NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE
"Nine Days to enjoy the challenge of Mt kilimanjaro"
9 Days KILIMANJARO
Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet your driver and transfer to hotel in Moshi
Welcome to Tanzania! You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town.
You will meet the company representative and your mountain guide who give you a thorough climb briefing, answering all your questions. There will also be an equipment check. Any items that you are lacking may be rented locally of good quality at a fair rate. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing and equipment check may happen early the next morning instead. No meals are included in your climb package for this day.
Day 1: Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)
You will be picked up at your hotel after your breakfast and transferred to the Lemosho Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will still start our trek steadily through the forest of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree Camp where you will be spending the night.
Day 2: Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)
Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there is often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp (3500m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)
Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp (3900m) to Moir Camp (4200m)
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 is when we deviate from the Lemosho Route and 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 trek to a high altitude and then sleep low, aiding the acclimatization process.
Day 5: Moir Camp (4200m) to Buffalo Camp (4020m)
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 (also known as Pofu Camp). We are ending the day at a lower elevation than we started.
Day 6: Buffalo Camp (4020m) to Third Cave Camp (3800m)
We start the day with a climb up the Buffalo Ridge. 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 Camp just around mid-afternoon. Another day finishing at a lower altitude than we started.
Day 7: Third Cave Camp (3800m) to School Hut Camp (4800m)
Today involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut. After arriving at School Hut Camp you will be served an early dinner and then you should try to sleep as early as possible as you will get up before midnight to start your summit attempt. Heed your guide’s advice to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp, and camera before going to bed.
Day 8: School Hut Camp (4800m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Millennium Camp (3790m)
You will be woken up a little before midnight with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a break the break will be kept short to avoid becoming chilled. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut.
We enjoy a moment to take in the dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember we 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.
Day 9: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities. We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi. Once back in Moshi, those who have earned certificates (reaching Uhuru Peak or Stella Point) will receive them and you will get the chance to say farewell to the climb staff and have the opportunity to award them tips. Overnight will be at your hotel in Moshi.
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
Breakfast at the hotel is included in your climb package. Our driver will be available to take you to Kilimanjaro Airport
at any time you need. Hotel checkout time is 10am. If you have a later flight, we can try to arrange a late checkout, or reserve a day room for you (extra charge for day room). If you have a safari planned through us, your safari guide will pick you up at the pre-arranged time. If you have planned for time in Zanzibar, we will have gone through the arrangements with you.
For the 8 Day Northern Circuit itinerary days 2 & 3 are combined, going from Shira 1 Camp to Moir Camp
2025 Prices (per person in USD)
| # of climbers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Circuit 9 Days | $4385 | $3224 | $2740 | $2480 | $2445 | $2415 |
| Northern Circuit 8 Days | $3888 | $2870 | $2440 | $2215 | $2195 | $2170 |
• Kilimanjaro Airport pick up and drop-off per group
• 2 nights at a hotel bed & breakfast plan
• English-speaking professional guides & dedicated crew
• Transfers to and from the mountain
• All Meals as per daily itinerary
• Activities as per the itinerary
• National Park Fees and taxes
• Purified drinking water while on the mountain
• Dry bag to protect your duffel bag
• Oxygen cylinder(s) for emergency
• Portable chemical toilet
• Mountain tents plus standard sleeping mattress
• Official Summit Certificate – for those who qualify
• Personal travel insurance with medical and mountain evacuation (required)
• Tanzania entry visa
• Tips for the support team
• Sleeping bags and other personal gear
• Rental gear
• Lunch and dinner at the Moshi hotel
• Drinks and snacks
• Additional airport or gate transfers
• Extra nights at the hotels
• Expenses of a personal nature (souvenirs, etc.)