Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route 9 Days

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented.

Accommodation at Panama Garden Resort
Meals
Breakfast

The Northern Circuit Route 9 days begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately three hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha.

Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first-day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephants and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rain forest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Elevation:2,100 m to 2,750m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

Meals
Full board
 

On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2. Nine-days trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. At Shira Camp 2 it is worth trekking a little higher up the plateau to enjoy the 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. Note: Trekkers on an eight-days hike will continue east up the Shira Plateau ridge and on to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) and then back down via the Northern Circuit to Moir Camp (4,200 meters).

Elevation: 3,540m to 3,800m
Distance: 7 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland and rocky.

Day four of trekking 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 acclimatization process.

Elevation: 3,850m to 4,200m
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland / Alpine Desert

Day five involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb 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 (4,020 meters). The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after mid-day, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking.

Elevation: 4,200m to 4,020m
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 12 km
Zone: High alpine zone

Meals
Full Board

As we head up Buffalo Ridge, and down to Pofu Camp where the lunch will be served.  This route is rarely traveled and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. We trek through remote valleys onto the Northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave in the afternoon.

Keep on Northern circuit Route 9  Days, 8 nights on the mountain.

Elevation:4,020m to 3,800m
Distance: 8km
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone

Meals
Full Board

Today we take a steady ascend over the Saddle, nestled between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The path leads further southwest toward School Hut, where you will be served with early dinner, after which you should get some sleep because 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.

Keep on Northern circuit Route 9  Days, 8 nights on the mountain.

Elevation:3,800m to 4,800m
Distance: 15km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone

Meals
Full Board

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).

Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain. In total, you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated, and keep your blood sugar levels up.

Note: some tour operators return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route

Elevation: 4,800m to 5,895m to 3,950m
Distance: 16 km
Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent
Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some gifts shop before heading to the airport.

*You can extend your stay by going to  safari or relaxing on Zanzibar beach and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania

Meals: Breakfast Included