9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Climb with High Summit Success

Walking Time: 3 hours

Distance: 7 km

Altitude Gain: 450m

Habitat: Montane Forest

• Wake up early and invigorated for the upcoming journey to the foot of the Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro route.
• After eating a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you'll leave Moshi for the Londorossi Park Gate in the west.
• The 3-hour drive takes you off the beaten path for a remarkable cultural experience, traversing the fascinating townscapes of Boma N'gombe among the native people of Sanya Juu.
• After arriving at your destination, you'll register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities while our team assembles all your gear and supplies.
• Meet and get to know the rest of your support team, including our friendly chefs.
• Our guides will then drive you further up the mountain to the starting point of your trek.
• On the first leg of your journey, you'll move through untamed wilderness brimming with ancient and exotic botanical species.
• Black and white colobus monkeys peer down from the lush rainforest canopy while you may also catch a glimpse of larger mammals like elephant or buffalo.
• Your final destination for the day is Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750 m), where you'll rest and recuperate.

Walking Time: 6-7 hours

Distance: 10 km

Altitude Gain: 800m

Habitat: Moorland

• Wake up on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to begin the longest and most spectacular day of trekking so far.
• You'll pass through the last sections of rainforest before entering the majestic barren landscape of the Low Alpine moorland zone.
• Marvel at rare flora species, including enormous violet lobelias and wild vegetation.
• Venture across the massive Shira Plateau, the collapsed vestiges of an ancient volcanic crater.
• You'll then cross over the Shira Ridge toward the slopes of Shira Camp 1 (3,600 m), where you'll set up for the night.

Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Distance: 8km

Altitude Gain: 290m

Habitat: Moorland

• After devouring a hot, steaming breakfast, you'll continue your scenic trek across the exposed moorland zone.
• Few visitors have frequented this section of Kilimanjaro, so you'll get to fully experience its untouched beauty.
• Emerging from the Shira Plateau, you'll be greeted by a truly stunning view of the peak of Kilimanjaro before reaching Shira Camp 2 (3,810 m).
• The rest of the day will involve free time to explore the spectacular surroundings, including the landmark Shira Cathedral, a grand buttress of rock surrounded by pinnacle and spire formations.
• Your guide will also lead brief excursions to aid each person's acclimatization process.

Walking Time: 5-7 hours

Distance: 14km

Altitude Gain: 610m

Habitat: Moorland

• On the fifth day of the Northern Circuit Route, Kilimanjaro will take you east into the High Alpine desert zone.
• Here, the Lemosho Route connects with the popular Machame Route before you leave for a more secluded trail.
• You'll get to marvel at curious desert plant species and view the iconic Shark's Tooth volcanic rock formation on the way to Lava Tower.
• This part of your journey involves gradual exposure to much higher altitudes, consolidating your acclimatization process.
• At the end of the day, you'll head toward Moir Camp (4,200 m), situated behind the magnificent Lent Hills.
• There, you'll put your feet up and enjoy a steaming hot meal.

Walking Time: 5 - 7 hours

Distance: 12km

Altitude Loss: 180m

Habitat: High Alpine

• Wake up to the refreshing mountain air on Kilimanjaro's high-altitude slopes.
• You'll have breakfast, gather your gear, and climb out of the Moir Valley.
• A short detour takes you to the summit of Lent Hills to admire the views before rejoining the Northern Circuit trail.
• Journey along rolling terrain that rises and falls, taking you around the northern slopes of Kibo before reaching Buffalo Camp.
• Set up for the night at a stunning campsite with the spacious Kenyan plains stretching out below you.

Walking Time: 5 - 7 hours

Distance: 8km

Altitude Loss: 150m

Habitat: High Alpine

• Your Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit adventure continues with a revitalizing morning climb to the top of Buffalo Ridge.
• After stopping for lunch, you'll continue eastward through High and Low Alpine scenery, passing increasingly sparse and rare vegetation.
• The day's journey ends after circumventing the northern slopes to reach Rongai Third Cave Camp.
• By this stage of the trek, you'll be fully acclimatized to the high altitude.

Walking Time: 4 - 6 hours

Distance: 6km

Altitude Gain: 930m

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• This is the final leg of the trip before your last ascent to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.
• The highlight of the day will be the trek up and over The Saddle, a lunar landscape that lies between the Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks.
• You'll then head southwest to School Hut (4,800 m) to rest in preparation for the end of your amazing journey.
• Your guides will thoroughly check all your gear and supplies in preparation for an early morning start.

Walking Time: 11 - 15 hours

Distance: 19km

Altitude Gain: 1095m

Altitude Loss: 2835m

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

• Your last morning on the Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit will get off to an early start.
• You and your guides will travel through the darkness toward Kilimanjaro's main crater rim at Gilman's Point.
• There, you'll rest before the final push, passing spectacular ice cliffs and glaciers.
• You'll arrive at the Mount Kilimanjaro summit just in time to catch the sunrise, one of nature's most spectacular backdrops.
• Share the sense of exhilaration and accomplishment with your guides and support team.
• Soak in the beauty of the view before retracing your steps down the crater rim.
• Then you'll descend on the Mweka Route toward the last stop on your journey - Mweka Camp.

Walking Time: 3 - 4 hours

Distance: 10km

Altitude Loss: 1420m

Habitat: Forest

• The last hike is a short one and will lead you to Mweka Gate.
• The drivers will be in the nearby village to transport you to the hotel for a hot shower, a soft mattress, dinner, and an overnight stay.
• If you've chosen to continue on a safari, that's a different adventure, and we'll take care of that for you.