9 Days Northern Circuit Route Climb

Arrival in Tanzania

Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, afterward your guide will come to brief you about the trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Then overnight in the hotel.

Day 1: Lemosho Gate (2100m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m)

Distance: 7 km | Time: 3-4 hours | Habitat: Rainforest

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2100m). After registration, you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephants, giraffes and buffalos as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m).

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m) to Shira I Camp (3600m)

Distance: 8 km | Time: 5 hours | Habitat: Rainforest/Moorland

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Today you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of the 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 I (3600m).

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp (3600m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)

Distance: 10 km | Time: 3 hours | Habitat: Low alpine zone

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp I to Shira Camp II. We will continue east up to the Shira Plateau ridge for lunch, dinner & overnight.

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp (3900m) Moir Hut camp (4200m)

Distance: 4 km | Time: 2 hours | Habitat: Low alpine zone

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

On day four the trek crosses the Shira Plateau Shira Camp II and heads directly to Moir Hut camp. Today is a short day with best acclimatization as we will trek close to Lava tower and go down to Moir Hut camp for lunch and overnight.

Day 5: Moir Camp (4200m) to Pofu Camp (4000m)

Distance: 10 km | Time: 5-7 hours | Habitat: High alpine zone

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Today it is a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. The route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Pofu (Buffalo) Camp (4000m). The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro. You will arrive at Pofu Camp just after midday.

Day 6: Pofu Camp (4000m) to Rongai Third Cave camp (3800m)

Distance: 7 km | Time: 4 hours | Habitat: Alpine zone

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day six starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and then continues east along the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

Day 7: Rongai Third Cave camp (3800m) to School Hut (4800m)

Distance: 7 km | Time: 4-5 hours | Habitat: High alpine zone

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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 (4800 m). After arriving at School Hut, you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some sleep as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt.

Day 8: Summit day - School Hut (4800m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Millennium Camp (3950m)

Distance: 16 km | Time: 12 hours | Habitat: Glacial zone

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

You will be awoken at 5am and have a full breakfast before starting our sunlight summit around 6am. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5681m). From here you gather all your energy to reach Uhuru Peak (5895m). After celebrating, you will head down the scree slopes to Barafu Camp for a break, then continue to Millennium Camp (3950m) for your final night.

Day 9: Millennium Camp (3900m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

Distance: 14 km | Time: 5 hours | Habitat: Rainforest

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate. At the gate you will sign-out and receive your official summit certificate before being transferred back to your hotel.

Departure from Tanzania

Later in the evening or the next day you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to board your home-bound flight. You can also extend your trip with a safari or Zanzibar holiday.