Northern Circuit Route
Number of Days:
9 Days
Destinations
Londorosi gate, Mti mkubwa Camp, Shira 1 Camp, Shira Camp 2 , Lava Tower, Moir Hut, Buffalo Camp, Third Cave Camp, School Hut, Uhuru Peak, Mweka Camp & Mweka gate
Tour Overview
9 Days Northern Circuit Route:
The Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. This relatively new route ascends Kilimanjaro’s more attractive and calmer western slope before crossing the mountain nearly to the top. Because the northern face has almost no other groups, this is without a doubt one of the most scenic and serene treks up Africa’s highest point. The Lemosho Route is followed during the first three days of the ascent.
The path then turns north and follows the mountain’s northern face to Third Caves, where it joins the Rongai Route. Ascend to School Hut before taking the Marangu Route to the top via Gilman’s Point. After reaching the summit, you will descend the mountain via the Mweka path. A private vehicle will transport you to and from the mountain. The lodgings on the mountain for this excursion will be in tented camps—a great adventure.
Day to day Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival Day
When you arrive in Tanzania, whether via Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you will be greeted by our native professional driver guide, who will provide you with crucial information and details regarding your trip and program.
He will assist you with loading and sorting your things before transporting you to your hotel for rest, dinner, and overnight stay. Your driving guide will share the best stories and information about Tanzania and its people's culture with you on the trip to the hotel.
Day 1: Londorosi gate to Mti mkubwa Camp
Elevation: 2100m to 2850m
After breakfast, we'll make our way to the Londorossi Gate on Kilimanjaro's western flank, where we'll meet up with our porters and guides. After we have registered your climb, our staff will prepare the supplies and equipment for our walk. While our luggage is weighed and the other essential trip formalities are performed, we can rest and snap pictures here.
We'll then begin rising. The trail ascends gradually through the mountain forest, and near the end of the journey, we'll arrive at the first camp, which will already be set up and ready for us. We'll sleep under the forest canopy tonight, listening to the sounds of birds and velvet monkeys singing to one another, a truly unforgettable experience.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 2850m to 3505m
After leaving the jungle, we enter the heath and moorland zone. Today, we have great panoramic views that enable us to reach the Shira Plateau's rim and enjoy the beautiful views from the crest.
This day will put your body's acclimatization to the test, but you'll be OK because we'll be taking short, constant rests. Then we'll spend the night on the Shira Plateau.
Day 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2
Elevation: 3505m to 3840m
This is a short day in terms of topography and elevation. We'll aim for a 350-meter (1,148-foot) elevation by trekking gently. This will be a resetting and acclimatization day, as well as an opportunity to tour the Shira Plateau and see Kibo, Kilimanjaro's tallest volcanic cone.
Day 4: Shira Camp 2 to Lava Tower to Moir Hut
Elevation: 3840m to 4600m to 4200m
This is a vital day in your mountain’s development and evolution. Today is an important day for acclimatization. We'll eat lunch at the Lava Tower, then rest before descending to Moir Hut, where we'll diverge from the main track.
Day 5: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
Elevation: 4200m to 4033m
We begin with a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Before returning to the Northern Circuit trail, take a short diversion to the summit of Little Lent Hill (4,375 meters). The trail to Buffalo Camp follows a sequence of inclines and drops around Kibo's northern slopes.
The views of the plains north of Kilimanjaro are stunning, stretching as far as the eye can reach the Kenyan/Tanzanian border. You'll arrive at Buffalo Camp around lunchtime, where you'll have lunch and rest.
Day 6: Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp
Elevation: 4033m to 3936m
The sixth day begins with a climb up Buffalo Ridge followed by a descent into Pofu Camp for lunch. We proceed east to the Rongai Third Cave, which is located on the mountain's northern slopes.
The ascent today is shorter than the ascent yesterday, and you should be feeling better acclimatized to the altitude by now. You'll arrive at the Third Cave about midday.
Day 7: Third Cave to School Hut
Elevation: 3936m to 4800m
The ascent to the saddle, a lunar landscape between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, is gradual. We ascend from here and arrive at School Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent recovering and preparing for the summit day.
Day 8: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4800m to 5895m to 3106m
We start the final and most difficult leg of the climb around 00:30 a.m. on a switchback track through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point. We stop here for a short while to see the magnificent sunrise above Mawenzi.
We go to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the beautiful glaciers and ice cliffs that still dominate the summit area. We return around the crater rim to Stella Point before descending to Mweka Camp through Barafu Camp.
Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka gate
Elevation: 3106m to 1640m
We'll return to Mweka Gate after our wonderful excursion through the thick forest. The presence of colobus and blue monkeys, as well as the soothing sound of birdsong, will make the long descent more tolerable.
After leaving the national park, we will get our summit certificate and walk through a coffee farm before returning to Arusha/Moshi.
Start Plan Your Trip
5 Days Marangu Route
6 Days Rongai Route
6 Days Umbwe Route
8 Days Lemosho Route
7 Days Machame Route
9 Days Northern Circuit Route
3 Days Mount Meru Climbing
- Accommodation and meals as stipulated in the itinerary.
- Transport in a chauffeur driven Landcruiser with pop-‐‑up roof for easy game viewing & photography.
- Services of an English speaking driver-guide.
- Game viewing drives and parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
- All Government taxes and levies.
- Mineral water during game drives only.
- All meet and greet services.All arrival transfers.
- 24 hours stand-‐‑by contact number.
- Guaranteed window seat in the vehicle
- Water, Tea and coffee during game drive
- Visa fees and travel insurance.
- All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax/email bills etc.
- Tips and gratuities to hotel, lodges, camp staff and driver-‐‑ guide(s)
- Alcoholic and non-‐‑alcoholic drinks.
- Any local or international flight and departure taxes.
- Laundry services.
- Any other item(s) not included in our itinerary.
