MOUNT KILIMANJARO
9 Days Northern Circuit Route
Tour Overview
The Northern Circuit Route is one of the newer routes on Mt. Kilimanjaro, which follows the Lemosho trail in the beginning, approaching the mountain from the west. However instead of following the southern traverse like most other routes starting in the west, the Northern Circuit traverses the mountain around the northern slopes.
Taking nine days to complete, it is the longest routes on the mountain, but is also one of the quietest and rarely used routes making it an attractive option. The Northern Circuit is a wonderfully scenic track that is highly recommended for good acclimatization.
DAY 1
Lemosho Trailhead (2,000m/6,600ft) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp – 2,800m/9,100ft) Elevation Gain: 800 meters/ 2,500 feet
Hiking Time: Approximately 3 to 4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hostel/hotel and driven to Londrosi Gate (which is approximately 3 hours from Moshi). After registration, you will then drive a further 12km on a forest track that leads to the Lemosho starting point. From here you will enter the beautiful and undisturbed rainforest to begin your ascent up the mountain.
This is by no means a difficult trek, but it will give you plenty of time to adjust and witness some of Tanzania’s wildlife. Sightings of Black and White Colobus monkeys and small antelopes are quite common, and you may even be lucky enough to spot buffalos and elephants too.
After 3 to 4 hours of trekking, you will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp because of the large conifer trees that provide shade over the campsite.
DAY 2
Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,800m/9,100ft) to Shira 1 Camp (3,500m/11,500ft)
Elevation Gain: 700 metres / 2,400 feet
Hiking Time: Approximately 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
On the second day, you’ll rise early for breakfast and begin climbing a slightly steeper gradient through the moorland vegetation zone. Here you will start to get fantastic views of Kibo, the summit cone of Mt. Kilimanjaro, while continuing along a rocky ridge to Shira Plateau.
Shira is actually a collapsed volcanic crater and was the first of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanic cones to expire. Once on the plateau, the trail becomes a little easier as you make your way to Shira Camp. If it’s a clear day, you’ll also get to enjoy superb panoramic views.
DAY 3
Shira 1 Camp (3,500m/11,500ft) to Shira 2 Camp (3,840m/12,600ft)
Elevation Gain: 340 metres / 1,100 feet
Hiking Time: Approximately 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, you will then continue to hike across the rocky ridge onto Shira Plateau, where you will be able to see the easterly side and the western breach with its dramatic glaciers. You are now on the west of Kibo Peak and it will take another short walk before reaching the Shira Two Campsite.
Tea/coffee and some nuts will be served to help warm up your body before the main dish of the evening and retiring to sleep. Shira 2 Camp is very exposed and will be much colder with temperatures dropping below freezing point.
DAY 4
Shira 2 Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) to Moir Hut (4,200m/13,800ft)
via Lava Tower (4,550m/14,900ft) (optional)
Elevation Gain: 750 metres/ 2,400 feet (maximum)
Elevation Loss: 350 metres/ 1,150 feet (maximum)
Hiking Time: Approximately 5 to 7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Your climb today will take you steadily up and over the expansive ridgelines of the high desert. If time and fitness allow, it would be beneficial to ascend via the Lava Tower as this is a great opportunity to acclimatize.
This tower is a 300-foot high volcanic plug and the trek to the base is about 4 hours. Once you have scrambled you’re a way too to the top of Lava Tower, you will be rewarded with fabulous panoramic views. From Lava Tower, you will then head North West beginning your circuit of Kibo, the almighty summit cone of Mount Kilimanjaro.
An alternative to this route would be to take a gentle ascent across the alpine desert to Moir Hut in the morning and then spend the afternoon on a guided trek of the nearby Lent Group, a series of wind-eroded parasite cones and ridges where you can gaze down to the plains of Kenya. Moir Hut Camp is an isolated and seldom used camp affording views over the Shira Plateau.
DAY 5
Moir Hut Camp (4,200m/13,800ft) to Buffalo/Pofu Camp (4,020m/13,200ft)
Elevation Loss: 180 metres / 590 feet
Hiking Time: 5 to 7 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Begin the morning trek heading out of the moorland and into the stark alpine desert, on a steep ridge off the main trail, beginning your venture on the Northern Circuit Route. If you chose not to explore the Lent Group yesterday, take a short detour to the top of Little Lent Hill (3,375m/14,350 ft) in the morning before regaining the trail to Buffalo Camp.
DAY 6
Buffalo/Pofu Camp (4,020m/13,200ft) to Third Cave Camp 3,870m/12,700ft)
Elevation Loss: 150 metres / 500 feet
Hiking Time: 5 to 7 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Proceed onward through valleys and over ridges through the alpine desert and moorland, continuing your circuit to the east. This rarely travelled route allows you to enjoy the vast mountain wilderness in peace.
DAY 7
Third Cave Camp (3,870m/12,700ft) to School Huts (4,750m/15,600ft)
Elevation Gain: 880 metres / 2,890 feet
Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Climb steadily to reach the Saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here, continue upwards to reach School Hut Campsite in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for summit day, which will begin in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
DAY 8
School Huts (4,750m/15,600ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft)
to Mweka Camp (3,110m/10,200ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters / 3,740 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,785 meters / 9,100 feet
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours to Uhuru Peak; 7 to 8 hours to Mweka Camp
Habitat: Arctic conditions
This is where the going gets really tough! Just before midnight, you will venture into the night and begin your = final ascent to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Head northwest through the heavy stone scree following multiple switchbacks between Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (5,685m).
This section is probably the most challenging part of the route and will require great physical and mental effort. Continue to move slowly, always listening to your guide. After a short rest at Stella Point, you will hike along the crater rim for another hour before reaching your ultimate goal – Uhuru Peak! Congratulations! You have now made it to the “Roof of Africa”.
Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend there, but it is important to start your descent within good time to ensure you get enough rest back at Barafu Camp. After your rest, you’ll gather the rest of your belongings and descend to Mweka Hut (3,100m) where you’ll enjoy dinner and a well-earned sleep!
DAY 9
Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,980m)
Elevation Loss: 1,280 meters / 4,220 feet
Hiking time: Approximately 3 to 4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
After eating breakfast, you will begin the easiest part of your adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro via scenic path through the forest to Mweka Gate. Successful hikers who made it to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak will be awarded their certificates at the gate. Then it’s time to drive back to your hotel to enjoy
The price will include the following services:
Pre and post-accommodation at Sophie’s home
2 ways airport transfers/pickup and drop-off
All park fees
Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) while on the mountain
Camping facilities (tent, mattresses, mess tent,
Fair and ethical salaries for the team (guide, assistant guide, cook and porters) – under KPAP guidelines
Transport to and from the gate
Drinking water
Oxygen cylinder and ox meter
Camping fee
Forest department fee
and rescue fees
The price does not include:
Tips for the team (guide, assistant guide, cook and porters)
Travel insurance and visa
All personal mountain climbing gear and equipment
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Travel insurance and visa
sleeping bag
2 water Nalgene Bottles, 1.5 litre each.
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