Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

Itinerary Description

Day 1: Arrival, Tour Briefing and Resting

• You will be picked up from the airport in Moshi (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and be transferred to the booked hotel in Arusha
• Get the safari general briefing from the prepared safari consultant/guide
• Dinner and overnight at the booked hotel in Arusha

Day 2: Londorossi Gate (2,200m) To Mti Mkubwa(2,750m)

• Take a 3 hour drive to the Londorosi Gate (2200m) for registration
• Start trekking through the beautiful lush forest spotting wild animals like elephants and colabus monkeys
• Continue to Mti Mkubwa at 2750 m for dinner and overnight stay

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa(2,750) to Shira 1 Camp(3,500m)

• Take a 5-6 hour hiking through rainforest before entering the majestic barren landscape of the Low Alpine moorland zone
• Reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp for a glimpse of Kibo across the plateau
• Have a warm cooked meal at the camp and allow your body to rest for the next day

Day 4: Shira Camp 1 (3,500m) to Shira Camp 2 (3,840m)

• Start trekking after a warm breakfast across the exposed moorland zone
• Enjoy the scenery view while ascending the heath zone displaying abundant wildflowers and unique Senecio trees
• Arrive at Shira 2 camp around afternoon for lunch and resting

Day 5: Shira Camp 2 (3,840 m) to Lava Tower (4,630m) Then Descend To Moir Hut Camp (4,200 m)

• Climb through high Alpine desert zone toward the challenging Lava tower for much acclimatization
• Spend 1-2 hour at the tower where you will have your lunch
• After lunch and some quality rest, start descending down to Moir Camp situated behind the magnificent Lent Hills
• Though the trek to Lava tower is good for acclimatization, no one is forced to do so since it’s optional. Those who are not up to it can trek to the camp directly
• Recuperate at the camp for the next day

Day 6: Moir Hut Camp (4,200 m) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 m)

• Trek out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before rejoining the Northern Circuit trail
• Have a great view across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border
• Continue with the trail to reach Buffalo camp for dinner, rest and overnight stay

Day 7: Buffalo Camp (4,020 m) to Third Cave (3,870 m)

• Start climbing to the top of ‘Buffalo Ridge’ across numerous ridges and gullies
• Pass through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro to arrive at Third Cave for about 5-7 hours
• Enjoy the rest of the day recuperating and feeling good due to your body adjusting to the altitude

Day 8: Third Cave (3,870 m) to School Hut (4,800 m)

• Ascend to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi
• Take slow paces so as not to exhaust your body since the walk is short
• Reach School Hut around afternoon to have lunch and maximum rest
• Take as much fluids and long sleep as you can in preparing for the summit on the next day

Day 9: Ascend to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)

• Wake up at 23:30 for adding more warm clothes and a cup of tea with biscuits
• Start ascending at 00:00 for 5-6 hours through loose volcanic scree to reach Kilimanjaro’s main crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m)
• Rest for awhile enjoying the glaciers before the final attempt to the summit
• Take a round trip to Uhuru peak(5,896m) arriving in time for sunrise enjoying the spectacular view
• Take some pictures at the summit feeling accomplished and have a short rest
• Start descending to reach Mweka Hut (3100m)
• Have dinner a good night sleep at the hut

Day 10: Retrace Through Forest to Mweka gate

• After breakfast and much celebrating, continue with the descend
• The trail through forest takes 3 hours to arrive at the Mweka gate
• It’s where climbers will be awarded with golden certificates for reaching the summit
• Retreat back to Mweka village about an hour walk where you will transfer to Moshi or Arusha for hot showers and resting