About Northern Circuit Route
The Northern Circuit is the longest and also the most remote
route. The longer itinerary means that it has a good acclimatization profile. You can naturally "walk high,
sleep low" which helps with acclimatization.
Even though you don't have to climb the Great Barranco Wall on this route, you will still have
a tough summit night approaching via Gilman's Point. You will be trekking for long periods of
time so a good level of fitness and stamina is recommended.
You will be picked up from airport. From there you will go to the hotel in Moshi for an orientation on your trek.
Your guides will be there to provide you with details on your trek and will also check your trekking
gears.
Elevation: 2,460m/7,742ft to 2,895m/9,498ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking time: 3-4 hrs
Habitat: Rain forest
We depart Moshi Hotel to Londorossi Gate, roughly a 4-hour drive, where you will complete the entry formalities. We will then drive to the Lemosho trailhead and upon arrival, we will begin the hike through undisturbed forest which winds its way to the first campsite. Keep your eyes peeled for the blue monkeys swinging through the trees!
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking time: 3-4 hrs
Habitat: Rain forest
We depart Moshi Hotel to Londorossi Gate, roughly a 4-hour drive, where you will complete the entry formalities. We will then drive to the Lemosho trailhead and upon arrival, we will begin the hike through undisturbed forest which winds its way to the first campsite. Keep your eyes peeled for the blue monkeys swinging through the trees!
Elevation: 2,895m/9,498ft to 3,505m/11,500ft
Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking time: 5-6 hrs
Habitat: Heath
We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest 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. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking time: 5-6 hrs
Habitat: Heath
We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest 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. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
o Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
o Ascent: 310 m
o Max. altitude: 3810 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today we walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here, especially when the afternoon mists roll in. From our camp near Shira Hut, we take in the unforgettable views of Mt Meru.
o Ascent: 310 m
o Max. altitude: 3810 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today we walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here, especially when the afternoon mists roll in. From our camp near Shira Hut, we take in the unforgettable views of Mt Meru.
o Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
o Ascent: 390 m
o Max. altitude: 4200 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
We leave the moorland behind now and a gentle grade walk takes us across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.
o Ascent: 390 m
o Max. altitude: 4200 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
We leave the moorland behind now and a gentle grade walk takes us across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.
o Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
o Ascent: 500 m
o Descent: 680 m
o Max. altitude: 4700 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (4700m). After admiring the views we return to the trail and heads eastwards around the Northern Circuit trail. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.
o Ascent: 500 m
o Descent: 680 m
o Max. altitude: 4700 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (4700m). After admiring the views we return to the trail and heads eastwards around the Northern Circuit trail. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.
o Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
o Descent: 60 m
o Max. altitude: 4020 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.
o Descent: 60 m
o Max. altitude: 4020 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.
o Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
o Ascent: 830 m
o Max. altitude: 4790 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today 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.
o Ascent: 830 m
o Max. altitude: 4790 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today 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.
o Hiking time: 14 - 16 hours
o Ascent: 1105 m
o Descent: 2068 m
o Max. altitude: 5895 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 am 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, where our porters will meet us with a packed lunch. We will then continue to descend to reach Millennium Camp.
o Ascent: 1105 m
o Descent: 2068 m
o Max. altitude: 5895 m
o Accomodation: Camping
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 am 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, where our porters will meet us with a packed lunch. We will then continue to descend to reach Millennium Camp.
o Transport: Private transfer (0.6 hour, 17 km)
o Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
o Descent: 2027 m
o Max. altitude: 3827 m
o Accomodation: Hotel
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
Your final day on the trek. Departing after breakfast, we descend a further 1300m to the Mweka Park Gate to pick up your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. We will then transfer toy our hotel for a well-earned shower and celebration.
o Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
o Descent: 2027 m
o Max. altitude: 3827 m
o Accomodation: Hotel
o Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
Your final day on the trek. Departing after breakfast, we descend a further 1300m to the Mweka Park Gate to pick up your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. We will then transfer toy our hotel for a well-earned shower and celebration.
- Private transport from the hotel to the Park s gate (starting point for the climb), and transport back to the hotel after the climb.
- All National Park entry fees.
- All camping fees.
- 2 night's hotel the night before and the night after the climb, with breakfast included.
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt.
- Qualified medical guides.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain.
- Salaries for Guides, cook and porters..
- Rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Park rescue team fees).
- Government taxes.
- Pickup and drop off to Airport.
- Evacuation services.
- Hut fees [ Marangu route }.
- Friendly and competent Trained Mountain Guides, assistant guides, porters and professional cooks.
- 3 full fresh meals daily. We provide fresh food on the mountain in plentiful and well prepared by skilled professional cooks(we also consider your choice of food that you would prefer -Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian). Menu especially designed for climbers.
- Hot drinks on the mountain and Hot water for washing will be provide everyday on the mountain.
- Quality specious tents, sleeping mats, camping tables ,camping chairs and Mess/Dining Tent.(Not applicable on the Marangu route as accommodation is in A-frame huts).
- Supplementary Portable Oxygen and Complete First Aid Kit (used in case of emergency only).
- Pulse oxy-meter carried by all chief guides.
- 3-4 liters of mineral/treated water (per Climber) provided daily during the climb..
***Portable toilet available at an additional cost (There are public toilets on the mountain)**
NOT INCLUDED IN OUR PACKAGES PRICES.
• Items of a personal nature.
• Tips for guides, porters and cook (Recommended $20 per guides, $15 per cook, $10 per porter all per day).
• Personal Hiking/Trekking gears (Some Gears are available for Rent).
• Extra days in hotel.
- All National Park entry fees.
- All camping fees.
- 2 night's hotel the night before and the night after the climb, with breakfast included.
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt.
- Qualified medical guides.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain.
- Salaries for Guides, cook and porters..
- Rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Park rescue team fees).
- Government taxes.
- Pickup and drop off to Airport.
- Evacuation services.
- Hut fees [ Marangu route }.
- Friendly and competent Trained Mountain Guides, assistant guides, porters and professional cooks.
- 3 full fresh meals daily. We provide fresh food on the mountain in plentiful and well prepared by skilled professional cooks(we also consider your choice of food that you would prefer -Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian). Menu especially designed for climbers.
- Hot drinks on the mountain and Hot water for washing will be provide everyday on the mountain.
- Quality specious tents, sleeping mats, camping tables ,camping chairs and Mess/Dining Tent.(Not applicable on the Marangu route as accommodation is in A-frame huts).
- Supplementary Portable Oxygen and Complete First Aid Kit (used in case of emergency only).
- Pulse oxy-meter carried by all chief guides.
- 3-4 liters of mineral/treated water (per Climber) provided daily during the climb..
***Portable toilet available at an additional cost (There are public toilets on the mountain)**
NOT INCLUDED IN OUR PACKAGES PRICES.
• Items of a personal nature.
• Tips for guides, porters and cook (Recommended $20 per guides, $15 per cook, $10 per porter all per day).
• Personal Hiking/Trekking gears (Some Gears are available for Rent).
• Extra days in hotel.
