Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

The first day of your incredible journey up the Northern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro is filled with anticipation. You’ll receive a warm welcome at the airport from our driver, who’ll take care of all your luggage and transport you to the hotel in Moshi. After settling down, you’ll attend an orientation session with the team. Our expert team leaders will guide you through all the essential details of your route and offer advice for a successful trek. Your hiking gear will then be thoroughly inspected and adjusted if necessary. The rest of the day is spent getting ready for your life-changing journey.

• Driving Distance: 45 / km (40 Mins)

Wake up early and invigorated for the upcoming journey to the foot of the Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro route. After eating a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you’ll leave Moshi for the Londorossi Park Gate in the West. The 3-hour drive will take you off the beaten path for a remarkable cultural experience, traversing the fascinating townscapes of Boma N’gombe among the native people of Sanya Juu. After arriving at your destination, you’ll register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities while our team assembles all your gear and supplies. Meet and get to know the rest of your support team, including our friendly chefs. Our guides will then drive you further up the mountain to the starting point of your trek. On the first leg of your journey, you’ll move through untamed wilderness brimming with ancient and exotic botanical species. Black and White Colobus Monkey peer down from the lush rainforest canopy while you glimpse larger mammals like the elephant or buffalo. Your final destination for the day is the Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750 m), where you’ll rest and recuperate.

• Walking Time: 3 hours

• Distance: 7 km Altitude Gain: 450m

Wake up on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to begin the longest and most spectacular day of trekking so far. You’ll pass through the last sections of rainforest before entering the majestic barren landscape of the Low Alpine moorland zone. Marvel at rare flora species, including enormous violet lobelias and wild vegetation. Venture across the massive Shira Plateau, the collapsed vestiges of an ancient volcanic crater. You’ll then cross over the Shira Ridge towards the slopes of Shira Camp 1 (3,600 m), where you’ll set up for the night.

• Walking Time: 6-7 hours

• Distance: 10 km Altitude Gain: 800m

After devouring a hot steaming breakfast, you’ll continue your scenic trek across the exposed moorland zone. Few visitors have frequented this section of Kilimanjaro, so you’ll fully experience its untouched beauty. Emerging from the Shira Plateau, you’ll be greeted by a truly stunning view of the peak of Kilimanjaro before reaching Shira Camp 2 (3,810 m). The rest of the day will involve free time to explore the spectacular surroundings, including the landmark Shira Cathedral, a grand buttress of rock surrounded by pinnacle and spire formations. Your guide will also lead brief excursions to aid each person’s acclimatization process.

• Walking Time: 3-4hours

• Distance: 8km Altitude Gain: 290m

On the fifth day of the Northern Circuit Route, Kilimanjaro will take you east into the High Alpine desert zone. Here, the Lemosho Route connects with the famous Machame Route before you leave for a more secluded trail. You’ll marvel at curious desert plant species and view the iconic Shark’s Tooth volcanic rock formation on the way to Lava Tower. This part of your journey involves gradual exposure to higher altitudes, consolidating your acclimatization process. You will see you heading towards the Moir Camp (4,200 m) behind the magnificent Lent Hills. You’ll put your feet up there and enjoy a steaming hot meal.

• Walking Time: 5-7 hours

• Distance: 14km Altitude Gain: 610m

Wake up to the refreshing mountain air on the high-altitude Kilimanjaro slopes. You’ll have breakfast, gather your gear, and climb out of the Moir Valley. A short detour sees you reach the summit of Lent Hills to admire the views before rejoining the Northern Circuit trail. Journey along rolling terrain that inclines and declines, taking you around the northern slopes of Kibo before reaching Buffalo Camp. Set up for the night at a stunning campsite with the spacious Kenyan plains stretching below you.

• Walking Time: 5 – 7 hours

• Distance: 12km Altitude Loss: 180m

Your Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit adventure continues with a revitalizing morning climb up to the top of ‘Buffalo Ridge.’ After stopping for lunch, you’ll continue eastward through High and Low Alpine scenery, passing increasingly sparse and rare vegetation. The day’s journey ends after circumventing the northern slopes to reach the Rongai Third Cave Camp. By this trek stage, you’ll be fully acclimatized to the high altitude.

• Walking Time: 5 - 7 hours

• Distance: 8km Altitude Loss: 150m

This is the trip's final leg before your last ascent to Mount Kilimanjaro's peak. The day's highlight will be the trek up and over The Saddle, a lunar landscape between the Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. You'll then head southwest to School Hut (4,800 m) to rest before your fantastic journey ends. Your guides will thoroughly check all your gear and supplies before you start early in the morning.

• Walking Time: 4 - 6 hours

• Distance: 6km Altitude Gain: 930m

Your last morning on the Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit will get off to an early start. You and your guides will travel through the darkness toward Kilimanjaro’s prominent crater rim at Gilman’s Point. There, you’ll rest before the final push, passing spectacular ice cliffs and glaciers. You’ll arrive at the Mount Kilimanjaro summit just in time to catch the sunrise, the most stunning of nature’s backdrops. Share the sense of exhilaration and accomplishment with your guides and support team. Soak in the beauty of the view before retracing your steps down the crater rim. Then, you’ll descend on the Mweka Route towards the last stop on your journey – Mweka Camp.

• Walking Time: 11 – 15 hours

• Distance: 19km Altitude Gain:1095m Altitude Loss: 2835m

The last hike is short and will lead us to Mweka Gate. Your team will proudly issue you with a Gold Summit Certificate and celebrate. Our drivers will be in the nearby village to transport you to the hotel for a hot shower, soft mattress, and clean clothes.

• Walking Time: 3 – 4 hours Distance: 10km Altitude Loss: 1420m
• Driving Distance: 135 / km (2 Hours)

Our representative will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. Take the memories, the sense of accomplishment, and the everlasting bond with the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. If you’ve decided to go on a Tanzania Safari, that’s a different adventure, and we’ll take care of that for you!