9 Days Northern Circuit Route ›› Kilimanjaro Trekking Tour

9 Days Northern Circuit Route

09 Days Trekking

›› Route Overview

The Northern Circuit route is the newest, most exciting route on Kilimanjaro. The trek follows the Lemosho trail in the beginning, approaching Kilimanjaro from the west. However, instead of following the southern traverse like all the other west approaching routes, the Northern Circuit traverses the mountain around the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes.

The Northern Circuit route is a nine day climb, which is the longest route in terms of time and distance traveled. The days spent at around 13,000 feet are great for acclimatization, resulting in the highest success rates for all routes on Mount Kilimanjaro.

With a high success rate, incredible varied scenery and a very low number of visitors, the Northern Circuit route is certainly one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro.

›› Day by Day Itinerary

ARUSHA – LONDOROSSI GATE – MTI MKUBWA CAMP

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

You’ll be picked up from Arusha and be driven towards the Londorossi Gate.

Stopping along the way in a local village for lunch and to buy last minute supplies, you’ll then liaise with your guides and begin your ascent through the verdant rainforest that clothes the lower reaches of Kilimanjaro.

You’ll have a short three-hour hike through the forest today, but keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as Colobus monkeys as you make your way to Mti Mkubwa Camp to set down for the evening.

MTI MKUBWA CAMP – SHIRA 1 CAMP

Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heath

Your backdrop changes from dense rainforest to gently swaying fields of savannah grass and colourful heather today.

Your gradual ascent takes you over bubbling streams and through some gorgeous country before you reach Shira 1 Camp, where you’ll overnight with your first glimpses of the Kibo Glacier.

SHIRA 1 CAMP – SHIRA 2 CAMP

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Heath

Your first day for acclimatisation, you’ll spend today exploring the Shira Plateau and becoming better accustomed to the altitude.

An easy day of hiking, you’ll make your way to Shira 2 Camp through sun-dappled meadows and the otherworldly Senecio forest.

SHIRA 2 CAMP – LAVA TOWER – MOIR HUT

Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Your first goal today will be the intimidating form of the Lava Tower (4,640m) and you’ll set off for this distinctive landmark immediately after breakfast.

After ascending 700m to the Lava Tower, you’ll divert from the regular routes and make your way to the secluded Moir Hut to overnight.

For those wanting some extra exercise and acclimatization, there are a number of short hikes that can be taken in the nearby Lent Hills.

MOIR HUT – BUFFALO CAMP

- Elevation: 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft
- Distance: 12 km/7 miles
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
You’ll trek up through moderately steep trails today as you make your way to the peak of the Lent Hills, where you’ll rejoin the main Kilimanjaro trail.
From here, the hiking gets a little easier, as you’ll cross over undulating fields of rock-strewn earth on your way to Buffalo Camp.
You’ll camp with breathtaking views of the plains stretching out to the Tanzania-Kenya border.

BUFFALO CAMP – THIRD CAVE

Elevation: 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft
Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Heath

You’ll begin your day by heading up Buffalo Ridge. This is truly wild country, as you’ll feel like the only people on the mountain as you trek through this sparse terrain.

Trekking through remote valleys and windswept terrain, you’ll overnight on the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro.

THIRD CAVE – SCHOOL HUT

Elevation: 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today sees you climbing up and over the ‘saddle’ between the Kibo and Mawenzi glaciers.

A shorter day’s hiking through the alpine desert region, you’ll set up camp and eat dinner early, as you’re aiming to summit tomorrow.

SCHOOL HUT – UHURU PEAK

Elevation: 15,600 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Uhuru peak -Mweka

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Descending Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Artic

You’re starting your day early today – just after midnight, in fact!

Your climbing team will wake you with a cup of hot tea and a light snack for energy as you get dressed and prepare your daypack for the adventure ahead.

You’ll be hiking in utter darkness for the next 5-7 hours, so take it slow and you’ll arrive at Stella Point a few hours before dawn. From here, there’s another two hours of intense hiking before you reach your ultimate goal: Uhuru Peak.

Standing at 5,985m, you’ll be able to experience a spectacular sunrise and take in the panoramic view. You’ve done it!

After snapping your photos and soaking it all in, you’ll begin the descent back down towards Barafu Camp, where you’ll stop for lunch and some celebration.

After a bit of rest, you’ll continue down to Mweka Camp to overnight.

MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Descending Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

It’s a day of celebration today, as you’ll enjoy one last breakfast on the mountain before descending to the Mweka Gate.

Here, you’ll get to celebrate with your porters and guides, provide them with their tips for their hard work, and collect your certificate of completion.

Your driver will then drive you to Arusha at the lodge/ hotel to get some well-earned rest.