Kilimanjaro · Northern Circuit Route
10 Days Northern Circuit Route
- Duration
- 10 Days
- Highest point
- 19,341 ft
- Price
- From $2,490
Tour Overview
The 10 Days Northern Circuit Route is the longest trail on Mount Kilimanjaro and, for many climbers, the most scenic. Its slow pace gives it one of the best summit success rates of any route. You start on the western side at Londorossi Gate, like the Lemosho Route, then turn north after the Shira Plateau and walk around the quiet northern slopes that few climbers ever see.
With this much time on the mountain, you can acclimatize properly. That makes it a good choice if this is your first time at high altitude, or if altitude sickness worries you. You get 360-degree views, long stretches with hardly anyone else on the trail, and every kind of landscape, from green rainforest to bare alpine desert.
After the north side, the route joins the Southern Circuit and you go up to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) from Barafu Camp. You come down on the Mweka Route.
Good for:
- Climbers who want the best acclimatization and a strong chance of reaching the summit
- Hikers who like quiet, remote trails with wide views
- Anyone who wants to see as much of Kilimanjaro’s terrain as possible
Itinerary
- Day 1: Londorossi Gate, 7,742 ft
- Day 1: MtiMkubwa, 9,498 ft
- Day 2: Shira 1 Camp, 11,500 ft
- Day 3: Shira 2 Camp, 12,500 ft
- Day 4: Shira 2 Camp, 15,190 ft
- Day 4: Moir Hut, 13,580 ft
- Day 5: Buffalo Camp, 13,200 ft
- Day 6: Third Cave, 12,700 ft
- Day 7: School Hut, 15,600 ft
- Day 8: School Hut, 19,341 ft
- Day 8: Crater Camp, 18,865 ft
- Day 9: Mweka Camp, 10,065 ft
- Day 10: Mweka Gate, 5,380 ft
-
Pre day Arriving in Tanzania
All trekkers need to organize their own flight to Kilimanjaro international Airport [JRO]. From JRO you will be met by our staff and transferred to Moshi in the peaceful surrounds of our comfortable pre and post trek accommodation from where there are great views of the mountain. You can relax by the pool before your briefing with the Guides, who will provide the essential information for your trek to the roof of Africa.
The Hotel we are using is between these
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Day 1 Londorossi Gate to MtiMkubwa
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.
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Elevation
- 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
- Distance
- 6 km
- Habitat
- Rain Forest
- Meals
- Lunch &Dinner
- Overnight
- Mti Mkubwa Camp
-
Day 2 MtiMkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
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.
- Hiking Time 5-6 hours
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
- Overnight
- Shira 1 Camp
- Elevation
- 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
- Distance
- 8 km
- Habitat
- Heath
-
Day 3 Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
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.
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
- Overnight
- Shira 2 Camp
- Elevation
- 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft
- Distance
- 7 km
- Habitat
- Heath
-
Day 4 Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower - Lava Tower to Moir Hut
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
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Lava Tower to Moir Hut
- Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
- Overnight
- Moir Hut
- Elevation
- 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
- Distance
- 7 km
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
- Elevation
- 15,190 ft to 13,580 ft
- Distance
- 7 km
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
-
Day 5 Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
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.
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
- Overnight
- Buffalo camp
- Elevation
- 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft
- Distance
- 12 km
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
-
Day 6 Buffalo Camp to Third Cave
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.
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
- Overnight
- Third Cave camp
- Elevation
- 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft
- Distance
- 8 km
- Habitat
- Heath
-
Day 7 Third Cave to School Hut
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 dinner and prepare for the summit day.
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
- Overnight
- School Hut
- Elevation
- 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft
- Distance
- 5 km
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
-
Day 8 School Hut to Uhuru Peak - Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp
During normal morning hours, we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We ascend for several hours at a slow but steady pace while taking frequent, but short, breaks. The trail turns into heavy scree as we make the steep climb to the crater rim. At Gilman’s Point (18,600 ft), we see the summit sign in the distance. We continue the around the crater rim until finally we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
We then descend a short distance to Crater Camp, where the rest of the staff will join us to set up camp. There is an option to hike to Reutsch Crater and the ash pit, or simply explore the areas around Furtwangler Glacier. Sleeping at this high altitude can be dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved so the guides will monitor you very closely.
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp
- Hiking Time: 0.5-1 hours
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
- Overnight
- Crater Camp
- Elevation
- 15,600 ft to 19,341 ft
- Distance
- 6 km
- Habitat
- Arctic
- Elevation
- 19,341 ft to 18,865 ft
- Distance
- 1 km
- Habitat
- Artic
-
Day 9 Crater Camp to Mweka Camp
From Crater Camp, 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
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight
- Mweka camp
- Elevation
- 18,865 ft to 10,065 ft
- Distance
- 12 km
- Habitat
- Artic
-
Day 10 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
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.
Drive back to your hotel in Moshi. Hotel
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Depart Tanzania
This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.
- Meal
- Breakfast
- Overnight
- Parkview inn Hotel http://www.pvim.com/
- Elevation
- 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
- Distance
- 10 km
- Habitat
- Rain Forest
- Meals
- Breakfast Included
Places on This Trip
Include
- Private transport from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
- Private transport to Kilimanjaro International Airport ready to catch your flight back home after trek
- 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
- Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
- Park entry fees,
- Camping fees
- Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 4 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
- 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
- Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
- Hot water for washing
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Government taxes
- Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
- Emergency firstaid kit
Exclude
- Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
- Travel insurance
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 100 for the entire trek shared in a group.
- Flights
- Laundry (Available at hotel)
- Personal items and toiletries
- Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the
- Mountain: http://www.kiliporters.org/tipping_recommendations.php
- Guides: $20/day/guide
- Cook: $15/day
- Porter: $10/day/porter
Prices
Standard Package Price For 10 Days Northern Circuit Route + 2 Nights in Hotel
| People in Group | 1-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 | 9+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Package | $2,870 | $2,780 | $2,650 | $2,490 |
Prices in US dollars.
Testimonials
What Our Travelers Say About Our Tours
Highly Experienced and Wonderful Crew
The 7 days Lemosho route Kilimanjaro trek exceeded our expectations. The route is so beautiful and we enjoyed tackling the mountain with experienced guides - Bakari and Nickson. They were supportive from start to finish in all the aspects of the trek, starting with the technical strategy on the speed, rests and ensuring that we were healthy through regular checks.
SteveRead on TripAdvisor (Steve’s review) Absolutely Beautiful Memories For My Family
Traveling with my 6 members of my family of ages between 8 and 73 is always a complex task with many moving parts. We had to arrange for Mama and Poppas dietary restrictions, accommodations, easy access for Mama and off-course places with a pool and kids activities for Lil Poppa and his teenage sister Anna.
Martina_EaghanRead on TripAdvisor (Martina_Eaghan’s review) Awesome Trekking
My bothers and I shared one of the most incredible experiences in Tanzania as we trekked up Kilimanjaro. Our host Naick of Kilisa Tours & Safaris is the man behind our success.
TobiasRead on TripAdvisor (Tobias’s review) Fun & Adventure On Our Christmas Vacation
Our safari to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti with Kilisa Tours and Safaris for exceeded all our expectations in every way. We were impressed by the high standards set right from our pickup at the airport, during the trip to the good byes. Nothing was left to chance as every detail had been well planned for.
MauriceRead on TripAdvisor (Maurice’s review) The Best Experience Absolutely
We could not have asked for a better experience on Kilimanjaro. Everything about this trip with this local operator was top notch. Starting with the booking with Naick who made it smooth and easy with his timely responses and advice. Payment was easy and they took care of all the logistics that all we had to do was present ourselves at the KIA.
LokiRead on TripAdvisor (Loki’s review) Hike Mt Kilimanjaro
We have visited Tanzania before, but this was our first time trekking Kilimanjaro. We are truly thrilled with our decision to choose Kilisa Tours & Safaris for our adventure, as they provided exceptional support throughout the trek.
Tephia SRead on TripAdvisor (Tephia S’s review)
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