Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,350m) to Mti Mkubwa (2,750m)

   Walking Time: 3 hours

   Distance: 7 km

   Altitude Gain: 450m

   Habitat: Montane Forest

   • Wake up early and invigorated for the upcoming journey to the foot of the Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro route. 
   • After eating a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you’ll leave Moshi for the Londorossi Park Gate in the West. 
   • The 3-hour drive will take you off the beaten path for a remarkable cultural experience, traversing the fascinating townscapes of Boma N’gombe among the native people of Sanya Juu.
   • After arriving at your destination, you’ll register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities while our team assembles all your gear and supplies. 
   • Meet and get to know the rest of your support team, including our friendly chefs. 
   • Our guides will then drive you further up the mountain to the starting point of your trek. 
   • On the first leg of your journey, you’ll move through untamed wilderness brimming with ancient and exotic botanical species.
   • Black and White Colobus monkeys peer down from the lush rainforest canopy while you catch a glimpse of larger mammals like the elephant or buffalo. 
   • Your final destination for the day is the Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750 m), where you’ll rest and recuperate.

2. Day 2: Mti Mkubwa (2,750m) to Shira Camp 1 (3,550m)

   Walking Time: 6-7 hours

   Distance: 10 km

   Altitude Gain: 800m

   Habitat: Moorland

   • Wake up on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to begin the longest and most spectacular day of trekking so far. 
   • You’ll pass through the last sections of rainforest before entering the majestic barren landscape of the Low Alpine moorland zone. Marvel at rare flora species, including enormous violet lobelias and wild vegetation. 
   • Venture across the massive Shira Plateau, the collapsed vestiges of an ancient volcanic crater. You’ll then cross over the Shira Ridge towards the slopes of Shira Camp 1 (3,600 m), where you’ll set up for the night.

3. Day 3: Shira Camp 1 (3,550m) to Shira Camp 2 (3,840m)

   Walking Time: 3-4 hours

   Distance: 8km

   Altitude Gain: 290m

   Habitat: Moorland

   • After devouring a hot, steaming breakfast, you’ll continue your scenic trek across the exposed moorland zone. 
   • Few visitors have frequented this section of Kilimanjaro so you’ll get to fully experience its untouched beauty. Emerging from the Shira Plateau, you’ll be greeted by a truly stunning view of the peak of Kilimanjaro before reaching Shira Camp 2 (3,810 m). 
   • The rest of the day will involve free time to explore the spectacular surroundings, including the landmark Shira Cathedral, a grand buttress of rock surrounded by pinnacle and spire formations. 
   • Your guide will also lead brief excursions to aid each person’s acclimatization process.

4. Day 4: Shira Camp 2 (3,840 m) to Moir Hut Camp (4,200 m)

   Walking Time: 5-7 hours

   Distance: 14km

   Altitude Gain: 610m

   Habitat: Moorland

   • On the fifth 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 your feet up and enjoy a steaming hot meal.

5. Day 5: Moir Hut Camp (4,200 m) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 m)

   Walking Time: 5 – 7 hours

   Distance: 12km

   Altitude Loss: 180m

   Habitat: High Alpine

   • Wake up to the refreshing mountain air in the high-altitude Kilimanjaro slopes. 
   • You’ll have breakfast, gather your gear, and climb out of the Moir Valley. A short detour sees you reach the summit of Lent Hills to admire the views before rejoining the Northern Circuit trail. 
   • Journey along rolling terrain that inclines and declines, taking you around the northern slopes of Kibo before reaching Buffalo Camp. Set up for the night at a stunning campsite with the spacious Kenyan plains stretching out below you.

6. Day 6: Buffalo Camp (4,020 m) to Third Cave (3,870 m)

   Walking Time: 5 – 7 hours

   Distance: 8km

   Altitude Loss: 150m

   Habitat: High Alpine

   • Your Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit adventure continues with a revitalizing morning climbing up to the top of Buffalo Ridge. 
   • After stopping for lunch, you’ll continue eastwards through High and Low Alpine scenery, passing increasingly sparse and rare vegetation. 
   • The day’s journey ends after circumventing the northern slopes to reach the Rongai Third Cave Camp. By this stage of the trek, you’ll be fully acclimatized to the high altitude.

7. Day 7: Third Cave (3,870 m) to School Hut (4,800 m)

   Walking Time: 4 – 6 hours

   Distance: 6km

   Altitude Gain: 930m

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

   • 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.

8. Day 8: School Hut (4,800 m) to Mweka Camp (3,060 m)

   Walking Time: 11 – 15 hours

   Distance: 19km

   Altitude Gain:1095m

   Altitude Loss: 2835m

   Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

   • 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 toward 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.

9. Day 9: Mweka Camp (3,060 m) to Mweka Gate (1,640 m) to Moshi

   Walking Time: 3 – 4 hours

   Distance: 10km

   Altitude Loss: 1420m

   Habitat: Forest

   • The last hike is a short one and will lead us to Mweka Gate. 
   • The drivers will be in the nearby village to transport you to the hotel for a hot shower, soft mattress, dinner, and overnight. If you’ve chosen to continue on a safari – well, that’s a different adventure, and we’ll take care of that for you!