The climb begins at Londorossi Gate, at an altitude of 2360 metres, with an approach far to the west of the mountain. This route avoids the crowds on the southern routes and over 7 days, you have a fantastic journey and a great chance of summiting successfully.
The Northern Circuit is longer than the other trails on Kilimanjaro, taking a minimum of Seven days to complete, with most tour operators offering a nine day trek.
The climb begins at Londorossi Gate, at an altitude of 2360 metres, with an approach far to the west of the mountain.
7 Days Northern Circuit Route Itinerary
Arrival
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Londorossi Gate To Mti Mkubwa Camp
Today you drive to Londorossi Park Gate, where you’re recorded in the Kilimanjaro National Park records. You then start the trek from Lemosho Gate, hiking through mountain rainforest for three to four hours to reach Mkubwa Camp, where you stay the night.
Elevation: 2785M to 3504M
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 5 - 6 hours
Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Habitat: Rainforest Forest
Mti Mkubwa Camp To Shira 1 Camp
Today you trek through the last of the rainforest, before entering moorland terrain. The trail leads towards Shira Plateau and Shira Camp 1, where you stay the night. All in all today’s hike takes about five to six hours.
Elevation: 2785M to 3504M
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 5 - 6 hours
Accommodation: Shira Camp 1
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat: Rainforest Forest
Shira 1 Camp To Moir Hut
Today, we will have the chance to view the Northern ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. The terrain during our steady climb will change from the moorland of the Shira Plateau to the broad upland desert beneath the Lent Hills with great panoramic views. Our camp is close to Moir Hut (4175m). In the afternoon we do an acclimatization walk to the lower part of the Lent Hills group, to an altitude of 4300m. Night Camp at Moir Hut Camp.
Elevation: (3504M to 4,206 M
Distance: 9-10 km
Hiking Time: 5 - 7 hours
Accommodation: Moir Hut
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat:Alpine Zone
Moir Hut To Pofu Camp To Third Cave Campsite
Today you hike for five to six hours. The trek begins with a steep incline as you journey around Kibo’s north face. You then walk through the alpine desert to reach Pofu Camp, where you spend the Lunch. And after lunch, you will continue your trek and reach at Third Cave Campsite. On the way Buffaloes are sometimes spotted here. At Third Cave campsite, you will spend overnight there.
Elevation: 4,206 M to 3,870 M)
Distance: 16 km
Hiking Time: 5 - 7 hours
Accommodation: Third Cave Campsite
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat:Ice-capped
Third Cave Campsite To School Hut
We climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue on to our camp, School Hut. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.
Elevation:4,033M to 4,800M)
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Time: 4 - 5 hours
Accommodation: School Hut
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat:Alpine Zone
School Hut To Summit Down Via Barafu To Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak - the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Elevation:4,800M to 3,950M)
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours
Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat:Rainforest
Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive you back to your hotel.
Elevation:3,950M to 1,640M)
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Habitat:Rainforest
Departure
After a much-needed night’s rest we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you from the hotel for your onward journey.