Northern Circuit 8-9 days + 2 nights hotel

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
 Driving distance: 55 km
 Driving Time: 1 hour

The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start
points as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from
Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park
authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the
trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first day trek to
Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like
elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek
towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach MtiMkubwa Camp.

 Distance: 8km/5miles,
 Hiking Time: 3-4 hours,
 Elevation: 7,742ft 9,498ft
 Habitat: Rain Forest.

Today you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).
 Distance: 5km/3miles,
 Hiking Time: 5-6hours,
 Elevation: 9,498ft to 11,500ft or,
 Habitat: Heath.

On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 via Shira rock peak. Nine-day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. At Shira Camp 2 it is worth trekking a little higher up the plateau to enjoy the stunning view across the valley below and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero. Note: Trekkers on an eight-day hike will continue east up the Shira Plateau ridge and on to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) and then back down via the Northern Circuit to Moir Camp (4,200 meters).
 Distance: 7km/4miles,
 Hiking Time: 3-4 hours,
 Elevation: 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft
 Habitat: Heath

The trek on this is long heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the
Senecios’ and then enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent
trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600
meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch you will join the northern circuit
heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters (see map above). This is an
important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then
sleep low, which is good for the acclimatization process.

 Distance: 7km/4miles and 7km/4miles
 Hiking Time: 3-4 hours and 2-3 hours
 Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190ft to 13,580 ft
 Habitat: Alpine Desert

This day is moderately involving the steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour
here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit
trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern
slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters).The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie
north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo
Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking.
 Distance: 12km/7miles,
 Hiking Time: 5-7 hours,
 Elevation: 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft
 Habitat: Alpine Deser

This day begins with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Pofu Camp where lunch is usually
served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800
meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to
the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
 Distance: 8km/5miles,
 Hiking Time: 5-7 hours,
 Elevation: 13,200 ft to 12700 ft
 Habitat: Heath

This day involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut, you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear,
including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp and camera before going to bed.

 Distance: 5km/3miles
 Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
 Elevation:12,700 ft to 15,600 ft.
 Habitat: Alpine Desert

You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the
slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave where you will
take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be
around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and
incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking to reach
Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain. In total you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight, so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels up.

Note: Some tour operators return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.

 Distance: 6km/4miles and 12km/7miles
 Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 4-6 hours
 Elevation: 15,600 ft to 19,341ft and 10,065
 Habitat: Arctic zone

The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp
(3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the
authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for
those who made it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. It
is customary to give your guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi.
 Distance: 12km/7miles,
 Hiking Time: 5-7 hours,
 Elevation:12,434 ft – 5,380 ft
 Vegetation: Rain forest

Whether you go on a safari with us, or fly to Zanzibar or any other destination, out vehicle will
be ready for your transfer at a time of your choosing.