8 Days Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro Trekking Route
- Best Time To Go : January – March and July - December
- Holiday Length : 8 Days / 7 Nights
- Holiday type : Trekking
Trekking Overview
The newest and longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro is the Northern Circuit. It starts from the Londorossi Gate in the west and spends the first two days traveling along the same route as the Lemosho route. The trail veers northward near Lava Tower after passing the Shira plateau, taking the longer Northern Circuit rather than the more well-traveled Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley.
The path hugs the mountain’s eastern flank, circling around its more sedate northern slopes. Compared to the other Kilimanjaro pathways, the Northern Circuit is longer and requires a minimum of eight or nine days to complete. Instead of spending the extra day at Shira Camp 2 for acclimatization, the eight-day hike goes directly to Moir Camp.
Day by Day Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival
Following your pickup from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Moshi Town, you will meet your guide who will give you an overview of your forthcoming trip and inspect your equipment to ensure you have all you need for the mountains. This is the day to rent the missing equipment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 2: Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) – Start Point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)
Commencing at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the Northern Circuit Route shares the same starting point as the Lemosho Route. It takes about two hours to go to Londorossi Gate from Moshi, and much longer to get there from Arusha. After checking in with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities at the gate, you will be taken higher up the mountain to the trailhead. This is where most tour operators serve lunch before starting the short hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) on the first day. While hiking to your first camp, you might be lucky enough to see enormous species like buffalo and elephants that occasionally emerge onto the path from the rainforest. When you arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp, dinner will be provided.
Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)
Beginning in the West at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters), the Northern Circuit Route shares the same starting point as the Lemosho Route. From Moshi, the travel to Londorossi Gate takes about two hours, while from Arusha, it takes somewhat longer. After registering with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities at the gate, you will be transported higher up the mountain to the trailhead. Before starting the short first day’s hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters), most tour providers serve lunch here. As you make your way to your first camp, you might get lucky and see enormous species like buffalo and elephants that occasionally emerge onto the path from the rainforest. As soon as you get at Mti Mkubwa Camp, dinner will be provided.
Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 4: Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Moir Camp (4,200 meters)
On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 for lunch. Here nine day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. But for 8days trekkers will continue with trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then enters the high alpine desert zone, then you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200.
Distance: ~~14km / 8 miles
Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone/ High alpine zone
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 5: Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters)
Day five involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb 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 (4,020 meters).The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking.
Distance: ~12km / 7 miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 6: Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters) to Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters)
Day six starts 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 at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatised to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
Distance: ~8km / 5 miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 7: 3rd Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters)
Day seven 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 (4,800 meters). 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.
Distance: ~15km / 8 miles
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 8: School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then onto Millennium Camp (3,950 meters)
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. Note: some tour operators return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.
Distance: ~6km / 3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km / 6 mile descent
Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent
Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 9: Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)
The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. It is customary to give your guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi.
Distance: ~10km / 6.5 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 10: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.
Meals: Breakfast Included
-
1 Person - 3400/Person
-
2 - 4 People - 3000/Person
-
5 - 7 People - 2800/Person
-
8 - 10 People - 2600/Person
-
11 & Above - 2400/Person
Enquire This Trekking
Related Trekking Safaris
Includes and excludes
What is included in this trekking?
Items that are included in the cost of the trekking price.
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
What is included in this trekking?
Items that are not included in the cost of the trekking price.
Tanzania Visa
International and domestic flights
Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
