Northern Circuit

9 days—Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

$3550-4260 USD

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Safari summary

Climbing the highest mountain in Africa on the Northern Circuit route is a draw card for any avid trekker, but especially with a full moon summit! Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m), fondly known as Kili, being a free-standing mountain commands panoramic views of the surrounding plains. Having nine days to acclimatise and encountering limited numbers of fellow Zuhura Tours, this route is truly remote and one for the trekking enthusiast. Commencing from the western side, catch a glimpse of Mt Meru floating on the clouds from the Shira Plateau before traversing the less visited northern flanks to enjoy fabulous vistas across vast Kenyan lowlands. Then, approaching the summit from the east in the light of the full moon, experience the tremendous feeling of space generated before standing on the top of Africa. Finally, a descent to the south completes an almost-circumnavigation of the mountain. This less-visited northern route provides opportunity for a truly remarkable adventure to the top of Kilimanjaro.h1

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

Bird watching—with professional guide
Hiking | trekking

What’s included?

Accommodation
Airport transfers
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

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

Itinerary

Drive to Lemosho Gate, commence

Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 2,100/6,890ft at Lemosho gate to 2,650m/8,694ft at Mti Mkubwa camp Walking distance: 7km/4.35 miles Estimate walking time: 3-4 hours Habitat: montane forest After completing the necessary registration formalities, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho Gate roadhead.

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To Shira One camp (3550m)

Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 2,650m/8,694ft at Mti Mkubwa camp to 3,610m/11,844ft at Shira 1 camp Walking distance: 7km/4.35 miles Estimate walking time: 3-4 hours Habitat: montane forest and moorland We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the centre of the plateau at “Shira One” (3,550 m).

camping

To Shira Two camp (3840m)

Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 3,850m/12,631ft at Shira 2 camp to 4,600m/15,092ft at Lava Tower to 4,200m/13,780ft at Moir camp Walking distance: 14km/8.7 miles Estimate walking time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Moorland to high alpine We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut (3,840 m). This campsite has stunning views, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau. The

camping

To Moir Hut (4200m)

Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 4,200m/13,780ft at Moir huts camp to 4,020m/13,189ft at Buffalo camp Walking distance: 12km/7.5 miles Estimate walking time: 5-7 hours Habitat: High alpine In the morning we follow the main trail up to Lava Tower, and for those feeling strong there is a possibility to climb up to the ruined hut at Arrow Glacier around 4,800m. We then continue from Lava Tower to reach our campsite at Moir Hut (4,200m). [5-7 hours walking]

camping

To Buffalo Camp (4,150m)

Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 4,020m/13,189ft at Buffalo camp to 3,800m/12,467ft at Third Cave camp Walking distance: 8km/5 miles Estimate walking time: 5-7 hours Habitat: High alpine to moorland We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Little Lent hill at 4,375 metres. After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trai

camping

To Third Cave Camp (3,900m)

Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 3,800m/12,467ft at Third Cave camp to 4,800m/15,748ft at School Hut Walking distance: 10km/6.2 miles Estimate walking time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Alpine desert From Buffalo Camp we climb up to the top of 'Buffalo Ridge' and drop down the other side to reach Pofu, nearby the is a small spring and some vegetation. The trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp (3,900m). [5-7 hours walking]

camping

To School Hut Campsite (4,700m)

Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 3,800m/12,467ft at Third Cave camp to 4,800m/15,748ft at School Hut Walking distance: 10km/6.2 miles Estimate walking time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Alpine desert There is a steady ascent to reach The Saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut Campsite (4,700m) in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day. [4-5 hours walking]

camping

Summit day (5,896 m) to Millenium

Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 4,800m/15,748ft at School Hut to 5,895m/19,340ft at Uhuru, down to 3,100m/10,170ft at Mweka camp Walking distance: 6km/3.7 miles up to summit; 12km/7.5 miles down to Mweka cam Estimate walking time: 6-8 hours up to summit; 4-6 hours down to Mweka camp Habitat: High alpine to arctic We will start our ascent by torchlight at about midnight so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise.

camping

Descend to Mweka, then to Moshi

Kilimanjaro

Walking distance: 10km/6.2 miles Estimate walking time: 3-4 hours A sustained descent on a well constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m). Here we sign out from the national park before walking on for a further 15 minutes through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village where our vehicle awaits.

hotel

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