9 Day Northern Circuit Route Hiking on Kilimanjaro

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Moshi to Mti Mkubwa Camp
1 stop
1
Mount Kilimanjaro
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
1 stop
2
Mount Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
1 stop
3
Mount Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Shira 2 Camp to Moir Camp
1 stop
4
Mount Kilimanjaro
This day is a long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then 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. This is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low, which is good for the acclimatisation process.
7 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp
1 stop
5
Mount Kilimanjaro
Today, we encountered a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. We can do 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.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave
1 stop
6
Mount Kilimanjaro
We start the day with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Porfu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimated to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
7 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 7
Third Cave to School Hut
1 stop
7
Mount Kilimanjaro
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 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.
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 8
School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp
1 stop
8
Mount Kilimanjaro
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 check-point 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 incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours 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).
7 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 9
Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
1 stop
9
Mount Kilimanjaro
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).
4 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

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