begins through the lush rainforest, where you might spot some wildlife such as colobus monkeys. After 3-4 hours of hiking, you’ll arrive at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp, your first night on the mountain.
Today’s trek takes you out of the rainforest and into the heath and moorland zone. The trail gradually ascends, offering expansive views as you cross the Shira Plateau. After 5-6 hours of trekking, you’ll reach Shira 1 Camp, set on the western edge of the plateau. The camp provides stunning vistas of Kibo Peak in the distance.
The hike across the Shira Plateau continues today, with gentle ascents and descents. You’ll traverse through heather and moorland, enjoying panoramic views and unique flora. After 4-5 hours of trekking, you’ll reach Shira 2 Camp, situated near a stream on the plateau. This camp is ideal for further acclimatization.
This is an important day for acclimatization as you hike to higher altitudes and then descend again. You’ll start by trekking towards Lava Tower, a volcanic rock formation at 4,630 meters. After a lunch break at Lava Tower, you’ll descend to Moir Hut, set in a secluded location on the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro. The day’s hike takes about 6-8 hours, helping your body adjust to the altitude.
Today’s trek takes you on a less-traveled path around the northern circuit. You’ll traverse the alpine desert and enjoy expansive views of the Kenyan plains. The trail undulates as you make your way to Buffalo Camp. This day offers a mix of gentle ascents and descents, taking about 5-7 hours. Buffalo Camp provides a quiet and serene setting for rest and acclimatization.
The trek continues across the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro, offering more stunning views and unique landscapes. You’ll cross several valleys and ridges, with a relatively easy and steady hike. After about 4-6 hours of trekking, you’ll reach Third Cave, your camp for the night. This location offers a good opportunity to rest and prepare for the upcoming summit push.
Today’s hike is a steady ascent towards the base of the Kibo Crater. The trail becomes steeper as you approach School Hut, your high camp before the summit attempt. The trek takes about 4-5 hours, and you’ll arrive at School Hut in the early afternoon. After an early dinner, you’ll go to bed early to rest before the midnight ascent to the summit.
The summit attempt begins around midnight. The trail is steep and rocky, requiring both physical and mental endurance. You’ll reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim around sunrise and then continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating and taking photos, you’ll begin the descent back to School Hut for a short rest. Then, you’ll continue descending to Mweka Camp, where you’ll spend the night, exhausted but triumphant.
On the final day, you’ll descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. This is a long hike, but it’s mostly downhill and offers a chance to reflect on your incredible journey. Upon reaching the gate, you’ll receive your summit certificates. You’ll then be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi, where you can relax and celebrate your achievement.
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your departure flight, or you may choose to continue your Tanzanian adventure with a safari or a beach holiday in Zanzibar. Reflecting on the incredible journey to the roof of Africa, you’ll leave with unforgettable memories and a great sense of accomplishment.
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