9 Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Northern Circuit Route
Kilimanjaro trekking is one of the most popular adventures in Africa, attracting hikers eager to conquer the continent’s highest peak at 5,895 meters. The climb requires no technical mountaineering skills, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced trekkers. Various routes, such as Machame, Marangu, and Lemosho, offer different levels of challenge and scenery, from dense rainforests to alpine deserts and glacial peaks. While the trek is demanding due to high altitude, proper acclimatization and a steady pace increase the chances of reaching Uhuru Peak. The reward is an unforgettable experience with breathtaking views and the ultimate sense of achievement.
The Northern Circuit route is one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360 degrees of beautiful scenery including the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes. As the longest route on Kilimanjaro, the Northern Circuit allows for the best acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate, therefore this route is highly recommended.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge, before crossing the Shira Plateau. The route then heads north and circles clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp to School Hut, before summiting from the east.
- Duration: 9
- Difficulty: Medium
- Scenery: Excellent
- Traffic: Low
Day 0 : Arriving in Tanzania
All trekkers need to organize their own flight to Kilimanjaro international Airport [JRO]. From JRO you will be met by our staff and transferred to Moshi in the peaceful surrounds of our comfortable pre and post trek accommodation from where there are great views of the mountain. You can relax by the pool before your briefing with the Guides, who will provide the essential information for your trek to the roof of Africa.
Weruweru River Lodge
Day 1: Londorossi Gate to MtiMkubwa
Departing From Moshi A 45-Minute Drive Will Take You Through Welcoming Mountainside Villages To The Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We Will Patiently Wait For Our Permits To Be Issued While Watching The Hustle And Bustle Of Operations As Many Crews Prepare For The Journey Ahead Enjoy The Beautiful Rainforest Scenery And Windy Trails While Your Guide Tells You About The Local Flora And Fauna And Natural Wildlife. At These Lower Elevations The Trail Can Be Muddy And Quite Slippery. We Highly Recommend Gaiters And Trekking Poles Here.
- Elevation: 2389m/7838ft To 2785m/9137ft
- Altitude Gained: 396m
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp - Shira I Camp: 7.9km/5mi | 4-6hrs | Moorland
After A Good Night Sleep And A Hearty Breakfast We Emerge From The Rain Forest And Continue On An Ascending Path, We Leave The Forest Behind Now, The Trail Climbs Steadily With Wide Views To Reach The Rim Of The Shira Plateau. Temperatures Begin To Drop.
- Elevation: 2785m/9137ft To 3504m/11,496ft
- Altitude Gained: 719m
Day 3: Shira I Camp –Shira Ii Camp : 6.9km/4mi | 3-4hrs | Low Alpine
Our Trek Crosses The Shira One Of The Highest Plateaus On Earth, From Shira I Camp To Shira II Camp. Nine-Day Climbs Will Stay The Night At Shira II Camp Joining Climbers Ascending From The Machame Route. At Shira II Camp It Is Worth The Extra Energy To Go A Bit Higher Up The Plateau To Enjoy The Stunning View Across The Valley Below And View The Western Breach Of Kilimanjaro Above. The Plateau Is Exposed So Be Prepared For A Cold Night With Temperatures Getting Below Zero. Note: 8 Day Climbs Continue East To Shira Plateau Ridge To Lava Tower (4,600 Meters) And Descend To Moir Camp (4,200 Meters)
- Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft To 3895m/12,779ft
- Altitude Gained: 391m
Day 4: Shira Ii Camp- Lava Tower - Moir: 17.7km/11.1mi | 5-7hrs | High Alpine
Although You End The Day Around The Same Elevation As When You Began, This Day Is Very Important For Acclimatization. From Shira Plateau We Continue East Up A Ridge, Passing The Junction Towards The Kibo Peak Before We Then Continue, South East Towards The Lava Tower, Called The “Shark’s Tooth” (Elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly After The Tower We Come To A Second Junction, Which Leads To The Arrow Glacier. We Then Continue To Descend To Overnight At Barranco Camp.
- Elevation: 3895m/12,779ft To 3986m/13,077ft
- Altitude Gained: 91m
Day 5: Moir Camp - Buffalo Camp: 9.2km/5.7mi | 5-7hrs | High Alpine Zone
We Begin With A Moderately Steep Climb Out Of Moir Valley. If You Wish, Take A Small Detour Here To Climb The Summit Of Little Lent Hill At 4,375 Meters Before Returning To The Northern Circuit Trail. The Route Follows A Series Of Inclines And Declines, Skirting Around The Northern Slopes Of Kibo To Buffalo Camp. Spectacular Views Of Plains North Of Kilimanjaro That Stretch As Far As The Eye Can See To The Kenyan / Tanzanian Border. You Will Arrive At Buffalo Camp Just After Midday, Where You Will Have Lunch And Have Time To Rest.
- Elevation: 4155m/13,632ft To 4033m/13,232ft
- Altitude Lost: 122m
Day 6: Buffalo Camp – Rongai 3rd Cave: 6.8km /4.3mi | 5-7hrs | Alpine Desert
Day Six Starts With A Climb Up The Buffalo Ridge And Down Into Porfu Camp Where Lunch Is Served. We Continue East Around The Northern Slopes To The Rongai Third Cave. Today’s Climb Is Shorter Than The Day Before And You Should Be Feeling Better Acclimatized To The Altitude At This Point. You Will Arrive At The Third Cave Just Around Mid-Afternoon
- Elevation: 4033m/13,232ft To 3936m/12,193ft
- Altitude Lost: 97m
Day 7: Rongai 3rd Cave – School Hut:4.8km /3mi | 5-7hrs | Glacial Zone
A Steady Ascent And Over The Saddle Which Sits Between The Peaks Of Kibo And Mawenzi Peak. Continue Southwest To School Hut Where You Will Be Served An Early Dinner And Then Rest As You Will Begin Just 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.
- Elevation: 3936m/12,913ft To 4717m/15,476ft
- Altitude Gained: 781m
Day 8: School Hut – Summit: 5.9km /3.7mi | 6-8hrs | - MWEKA CAMP: 13km /8mi Down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
Excitement Is Building As Morning Comes With An Early Start Between Midnight And 2 A.M. This Is The Most Mentally And Physically Challenging Portion Of The Trek.
We Continue Our Way To The Summit Between The Rebmann And Ratzel Glaciers Trying To Stay Warm And Focused Of The Amazing Sense Of Accomplishment That Lies Ahead. With A Switchback Motion In A Northwesterly Direction And Ascend Through Heavy Scree Towards Stella Point On The Crater Rim. You Will Be Rewarded With The Most Magnificent Sunrise During Your Short Rest Here. Faster Hikers May View The Sunrise From The Summit. From Here On Your Remaining 1hour Ascent To Uhuru Peak, You Are Likely To Encounter Snow All The Way.
Congratulations, One Step At A Time You Have Now Reached Uhuru Peak The Highest Point On Mount Kilimanjaro And The Entire Continent Of Africa!
After Photos, Celebrations And Maybe A Few Tears Of Joy We Take A Few Moments To Enjoy This Incredible Accomplishment. We Begin Our Steep Descent Down To Mweka Camp, Stopping At Barafu For Lunch And A Very Brief Rest. We Strongly Recommend Gaiters And Trekking Poles For Uncooperative Loose Gravel And Volcano Ash Terrain. Well-Deserved Rest Awaits You To Enjoy Your Last Evening On The Mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.
- Elevation: 4717m/15,476ft To 5895m/19,341ft
- Altitude Gained: 1178m
Descent To 3106m/10,190ft - Altitude Lost:2789m
Day 9: Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate – Moshi: 9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest
After Breakfast And A Heartfelt Ceremony Of Appreciation And Team Bonding With Your Crew It’s Time To Say Goodbye. We Continue The Descent Down To The Mweka Park Gate To Receive Your Summit Certificates. As The Weather Is Drastically Warmer, The Terrain Is Wet, Muddy And Steep And We Highly Recommend Gaiters And Trekking Poles.
From The Gate, A Vehicle Will Meet You At Mweka Village To Drive You Back To Your Hotel In Moshi (About 30 Minutes). Enjoy A Long Over Due Hot Shower, Dinner And Celebrations!!
Overnight At Parkview Inn Hotel B&B. Before Being Transferred To Your Journey Home, Safari Or Relaxing Trip To Zanzibar.
Certified Ethical Climbing:
We Believe The Tourism Industry Has An Obligation And A Great Opportunity To Protect The World’s Natural Habitats, Cultural Heritage Sites And Communities. We Actively Promote Environmental Sustainability And Social Responsibility.
Every Climb Is Audited To Ensure Crewmembers Are Provided Proper Salaries, Tips, Food, Equipment And Sleeping Conditions. We Think It’s Pretty Great And Our Clients Do As Well, Check Out Our Tripadvisor Profile To See What People Are Saying About Us, The Link Below
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Depart Tanzania
This Day Left For Your Next Destination. If You Have Safari, Then Might Be Used To Beginning Your Safari Or Fly To Zanzibar Or Fly Back Home. Our Vehicle Will Be Ready To Take You To The Airport At Your Time.
Meals:Breakfast Included
- Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
- Meal: Breakfast
- Overnight: at Hotel
Depart Tanzania
This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Price Includes
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
- Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
- Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
- Airport Transfers [Pick up & Drop off]
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water and Full Board meals
- All National Park & Camping Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
- Crater Fee
- Rescue Fees
- Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
- Gate Transfers
- Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder
- Private Portable toilet with portable tent for rent $100 shared in a group
- Quality Imported Equipments
Price Excludes
- Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel Insurance (Required)
- Medication
- Tips for porters and mountain crew
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
- Additional lodge nights if early decent from the mountain $ 85 per room.
PRICE
2 Pax ……….. 2,650$
4 Pax ……….. 2,550$
6 Pax ……….. 2,290$
