Best 11-day Kilimanjaro climbing Northern circut

(2,820 meters)

Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles

Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Zone: Rainforest

The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start

points as the Lemosho Route.

The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from

Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park

authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead

starting point.

Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first day trek to Mti Mkubwa

Camp (2,820 meters) begins

You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo

that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp.

Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles

Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Zone: Rainforest

Full Board at Shira One Camp

We continue on the trail leading out of the 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 1 camp. The

view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Distance: ~7km / 4 miles

Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2. Nine-day

trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 where they will join trekkers from the

Machame Route. At Shira Camp 2 it is worth trekking a little higher up the plateau to enjoy the

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. Note: Trekkers on

an eight-day hike will continue east up the Shira Plateau ridge and on to Lava Tower (4,600

meters) and then back down via the Northern Circuit to Moir Camp (4,200 meters).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Distance: ~14km / 8 miles

Trekking time: 5-7 hours

Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone

Day four is a long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then

enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the

iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch you

will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters (see map above). This

is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low,

which is good for the acclimatization process.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Moir Camp to Lava Tower

Elevation (Meters): Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters) to Lava Tower (4,600 meters)

Distance: 7 km.

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours.

Habitat: Alpine desert zone.

Full Board at Lava Tower 2

A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk

on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower

(14,900 ft), we will proceed to do acclimatization on the Lava tower till evening then back to

camp for dinner and overnight.

Distance: ~12km / 7 miles

Trekking time: 5-7 hours

Zone: High alpine zone

Day five involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour

here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern

Circuit trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the

northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters). The trek gives great vistas out across

the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will

arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a

long day of hiking.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Distance: ~8km / 5 miles

Trekking time: 5-7 hours

Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone

Day seven starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Pofu Camp where lunch is

usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third

Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling

well-acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Distance: ~15km / 8 miles

Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

After breakfast to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before

and by now you should be feeling well-acclimatized to the altitude

You 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 and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for

the summit day. Elevation: 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft, Distance: 5 km/3 miles, Hiking Time: 4-5

hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Distance: ~6km / 3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km / 6-mile descent

Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4–6-hour descent

Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

You will be awoken around 11:30 pm with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep

incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first check-point is Hans Meyer

Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point

(5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to

enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember

you still have 2 hours trekking to reach Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens

as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after

sunrise. Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views

and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella

Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo

to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to

Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain. In total you will be

trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and

keep your blood sugar levels up. Note: some tour operators return via Gilman’s Point to

Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.

Distance: ~10km / 6.5 miles

Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Zone: Rainforest zone

The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950

meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities,

who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who made

it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. It is customary to

give your guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi.