11 Days Northern-Circuit-Climbing-Kilimanjaro

Your safari adventure begins with a warm welcome to Africa’s wild heart.

• ➤ You'll be collected from the airport.
• ➤ Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrive in Tanzania

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 on this day.

Main Destination:

Moshi

Accommodation:

Kilimanjaro White House Hotel

• ➤ Budget 2 star lodge Moshi

Meals & Drinks:

• ➤ All meals included
• ➤ Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) – Start Point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)

Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles Trekking time: 3-4 hours Zone: Rainforest The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start points as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two 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 (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Main Destination:

Mti Mkubwa

Accommodation:

Mti mkubwa Camp

• ➤

Meals & Drinks:

• ➤ All meals included
• ➤ Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)

Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles Trekking time: 3-4 hours Zone: Rainforest Full Board at Shira One Camp We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Main Destination:

Shira Cave Camp

Accommodation:

Shira cave camp

• ➤

Meals & Drinks:

• ➤ All meals included
• ➤ Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters)

Distance: ~7km / 4 miles Trekking time: 3-4 hours Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2. Nine-day 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-day 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). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Main Destination:

Shira Cave Camp

Accommodation:

Shira cave camp

• ➤

Meals & Drinks:

• ➤ All meals included
• ➤ Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters) to Moir Camp (4,200 meters)

Distance: ~14km / 8 miles Trekking time: 5-7 hours Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone Day four 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 (see map above). 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. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Main Destination:

Moir Huts

Accommodation:

Moir Camp

• ➤

Meals & Drinks:

• ➤ All meals included
• ➤ Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters)

Distance: ~12km / 7 miles Trekking time: 5-7 hours Zone: High alpine zone 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 midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Main Destination:

Buffalo Camp

Accommodation:

Buffalo Camp

• ➤

Meals & Drinks:

• ➤ All meals included
• ➤ Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters) to Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters)

Distance: ~8km / 5 miles Trekking time: 5-7 hours Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone Day six starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Pofu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Main Destination:

Rongai Gate

Accommodation:

Buffalo Camp

• ➤

Meals & Drinks:

• ➤ All meals included
• ➤ Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

: 3rd Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters)

Distance: ~15km / 8 miles Trekking time: 4-5 hours Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included Day seven 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 (4,800 meters). 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

Main Destination:

School Huts

Accommodation:

School Huts

• ➤

Meals & Drinks:

• ➤ All meals included
• ➤ Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Millennium Camp (3790m)

Distance: ~6km / 3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km / 6-mile descent Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4–6-hour descent Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included Awake at 11:30 with tea and biscuits, then begin the steep climb up Kibo in darkness. First stop: Hans Meyer Cave for a short break. After 5-6 hours, reach Gilman’s Point (5,681m) and enjoy the dawn view before trekking 2 more hours to Uhuru Peak. Take quick photos, then descend via Stella Point to Barafu Camp (4,680m) and continue to Millennium Camp (3,950m). Expect 14-16 hours of trekking—pace yourself, stay hydrated, and maintain energy. Some return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut.

Main Destination:

Millenium Camps

Accommodation:

Horombo Huts

• ➤

Meals & Drinks:

• ➤ All meals included
• ➤ Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)

Distance: ~10km / 6.5 miles Trekking time: 3-4 hours Zone: Rainforest zone The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. It is customary to give your guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Main Destination:

Mweka Gate

Accommodation:

Kilimanjaro White House Hotel

• ➤ Budget 2 star lodge Moshi

Meals & Drinks:

• ➤ All meals included
• ➤ Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Depart Tanzania

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 souvenirs before heading to the airport. Meals: Breakfast Included

Main Destination:

Moshi

Accommodation:

No accommodation (departure day)