Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi

   • Get picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town, commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. 
   • Meet your guide and review your equipment in the evening in preparation for the trek the following day.

2. Day 2: Londorossi Gate (2,100 Meters) - Start Point 2,360 Meters To Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 Meters)

   • The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha.
   • Register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities at the gate. Afterwards, you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephants and buffalos that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. 
   • Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.

   Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles
   Trekking time: 3-4 hours
   Zone: Rainforest
   

3. Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 Meters) To Shira Camp 1 (3,610 Meters)

   • On day three, you will spend the first-hour trekking through the last section of the rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone, which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).

   Distance: ~8km/5 miles
   Trekking time: 5-6 hours
   Zone: Rainforest/Low Alpine Zone

4. Day 4: Shira Camp 1 (3,610 Meters) To Moir Camp (4,200 Meters)

   • The trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 for lunch on day four. Here, nine-day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2, joining trekkers from the Machame Route. 
   • But for eight days, trekkers continue with trek heading east, which passes through the 'Garden of the Senecios' and then enters the high alpine desert zone, then join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp 4,200.

   Distance: ~14km / 8 miles
   Trekking time: 6-8 hours
   Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone / High alpine zone

5. Day 5: Moir Camp (4,200 Meters) To Buffalo Camp (4,020 Meters)

   • Day five involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. You can take a slight detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. 
   • From here, the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters). The trek gives incredible vistas across the plains north of Kilimanjaro and stretches out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. 
   • You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking.

   Distance: ~12km/7 miles
   Trekking time: 5-7 hours
   Zone: High alpine zone
   

6. Day 6: Buffalo Camp (4,020 Meters) To Rongai Third Cave (3,800 Meters)

   • Day six starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Porfu Camp, where lunch is usually served. The route continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before, and by now, you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. 
   • You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

   Distance: ~8km/5 miles
   Trekking time: 5-7 hours
   Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone

7. Day 7: 3rd Cave (3,800 Metes) To School Hut (4,800 Meters)

   • Day seven involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle, which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then 
   • Continue walking southwest up to the School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut, you will be served an early dinner, and then you should get some sleep as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. 
   • Before going to bed, remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamps, and cameras.

   Distance: ~15km/8 miles
   Trekking time: 4-5 hours
   Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone
   

8. Day 8: School Hut (4,800 Meters) To Uhuru Peak (5,895 Meters) - Millenium Camp (3,950 Meters))

   • You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under cover of darkness. 
   • Your first check-point is Hans Meyer Cave, where you will take a short break. 
   • The climb steepens as you approach Gilman's Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing from the School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view across the Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking to reach Uhuru Peak, so dig deep for the energy. 
   • The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim, and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief, so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. 
   • You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters), where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain.
   • In total, you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight, so it is essential to pace yourself, remain hydrated, and keep your blood sugar levels up. Note: some tour operators return via Gilman's Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.

   Distance: ~6km/3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km/6 mile descent

   Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent

   Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones

9. Day 9: Millenium Camp (3,950 Meters) To Mweka Gate (1,640 Meters)

   • The final day is a short hike through the dense mountain rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). You will need to sign out with the authorities at the gate, who will also provide you with your official certificate - a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman's Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak.

   Distance: ~10km/6.5 miles
   Trekking time: 3-4 hours
   Zone: Rainforest zone

10. Day 10: Depart Moshi

    • After breakfast, we'll transport you back to Arusha town or Kilimanjaro airport.