9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Climb to Uhuru Peak

We will send a driver to the airport to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. An orientation will take place at the hotel, where our guide will highlight all the important details about your hike. Your hiking gear check will also take place at this time.

The Northern Circuit begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) on the western side of the mountain, the same starting point as the Lemosho route. The journey to Londorossi Gate takes about two hours from Moshi and longer from Arusha.

After checking in with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities at the gate, you will be driven up the mountain to the trailhead. If you are lucky, you may spot large wildlife such as elephants and buffalo that occasionally emerge from the rainforest along the way as you hike to your first camp.

Dinner will be served upon your arrival at Mti Mkubwa Camp.

On the second day, you will spend the first hour hiking the last section of the rainforest trail before entering the alpine moorland that stretches across the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).

On the third day, you will trek across the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2. At Shira Camp 2, it is a good idea to hike a little higher onto the plateau for stunning views of the valley below and the Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above.

Day four is a long walk eastward across the

Day five involves a moderate climb out of the Moir Valley. Hikers can take a short detour here to climb to the top of small Lent Hills at 4,375 meters before heading back to the North Circuit Trail.

From here, the route follows a series of ups and downs, embracing the northern slopes of Kibo to Trau Trau (4,020 meters). The hike offers great views of the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and extend to the Kenya/Tanzania border.

You will arrive at Trau Trau shortly after noon, where you will have lunch and time to rest after a long day of hiking.

Day six begins with an ascent up Buffalo Ridge and down to Camp Porfu, where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern ridge to the Third Rongai Cave at 3,800 meters.

The hike is shorter than the day before, and you should feel well acclimatized to the altitude by now. You will reach the third cave around mid-afternoon.

You will be woken at around 11:30 pm with hot tea and cookies, then begin your steep climb up the slopes of Mount Kibo under enveloping darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave, where you will rest briefly.

The climb intensifies as you approach Gilman's Point (5,681 meters), about 5-6 hours after leaving School Hut. The trail to Gilman's Point is steep, and the ascent will be slow and steady.

From Gilman's, the path follows the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. You will stay at the top for a short while to take pictures and enjoy the view before descending back to Stella Point, then continuing down a long rocky trail to Mweka Camp.

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

This will be the last day of the journey and will be accompanied by a traditional farewell ceremony. You will gently make your way through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you will be met and transferred to Moshi, where you can eat and celebrate your achievement.