Itinerary

1. Day 0: Arrive in Tanzania

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

2. Day 1 – Londorossi Gate (2,100 Meters) – Starting Point 2,360 Meters To Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 Meters)

   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 occurs at the gate, and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. 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 like elephants and buffalos that 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.

3. Day 2 – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 Meters) To Shira Camp 1 (3,610 Meters)

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

4. Day 3 – Shira Camp 1 (3,610 Meters) To Shira Camp 2 (3,850 Meters)

   On day three, the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2. Nine-day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2, where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. At Shira Camp 2, it is worth trekking a little higher up the plateau to enjoy the stunning view across the valley below and the Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed, so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures below zero.

5. Day 4 – Shira Camp 2 (3,850 Meters) To Moir Camp (4,200 Meters)

   Day four is a long trek heading east, which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch, you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters (see map above). This is an important day in your trek as you will experience high altitude and then sleep low, which is good for acclimatisation.

6. DAY 5 – Moir Camp (4,200 Meters) To Buffalo Camp (4,020 Meters)

   Day five involves 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 gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day of hiking.

7. Day 6 – Buffalo Camp (4,020 Meters) To Rongai Third Cave (3,800 Meters)

   Day six starts with a climb up the Buffalo Ridge and down into Porfu Camp, where lunch is usually served. The route continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before, and by now, you should be feeling well-acclimatised to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

8. Day 7 – 3rd Cave (3,800 Meters) To School Hut (4,800 Meters)

   Day seven involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle, which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking southwest 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 shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp and camera, before going to bed.

9. Day 8 – School Hut (4,800 Meters) To Uhuru Peak (5,895 Meters) And Then Onto Millennium Camp (3,950 Meters)

   Wake up around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and 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), around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak. 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 possible of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters), turning south and heading 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 the 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. Note: some tour operators return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.

10. Day 9 – Millennium Camp (3,950 Meters) To Mweka Gate (1,640 Meters)

    The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate, you will need to sign out with the authorities, who will also provide you with 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. Giving your guide and porter tips is customary before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi.