Itinerary Highlights
- Duration in days: 10
- Itinerary Category: Kilimanjaro Trekking, Northern circuit
- Destinations: Mt Kilimanjaro via Northern Circuit Route
- About the Route: This is the newest route for climbing around the mountain and provides the most acclimatization time.
- Major Attractions: Mt Kilimanjaro, world tallest free standing mountain
- Guiding Language: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian
- Start point: Moshi
- End point: Moshi
- Essential items: DigitalCamera with enough memory space and extra batteries, binoculars, light clothes, safari boot, mosquito repellents, sunhat, sunglasses with ultra violet radiation filtering etc
- Additional information: Porters will guide you all your climbing throughout the mountain
Itinerary Description by Day
Day 1: Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi
Time Covered: 1 hr 50 min
Distance: 67.3 Km
You will be picked up by our drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to lodge/hotel in Moshi. After relaxing for a while in the evening we will have a short safari briefing in the lodge/hotel. Our expert team leaders will guide you through all the important details of your route and offer advice for a successful trek. Your hiking gear will then be thoroughly inspected and adjusted if necessary. The rest of the day is spent getting ready for your life-challenging journey. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel/lodge.
Day 2: Moshi to Londorossi Gate(2,200m) then to Mti Mkubwa(2,750m)
Trekking Time: 3 hours
Distance: 7 km
Zone: Rainforest
Have breakfast early in the morning at the hotel and start a journey from Moshi to the Londorossi Park Gate in the west. This takes about 3 hour drive to the Londorosi Gate (2200m) then perform registration formalities at the gate. Start trekking through the beautiful lush forest spotting wild animals like elephants and colabus monkeys. Continue to Mti Mkubwa at 2750 m for rest and overnight stay.
Day 3: Trek from Mti Mkubwa(2,750) to Shira 1 Camp(3,500m)
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Distance: 10 km
Zone: Rainforest/Low Alphine Zone
Wake up on the lower slopes of the mountain and pass through the rainforest vegetation. This takes about 5-6 hour hiking through rainforest before entering the majestic barren landscape of the Low Alpine moorland zone. Reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp for a glimpse of Kibo across the plateau. Have a warm cooked meal at the camp and allow your body to rest for the next day.
Day 4: Trek from Shira Camp 1 (3,500m) to Shira Camp 2 (3,840m)
Trekking Time: 3-4hours
Distance: 8km
Zone: Rainforest/Low Alpine Zone
Start trekking after a warm breakfast across the exposed moorland zone. Enjoy the scenery view while ascending the heath zone displaying abundant wildflowers and unique Senecio trees. Arrive at Shira 2 camp around afternoon for lunch and resting. In the free time explore the spectacular surroundings of Shira.
Day 5: Trek from Shira Camp 2 (3,840 m) to Moir Hut Camp (4,200 m)
Trekking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 14km
Zone: Low Alpine/High Alpine
Climb through high Alpine desert zone toward the challenging Lava tower for much acclimatization. Spend 1-2 hour at the tower where you will have your lunch. After lunch and some quality rest, start descending down to Moir Camp situated behind the magnificent Lent Hills. Though the trek to Lava tower is good for acclimatization, no one is forced to do so since it’s optional. Those who are not up to it can trek to the camp directly. Recuperate at the camp for the next day.
Day 6: Trek from Moir Hut Camp (4,200 m) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 m)
Trekking Time: 5 – 7 hours
Distance: 12km
Zone: High Alpine
Wake up early and have hot breakfast afterward trek out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before rejoining the Northern Circuit trail. Have a great view across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border. Continue with the trail which takes you around the northern slope of kibo before reaching Buffalo camp for dinner, rest and overnight stay.
Day 7: Trek from Buffalo Camp (4,020 m) to Third Cave (3,870 m)
Trekking Time: 5 – 7 hours
Distance: 8km
Zone: High Alpine and low Alpine
Northern Circuit trekking continues by climbing to the top of ‘Buffalo Ridge’ across numerous ridges and gullies. Break for a while for lunch and then pass through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro to arrive at Third Cave for about 5-7 hours. Enjoy the rest of the day recuperating and feeling good due to your body adjusting to the altitude.
Day 8: Trek from Third Cave (3,870 m) to School Hut (4,800 m)
Trekking Time: 4 – 6 hours
Distance: 6km
Zone: High Alpine and glacial
Ascend to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Take slow paces so as not to exhaust your body since the walk is short. Reach School Hut around afternoon to have lunch and maximum rest. Take as much fluids and long sleep as you can in preparing for the summit on the next day.
Day 9: Ascend to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)
Trekking Time: 13 – 17 hours
Distance: 17.4 km
Zone: Glacial
Wake up at 23:30 for adding more warm clothes and a cup of tea with biscuits. Start ascending at 00:00 for 5-6 hours through loose volcanic scree to reach Kilimanjaro’s main crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m). Rest for a while enjoying the glaciers before the final attempt to the summit. Take a round trip to Uhuru peak(5,896m) arriving in time for sunrise enjoying the spectacular view. Take some pictures at the summit feeling accomplished and have a short rest. Start descending to reach Mweka Hut (3100m). Have dinner a good night sleep at the hut.
Day 10: Retrace Through Forest to Mweka gate
Trekking Time: 3-5 hours
Distance: 9.1 km
Zone: Rainforest
After breakfast and much celebrating, continue with the descend. The trail through forest takes 3 hours to arrive at the Mweka gate. It’s where climbers will be awarded with golden certificates for reaching the summit. Retreat back to Mweka village about an hour walk where you will transfer to Moshi for hot showers and resting.
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