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Overview
The newest route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Northern Circuit is the longest of the routes but promises a quieter, more personal climb.
Beginning on the Lemosho Route, climbers will eventually split away and traverse the mountain’s northern slopes far away from the crowds. The extra time taken to adjust to high altitude on this climb mean it boasts the highest success rate of all routes.
| Number of Climbers | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $3375 |
| 2-4 people | $2925 |
| 5-7 people | $2700 |
| 8 or more | $2475 |
Tour Plan
Day 1 : Arival in Tanzania
As you walk out of Kilimanjaro International Airport, an Africa Climber Adventures representative will be there to transfer you to your hotel, where you can relax and take in the African atmosphere.
Preparation for your climb: Before the start of your climb, you will meet your guide, who will brief you and provide advice on what to wear, what to pack, and other essential tips to ensure a comfortable and successful climb.
Day 2 : Hotel- Londrossi Gate to Mti mkubwa Camp
Today’s Status
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Total Distance: 7 km
Starting Altitude: 1981m (6890ft)
Final Altitude: 2780m (9222ft)
After breakfast we travel by 4wd to Londrossi gate where you will meet your guides and mountain crew. We take care of all national park formalities, registering all climbers and weighing all duffle bags to ensure the load carried by each porter does not exceed the mandatory 20kgs limit.
Depending on your program and weather conditions we may take lunch at the gate.
After completing the registration process at Londrossi Gate we drive for 11kms along narrow dirt roads through pine plantations, gradually climbing to the Lemosho Glades where we begin our trek.
We hike uphill for 3 hours through the thick and undisturbed montane forest where you may hear the calls of many exotic birds and if we are lucky we may see blue monkeys and hear the grunting calls of the magnificent black colobus monkeys with their long “cape” of white hair and a flowing white tail.
Our camp tonight is in the forest zone, where podocarpus (African yellow-wood), hagenia and hypericum (St John’s wort) dominate. In the evening you may hear the unmistakable shrieking call of the tree hyrax.
Day 3 : Mt Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Today’s Status
Hiking Time:7 hours
Total Distance:12 km
Starting Altitude:2780m (9222ft)
Final Altitude:3511m (11520ft)
Environment: Montane Forest – Moorland
Today is a long day over narrow tracks that weave in and out of the ridges as we ascend.
Along the way we will admire trees such as the giant heather and erica and as we gain altitude we will encounter the unique giant levelia and giant groundsel (senecio kilimanjari).
There is no hurry to reach Shira Camp and our mantra “pole pole” (Swakili: “slowly slowly”) resonates in our ears ensuring our bodies adjust to the altitude gain and to take in the magnificent views of Kilimanjaro.
The Shira Plateau is one of the highest in the world with an average height of 3810m and extends for about 13 kms to the west of Kilimanjaro. The Shira Plateau is a caldera, a collapsed volcanic crater. We might even spot a herd of eland in the distance, or startle a grey duiker near camp.
Day 4 : Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut
Hiking Time:5-6 hours
Total Distance:9 km
Starting Altitude:3511m (11520ft)
Final Altitude:4175m (13700ft)
Environment: Alpine Desert
Today we trek steadily northwards through the heather and into the barren high altitude desert towards the natural landmark called Shark’s Tooth. We gain altitude slowly and continue to acclimatize. We walk up a ridge and into a valley, which we then ascend to camp, arriving in time for lunch. We are now in the high desert zone, where only hardy everlastings and small senecios survive, and we are just below the Lent Group, a collection of massive volcanic dykes.
Immediately above us is a huge circular bowl, created by glaciers, and there are numbers of lava tube caves in the cliffs at the uppermost edge. Above that is the Kibo Massif and the Northern Ice Field. Below we have extensive views of the Shira Plateau, a giant sloping depression, where we can see much of the area we have walked recently.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05 : Moir Hut to Pofu Camp
Today’s Stats
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Total Distance:12 km
Starting Altitude: 4175m
Final Altitude: 4020
Environment: Semi-Desert
Today is a strenuous day as you make your way around Kibo’s northern face, with many ascents and descents as you traverse the valleys that emerge from the base of Kibo. The views today are different to those that you will have had in previous days so you can enjoy these as you crest each ridge before descending again! The vegetation changes rapidly from one valley to the next until you reach Pofu Campsite, a rather barren place perched on a remote and rocky ridge.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06 : Pofu Camp – Third Cave Camp
Today’s Stats
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Total Distance: 7 km
Starting Altitude: 4020 m
Final Altitude: 3960m
Environment: Alpine Desert
You will continue heading around the little visited northern slopes of Kilimanjaro, still ascending and descending frequently as you pass through a mixture of rocky alpine desert and sparse moorland. The views are stunning, with both Kibo and Mawenzi looming majestically above you. Once you reach Third Cave Camp you have completed the Northern Circuit so deserve a clap on the back!
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07 : Third Cave Camp – School Huts
Today’s Stats
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Total Distance: 6 km
Starting Altitude: 3960 m
Final Altitude: 4790 m
Environment: Alpine Desert
Today sees a sharp ascent up to School Hut, with an altitude gain of approximately 780m. The views along the way are staggering so make sure that you stop frequently to catch your breath and admire the scenery.
School hut itself is a mountain training facility for park rangers and is in an impressive position with wonderful views of Kibo Peak.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 08 : School Huts – Summit-Mweka Camp
Today’s Stats
Hiking Time: 13-16 hours
Total Distance: 19 km
Starting Altitude: 4790 m
Highest point reached: 5895M
Final Altitude: 3100 m
Environment: Stone scree and Moorland
You will rise early to leave camp at around 12am and after a warm drink and a light snack, you will begin the most difficult though most rewarding day of the trek. You are heading for the summit via Gillman’s Point and Stella Point.
Once you reach Stella Point you will stop to rest, eat ‘lunch’ and take in the views over the clouds. From Stella Point the trail is normally snow-covered, and every step of the two-hour final ascent to Uhuru peak is challenging. Passing alongside the iridescent blue Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers you reach Elveda Point (5,882) and can see Uhuru Peak now only minutes away. The roof of Africa is within your grasp!
Arriving at the summit you feel a huge sense of elation and accomplishment you have done it, you have made it to the highest point in Africa. You can spend as much time as you need to appreciate your accomplishment although this is of course dependent on the weather conditions at the summit.
When you are ready you will start back down the same trail, descending to Barafu camp. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and remove some of your many layers of clothing as the day begins to heat up. You will head down the rock and scree path into the moorland zone, reaching the forest, and eventually arriving at Mweka Camp in the early afternoon where a hot shower and meal awaits. Today is the longest, and the most mentally and physically challenging of the trek.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 : Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate-Hotel
Hiking Time:5-6 hours
Total Distance:13.5 km
Starting Altitude: 3819m (15530ft)
Final Altitude:1652m (5420ft)
Environment: Montane (rain) Forest
Today your legs will be further tested as the trail descends steeply through the lush Mweka rain forest.
The trail is steep in places and the going slippery if wet. The route follows the crest of a broad ridge separating two river valleys until it meets with a road that leads us for the last 40 mins to the Mweka Park Gates where we stop for a well deserved picnic lunch where successful hikers will receive their summit certificates (gold for Uhuru Peale, Green for Stella point) from the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. Post celebrations, we are taken by either private bus or Jeep to your hotel in Moshi
Day 10 : Depart Tanzania(Breakfast)
Depart Tanzania or continue your dream with amazing safari extensions.
For trekkers not continuing with a safari we provide transfers to Kilimanjaro International Airport or bus station for your onward journey.
Included/Excluded
- Porterage
- Rescue fee
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- Camping equipment
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water (On all days)
- Climbing gear
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Sleeping bag
- Bath towels
- Personal expenses such as beverages (other than those included with meals, as listed in each itinerary)
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
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