A header image, featuring a snow-covered landscape atop Mount Kilimanjaro, where the rocks pierce through the snow.

Kilimanjaro: Northern Circuit

The Northern Circuit is the longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering unparalleled panoramic views, diverse landscapes, and a high success rate due to its extended acclimatization period. This route circumnavigates the mountain, allowing trekkers to experience the northern, less-traveled slopes before approaching the summit from the east.

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Londorossi Gate, a western entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park.

10 days (8 nights on Mount Kilimanjaro)

68 km (ascend), 22 km (descend)

3,645 m

Private portable toilets and high quality Mess tents for camping routes.

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Itinerary

Keep in mind that these itineraries are just examples and the first step in preparing yourself for your Stunning Kilimanjaro adventure.
We offer tailor-made Tours & Holidays that are fully customized, based on the hiking experience and preferences of our clients.

Arrival

After your landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a transfer will be waiting to drive you to your hotel in Arusha, your base for the Kilimanjaro climb.
Later, connect with your Kilimanjaro guide for a pre-climb meeting and a final gear check to ensure everything is in place.
Enjoy a relaxing dinner, and take the time to rest in preparation for your Mount Kilimanjaro climb.

Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

After breakfast, your mountain support crew will drive you to Kilimanjaro National Park's western entrance: Lemosho Gate (2,100 m).
After registrations and acquiring permits, you start your trekking by heading towards Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m).
Since you’ll be hiking through a damp rainforest, a raincoat is a must. This day also offers great opportunities for wildlife sightings as you move through this rich ecosystem.
Dinner and overnight awaits at Mti Mkubwa Camp and by the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, set up tents and cook dinner for you.

Altitude: 2,100 m - 2,650 m

Hiking distance: 7 km

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira I Camp

Today's passage takes you from the rainforest into the moorland.
The trail becomes steeper as you climb through the Shira Plateau, an ancient volcanic caldera, where the landscape is more open and where you will be able to see stunning views of Kibo Volcano, for the first time.
Eventually you’ll reach Shira I Camp (3,610 m), where you’ll spend the night under the stars on the plateau.

Altitude: 2,650 m - 3,610 m

Hiking distance: 7 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Shira I Camp to Shira II Camp

After your depart from Shira I Camp (3,610 m), your adventure takes you across the Shira Plateau, with spectacular views of Kibo Peak and the surrounding landscape.
The terrain is quite easy and open, but possibly cold and windy.
After reachting Shira II Camp (3,850 m) in the afternoon, you can take an optional acclimatization hike to a nearby ridge.

Altitude: 3,610 m - 3.850 m

Hiking distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

The Lava Tower

This is a significant acclimatization day as you hike from Shira II Camp (3,850 m) to Moir Hut (4,200 m), passing by the famous Lava Tower (4,600 m) along the way.
The trek to Lava Tower takes you into the alpine desert zone, with sparse vegetation and a rugged landscape.
After a break at Lava Tower, you’ll descend slightly to Moir Hut, which helps with acclimatization.

Altitude: 3,850 m - 4,600 m - 4,200 m

Hiking distance: 14 km

Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

Today, you’ll leave the main trail and head towards the quieter northern side of the mountain.
The trail gently climbs over a series of ridges, offering panoramic views of Kenya to the north, and this section of the trek is less traveled, providing a sense of solitude and wilderness.
In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters), where you’ll spend the night.

Altitude: 4,200 m - 4,020 m

Hiking distance: 12 km

Hiking time: 5-7 hours

Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

You will depart from Buffalo Camp (4,020 m), with panoramic views of Kilimanjaro’s slopes and the rugged northern wilderness.
Here the route will meet up with the classic Rongai route.
Today's trekking, with Third Cave Camp (3,800 m) as the destination, is shorter than the day before.
And by arrival your body should have already become completely acclimated to the altitude, which will contribute to your general well-being.

Altitude: 4,020 m - 3,800 m

Hiking distance: 8 km

Hiking time: 4-6 hours

Congratulations!

Descend, with satisfaction of reaching the summit, through lush rainforests to the park's exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m).
There we will present you with your commemorative certificates and provide you a transfer back to your chosen hotel in Arusha for a relaxing shower, dinner and overnight.
Depending on your flight schedule or if you're going to add a Safari or a Zanzibar Beach holiday, this marks the end of your Kilimanjaro adventure with us.

Altitude: 3,100 m - 1,640 m

Hiking distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Third Cave Camp to School Hut

You are getting closer to the summit as you depart from Third Cave Camp (3,800 m) to the final camp before the summit push.
The terrain on this route is steeper and the is air thinner, making this section more challenging. However, the gradual pace and acclimatization days help you adjust to the altitude.
Upon reaching School Hut (4,800 m), you’ll rest and prepare for the early morning summit attempt.

Altitude: 3,800 m - 4,800 m

Hiking distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Uhuru Peak (5,895m)

Around midnight, your final ascent begins, with a challenging climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The trail is steep and rocky, leading you up to Gilman’s Point (5,685 m) on the crater rim, as the sun rises.
Continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa, where you can celebrate your triumph and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and plains far below.

After celebrations, you’ll begin the long descent back to Barafu Camp (4,673 m) for a short and well-deserved rest and refreshments.
You will spend the rest of the day descending to Mweka Camp (3,100 m).
Descending goes a lot faster, but the trail can be steep and challenging, especially given the long morning of hiking.

Altitude: 4,800 m - 5,685 m - 5,895 m

Hiking distance: 6 km

Hiking time: 6-8 hours

Altitude: 5,895 m - 4,673 m - 3,100 m

Hiking distance: 12 km

Hiking time: 6-8 hours

All entrance fees including government taxes.
All activities (unless indicated as optional).
All accommodations as mentioned in the itinerary.
A professional driver and mountain guide.
3 meals per day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Unlimited bottles of drinking water.
Transportation to and from the base of the mountain.
Pick-up and drop-off by airport.
Camping equipment.
Porter services.

International or domestic flights.
Tips (for your crew).
Visa (50 USD for Tanzania).
Medical and/or travel insurance.
Local SIM card.
Personal expenses and/or items, such as souvenirs.
Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees.
Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks.
Meals not specified as included.
Climbing gear (can be rented upon request).
Medical evacuation by helicopter.

Now it's Time to Tailor Your Adventure

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Kilimanjaro: Northern Circuit

Itinerary

Arrival

Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira I Camp

Shira I Camp to Shira II Camp

The Lava Tower

Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

Congratulations!

Depending on your flight schedule or if you're going to add a Safari or a Zanzibar Beach holiday, this marks the end of your Kilimanjaro adventure with us.

Third Cave Camp to School Hut

Uhuru Peak (5,895m)

Now it's Time to Tailor Your Adventure

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