10-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Trek to Uhuru Peak

Welcome to Tanzania. Today, you will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. The journey from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha takes about an hour. Meals - Dinner at Mvuli Hotel in Arusha.

Altitude: 7,742 feet to 9,498 feet
Distance: 6 km
Walking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: rainforest

We leave Moshi for Londorossi Gate, a drive of about 4 hours, where you will complete the immigration formalities. Then we head to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we begin the hike through the undisturbed forest that winds up to the first campsite.

Altitude: 9,498 feet to 11,500 feet
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Journey time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heide

We continue along the path that leads out of the rainforest and into a savannah of tall grass, heather, and volcanic rock covered with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before gently descending to Shira 1 Camp. Here, we first glimpse Kibo across the plateau.

Altitude: 11,500 feet to 12,500 feet
Distance: 7 km / 4 miles
Journey time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Heide

Let's explore the Shira Plateau. It is a gentle stroll east across the moor to the field at Shira 2. The heather area displays an abundance of unique wildflowers and Senecio trees.

Altitude: 12,500 feet to 15,190 feet
Distance: 7 km / 4 miles
Journey time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: alpine desert

Washbasins at Moir Hut
Height: 15,190 feet to 13,580 feet
Distance: 7 km / 4 miles
Journey time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: alpine desert

We continue east on a ridge and then turn southeast toward the Torre di Lava, a 90 m high volcanic rock formation. We then deviate from the main path to Moir Hut, a little-used site at the foot of the Lent Hills. Various walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent opportunity to acclimatize. The Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

Height: 13,580 feet to 13,200 feet
Distance: 12 km / 7 miles
Journey time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: alpine desert

We leave the Moir Valley with a fairly steep climb and then ascend to the top of the Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The trail crosses a rocky field and slopes gently before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers beautiful views of the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and extend to the border between Kenya and Tanzania.

Altitude: 13,200 feet to 12,700 feet
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Journey time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Heide

As we ascend Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly scarce. This route is seldom travelled, and we will enjoy the wild mountain feeling. We continue our trek through secluded valleys to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we reach the Third Cave.

Altitude: 12,700 feet to 15,600 feet
Distance: 5 km
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert

We steadily climb the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue to our camp, School Hut. Here, we rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for summit day.

Altitude: 15,600 feet to 19,341 feet
Distance: 6 km
Walking time: 6-8 hours

From Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Altitude: 19,341 feet to 10,065 feet
Distance: 12 km / 7 miles
Walking time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning, around midnight, we begin our ascent to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically difficult part of the trek. The wind and cold at this altitude and time of day can be extreme. We hike in the dark for several hours, taking frequent but short breaks.

At Gilman's Point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you have ever seen over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Kilimanjaro and the African continent.

From the top, we descend and continue straight to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees, so trekking poles are useful. Mweka Camp is located in the upper forest, and fog or rain is expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner in the mountains and a well-deserved night's rest.

Height: 10,065 feet to 5,380 feet
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Journey time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: rainforest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the certificates. At lower altitudes, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue to the village of Mweka for another hour. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to take us back to the hotel in Moshi.