Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,100m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820m)

   The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same starting point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate, and then 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 buffalo 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

2. Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820m) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610m)

   On day two, 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

3. Day 3: Shira Camp 1 (3,610m) to Moir Camp (4,200m)

   On day three, the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 for lunch. Here, nine-day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2, where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. But for 8 days, trekkers will continue with a trek heading east, which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and enters the high alpine desert zone; you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200m.

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

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

   Day four involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers 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 grand vistas across the plains north of Kilimanjaro and stretches 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 of hiking.

   Distance: 12km/7 miles
   Trekking time: 5-7 hours
   Zone: High Alpine Zone

5. Day 5: Buffalo Camp (4,020m) to Rongai Third Cave (3,800m)

   Day five starts with a climb up the Buffalo Ridge and down into Porfu Camp, where lunch is usually served. The route then 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-acclimatised 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

6. Day 6: Third Cave (3,800m) to School Hut (4,800m)

   Day six 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 School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut, you will be served an early dinner, and then you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Before bed, remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, a headlamp and a camera.

   Distance: 15km/8 miles
   Trekking time: 4-5 hours
   Zone: High Alpine Zone and Glacial Zone

7. Day 7: School Hut (4,800m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Millennium Camp (3,950m)

   You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave, where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours of 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 possible of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters), turning south and heading down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for their final night on the mountain. In total, you will be trekking for 14-16 hours.

   Distance: 6km/3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km/6 mile descent
   Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hours descent
   Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones

8. Day 8: Departure

   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. Airport transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport will be provided.