9 Days Northern Circuit Trekking
The Northern Circuit route is the newest route up Mount Kilimanjaro and arguably the best. That’s because the a combination of all of the best elements of the other routes, rolled into one fantastic hike.
Overview
The Northern Circuit route is the newest route up Mount Kilimanjaro and arguably the best. That’s because the a combination of all of the best elements of the other routes, rolled into one fantastic hike. If you’re looking for beautiful scenery, plenty of solitude, a healthy challenge, and the potential to spot wildlife, this is definitely the route for you.
The Northern Circuit route follows the same route as Lemosho route for the first few days, but rather than sticking to the south side of Kibo, it turns to the little-used northern trails instead.
This path is virtually devoid of other trekkers and as a result, the campsites are quiet, peaceful, and practically deserted.
Because the Northern Circuit route is longer than the other trails, it gives trekkers a chance to take in more of the mountain. Not only do they get a chance to hike across the awe-inspiring Shira Plateau, they’ll also catch glimpses of Kibo Peak and Uhuru Summit along the way.
It also provides amazing views down onto the open plains that are found to the north of the mountain, something that is seen by only a handful of other hikers while climbing Kilimanjaro.
Tour Plan
Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa /Forest Camp
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
Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp
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
Day 3: Shira 1 to Shira 2
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
Day 4: Shira 2 to Moir Hut Camp
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
Day 5: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp/Pofu Camp
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
Day 6: Buffalo Camp / Pofu to Third Cave
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
Day 7: Third Cave to School Hut Camp
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
Day 8: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
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
Day 9: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate
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: Arusha Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Arrival and departure transfers from, to “JRO”
- Accommodation in the mountain and hotel 2 nights
- Meals
- All parks fees, mountain rescue fee, government taxes
- Services for crew team and salary
- Tent highest quality tent Eureka or Mountain hard ware
- Transport to and from mountain
- Emergency oxygen cylinder
- Mattress
- Items of personal nature such as passport, visa, travelers etc.
- Tips for the crew
- Medical equipment as hyperbaric chamber
- Portable toilets: available for renting 110 USD/trip
- Note Over weight, extra luggage will require an extra porter, at a rate of 11 USD per bag per day
- Massage we may arrange for 40 USD per person
Book This Tour
Our classic tariff is an ideal combination of price and quality. We have selected comfortable lodges right in savannah centers for an unforgettable experience. Each lodge offers a cozy room with breathtaking scenery and all the necessities, including Wi-Fi. Chef-inspired meals, prepared with fresh ingredients are sure to please both vegetarians and meat-lovers.
Our professional tour guides will tell you all about the wild world of Africa and lead you to some of the rarest animals on the continent
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