9Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Northern Circuit Route
Overview
Embark on a unique adventure climbing Kilimanjaro via the Northern Circuit Route, starting with a warm welcome at Kilimanjaro International Airport and a smooth transfer to Springlands Hotel for your overnight stay. Here, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and breakfast, setting the stage for your trek. The journey begins with a drive to Lemosho Gate, where you’ll register before hiking through lush forest trails to Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Over the coming days, you’ll explore diverse landscapes including moorlands, alpine deserts, and ridges, with notable stops at Moir Hut, Pofu Camp, and Third Caves Camp. The trek culminates in a challenging summit attempt to Uhuru Peak. After reaching the summit, descend to Millennium Camp and Mweka Gate, concluding with a return to Springlands Hotel for a well-deserved rest. Optional extensions include safaris and visits to Zanzibar
Highlights
- Minimum age of 10 years
- Can be customized
- Can start any day
- Private tour
Itinerary
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you are met after passing through customs. Transfer to Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa and have a comprehensive briefing and equipment check with your climbing manager and your guide. Overnight at Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa
Accommodations: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast
7,742 ft to 9,498 ft, 4 miles, approx. 3-4 hours
After breakfast in your hotel you will be given an overall briefing from your guide. At 9am you will be met by our staff, who will drive you several hours to the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro and to the Londrossi Gate, where our guides and porters will prepare and pack the equipment and supplies Once at the gate you will be given a packed lunch and after registration with the Kilimanjaro Park office, we will drive for another 45mins to Lemosho Glades where your trek will begin with ascending into the rainforest.
You will ascend for approx. 3 hours in dense rain forest which could be very wet and muddy so be ready with your gaiters and trekking poles. During the trek we will have a break and you can enjoy the rest your packed lunch. We will reach the Mti Mkubwa Camp also known as ‘Big Tree’ Camp in late afternoon. After arrival, you will be taken to your camp and tent which has already been set up by the porters who ran ahead, where you will be greeted with boiled drinking water and hot washing water. Once you have freshened up and settled in, a hot dinner will be served in the mess-tent..
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9,498 ft to 11,500 ft, 5 miles, approx. 5-6 hours
From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through a podocarpus and juniper forest and then break out on to a zone of heather and lichen-draped volcanic rock and the Shira Plateau, which used to be Kilimanjaro’s third peak before it collapsed. Lunch is taken on the trail and you arrive in camp mid-afternoon. The view of Kibo (the peak of Kilimanjaro) is breathtaking from this vantage point. Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11,500 ft to 12,500 ft, 4 miles, 3-4 hours
After breakfast you will continue on your hike across and up the Shira plateau to Shira Camp 2 at 3,850 meters. Here you will join trekkers from the Machame Route whilst enjoying 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.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
12,500 ft to 13,580 ft (Lava Tower), down to 15,190 ft, 8 miles, 5-7 hours
We leave the forest behind now and a gentle grade walk takes you across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
13,580 ft to 13,200 ft, 7 miles, 5-7 hours
We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (15,400ft). After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
13,200 ft to 12,700 ft, 5 miles, 5-7 hours
From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
12,700 ft to 15,600 ft, 3 miles, 4-5 hours
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.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
15,600 ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065, 4 miles ascent, 7 miles descent, 6-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent
We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 a.m on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point We 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
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
10,065 ft to 5,380 ft, 6 miles, 3-4 hours
Once again you will be woken for your final celebratory breakfast where our team will thank and congratulate you in their unique, special way! We will then set off for the final 3 hour scenic descent to Mweka Gate. After lunch you will dropped off at the hotel where you can relax under a long, well deserved hot shower.
Accommodations:Tulia Boutique Hotel& Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
If your time in Africa ends today our transfer team will drive you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure. If you have booked with us a safari or a few days to dissolve into the pristine sandy beaches and tropical waters of Zanzibar, we will be there to help you comfortably transition from your climb into your next Tanzanian adventure.
What is included in this package?
What is Excluded in this package?
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The inclusions and exclusions vary by tour. Each tour has its specific set of inclusions and exclusions. Please refer to the individual tour page to see what is specifically included in that tour.
Many texts state that Kilimanjaro is “easily accessible”. However, you should not underestimate this mountain. There are no technical mountaineering skills required, but general fitness is necessary. However, the biggest problem for climbers is the effects of high altitude, which seem to be unrelated to fitness, age, or gender.
It is a good idea to start some physical training prior to the trek, which might include aerobic cross training and hiking to familiarise your body with the rigors of the trek. The fitter you are, the easier the climb will be for you. Determination and will power is another important factor.
Please use the main menu on the left to browse through our section “Resources>Health information for Kilimanjaro climbers”.
On camping trips, all equipment will be provided except for a 4-season sleeping bag. You do not need to provide any other camping gear; only personal belongings. See our Kilimanjaro packing list and Safari packing list.
It should be noted that the luggage limit per person on domestic flights is 15-20 kg per person (checked-in and hand luggage).
On your inbound flight, don’t check in items that you absolutely need (such as medicines), as it is not uncommon that checked-in luggage gets misdirected and arrives in Tanzania a couple of days after you. It is better to have such items in your hand luggage.
preference, let us know, and we will offer alternatives from our vast network of company-owned and partner accommodations. Booking with us allows you to enjoy discounted rates as we have special agreements with our partners.
Around 80% of climbers choose the Marangu Route (5 or 6 days), which is commonly referred to as the “Tourist” or “Coca Cola” Route. The rest usually goes for the Umbwe, Rongai, or Machame Route (6 or 7 days). The other two routes (Shira and Lemosho) are far less frequented and therefore allow for a more remote and natural experience.
Please note that many of the routes meet on a mid-way point and there are only three routes to the summit.
Please see our route comparison table, read the descriptions of the routes, and ask us if you have any questions.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year.
January to March is a very good month with mild temperatures and almost no clouds in the morning and late afternoon. During the day, however, there might be few short rain showers or little snow on the summit. The main rainy season starts end of March and lasts until the end of May. For Kilimanjaro climbers, this means that clouds may block visibility and there might be heavy rains on the lower altitudes and snow on the summit. June, July, and August can be cold, but visibility is usually very good. Temperatures rise in September and October, however, during this time of the year, there is often a belt of mist on the middle altitudes, leaving the summit’s peak through the clouds. November and December usually have perfect visibility in the nights and morning, but short rains during the day and thunderstorms in the late afternoon are common.
For Kilimanjaro climbers, a factor to take into account is the full moon – it is a unique experience to climb the roof of Africa lit under the shining moonlight only without having to use headlights.
Where can I get a visa for Tanzania?
Where in Tanzania is Moshi/Kilimanjaro and how do I get there?
Who will be my guide?
Will I be able to speak to people in English in Tanzania?
The official and spoken languages of the country are Swahili and English. Many people have English as their second language as they were taught this at school. All Tanzanian working in the tourism field can communicate in English.
In the countryside, or when communicating with children, local women, or individuals of lower school education, it might, however, be difficult to speak in English.
It is appreciated by locals if travelers can speak some words in Swahili. A few words are surprisingly easy to master. It is a good idea to spend a few dollars to purchase a Swahili phrasebook.
Request This Tour
Godson Silas David
Tour Guide
