The Northern Circuit route on Kilimanjaro, offers 360 degrees of beautiful scenery on the mountain.  It is a very quiet route and rarely visited. It is the longest route on Kilimanjaro, and therefore has the most acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate.

Day 1:  Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa

• Elevation: 2,359 m / 7,742 ft to 2,894m / 9,498 ft
• Distance: 6 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Lemosho Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site at Mti Mkubwa.

DAY 2  Mti Mkubwa to Shira One Camp

• Elevation: 2,894 m / 9,498 ft to 3,505 m / 11,500 ft
• Distance: 8 km/ 5miles
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Health

We continue on the trail leading out of the rain 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 One Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

Day 3:  Shira One camp to Shira Two camp

• Elevation: 3,505 m / 11,500 ft to 3,810m / 12,500 ft
• Distance: 7 km/4 miles
• Hike time: 3 – 4 hrs
• Distance: 6 km / 4 miles
• Habitat: Moorland

After an early breakfast, you hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Two camp. We only gain about 100m in elevation which allows you to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are spectacular. Overnight at Shira Two Camp.

DAY 4: Shira Two Camp to Lava Tower then to Moir Camp

Shira Two Camp to Lava Tower

• Elevation: 3,810m / 12,500 ft to 4,629 m / 15,190 ft
• Distance: 7 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Dese

Lava Tower to Moir Hut

• Elevation: 4,629 m / 15,190 ft to 4,139m / 13,580 ft
• Distance: 7 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

You hike to Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Then divert westwards to Moir Camp site, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity.

DAY 5: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp

• Elevation: 4,139 m / 13,580 ft to 4,023 m / 13,200 ft
• Distance: 12 km/7 miles
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

From Moir Camp site you trek through a valley with a moderately steep climb, then over the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. You cross a rock field and then you reaching Buffalo Camp. You will have great views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.

DAY 6: Buffalo Camp to Third Cave

• Elevation: 4,023 m / 13,200 ft to 3,870 m / 12,700 ft
• Distance: 8 km/5 miles
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Heath

As we head up Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly sparse.  This route is rarely travelled and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. We trek through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave.

DAY 7: Third Cave to School Hut

• Elevation: 3,870 m / 12,700 ft to 4,754 m / 15,600 ft
• Distance: 5 km/3 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

We climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue on to our camp, School Hut. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

DAY 8: Summit Day

School Hut to Uhuru Peak

• Elevation: 4,754 m / 15,600 ft to 5,896 m / 19,341 ft
• Distance: 6 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

• Elevation: 5,896 m / 19,341 ft to 3,067 m / 10,065 ft
• Distance: 12 km/7 miles
• Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
• Habitat: Artic

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,652 ft / 5,685m), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu (4,600m / 15,331 ft) for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

• Elevation: 3,067 m / 10,065 ft to 1639 m / 5,380 ft
• Distance: 10 km/6 miles
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we will have a short celebration with our guides and porters. This is the time we may consider to pay tips if we are well satisfied with the service of guides and porters then start a long trek mostly downhill through the tropical rainforest to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates.

• All park entry fees
• Conservations fees
• Driver’s allowances
• Government taxes
• All accommodations are on full board
• 1.5 liters of bottled pure drinking water pp. per day
• 4wd transport with Unlimited game drives (charging system installed & Fridge)

• Airport pick up
• All VISA’s
• Health requirement
• International and local flights
• Items of a personal nature
• Optional travel Insurance
• Tipping