Northern Circuit Route

8 days—Kilimanjaro via Northern Circuit + 2 Hotel Nights

$2826-3083 USD

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Safari summary

This is a non-technical Kilimanjaro camping route, one of the newest and considered to be one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro as it is the only one to offer a near 360 degree trail around the main Kibo cone and crosses the northern circuit trail which is rarely used and much quieter than the other routes used. Due to it’s long nature and super acclimatization profile, you have one of the highest chances of reaching the peak, especially in 8 or more days.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Hiking \| trekking
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Kilimanjaro

Fine details

Safari highlights

Hiking | trekking

What’s included?

Accommodation
All drinks
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

Alcoholic beverages
Hot air balloons
Internal flights
International flights
Laundry
Premium alcoholic beverages
Spa treatments
Tips and gratuities
Visas

Itinerary

to Shira 1 Camp

Kilimanjaro

You will be picked up at your hotel in Moshi by our mountain crew and drive to Londorossi gate. After registration you continue upwards towards their drop off point by off-road vehicles (reaching 3,500 meters). A short and winding path takes you steadily to the camp. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents and cook dinner for you.

Shira 1 Camp

Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Kilimanjaro

Today only a modest altitude gain of 300 m on the way from Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp. The low physical demands of the trek will leave you with both time and energy to enjoy Kilimanjaro's flora and the view of Mount Meru (if the weather is favourable), which is the 5th-highest mountain on the continent. A further acclimatisation walk towards Lava Tower will follow lunch and a 2-hour rest period. This allows you to experience a further gain of 300 m.

Shira 2 Camp

Shira 2 Camp to Moir Camp

Kilimanjaro

Early morning after breakfast you will leave Shira Camp and head towards Lava Tower’s 4,630m. The afternoon part of the route climbs slightly before descending to Moir Hut Camp. Your guide may decide to bypass Lava Tower altogether, taking the porter trail instead, if any of the members of the group do not appear to have acclimatized properly. In this case the highest altitude reached will be 4,400, rather than 4,630 meters.

Moir Camp

Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp

Kilimanjaro

Leaving behind the Moir valley you trek on a relatively steep path to the summit of the Lent Hills (if you didn’t reach here the day before) before circling around north of the Kibo cone into the Alpine desert and enjoying this remote part of the mountain with unique scenery of the Northern Kilimanjaro peak and the Kenyan plains below with amazing views of the Tsavo and Amboseli Valleys.

Buffalo Camp

Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

Kilimanjaro

You will finish trekking up the northern slope of Kilimanjaro and stop for the night in Third Cave Camp, where the route will meet up with the traditional Rongai route. On this day the trekking will be shorter than on the day before, and by this time your body will already have become completely acclimated to an altitude of 4,000 meters.

Third Cave Camp

Third Cave Camp to School Hut Camp

Kilimanjaro

Today you will be trekking to the School Hut Summit Camp (4,750 m). The actual trekking is not very hard, but remember to just choose an appropriate pace in order to retain your strength for the summit trekking. When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep well, avoid forceful activity and drink as many fluids as you can, because that very night you will complete the trekking to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).

School Hut Camp

Summit to Uhuru Peak

Kilimanjaro

The summit attempt climb, which starts at School Hut 4,750m around midnight, though relatively easy technically, poses a challenge due to high altitude. A walk upon the nearest glacier is an option upon successful summiting. The group then descends to Barafu Camp for a two-hour lunch and rest break. The day ends at Millennium Camp’s 3,820 m. Please keep in mind, that 9/10 accidents occur during descent. Mind your step to avoid potential any accidents.

Millennium Camp

Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

Kilimanjaro

The millennium camp is situated in a tropical rain-forest, so today when you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the victory of reaching the summit. After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.

Back to the hotel

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