Northern Circuit Trek

9 days—Maximize Your Summit Success with This Well-Paced Trail

$2950-5400 USD

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Safari summary

The Northern Circuit route is one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360 degrees of beautiful scenery including the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes.
As the longest Kilimanjaro route, the Northern Circuit also has the most acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate. Thus, the Northern Circuit route is highly recommended.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge, before crossing the Shira Plateau. The route then heads north and circles clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp to School Hut, before summiting from the east. Descend is made via the Mweka route.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	None
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Kilimanjaro

Fine details

Safari highlights

Hiking | trekking

What’s included?

Accommodation
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

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

Itinerary

Londorossi gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Kilimanjaro

Your day kicks off with a visit from your guide and mountain crew for a short briefing at the hotel. Then it’s a scenic 3–4 hour drive to Londorossi Gate, the western entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. After permits and registration, the trek begins through lush rainforest toward Mti Mkubwa Camp. Rain is common here, so bring your jacket! After lunch at camp, a gentle acclimatization hike helps your body adjust before dinner and rest.

Mkubwa Camp

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Kilimanjaro

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll hit the trail and steadily climb toward 3,500 meters, where the first breathtaking views of the Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano unfold. Today’s trek from Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp is gentle and takes about 5–6 hours is perfect for easing into the altitude. Once at camp, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch, rest in your tent, or stretch your legs with a short walk nearby.

Shira 1 Camp

Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Kilimanjaro

Today’s trek from Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp is a relaxed and scenic walk through high-altitude terrain, giving you time to enjoy sweeping views of the savannah and Kilimanjaro’s rare flora. If the sky’s clear, you’ll even spot Mount Meru in the distance. Along the way, you can hike up to Cathedral Peak is an optional but rewarding detour with some of the most magical views on the mountain. It’s an experience we truly recommend.

Shira 2 Camp

Shira 2 Camp-Lava Tower-Moir Hut

Kilimanjaro

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Moir Hut

Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

Kilimanjaro

We trek out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers great views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.

Buffalo Camp

Buffalo Camp to Third Cave

Kilimanjaro

As we head up Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly sparse. This route is rarely travelled and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. We trek through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave.

Third Cave

Third Cave Camp to School Hut

Kilimanjaro

We climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue on to our camp, School Hut. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

School Hut

School Hut-Uhuru Peak-Mweka Camp

Kilimanjaro

Around midnight, the final climb begins with cold, dark, and demanding. This is the toughest stretch, both mentally and physically, but with each careful step, you're getting closer. After hours of steady effort, Gilman’s Point greets you with a sunrise that lights up the sky over Mawenzi. Then it’s on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After photos and pride, you descend to Mweka Camp for your last mountain night-tired but thrilled.

Mweka Camp

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate - Hotel

Kilimanjaro

On the final day, we make our way down to Mweka Gate, where the air is warmer and the trails can get muddy from the forest’s moisture. Tired but proud, we’ll meet our driver and head back to the hotel in Moshi. There, you’ll get your well-earned summit certificate, the proof of your achievement and a memory to take home. A warm shower, real bed, and big smile await.

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