Overview
The longest and newest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, Northern Circuit, is known for excellent acclimatization and breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes. For the present moment, a minimal number of travelers have set foot on this trail, and the route is hardly ever crowded.
It is recommended to those who enjoy long trekking experiences in remote wilderness, with a few other trekkers around.
It takes at least eight to 9 days to climb Kilimanjaro through the Northern Circuit which is why the route boasts a very high success rate.
Itinerary
Northern Circuit 9 days
DAY 1 - MOSHI - LEMOSHO GATE - MTI MKUBWA CAMP
You’ll be picked up from your Moshi or Arusha accommodations and make the drive towards the Londorossi Gate.
Stopping along the way in a local village for lunch and to buy last minute supplies, you’ll then liaise with your guides and begin your ascent through the verdant rainforest that clothes the lower reaches of Kilimanjaro.
You’ll have a short three-hour hike through the forest today, but keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as Colobus monkeys as you make your way to Mti Mkubwa Camp to set down for the evening
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2 - MTI MKUBWA CAMP - SHIRA 1 CAMP
You’ll bid farewell to the Kilimanjaro rainforest after breakfast, as your climb takes you gradually into scrubby moorland criss-crossed with quietly bubbling mountain streams.
You’ll cross over a vast plateau on your way to Shira 1 Camp, where you’ll have spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Setting up camp here for the evening, you’ll find your path has now crossed with those on the Machame Route.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 - SHIRA CAMP 1 - SHIRA 2 CAMP
Today you will cross Shira Ridge with its rocky ground, low grasses, and shrubs. As the terrain is much flatter than the day before, your hike will seem more leisurely and you will enjoy fantastic views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru. Beautiful and distinctive giant lobelias still dot the moor landscape. Walking on the ground where lava used to flow you will reach Shira Camp 2, where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 - SHIRA CAMP 2 - MOIR HUT CAMP
On the fourth day of the Northern Circuit Route Kilimanjaro will take you east into the High Alpine desert zone. Here the Lemosho Route connects with the popular Machame Route before you leave for a more secluded trail.
You’ll get to marvel at curious desert plant species and view the iconic Shark’s Tooth volcanic rock formation on the way to Lava Tower. This part of your journey involves gradual exposure to much higher altitudes, consolidating your acclimatization process. The end of the day sees you heading towards the Moir Camp (4,200 m), situated behind the magnificent Lent Hills. There you’ll put up your feet up and enjoy a steaming hot meal.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 - MOIR HUT CAMP - POFU CAMP
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 - POFU CAMP - THIRD CAVE
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinne
DAY 7 - THIRD CAVE - SCHOOL HUT
This is the final leg of the trip before your last ascent up to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. The highlight of the day will be the trek up and over The Saddle, a lunar landscape that lies between the Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. You’ll then head southwest to School Hut (4,800 m) to rest in preparation for the end of your amazing journey. Your guides will thoroughly check all your gear and supplies in preparation for an early morning start.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 - SCHOOL HUT - MWEKA CAMP
Your last morning on the Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit will get off to an early start. You and your guides will travel through the darkness towards Kilimanjaro’s main crater rim at Gilman’s Point.
There you’ll rest before the final push, passing spectacular ice cliffs and glaciers. You’ll arrive at the Mount Kilimanjaro summit just in time to catch the sunrise, the most spectacular of nature’s backdrops. Share the sense of exhilaration and accomplishment with your guides and support team. Soak in the beauty of the view before retracing your steps down the crater rim. Then you’ll descend on the Mweka Route towards the last stop on your journey – Mweka Camp.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9 - MWEKA CAMP - MWEKA GATE
It’s a day of celebration today, as you’ll enjoy one last breakfast on the mountain before descending to the Mweka Gate.
Here, you’ll get to celebrate with your porters and guides, provide them with their tips for their hard work, and collect your certificate of completion.
Your driver will then whisk you away to your Moshi or Arusha hotel to get some well-earned rest.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cost Breakdown
Included
National Park fees
Including once-off rescue fee of USD $20 per person. Other National Park fees are charged per person and based on the number of days spent in the Park. These other required fees are: entry fee of USD $70 per day and public campsite fee of USD $50 per night. NOTE: in Marangu they don't have public campsites so we supposed to pay Hut fee which is USD 60 per person per night,
VAT
From the government
Wages
For Guides, Assistant Guides, cooks and porters consistent with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP)
Transport
to and from airport to Hotel
to and from Hotel to National Park Gate (starting point)
Fresh local ingredients for three meals per day during the hiking and filtered drinkable water.
Equipments
such as quality sleeping tents, communal meals tent, portable toilet, and sleeping pad
for your safety and well-being, such as mandatory First Aid Kit, Oxygen tank, Oximeter, and stretcher and handheld radio
Other cost not Included
Equipments
such as sleep bags, hiking poles, head-lamps are not included in the pricing. However, these equipment along with others, like down jacket, rain gear, and hiking shoes are available for rent. See our rental equipment table for the full list
Tipping
is part of the local culture and is an expectation. While our team earns above minimum wage, tips are a key way to support local staff—especially those working in tough conditions like on the mountain. While wages are taxed heavily in Tanzania, tips are not taxed. So in Tanzania, guides, cooks and porters rely on tips to support 5–10 family members. Tips help them achieve their goals and are a meaningful way to say thank you. We ask that you kindly budget for tips
VISA fee and Travel insurance
Additional Hotel night
Laundry service
is not provided during the hike. However, you may use the hotel’s laundry services which they provide for a cost
Cost of meals during your stay at the hotel.
The hotel we’ll organize your stay at has a restaurant. There are also a number of cafes and restaurants located near the hotel within walking distance.