Northern Circuit Route 9 Days
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- Northern Circuit Route 9 Days



Trekking Itinerary
The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first day trek to MtiMkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach MtiMkubwa Camp.
- Distance covered: ~5.5km / 3 mi
- Trekking time: 3 hours – 4 hours
- Zone: Rainforest
On day two you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).
- Distance covered: ~8km / 5mi
- Trekking time: 5 hours – 6 hours
- Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
Day three 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 (see map above). 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 acclimatization process.
- Distance covered: ~15km / 8mi
- Trekking time: 5 hours – 7 hours
- Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
Day four 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 covered: ~12km / 7mi
- Trekking time: 5 hours – 7 hours
- Zone: High alpine zone
Day five 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 covered covered: ~8km / 5mi
- Trekking time: 5hours – 7hours
- Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone
Day six 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 covered: 9.1km / 7.5miles
- Trekking time: 4 hours – 5 hours
- Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone
Wake before dawn to start your summit approach. You’ll reach Uhuru Peak in the early afternoon, when few groups are around. A short descent brings you to Crater Camp, set in soft sands near the famed Furtwangler Glacier. Crater camp is not a route in it’s own right but a challenging extension which in principle can be added to any route. It involves sleeping overnight in the bowl of the crater. An amazing experience enjoyed by only a few of the most adventurous climbers.
- Distance covered: ~6km / 3.5miles ascent
- Trekking time: 6 hours – 8 hours
- Zone: Glacial zone
In the morning after early breakfast, we begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope passing Barafu camp for a short break before heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
- Distance Covered: ~6km / 3.5miles ascent
- Trekking time: 6 hours – 8 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Wake before dawn to start your summit approach. You’ll reach Uhuru Peak in the early afternoon, when few groups are around. A short descent brings you to Crater Camp, set in soft sands near the famed Furtwangler Glacier. Crater camp is not a route in it’s own right but a challenging extension which in principle can be added to any route. It involves sleeping overnight in the bowl of the crater. An amazing experience enjoyed by only a few of the most adventurous climbers.
- Distance covered: ~6km / 3.5miles ascent
- Trekking time: 6 hours – 8 hours
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
DEPARTURE DATES
The departure dates for all our Trekking activities and tour packages are totally flexible according to your own personal needs. Please contact us for further and more detailed information.
Price Includes:
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation
- Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro international airport.
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Portable toilets and toilets tents.
- Hot Water For Wash
Price Excludes:
- International flights.
- Expenses belong to person nature e.g Drinks not included on the meal plans, personal purchases, Laundry etc.
- Cost of Visas.
- Bank transfer charges & card payments processing fee.
- Tips to mountain crew