Northern circuit route 9 days Kilimanjaro trek tour

Begins on Western side of Kilimanjaro, from Londorosi gate and  through Lemosho forest for two days. Then it crosses the Shira Plateau the path up north near Lava Tower, following the longer Northern Circuit instead of the more popular Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley.  Northern circuit circumnavigate almost the whole Kilimanjaro to see most ice fields and Arrow glacier. This trail gives a climber a way to travel through the entire mountain before the summit ascent to Uhuru peak. 

Day-to-Day Hiking Itinerary

Day 1: Londorossi Gate To Lemosho Big Tree Camp (Or Mti Mkubwa) (2,650 m)

After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi Kilimanjaro National Park gate we start the adventure. We begin drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho trailhead. The last section of the road is of poor quality and difficult to drive after rain, sometimes we start walking a kilometre or two below the trailhead. We often have our lunch at the trailhead before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. We camp at Lemosho Big Tree Camp (2,650 m); [2-3 hours walking].

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa) (2,650 M) To Shira One Camp (3550m)

After breakfast, leave the forest behind and trek to the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the centre of the plateau at “Shira One” (3,550 m). [6-7 hours walking]

Day 3: Shira One Camp (3550m) To Shira Two Hut Camp (3840m)

Guides leads walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut (3,840 m). This campsite has stunning views, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau. The views from here of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. [5-7 hours walking]

Day 4: Shira Two Hut Camp (3840m) To Moir Hut (4200m)

In the morning we follow the main trail up to Lava Tower, and for those feeling strong there is a possibility to climb up to the ruined hut at Arrow Glacier around 4,800m. We then continue from Lava Tower to reach our campsite at Moir Hut (4,200m). [5-7 hours walking]

Day 5: Moir Hut (4200m) To Buffalo Camp (4,150m)

We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Little Lent hill at 4,375 metres. After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. Here the trail passes through a field of rock slabs that clink as they are walked on. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Buffalo Camp (4,150m). At the camp there is a huge feeling of space as the Kenyan plains stretch out far below to the north. [4-7 hours walking]

Day 6: Buffalo Camp (4,150m) To Third Cave Camp (Pofu) (3,900m)

From Buffalo Camp we climb up to the top of ‘Buffalo Ridge’ and drop down the other side to reach Pofu, nearby the is a small spring and some vegetation. The trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp (3,900m). [5-7 hours walking]

Day 7: Third Cave Camp (Pofu) (3,900m) To School Hut Campsite (4,700m)

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 Campsite (4,700m) in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day. [4-5 hours walking]

Day 8: Summit Day (5,896 M) To Millenium Camp (3,800 m)

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about midnight so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. On selected Non-Exclusive departure dates each month, the climb will be particularly beautiful as we ascend in the light of the Full Moon. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Gilman’s Point (5,685 m) in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. The trail leads west along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), 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 descends down through Barafu Camp to reach Millenium Camp (3,800 m). [11-15 hours walking]

Day 9: Descend To Mweka, Then To Moshi

Slow descent on a well-constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route completes down to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m). Here we sign out from the national park before walking on for a further 15 minutes through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village where our vehicle awaits. The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalizingly close! [4-6 hours walking].
THE prices include all services: Airport transfers from Kilimanjaro Airport, Transport from Hotel to Kilimanjaro Machame gate, all park fees, salaries of guides/porters/cook, all meals on the mountain, clean safe drinking water, accommodation equipment, and Government tax, certificate of climbing, first aid, rescue, pulse oximeter, oxygen and transfer to Moshi. 

Services not included: Flight to Tanzania, Entry VISA, and hotel in Moshi, Climbing gears (available for rent), tips to guides, porters, coordinator and items of a personal nature.