Northern Circuit Route
The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro's longest route, with wide views and few climbers. What to expect on the route, and our climbs on it.
Also on this route: 8 Days Northern Circuit, 9 Days Northern Circuit Route
Kilimanjaro climb
11 Days Northern Circuit Route
Overview
Kilimanjaro’s Northern Circuit takes the long way round, and that is exactly its appeal. It starts in the western forest, crosses the Shira Plateau, then leaves the busy southern trails behind and curves around the quiet northern side of Kibo before climbing to the crater rim from the east. It is the longest of the mountain’s established routes, and the slow, steady gain in height gives your body plenty of time to cope with the altitude.
The whole trip runs to eleven days. Nine are spent on the mountain, with an arrival day in Moshi at the start and a departure day at the end, so everything from the airport pickup to the flight home is arranged. The middle days bring long, up-and-down walks across high alpine country, with views north over the plains toward Kenya and very few other groups in sight.
Tanzania Tourism Safaris suggests this climb to hikers who value solitude and a gradual pace over speed, and to anyone who is uneasy about altitude. No technical climbing is involved, but good stamina for several long days in a row is essential.
Tour highlights
- Nine days on the mountain for steady acclimatization
- Shira Plateau and the Shira Cathedral rock spires
- Quiet northern slopes facing the Kenyan plains
- Summit approach via Gilman’s Point on the crater rim
- Airport transfers and hotel nights included
Route itinerary
-
Day 1 Landing at Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi
You are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and driven to your hotel in Moshi. Once you have settled in, the climb leader runs through the route day by day, explains how the crew works and goes through your kit with you, so you can rent or buy anything that is missing while there is still time. The rest of the day is yours to rest after the flight or wander into town. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
-
Day 2 Lemosho Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp Distance 4.8km / 3miHiking 3-4hrsZone Rainforest
After an early breakfast you drive west around the mountain, passing farming villages on the way to Londorossi Gate, where the park registration is done and the crew weighs and packs the loads. A vehicle then takes you up to the trailhead. The first walk is short and winds through old, moss-hung forest where black-and-white colobus monkeys are often seen. Camp is at Mti Mkubwa, Swahili for “big tree”.
- Elevation
- 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft
- Altitude gained
- 396m
-
Day 3 Mti Mkubwa – Onto the Shira Plateau Distance 7.9km / 5miHiking 4-6hrsZone Moorland
This is a longer day with a big change of scenery. The last of the forest gives way to giant heather and open moorland as you climb over the Shira Ridge. On the far side lies the Shira Plateau, the broad, flattened remains of one of Kilimanjaro’s old volcanic cones. If the clouds lift, Kibo’s glaciers appear on the skyline to the east. You camp for the night at Shira I.
- Elevation
- 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft
- Altitude gained
- 719m
-
Day 4 Across the Plateau to Shira II Camp Distance 6.9km / 4.3miHiking 3-4hrsZone Low Alpine
A shorter, easy-going walk takes you east across the plateau, a part of the mountain that relatively few climbers see. You reach Shira II by lunchtime. In the afternoon your guide leads a short hike to help your body adjust, with time to look at the Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock topped with spires and pinnacles. The open views from camp are some of the widest on the climb.
- Elevation
- 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft
- Altitude gained
- 391m
-
Day 5 Shira II – Lava Tower – Moir Camp Distance 17.7km / 11.1miHiking 5-7hrsZone High Alpine
Today you climb into the high alpine desert, where plants become small and scattered and the ground turns to rock and gravel. The trail rises toward the Lava Tower, the tall volcanic plug sometimes called the Shark’s Tooth, giving your body a taste of higher altitude. Instead of following the main southern trail, you then turn north into the quiet Moir Valley and camp below the Lent Hills, lower than the day’s high point.
- Elevation
- 3895m/12,779ft to 4155m/13,632ft
- Altitude gained
- 260m
-
Day 6 Moir Camp – Round the North Side to Buffalo Camp Distance 9.2km / 5.7miHiking 5-7hrsZone High Alpine
The morning starts with a climb out of the Moir Valley. If everyone is feeling strong, a short side trip up the Lent Hills gives a fine view before you rejoin the circuit. From here the path rolls up and down across the northern slopes of Kibo, through country that sees very few trekkers. Buffalo Camp sits high on the mountainside with the plains of Kenya stretched out below.
- Elevation
- 4155m/13,632ft to 4033m/13,232ft
- Altitude lost
- 122m
-
Day 7 Buffalo Camp – Third Cave Camp Distance 6.8km / 4.3miHiking 5-7hrsZone Alpine Desert
A morning climb up Buffalo Ridge starts the day. After lunch on the trail you keep heading east around the mountain, through ever sparser alpine country, to Third Cave Camp on the upper Rongai trail. The camp is slightly lower than last night’s, and by now you have slept several nights above 3,500 m, so your body has had plenty of time to adjust before the final climb.
- Elevation
- 4033m/13,232ft to 3936m/12,913ft
- Altitude lost
- 97m
-
Day 8 Third Cave – School Hut High Camp Distance 4.8km / 3miHiking 5-7hrsZone Alpine Desert
The last climb before the summit takes you up toward the wide, barren saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi, the mountain’s jagged second peak. The ground is stony and almost lunar, and the air is noticeably thinner. You turn toward Kibo and arrive at School Hut in time for a late lunch. The afternoon is for rest. Your guides check everyone’s gear, dinner is early and lights go out soon after.
- Elevation
- 3936m/12,913ft to 4717m/15,476ft
- Altitude gained
- 781m
-
Day 9 Summit Day: School Hut – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp Distance 5.9km / 3.7mi up; 13km / 8mi downHiking 6-8hrs; 5-6hrsZone Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
You set out around midnight by headlamp, climbing steep switchbacks to Gilman’s Point on the crater rim. After a short rest you follow the rim past Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, ideally as the sun comes up over the glaciers and ice cliffs. Take your photos, then turn around: the descent follows the southern slopes all the way down to Mweka Camp at 3,106 m (10,190 ft). Expect 11 to 15 hours on your feet, the longest day of the trip.
- Elevation
- 4717m/15,476ft to 5895m/19,341ft
- Altitude gained
- 1178m
-
Day 10 Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha Distance 9.1km / 5.7miHiking 3-4hrsZone Rainforest
One more walk, and an easy one by comparison. The trail drops through the forest to Mweka Gate, often muddy in the lower section, so keep your gaiters on. At the gate you sign out and receive your summit certificate, and it is a good moment to say goodbye and thank the crew. Your driver then takes you to a hotel in Arusha for a long shower, a soft bed and a celebration dinner.
- Elevation
- 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
- Altitude lost
- 1473m
-
Day 11 Departure from Kilimanjaro Airport
Enjoy a slow breakfast with nowhere to be and no hill to climb. Depending on your flight time, you can rest at the hotel, repack your bags or pick up a few gifts in Arusha. Your driver then takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. If you would like to add a few days of wildlife viewing after the climb, we can plan a safari that starts from Arusha on this day instead.
Prices by season
Per person in US dollars. The price depends on when you travel and how many travelers share the trip.
| Season | 1 traveler | 2 travelers | 4 travelers | 6 travelers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season 1 Mar – 31 May | $2,520 | $2,136 | $2,028 | $1,832 |
| High season 1 Nov – 20 Dec and 6 Jan – 29 Feb | $2,653 | $2,249 | $2,134 | $1,928 |
| Peak season Now 1 Jun – 31 Oct and 21 Dec – 5 Jan | $2,948 | $2,499 | $2,372 | $2,143 |
Tour price includes
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- A hotel night before the climb and one after it
- Transfers to the trailhead and from Mweka Gate
- Professional, experienced mountain guides, cook and porters
- Wages and park permits for the whole crew
- All park, camping and rescue fees
- Waterproof four-season sleeping tents
- Mess tent with table and chairs, and a portable toilet
- All meals on the mountain and purified drinking water
- Pulse oximeter, first-aid kit and emergency oxygen
Tour price excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips for your guides, cook and porters
- Souvenirs and personal spending
Questions about this climb
Why choose the Northern Circuit over a shorter route?
Time and space. Nine days on the mountain let your body adjust to altitude slowly, which most people find makes summit night more manageable. The northern slopes are also far quieter than the southern trails, so you often have camps and viewpoints almost to yourselves.
Which way do you reach the summit?
From School Hut on the north-east side, you climb to Gilman’s Point on the crater rim, then walk along the rim past Stella Point to Uhuru Peak. The way down is different: you descend the southern slopes on the Mweka trail, spending the last night at Mweka Camp.
What is the hardest day on this climb?
Summit day. You start around midnight in the cold and dark, climb for several hours at high altitude, then descend a long way to Mweka Camp. Day 5, from Shira II to Moir Camp, is also long. Building fitness with long hikes at home before you travel helps a great deal.
Do I need mountaineering experience?
No. The Northern Circuit is a walking route with no ropes or technical climbing. What you do need is the stamina to walk for several hours on many days in a row, warm clothing for nights below freezing, and a willingness to walk slowly when your guide asks you to.
Before you go
Route guide
About the Northern Circuit Route
You might also like
