8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Trek to Uhuru Peak

• The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the west, the same starting 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 takes place at the gate, after which you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first-day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife such as elephants and buffalo, which sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp.

• Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) - start point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)
Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest

• On day two, you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of the rainforest trail before entering the low alpine moorland zone, which continues onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).

Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)
Distance: ~8km / 5 miles
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

• On day three, the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 for lunch. Here, nine-day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2, where they join trekkers from the Machame Route. On the 8-day itinerary, however, trekkers continue east, passing through the 'Garden of the Senecios' before entering the high alpine desert zone. You will then join the Northern Circuit trail and head down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters.

Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Moir Camp (4,200 meters)
Distance: 14km / 8 miles
Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone / High alpine zone

• Take on 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 offers great vistas across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.

• You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and time to rest after a long day of hiking.

Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters)
Distance: 12km / 7 miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone

• Start with a climb up Buffalo Ridge and down into Porfu Camp, where lunch is usually served.

• The route then continues east around the northern slopes to Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 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 Third Cave around mid-afternoon.

Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters) to Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters)
Distance: ~8km / 5 miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone

• This day involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle, which sits between 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 sleep, as you will be awakened before midnight to begin your summit attempt.

• Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, a headlamp, and a camera, before going to bed.

Rongai 3rd Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters)
Distance: ~15km / 8 miles
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone

• You will be woken at around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits, then begin the steep climb up the slopes of Kibo under cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave, where you will take a short break. The climb becomes steeper as you approach Gilman's Point (5,681 meters), which you will reach around 5-6 hours after leaving School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and the incredible views across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember that you still have 2 more hours of 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. Your stay here will be brief, so take as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers.

• Retrace your steps around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters), where you will turn south and descend the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for their final night on the mountain. In total, you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on this day, so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated, and keep your blood sugar levels up.

Note: Some tour operators return via Gilman's Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.

School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then onto Millennium Camp (3,950 meters)
Distance: ~6km / 3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km / 6 mile descent
Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent
Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones

• The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters).

• You will need to sign out with the authorities at the gate, who will also provide your official certificate - a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman's Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. It is customary to give your guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi.

Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)
Distance: ~10km / 6.5 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Zone: Rainforest zone