Kilimanjaro · Northern Circuit Route

9 Days Northern Circuit Route

Duration: 9 Days
Route: Northern Circuit Route
Highest point: 19,341 ft
Price: From $2,290

Tour Overview

The 9 Days Northern Circuit Route is one of the most rewarding ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, with a strong record of summit success. It gives you excellent acclimatization, remote country and wide views. You start on the western side of the mountain on the same path as the Lemosho Route, then turn off onto the quiet northern slopes.

It’s a good choice if you want the best chance of reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m) with as little altitude risk as possible. You spend extra time up high and walk the long Northern Circuit, so your body adjusts slowly. This 9-day version keeps that advantage with a little less time on the trail.

You meet fewer climbers, and the scenery keeps changing, from rainforest and moorland to alpine desert and glaciers, so the Northern Circuit feels quieter and less commercial than the busier routes. You climb to the summit from Barafu Camp and come down on the Mweka Route.

Good for:

Climbers who want a high summit success rate
Anyone looking for quiet trails and dramatic views
Climbers who want a longer, safer approach to the summit

Northern Circuit Route Map – Kilimanjaro’s Longest & Best Acclimatization Trek — Route map · open full size

Itinerary

Ascent profile, in feet: Londorossi Gate 7,838 ft to MWEKA CAMP: 13km /8mi Down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit 19,341 ft. Select a point to read that day.

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

Parkview Inn Hotel

Panama Garden Resort

Weruweru River Lodge
Day 1 Londorossi Gate to MtiMkubwa
Departing From Moshi A 45-Minute Drive Will Take You Through Welcoming Mountainside Villages To The Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We Will Patiently Wait For Our Permits To Be Issued While Watching The Hustle And Bustle Of Operations As Many Crews Prepare For The Journey Ahead Enjoy The Beautiful Rainforest Scenery And Windy Trails While Your Guide Tells You About The Local Flora And Fauna And Natural Wildlife. At These Lower Elevations The Trail Can Be Muddy And Quite Slippery. We Highly Recommend Gaiters And Trekking Poles Here.
- Altitude Gained: 396m
Elevation
2389m/7838ft To 2785m/9137ft
Day 2 Mti Mkubwa Camp - Shira I Camp: 7.9km/5mi | 4-6hrs | Moorland
After A Good Night Sleep And A Hearty Breakfast We Emerge From The Rain Forest And Continue On An Ascending Path, We Leave The Forest Behind Now, The Trail Climbs Steadily With Wide Views To Reach The Rim Of The Shira Plateau. Temperatures Begin To Drop.
- Altitude Gained: 719m
Elevation
2785m/9137ft To 3504m/11,496ft
Day 3 Shira I Camp –Shira Ii Camp : 6.9km/4mi | 3-4hrs | Low Alpine
Our Trek Crosses the Shira One Of The Highest Plateaus on Earth, From Shira I Camp To Shira II Camp. Nine-Day Climbs Will Stay The Night At Shira II Camp Joining Climbers Ascending From The Machame Route. At Shira II Camp It Is Worth The Extra Energy To Go A Bit Higher Up The Plateau To Enjoy The Stunning View Across The Valley Below And View The Western Breach Of Kilimanjaro Above. The Plateau Is Exposed So Be Prepared For A Cold Night With Temperatures Getting Below Zero. Note: 8 Day Climbs Continue East To Shira Plateau Ridge To Lava Tower (4,600 Meters) And Descend To Moir Camp (4,200 Meters)
- Altitude Gained: 391m
Elevation
3504m/11,496ft To 3895m/12,779ft
Day 4 Shira Ii Camp- Lava Tower - Moir: 17.7km/11.1mi | 5-7hrs | High Alpine
Although You End The Day Around The Same Elevation As When You Began, This Day Is Very Important For Acclimatization. From Shira Plateau We Continue East Up A Ridge, Passing The Junction Towards The Kibo Peak Before We Then Continue, South East Towards The Lava Tower, Called The “Shark’s Tooth” (Elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly After The Tower We Come To A Second Junction, Which Leads To The Arrow Glacier. We Then Continue To Descend To Overnight At Barranco Camp.
- Altitude Gained: 91m
Elevation
3895m/12,779ft To 3986m/13,077ft
Day 5 Moir Camp - Buffalo Camp: 9.2km/5.7mi | 5-7hrs | High Alpine Zone
We Begin With A Moderately Steep Climb Out Of Moir Valley. If You Wish, Take A Small Detour Here To Climb The Summit Of Little Lent Hill At 4,375 Meters Before Returning To The Northern Circuit Trail. The Route Follows A Series Of Inclines And Declines, Skirting Around The Northern Slopes Of Kibo To Buffalo Camp. Spectacular Views Of Plains North Of Kilimanjaro That Stretch As Far As The Eye Can See To The Kenyan / Tanzanian Border. You Will Arrive At Buffalo Camp Just After Midday, Where You Will Have Lunch And Have Time To Rest.
- Altitude Lost: 122m
Elevation
4155m/13,632ft To 4033m/13,232ft
Day 6 Buffalo Camp – Rongai 3rd Cave: 6.8km /4.3mi | 5-7hrs | Alpine Desert
Day Six Starts With A Climb Up The Buffalo Ridge And Down Into Porfu Camp Where Lunch Is Served. We Continue East Around The Northern Slopes To The Rongai Third Cave. Today’s Climb Is Shorter Than The Day Before And You Should Be Feeling Better Acclimatized To The Altitude At This Point. You Will Arrive At The Third Cave Just Around Mid-Afternoon
- Altitude Lost: 97m
Elevation
4033m/13,232ft To 3936m/12,193ft
Day 7 Rongai 3rd Cave – School Hut:4.8km /3mi | 5-7hrs | Glacial Zone
A Steady Ascent And Over The Saddle Which Sits Between The Peaks Of Kibo And Mawenzi Peak. Continue Southwest To School Hut Where You Will Be Served An Early Dinner And Then Rest As You Will Begin Just 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.
- Altitude Gained: 781m
Elevation
3936m/12,913ft To 4717m/15,476ft
Day 8 School Hut – Summit: 5.9km /3.7mi | 6-8hrs | - MWEKA CAMP: 13km /8mi Down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
Excitement Is Building As Morning Comes With An Early Start Between Midnight And 2 A.M. This Is The Most Mentally And Physically Challenging Portion Of The Trek.

We Continue Our Way To The Summit Between The Rebmann And Ratzel Glaciers Trying To Stay Warm And Focused Of The Amazing Sense Of Accomplishment That Lies Ahead. With A Switchback Motion In A Northwesterly Direction And Ascend Through Heavy Scree Towards Stella Point On The Crater Rim. You Will Be Rewarded With The Most Magnificent Sunrise During Your Short Rest Here. Faster Hikers May View The Sunrise From The Summit. From Here On Your Remaining 1hour Ascent To Uhuru Peak, You Are Likely To Encounter Snow All The Way.

Congratulations, One Step At A Time You Have Now Reached Uhuru Peak The Highest Point On Mount Kilimanjaro And The Entire Continent Of Africa!

After Photos, Celebrations And Maybe A Few Tears Of Joy We Take A Few Moments To Enjoy This Incredible Accomplishment. We Begin Our Steep Descent Down To Mweka Camp, Stopping At Barafu For Lunch And A Very Brief Rest. We Strongly Recommend Gaiters And Trekking Poles For Uncooperative Loose Gravel And Volcano Ash Terrain. Well-Deserved Rest Awaits You To Enjoy Your Last Evening On The Mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.
- Altitude Gained: 1178m
  Descent To 3106m/10,190ft
- Altitude Lost:2789m
Elevation
4717m/15,476ft To 5895m/19,341ft
Day 9 Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate – Moshi: 9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest
After Breakfast And A Heartfelt Ceremony Of Appreciation And Team Bonding With Your Crew It’s Time To Say Goodbye. We Continue The Descent Down To The Mweka Park Gate To Receive Your Summit Certificates. As The Weather Is Drastically Warmer, The Terrain Is Wet, Muddy And Steep And We Highly Recommend Gaiters And Trekking Poles.

From The Gate, A Vehicle Will Meet You At Mweka Village To Drive You Back To Your Hotel In Moshi (About 30 Minutes). Enjoy A Long Over Due Hot Shower, Dinner And Celebrations!!

Overnight At Parkview Inn Hotel B&B. Before Being Transferred To Your Journey Home, Safari Or Relaxing Trip To Zanzibar.

Certified Ethical Climbing:

We Believe The Tourism Industry Has An Obligation And A Great Opportunity To Protect The World’s Natural Habitats, Cultural Heritage Sites And Communities. We Actively Promote Environmental Sustainability And Social Responsibility.

Every Climb Is Audited To Ensure Crewmembers Are Provided Proper Salaries, Tips, Food, Equipment And Sleeping Conditions. We Think It’s Pretty Great And Our Clients Do As Well, Check Out Our Tripadvisor Profile To See What People Are Saying About Us, The Link Below

Https://Www.Tripadvisor.Com/Attraction_Review-G317084-D11884543-Reviews-Kilisa_Tours_Safaris-Moshi_Kilimanjaro_Region.Html

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.
- 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.
Elevation
10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance
10 km
Habitat
Rain Forest
Meal
Breakfast
Overnight
at Hotel
Meals
Breakfast Included
Meals
Breakfast Included

Places on This Trip

Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park

Include

Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
Airport Transfers [Pick up & Drop off]
Meals according to the itinerary
Drinking water and Full Board meals
All National Park & Camping Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
Crater Fee
Rescue Fees
Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
Gate Transfers
Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder
Private Portable toilet with portable tent for rent $100 shared in a group
Quality Imported Equipments

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 09 Days Northern Circuit Route

People in Group	1-2	3-5	6-8	9+
Standard Package	$2,650	$2,550	$2,400	$2,290

Prices in US dollars.

Trekking Preparation

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)