8 Days Northern Circuit Route

Day 1: Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp

Distance: 4.8km / 3mi | Duration: 3-4 hours | Habitat: Rainforest

Elevation: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft | Altitude Gained: 396m

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 Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,785 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.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira I Camp

Distance: 7.9km / 5mi | Duration: 5-6 hours | Habitat: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11496ft | Altitude Gained: 719m

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 (3,504 meters). This day marks your transition from the lush rainforest into the more open moorland environment.

Day 3: Shira I Camp – Moir Hut

Distance: 9.8km / 6.1mi | Duration: 5-7 hours | Habitat: Low Alpine / High Alpine Zone

Elevation: 3504m/11496ft to 4161m/13651ft | Altitude Gained: 657m

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 4,161 meters. 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.

Day 4: Moir Camp – Buffalo Camp

Distance: 9.2km / 5.8mi | Duration: 5-7 hours | Habitat: High Alpine Zone

Elevation: 4155m/13632ft to 4033m/13232ft | Altitude Lost: 122m

Today 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 (4,033 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.

Day 5: Buffalo Camp – Rongai 3rd Cave

Distance: 6.8km / 4.3mi | Duration: 5-7 hours | Habitat: High Alpine / Low Alpine Zone

Elevation: 4033m/13232ft to 3936m/12193ft | Altitude Lost: 97m

Starts with a climb up the Buffalo Ridge and down into Pofu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,936 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 with time to rest and prepare for the final push.

Day 6: Rongai 3rd Cave – School Hut

Distance: 4.8km / 3mi | Duration: 4-5 hours | Habitat: High Alpine / Glacial Zone

Elevation: 3936m/12913ft to 4717m/15476ft | Altitude Gained: 781m

Today 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 (4,717 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.

Day 7: Summit Day - School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp

Distance: 5.9km / 3.7mi up, 8.4km / 5.2mi down | Duration: 6-8hrs up, 4-6hrs down

Elevation: 4717m/15476ft to 5895m/19341ft | Altitude Gained: 1178m

Descent to: 3827m/12556ft | Altitude Lost: 2068m

You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up to the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first check-point is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman's Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you 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.

Congratulations! One step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! 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 where you will turn south and head down to Millennium Camp for your final night on the mountain.

Day 8: Millennium Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi

Distance: 12.2km / 7.6mi | Duration: 3-4 hours | Habitat: Rainforest

Elevation: 3827m/12556ft to 1633m/5358ft | Altitude Lost: 2194m

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 overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!