10-Day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Climb with Uhuru Peak Summit

You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. There, you will meet your guide, who will brief you on your upcoming trek and carry out an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing gear can be rented on this day.

After breakfast and a briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate, about a 3-hour journey. From here, a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa, or Big Tree, campsite.

After breakfast, continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After crossing several streams, continue over the Shira Ridge and then descend gently to Shira 1 Camp, located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Continue trekking east through the 'Garden of the Senecios' before entering the high alpine desert zone, then join the Northern Circuit and head down to Moir Camp.

Today, you will encounter a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. There is an optional hike to 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.

Start the day 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. 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.

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. After arriving at School Hut, you will be served an early dinner, and then you should get some rest as you will be awoken before midnight to begin your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear before going to bed, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, a headlamp, and a camera.

You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint 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 the incredible views out across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 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 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 (5,739 meters), where you will turn south and head down 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 your final night on the mountain. In total, you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight, so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated, and keep your blood sugar levels up.

After breakfast, continue the descent down to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be enough to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi, around 60 minutes away.

After the days we have shared together, this is the final day to say goodbye. We hope to welcome you again and again. Our driver will transfer you from your hotel to the airport.