GO 11 DAYS CLIMB KILIMANJARO NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE
This is easily one of the most picturesque paths and peaceful journeys up Africa’s highest point, as there are almost no other groups on the northern face.
With extended acclimatization time, this route increases the chances of a successful summit while allowing trekkers to fully absorb the breathtaking landscapes.
From lush rainforests to alpine deserts, each day presents stunning vistas and unique ecosystems, making the journey as rewarding as reaching Uhuru Peak itself.
Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival in Tanzania
Upon arrival in Tanzania, our representative will meet you at the airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha.
You will have time to rest and relax at your hotel and prepare yourself for the hike the following day. You will be provided with Kilimanjaro hike briefing and mountain gears inspection at the hotel.
We’ll then begin the climb. The trail gently ascends through the mountain forest and towards the end of the trek, we’ll enter the first camp that will have been set up and waiting for us. Tonight, we’ll rest under the forest canopy listening to the sounds of birds and velvet monkeys calling gently to each other, a very special experience.
DAY 2
Arusha - Londorosi gate - Mti Mkubwa Camp | Elevation 2100m - 2850m | Distance 6 km | Walking Time 4 hrs
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll make our way to the western side of Kilimanjaro, to the Londorossi Gate, where we will meet up with our team of porters and guides. After we register your climb, our staff will prepare the supplies and gear for our trek. Here we can rest and take pictures while we wait for our baggage to be weighed and for the other necessary trip formalities to be completed.
DAY 3
Mti Mkubwa Camp - Shira 1 Camp | Elevation 2850m - 3505m | Distance 8 km | Walking time 6 hrs
We leave the rainforest, entering the heath and moorland zone. Today, we have amazing panoramic views that reach the rim of the Shira Plateau and enjoy the stunning views from the ridge.
This day may challenge your body’s acclimatization but you’ll be in good hands and we’ll be taking short, continuous breaks. We will then camp on the Shira Plateau.
DAY 4
Shira Camp 1 - Shira Camp 2 | Elevation 3505m - 3840m | Distance 7 km | Walking time 4 hrs
This is a short day in terms of terrain and elevation. We’ll look to climb about 350m/1,148ft of gentle hiking.
We’ll treat this as a resetting and acclimatization day and a chance to explore the Shira Plateau whilst enjoying views of Kibo, the largest of the three volcanic cones on Kilimanjaro.
DAY 5
Shira Camp 2 - Lava Tower - Moir Hut | Elevation 3840m - 4600m - 4200m | Distance 12 km | Walking time 8hrs
This is a very important day in your growth and in your progression up the mountain. An imperative day for acclimatization.
Once we arrive at the Lava Tower you will be served lunch, rest, and then descend down to Moir Hut, where we divert from the main trail.Overnight here.
DAY 6
Moir Hut - Buffalo Camp | Elevation 4200m - 4033m | Distance 12kn | Walking time 6hrs
We begin with a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. If you wish, take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail.
The route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp. Spectacular views of plains north of Kilimanjaro that stretches as far as the eye can see to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest.
DAY 7
Buffalo Camp - Third Cave Camp | Elevation 4033m - 3936m | Distance 5km | Walking time 7 hrs
Day six starts with a climb up the Buffalo Ridge and down into Pofu Camp where lunch is served. We continue East around the Northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave.
Today’s climb is shorter than the day before and you should be feeling better acclimatized to the altitude at this point. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon
DAY 8
Third Cave - School Hut | Elevation 3936m - 4800m | Distance 10 km | Walking time 7 hrs
There is a steady ascent to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.
From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.
DAY 9
School Hut - Uhuru Peak - Mwema Camp | Elevation 4800m - 5895m - 3106m | Distance 6 km ascent to Uhuru | 13km descend to Mweka Camp
We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 00:30 a.m on a switchback trail through, loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point. We take a short rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi.
We then head on to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend down through Barafu Camp to reach Mweka Camp.
DAY 10
Mweka Camp - Mweka gate - Arusha Town.| Elevation 3106m - 1640m | Distance 10km | Walking time 3hrs
We’ll finish our magnificent trek through lush forest as we descend to the Mweka Gate. This sustained descent will become easier by having colobus/blue monkeys and melodic birdsong cheering us on.
At the gate, we will then sign out of the national park as we collect our summit certificate and on through a coffee farm where you are then transferred back to Arusha.
DAY 11
Fly back home / Extend to Zanzibar
On this day depending on your flight timetable you may have a little of either Arusha town tour , Coffee tour or Maasai village visit
or you may decide to relax by the pool at your hotel before a transfer to the airport for your flight.
Included
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Accommodation in Arusha before Kili and after Kili on bed and breakfast basis.
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Airport Transfers.
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Transfer from Arusha to Lemosho gate and from Mweka to Arusha.
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Mountain Guides, Shef and Porters.
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Kilimanjaro Park fees and Camping fees
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Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
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All meals during hiking.
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Sleeping mattress.
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Sleeping bags
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Portable toilet for the mountain.
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Tables and Chairs
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Mass Tent.
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Drinking water during hiking
Excluded
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International Flight tickets From and To your country plus VISA
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Domestic flights if any
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Personal and luggage travel insurance
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Any other items and expenses of personal nature
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Tipping, which is of course a nun- compulsory, but it’s an expected part of how the business is done in Tanzania. It is also the expression of gratitude to the team that has made your experience unforgettable.
