Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi

   We will send a driver to the airport to pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Moshi. Orientation will take place at the hotel. Our guide will highlight all the important details about your hike and your hiking gear check will take place.

2. Day 2 - Londorossi Gate (2,100m) - Mti Mkubwa Camp

   The Northern Circuit begins at the Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) to the west, the same starting point as the Lemosho line. The journey to Londorossi Gate takes about two hours from Moshi and longer from Arusha. Check in with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities at the gate, then you'll be driven up the mountain to the trailhead. You might get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephants and buffalo that occasionally emerge from the rainforest en route as you hike to your first camp. Dinner will be served upon your arrival at the Mti Mkubwa camp.

3. Day 3 - Camp Mti Mkubwa (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)

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

4. Day 4 - Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters)

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

5. Day 5 - Camp Shira 2 (3,850 meters) to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) then north to Camp Moir (4,200 meters)

   Day four is a long walk eastward across the "Garden of the Senecios" and then into the desert region of the high mountains. Mornings are spent hiking to the Lava Tower and the iconic 4,600m-high Shark's Tooth rock formation, where you'll have lunch. After lunch, you will join the northern rotation going down to Camp Moir at an altitude of 4,200 meters. This is an important day of your journey as you will experience high altitude and then sleep at low altitude, which is good for acclimatization.

6. Day 6 - Camp Moir (4,200 meters) to Camp Buffalo (4,020 meters)

   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 Lenten Hill at 4,375 meters before heading back to the North Circuit Trail. From here, the road 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 have time to rest after a long day of hiking.

7. Day 7 - Buffalo CAMP (4,020 meters) to the Third Rongai Cave (3,800 meters)

   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 now. You will reach the third cave around mid-afternoon.

8. Day 8 - School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) then to Camp Mweka (3,950 meters)

   You'll be woken up at around 11:30am with hot tea and cookies, then begin your steep climb up the slopes of Mount Kibo under enveloping darkness. Your first checkpoint is the Hans Meyer Cave, where you'll rest briefly. The climb intensifies as you approach Gilman's Point (5,681m), 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, it is a path that follows the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. We stayed at the top for a short while to take pictures and enjoy the view before stepping back to Stella Point, then down a long rocky road to Mweka Camp.

9. Day 9 - Camp Mweka (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters) in Moshi

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

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