8 Days Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route
8 Days from $1,180 per person
The Northern Circuit is the newest route up Kilimanjaro and also the longest. Because of its length, the Northern Circuit has the highest summit success rate. The route follows the same as the Lemosho Route for the first two days and then veers off to circle around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain. Northern Circuit approaches the summit via Gilman’s Point before descending on the same route as the Machame and Lemosho.
Tour highlights
- Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,250m) To Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)
- Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m) to Shira 1 Camp (3,610m)
- Day 3: Shira 1 Camp (3,610m) to Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)
- Day 4: Moir Hut (4,161m) to Buffalo Camp (4,150m)
- Day 5: Buffalo Camp (4,150m) to Third Cave Camp (3,800m)
- Day 6: Third Camp (3,800m) to School Huts Camp (4,800m)
- Day 7: School Hut Camp (4,800) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) then to Horombo Camp
- Day 8: Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Marangu Gate (1,970m)
The price includes:-
- Professional, English-speaking Guide
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
- Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder
- Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages Cylinder
- Meals And Drinks
- Drinking water and Full Board Meals
- Pickup and Transfer to Airport
The price Excludes:-
- International flights; available upon request
- Tips for porters and mountain crew
- Personal gear rentals; (available upon request)
- Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks & beverages
- Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
- Additional lodge nights if early descent from the mountain
- Medication
- Duration: 8 or 9 days
- Difficulty: Medium
- Scenery: Good
- Traffic: High
Price per person
Solo
2 pax
3 pax
4 pax
5 pax
6 pax
7+ pax
$2,564 USD*
$2,560 USD*
$2,355 USD*
$2,240 USD*
$2,220 USD*
$2,190 USD*
$2,180 USD*
Day 0: Arrival in Moshi at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Upon landing at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), our friendly driver will be waiting for you just outside customs control, holding a Nyange Adventure sign with your name on it. They’ll assist you with your luggage and whisk you comfortably to your Moshi hotel.
At the hotel, your expert guide will conduct a pre-climb briefing to answer any questions you have and provide important details about the trek. This includes an equipment check to ensure you have everything for a safe and comfortable climb. Don’t worry if you’re missing something! Good quality gear can be rented locally at reasonable prices. If you arrive at night, the briefing and equipment check might be scheduled for the following morning. With everything prepared, you can relax in Moshi, ready to embark on your exciting Kilimanjaro challenge!
Day 1:Londorossi Gate (2,250m) To Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)
Tour Features
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m) to Shira 1 Camp (3,610m)
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Tour Features
- Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
- Distance: 8km/5mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Moir Camp
This day is a long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ 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. 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 acclimatisation process.
Tour Features
- Elevation: 3850m/11,500ft to 4200m/13780ft
- Distance: 14km/8mi
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: High Alpine
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Moir Hut (4,161m) to Buffalo Camp (4,150m)
Today, we encountered a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. We can do an optional hike to 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.
Tour Features
- Elevation: 4200m/13,780ft to 4020m/13,188ft
- Distance: 12km/7mi
- Walking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: High Alpine
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave
We start the day 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. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimated to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
Tour Features
- Elevation: 4200m/13,780ft to 4020m/13,188ft
- Distance: 12km/7mi
- Walking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: High Alpine
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Third Cave to School Hut
Today 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. 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.
Tour Features
- Elevation: 4020m/13,188ft to 3800m/12,467ft
- Distance: 8km/5mi
- Climbing Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: High Alpine
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp
You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first check-point is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut.
Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking to reach Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise.
Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters).
Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain. In total you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels up.
Tour Features
- Elevation: 4800m/15,748ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Distance: 6km/3.5mi up / 11km/6mi down
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
Tour Features
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
- Elevation: 3950m/12,959ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: Breakfast
Price per person
Solo
2 pax
3 pax
4 pax
5 pax
6 pax
7+ pax
$2,564 USD*
$2,560 USD*
$2,355 USD*
$2,240 USD*
$2,220 USD*
$2,190 USD*
$2,180 USD*
Interested In This Tour
Wetu Africa Adventures is a popular choice due to our professionalism, commitment to responsible tourism, license, flexibility, quality vehicles, and customer satisfaction. The company prioritizes sustainability, ethical practices, and ensuring a memorable and fulfilling safari experience during wildlife excursions, which sets it apart.
