9-Day Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro Climb with Expert Guides

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
DAY 1:Arusha to Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa /Forest Camp 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft, 4 miles, approx. 3-4 hours
1 stop
1
Mount Kilimanjaro
• After breakfast in your hotel you will be given an overall briefing from your guide. At 9am you will be met by our staff, who will drive you several hours to the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro and to the Londrossi Gate, where our guides and porters will prepare and pack the equipment and supplies Once at the gate you will be given a packed lunch and after registration with the Kilimanjaro Park office, we will drive for another 45mins to Lemosho Glades where your trek will begin with ascending into the rainforest. You will ascend for approx. 3 hours in dense rain forest which could be very wet and muddy so be ready with your gaiters and trekking poles. During the trek we will have a break and you can enjoy the rest your packed lunch. We will reach the Mti Mkubwa Camp also known as ‘Big Tree’ Camp in late afternoon.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
DAY 2: Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft, 5 miles, approx. 5-6 hours
1 stop
2
Mount Kilimanjaro
From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through a podocarpus and juniper forest and then break out on to a zone of heather and lichen-draped volcanic rock and the Shira Plateau, which used to be Kilimanjaro’s third peak before it collapsed. Lunch is taken on the trail and you arrive in camp mid-afternoon. The view of Kibo (the peak of Kilimanjaro) is breathtaking from this vantage point. Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
7 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
DAY 3: Shira 1 to Shira 2 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft, 4 miles, 3-4 hours
1 stop
3
Mount Kilimanjaro
After breakfast you will continue on your hike across and up the Shira plateau to Shira Camp 2 at 3,850 meters. Here you will join trekkers from the Machame Route whilst enjoying stunning view across the valley below and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
DAY 4: Shira 2 to Moir Hut Camp
1 stop
4
Mount Kilimanjaro
12,500 ft to 13,580 ft (Lava Tower), down to 15,190 ft, 8 miles, 5-7 hours • We leave the forest behind now and a gentle grade walk takes you across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
DAY 5: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp/Pofu Camp
1 stop
5
Mount Kilimanjaro
13,580 ft to 13,200 ft, 7 miles, 5-7 hours • We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (15,400ft). After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
DAY 6: Buffalo Camp / Pofu to Third Cave
1 stop
6
Mount Kilimanjaro
13,200 ft to 12,700 ft, 5 miles, 5-7 hours • From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 7
DAY 7: Third Cave to School Hut Camp
1 stop
7
Mount Kilimanjaro
12,700 ft to 15,600 ft, 3 miles, 4-5 hours • There is a steady ascent to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 8
DAY 8: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
1 stop
8
Mount Kilimanjaro
15,600 ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065, 4 miles ascent, 7 miles descent, 6-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent • We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 a.m on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. We then head on to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend down through Barafu Camp to reach Mweka Camp
9 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 9
DAY 9: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate
1 stop
9
Mount Kilimanjaro
10,065 ft to 5,380 ft, 6 miles, 3-4 hours • Once again you will be woken for your final celebratory breakfast where our team will thank and congratulate you in their unique, special way! We will then set off for the final 3 hour scenic descent to Mweka Gate. After lunch you will dropped off at the hotel where you can relax under a long, well deserved hot shower
5 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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