8-Day Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro Trek
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Difficulty
Challenging
Location
Tanzania
From
$2,300
Overview
The Northern Circuit route is one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360 degrees of beautiful scenery including the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes. As the longest route on Kilimanjaro, the Northern Circuit allows for the best acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate, therefore this route is highly recommended. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Lemoshi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge, before crossing the Shira Plateau. The route then heads north and circles clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp to School Hut, before summiting from the east.
Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Lemosho Gate - Mti Mkubwa Camp
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 (2,785 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.
Mti Mkubwa Camp- Shira I Camp
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 (3,504 meters).
Shira 1 - Moir Hut
A long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Seneca 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 4,161 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.
Moir Camp - Buffalo Camp
Today it 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 (4,033 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 hiking.
Buffalo Camp – Rongai 3Rd Cave
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 3,936 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.
Rongai 3Rdcave– School Hut
Today it involves 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 (4,800 meters). 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 and camera before going to bed.
School Hut – Summit– Millenium Camp
Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused of the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way. Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Millennium Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Millennium Camp.
Millenium Camp- Mweka Gate – Moshi
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles. From the gate, a vehicle will meet to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
What's Included
- Lead Guide(s), Assistant Guide(s), for 2+ people
- English Speaking & Wilderness First Responder Trained
- Cook, Porters, equipment, personal client luggage (15 kg per client)
- The ratio of porters per client is 3 to 4.
- Sleeping mat, 2-inch foam
- Pillow
- Walk-in dining tent and table
- Backed chairs
- Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening
- Three meals per day & afternoon snack during the trek
- Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free upon request
- Treated drinking water (minimum of 3L per day while trekking with additional water available at camp)
- Coffee and tea during the trek
- Pulse oximeter
- Altitude sickness checklists
- First aid kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Camping/hut, rescue, conservation and taxes
- Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
- Pre-trek briefing with your guide
- Round-trip airport transfer between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Moshi
- Round-trip transfer between Moshi and the park gate
- Hotel stays in Moshi pre- and post-trek (2 nights total) on bed & breakfast
- Kilimanjaro National Park fees and VAT
What's Not Included
- Gratuities/tips
- Personal trekking gear such as sleeping bag and clothing
- Favored beverages (water, soda and alcohol at hotels)
- Additional accommodation or meals resulting from early descent
- Tanzania entry visa
- Travel insurance
- Domestic or international flights
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc
