Northern Cicruit Route
9 days—Nine Days Northern Route Via Kilimanjaro Climbing
$1700-2000 USD
pp
Safari summary
Experience the exhilarating Northern Circuit Route with Kizza Adventures, a 9-day itinerary available across 2024, and 2025. This adventure takes you through diverse landscapes, presenting challenges and rewards as you ascend to breathtaking heights. The Northern Circuit Route, the newest and longest trail on Mount Kilimanjaro, offers a peaceful and less crowded path to the summit, approaching from the south. With a remarkable summit success rate of 98%, this route is ideal for those seeking a serene yet adventurous climb. The Northern Circuit is not just about reaching the summit; it's about immersing yourself in the beauty of Kilimanjaro's ever-changing scenery, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts. The journey requires only a healthy level of fitness, making it accessible to a wide range of adventurers. The 9-day itinerary, which follows the Lemosho Route for the first few days before turning onto the northern trails, is designed to maximize acclimatization, increasing your chances of a successful summit. This extended trek offers ample time to take in the stunning views and even spot wildlife along the way. Kizza Adventures offers this incredible experience at an affordable price, ensuring that anyone can embark on this unforgettable journey. Don't hesitate to book your spot on the Northern Circuit Route, one of Kilimanjaro's most scenic and rewarding paths.
Your adventure begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Here, you'll rest and prepare for the journey ahead. On Day one, the trek officially starts with a drive from Arusha to Londorossi Gate, the entry point to the Northern Circuit Route. From here, you'll embark on your first trek through the lush rainforest, arriving at Mti Mkubwa Camp for your overnight stay. As you ascend on Day two, the landscape transforms as you cross the Shira Plateau, offering panoramic views of the plains below. You’ll reach Shira 1 Camp, where the high-altitude beauty of the area begins to unfold.
Day three takes you from Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut, passing through the unique alpine desert zone with its surreal lunar landscapes. This day involves a steady climb, providing further acclimatization and preparing you for the challenges ahead. On Day four, you'll ascend to Lava Tower, an important acclimatization point, before descending to Pofu Camp. The change in scenery from the alpine desert to the glacial valleys is a highlight of this day, offering a stunning backdrop to your journey. Day five continues your trek from Pofu Camp to Third Cave Camp, where you'll navigate rocky terrain and ridges while enjoying breathtaking views of the Lent Hills. The day's hike, lasting about 5 to 7 hours, is both challenging and rewarding.
On Day six, you'll make your way to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, located near the base of the striking Mawenzi Peak. This camp is a special location, offering rugged beauty and a sense of isolation that enhances the adventure. The following day, Day seven , you'll descend from Mawenzi Tarn to the Saddle, a vast expanse between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, before reaching Kibo Hut. This hut serves as your base for the final push to the summit, with the anticipation building as you prepare for the climb. Day eight is the summit day, beginning around midnight as you make your way to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Witnessing the sunrise from the summit is an unforgettable experience, marking the pinnacle of your journey. After celebrating your achievement, you’ll descend to Horombo Hut on the Marangu route for a well-deserved rest.
Finally, Day nine sees you descending through moorland and lush rainforest to Marangu Gate, where your Northern Circuit Route adventure comes to an end. At the gate, you’ll receive your summit certificate, a testament to your accomplishment. A Kizza Adventures vehicle will then transport you back to your hotel in Arusha, allowing you to relax and reflect on the incredible journey you've just completed. This nine-day trek on the Northern Circuit Route offers not just a climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, but a full immersion into the diverse and stunning environments that make this mountain so special.
About this tour
Tour type | Set-date, set-itinerary, group | |
Main focus | None | |
Activity level | Strenuous activity | |
Best months | January, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December | |
Countries | ||
Parks |
Fine details
Safari highlights
- Hiking | trekking
What’s included?
- Accommodation
- Airport transfers
- Meals
- Park fees
- Private vehicle and driver
What’s not included?
- Alcoholic beverages
- Internal flights
- International flights
- Laundry
- Spa treatments
- Visas
Itinerary
Londorossi Gate - Mti Mkubwa Camp
Kilimanjaro
The adventure officially begins as you depart from Arusha and drive to Londorossi Gate, the starting point of the Northern Circuit Route. After registration, you’ll hike through the lush rainforest, marking the start of your climb. The trail is gentle and offers glimpses of wildlife. By evening, you’ll arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,650 meters, where you'll spend the night in the heart of the rainforest.
Mti mkubwa Camp
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Kilimanjaro
On this day, the landscape begins to change as you leave the rainforest behind and enter the heath and moorland zone. The trail leads you across the Shira Plateau, a vast, flat area that offers panoramic views of the plains below. This day’s trek is moderate. The vegetation becomes more sparse, and the air cooler as you ascend. Your destination for the night is Shira 1 Camp, located at 3,610 meters, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding landscape as you rest for the night.
Shira 1 Camp
Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut
Kilimanjaro
Day 3 takes you further across the Shira Plateau, continuing your ascent through the unique alpine desert zone. The terrain becomes more rugged and barren, with strange and otherworldly landscapes that make for a surreal hiking experience. You’ll pass by the Shira Cathedral, a rocky outcrop that offers impressive views of Mount Meru in the distance. After approximately 5 to 6 hours of trekking, you’ll arrive at Moir Hut, perched at 4,200 meters.
Motr Hut
Moir Hut to Pofu Camp
Kilimanjaro
Four day of the trek is both an acclimatization day and a day of transition. You’ll start by ascending to the Lava Tower, which stands at 4,600 meters. This is an important part of the acclimatization process, allowing your body to adjust to the high altitude. After reaching the Lava Tower, you’ll descend to Pofu Camp at 4,033 meters. The descent is crucial for acclimatization and also offers a change in scenery, as you move from the alpine desert into glacial valleys.
pofu Camp
Pofu Camp to Third Cave Camp:
Kilimanjaro
Five Days involves a trek through rocky terrain and across ridges as you continue along the Northern Circuit Route. The landscape here is stark and dramatic, with sweeping views of the Lent Hills and the surrounding wilderness. The trail becomes more remote, offering a sense of isolation that enhances the experience. After 5 to 7 hours of hiking, you’ll reach Third Cave Camp at an altitude of 3,870 meters. This camp is nestled in a quiet location, providing a peaceful night’s rest .
Third Cave camp
Third Cave Camp - Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Kilimanjaro
On six day, you’ll make your way to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, one of the most picturesque campsites on the route. The trail leads you towards the base of Mawenzi Peak, the second-highest peak on Kilimanjaro. The rugged beauty of the area, combined with the pristine tarn (a small mountain lake), creates a stunning backdrop for the camp. The altitude at Mawenzi Tarn Camp is 4,315 meters, and this day’s trek, which takes about 4 to 6 hours, is a crucial part of your acclimatization process.
Tarn camp
Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut
Kilimanjaro
The journey continues on Day 7 with a descent from Mawenzi Tarn to the Saddle, a vast and barren plain that lies between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The Saddle is an iconic part of the Kilimanjaro landscape, offering stark and dramatic views of both peaks. After crossing the Saddle, you’ll arrive at Kibo Hut, located at 4,750 meters. Kibo Hut is the base camp for your summit attempt, and the atmosphere here is filled with anticipation as climbers prepare for the final push to the top.
Kibo Hut
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo
Kilimanjaro
Summit day begins around midnight with a challenging ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters. Reaching the summit at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. After celebrating your achievement, you’ll descend to Horombo Hut on the Marangu route for a well-deserved rest.
Horombo Hut
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Kilimanjaro
The final day involves descending through moorland and lush rainforest to Marangu Gate. Upon arrival, you’ll complete park formalities and receive your summit certificate. A Kizza Adventures vehicle will then transport you back to your hotel in Arusha, marking the end of your unforgettable 9-day trek on the Northern Circuit Route.
Arusha
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