ITINERARY OF 9 DAYS NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE KILIMANJARO

Arrival: Airport to Hotel

• Pickup at the Kilimanjaro airport and transportation to the pre-reserved accommodation for breakfast. Receive a briefing from the mountain guide that day. On this day, the guide examines the climber's gear to make sure it is appropriate. The guide also determines if the customer has any unique requirements, such as dietary needs.

---

Day 2 : Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp

• Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
  Distance: 6km/4mi
  Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
  Habitat: Montane Forest
  Meals: Lunch and Dinner
  After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

---

Day 3 : Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

• Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
  Distance: 8km/5mi
  Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  Habitat: Moorland
  After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

---

Day 4 : Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

• Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
  Distance: 8km/5mi
  Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  Habitat: Moorland
  After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.

---

Day 5 :Shira 2 Camp to Moir Camp

• Elevation: 3850m/11,500ft to 4200m/13780ft
  Distance: 14km/8mi
  Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  Habitat: Moorland
  This day is 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 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch you will join the Northern Circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters. 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.

---

Day 6 : Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp

• Elevation: 4200m/13,780ft to 4020m/13,188ft
  Distance: 12km/7mi
  Walking Time: 5-6 hours
  Habitat: High Alpine
  Today, we encountered a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. We can do an optional hike to 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.

---

Day 7 : Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave

• Elevation: 4020m/13,188ft to 3800m/12,467ft
  Distance: 8km/5mi
  Climbing Time: 5-7 hours
  Habitat: High Alpine.
  We start the day with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Porfu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimated to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

Day 8 : Third Cave to School Hut

• Elevation: 3800m/12,467ft to 4800m/15,748ft
  Distance: 15km/8mi
  Climbing Time: 4-5 hours
  Habitat: Alpine Desert
  Today 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. 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.

Day 9 : School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp

• Elevation: 4800m/15,748ft to 5895m/19,340ft
  Down to 3950m/12,959ft
  Distance: 6km/3.5mi up / 11km/6mi down
  Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
  Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits 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 meters), 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 crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters).
  Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) 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.

---

Day 10 : Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

• Elevation: 3950m/12,959ft to 1680m/5500ft
  Distance: 10km/6mi
  Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  Habitat: Forest
  After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
  Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).

---

Day 11 :Departure

• Customers get up, eat the complimentary breakfast, and make plans for the day. Clients who are going on a safari get picked up for the safari. Clients are driven to the Kilimanjaro airport when they fly home. Customers traveling to Zanzibar or other nearby locations receive the appropriate assistance.

---

Price per Person

FROM $ 1,550 USD

Related Tours

---