The Northern Circuit is longer than the other trails on Kilimanjaro, taking a minimum of eight days to complete, with most tour operators offering a nine day trek. The additional time on the mountain means that success rates for Northern Circuit trekkers are relatively high.
The eight day trek skips the additional acclimatization day that is usually spent at Shira Camp 2 and continues straight on to Moir Camp, via Lava Tower. The itinerary below is for a nine day trek, using the Mweka Route for descent.
DAY 1: Arrival
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be picked up by Snow Peak Adventure and Safari representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha Later on your Mountain guide will come to brief you about the trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Overnight and dinner at your hotel
DAY 2: Lemosho Gate (2,100m ) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m)
• Distance: 6 km
• Hiking time : 2-3 hrs
• Altitude gained: 550m
• Habitat : Montane rainforest
The Northern Circuit Route
begins at Lemosho gate (2,100m )in the West, the same starting point as the Lemosho Route. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will have lunch before the short first day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m ) 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.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : Big tree camp ( in the tents)
DAY 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650 ) to Shira Camp 1 (3610 m )
• Distance: 7 km
• Hiking time : 4-5 hrs
• Altitude gained: 960m
• Habitat : Rainforest /Heather and Moorland zone
After breakfast, you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610m)
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : Shira 1 ( in the tents )
DAY 3: Shira 1 Camp ( 3,610m ) to Shira 2 Camp ( 3,850m )
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking time :
• Altitude gained : 240m
• Habitat : Moorland zone
After breakfast, you will spend crossing 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 (4,600m ) and then back down via the Northern Circuit to Moir Camp (4,200m )
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : Shira 2 Camp ( in the tents )
DAY 4: ACCLIMATIZATION DAY
Shira 2 Camp (3,850m ) to Lavar Tower (4,600 m ) then down to Moir Camp (4,200 m )
• Distance : 7 km Ascent / 5 km Descent
• Hiking time : 4-5 hrs up / 1-2 hrs down
• Altitude gained / Lost : 750m / 400 m down
• Habitat : Alpine desert zone
* Day 4 is a good day for Acclimatization as it’s recommended to climb higher sleep lower.
After breakfast follows, 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 4,600m, where you will have lunch. After lunch you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200m. 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 acclimatisation process.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : Moir huts ( in the tents )
DAY 5: Moir Camp (4,200m )to Buffalo Camp (4,020m )
• Distance: 12 km
• Hiking time : 4-5 hrs
• Altitude lost: 180m
• Habitat : High alpine zone
After breakfast follows a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at ( 4,370m ) 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 (4,020m ). 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 hiking.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : Third cave camp ( in the tents )
DAY 6: Buffalo Camp ( 4,020m ) to Rongai Third Cave Camp (3,800m )
• Distance: 8km
• Hiking time : 3-4 hrs
• Altitude lost: 220m
• Habitat : Alpine desert
After breakfast 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 3,800m. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatised to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : Third cave camp ( in the tents )
DAY 7: Third Cave Camp (3,800m ) to School Hut ( 4,800 m )
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking time : 4-5 hrs
• Altitude gained: 1000m
• Habitat : High alpine desert
After breakfast starts with a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut (4,800m). After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp, Valuables and camera before going to bed.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : School huts ( in the tents )
DAY 8: School Hut ( 4,800m ) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m ) then down to Millenniums Camp (3,950m )
• Distance: 6km ascent/ 8 km
Descent via Barafu camp ( 4672m )
• Hiking time : 6-7 hrs up / 4-5 hrs down
• Altitude gained/ Lost : 1090 m / 1900 m
• Habitat : Summit / Alpine desert / Moorland zone
You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits or something else 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 m ), 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 carter rim to Stella Point ( 5,756 m ) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp ( 4,672 m ) Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp ( 3,950m ) 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: We can return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : Milleniam camp ( in the tents )
DAY 9: Millennium Camp ( 3,950m )to Mweka Gate ( 1,640m )
• Distance: 14 km
• Hiking time : 4-5 hrs
• Altitude lost : 2310m
• Habitat : Moorland / Rainforest zone
The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 m ) to Mweka Gate (1,640 m ). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate for those who reached Stella point and Uhuru Peak. It is customary to give your guides and porters tips at this point before being driven back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi town
Meals : Breakfast and Lunch included
Accommodation : At hotel in Arusha / Moshi town
END OF YOUR TOUR
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