Kilimanjaro Climb Northern Circuit Route 9 Days

Trekking Distance: ~ 5.5 km
Trekking Time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest

After breakfast and briefing in Arusha, you will be driven to Londorossi Gate(2250m), where our guides will help you register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities. After registration at the gate, you will be driven up a bumpy rough road to the starting point.

From the starting point, you will trek along a terrain that goes through a natural forest all the way to the Big Tree Camp(2780 m). This terrain is home to some wild animals so you will be accompanied by an armed ranger. You may see elephants and buffalos along the way as you head to Big Tree Camp.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at Big Tree Camp(2780m).

Distance: ~ 8 km
Time: 5-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine

On this day the trek is short and gradual; you will trek through the last fringes of the rainforests and you will observe vegetation get scarce as you climb higher until reaching the moorland where shrubs dominate.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at Shira Camp 1(3500m).

Distance: ~ 7 km
Time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine

On this day the trek will be a fairly easy one; the goal is to help you acclimatize. You will traverse through moorlands and volcanic rocks before reaching Shira Cathedral. Shira Cathedral is a massive rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. From Shira Cathedral, you will trek to Shira Camp 2 (3840m) where lunch will be served and then the remainder of the day will be spent resting.

Note: Hikers opting to do this route in 8 days, will proceed all the way to Moir Hut(4200m) after lunch.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at Shira Camp 2 (3840m).

Distance: ~ 14 km
Time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Low Alpine / High Alpine

After breakfast at Shaira Camp 2, you will embark on a trek that will take you through the Shira Plateau and ascend up to the Lava Tower(4630m). You will notice that as you get closer to the Lava Tower, the landscape becomes arid. Lunch will be served at Lava Tower.

After lunch, you will head down from the Lava Towers(4630m) to Moir Camp(4200m). The ascent to the Lava Tower and then descent to Moir Camp(4200m) helps your body acclimatize to altitude changes.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at Moir Camp (4200m).

Distance: ~ 12 km
Time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High Alpine

On this day you embark on a short steep climb from the Moir Valley and then take a detour to the Lent Hills(4375m) before returning to the main North Circuit trail and heading eastward.You will continue trekking through a series of ups and downs all the way to Buffalo Camp(4020m).

The terrain on the fifth day will allow you to experience great views of the plains that lie north of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will enjoy views as far as Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks across the Tanzania – Kenya border.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at Buffalo Camp (4020m).

Distance: ~ 8 km
Time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High Alpine & Low Alpine

After breakfast at Buffalo Camp, you will climb to the top of Buffalo Ridge and then descend to Pofu Camp where lunch will be served. From Pofu Camp the route continues eastward as it circles the northern side of the mountain.You will trek to Rongai Third Cave Camp(3870m) on a landscape whose vegetation continues to get thinner as you approach the camp.

After reaching Rongai Third Cave Camp, have already acclimatized to the high altitude.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at 3rd Cave Camp (3870m).

Distance: ~ 15 km
Time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High Alpine & Glacial Zone

On this day you will embark on a steady ascent from the third cave camp to the saddle of Mount Kilimanjaro. The saddle is a barren lunar-like landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From the saddle, you will continue trekking South-West until reaching the School Hut Camp(4750m) in the afternoon. The rest of the day will be spent resting in preparation for the summit later that night.

Prepare your climbing gear and warm clothing and then try to get to bed around 7 PM if possible. You will be awoken before midnight to commence the final push to the summit.

Distance: ~ 6 km ascent to the summit and 10.5 descent to Millenium Camp
Time: 6-8 hours ascent & 4-6 hours descent
Zone: Glacial Zone, High Alpine & Low Alpine

Around midnight you will be awoken to a cup of hot tea a light snack after which you will start ascending to Gilman’s Point(5715m) which is in the crater rim. Your first checkpoint will be at Hans Mayer Cave(5200m); from here you push towards Gilman’s Point where you will reach around dawn.

From Gilman’s point, you will follow the trail as it heads west along the crater rim; you will across spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs, before reaching Uhuru Peak(5895m) where you will be standing on the “Roof of Africa”.

It is advised not to spend too much time at Uhuru Peak as it will be hard to start moving again due to fatigue, lack of enough oxygen and cold.

You will descend to Barafu Camp where you will enjoy a short break and a warm here before continuing with the descent to Millenium Camp(3850m).

Dinner and overnight accommodation at Millenium Camp (3850m).

Distance: ~ 10 km
Time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest

On the last day, you will descend through the rainforest from Millenium Camp(3850m) to Mweka Gate(1980m). Our drivers will be waiting for you at the gate ready to drive you to your hotel in Arusha where you will take a long warm shower and celebrate your success.