Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit – (9 Days)
Overview
Complete Route Around Kilimanjaro • Lemosho Approach • Northern Slopes • Uhuru Peak
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights on the mountain
Route: Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa → Shira → Moir Hut → Buffalo Camp → Third Cave → School Hut → Uhuru Peak → Millennium/Mweka → Mweka Gate
Highest Point: Uhuru Peak – 5,895 m
Starting point: Londorossi Gate / Lemosho side
Descent: Mweka Route
Accommodation: Mountain tents
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Difficulty: Challenging
Main advantage: Gradual acclimatization and a quieter traverse of the northern slopes.
The Northern Circuit begins on Kilimanjaro’s western side, follows the Lemosho approach across the Shira Plateau, then turns north around Kibo before approaching the summit from the east. The exact camp sequence and distances vary between operators, but the itinerary below follows a widely used 9-day structure.
9-Day Northern Circuit Summary
| Day | Route | Altitude | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Londorossi → Mti Mkubwa | 2,360 → 2,895 m | ~6 km | 3–4 hrs |
| 2 | Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1 | 2,895 → 3,505 m | ~8 km | 5–6 hrs |
| 3 | Shira 1 → Shira 2 | 3,505 → ~3,850 m | ~8–10 km | 4–6 hrs |
| 4 | Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Moir | 3,850 → 4,600 → 4,200 m | ~11 km | 6–8 hrs |
| 5 | Moir → Buffalo | 4,200 → 4,020 m | ~12 km | 5–7 hrs |
| 6 | Buffalo → Third Cave | 4,020 → 3,870 m | ~8 km | 5–7 hrs |
| 7 | Third Cave → School Hut | 3,870 → 4,750 m | ~5–8 km | 4–6 hrs |
| 8 | School Hut → Uhuru → Millennium | 4,750 → 5,895 → ~3,900 m | ~16 km | 12–16 hrs |
| 9 | Millennium → Mweka Gate | ~3,900 → 1,640 m | ~10–12 km | 3–5 hrs |
Note: Camp names, elevations and distances can differ slightly between operators and current park arrangements. The core 9-day Northern Circuit sequence is well established, but the exact measurements should be confirmed against the route plan being used for the booking.
What makes this route distinctive
- Western approach: starts through the Lemosho side of Kilimanjaro.
- Shira Plateau: broad volcanic landscape with excellent views of Kibo.
- Lava Tower: provides an important high-altitude acclimatization experience.
- Northern traverse: crosses the quieter northern slopes with views toward Kenya.
- Mawenzi and Kibo: spectacular views of both major volcanic cones.
- School Hut summit approach: allows a relatively gradual acclimatization profile before summit night.
- Uhuru Peak: 5,895 m.
- Mweka descent: finishes on the southern side of the mountain.
Included/Exclude
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
Starting altitude: ~2,360 m
Camp altitude: ~2,895 m
Distance: ~6 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane rainforest
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa / Big Tree Camp
After breakfast at your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, drive to Londorossi Gate on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro.
After registration and completion of park formalities, continue toward the Lemosho trailhead. The trek begins in the beautiful montane rainforest.
The first day is deliberately short and easy, giving you time to settle into the mountain environment. The forest is home to various bird species and monkeys, including colobus and blue monkeys.
Continue through the forest to Mti Mkubwa Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp.
Your mountain crew will prepare your tents and dinner while you rest.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Altitude: ~2,895 m → 3,505 m
Distance: ~8 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Rainforest → heath and moorland
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
After breakfast, continue climbing through the upper rainforest.
The vegetation gradually becomes shorter and the forest gives way to the heath and moorland zone.
The trail becomes more open as you approach the spectacular Shira Plateau. Behind you, you may have views toward Mount Meru, while Kibo begins to dominate the horizon ahead.
The landscape changes dramatically from dense forest to open volcanic terrain with giant heathers and rocky formations.
Continue to Shira 1 Camp, where you will spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
Altitude: ~3,505 m → ~3,800–3,850 m
Distance: ~8–10 km
Hiking time: 4–6 hours
Habitat: Moorland / alpine desert
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
Today you cross the expansive Shira Plateau.
The trail is relatively gradual, providing an important acclimatization opportunity. You will have magnificent views of Kibo Peak and the surrounding Shira volcanic landscape.
After reaching camp, lunch is followed by a rest period.
Depending on weather and the group's condition, your guide can organize a short afternoon acclimatization hike around the plateau.
The objective is to gain some additional altitude during the day before returning to camp to sleep.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
Altitude: ~3,850 m → Lava Tower ~4,600 m → Moir Hut ~4,200 m
Distance: ~11 km
Hiking time: 6–8 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Overnight: Moir Hut Camp
This is an important acclimatization day.
Leave Shira behind and gradually climb toward Lava Tower, reaching approximately 4,600 m.
The trail passes through the high alpine desert, with vegetation becoming increasingly sparse.
Lava Tower provides an important "climb high, sleep low" experience. After reaching the higher elevation, the route descends toward Moir Hut, situated at approximately 4,200 m.
The Northern Circuit branches away from the southern routes around this area and begins its remote traverse of Kilimanjaro's northern slopes.
After arriving at camp, have dinner and rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Moir Hut Camp
Altitude: ~4,200 m → ~4,020 m
Distance: ~12 km
Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Overnight: Buffalo Camp
After breakfast, climb out of the Moir Valley.
The route includes some steeper sections before reaching higher ground. Depending on weather and group condition, an optional short acclimatization excursion toward the Lent Hills can be made.
You then continue eastward along the remote northern slopes of Kilimanjaro.
This part of the route is particularly scenic, with expansive views toward Kenya and the northern plains.
The trail consists of a series of gentle climbs and descents before reaching Buffalo Camp.
Enjoy dinner and rest in the remote mountain environment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Buffalo Camp
Altitude: ~4,020 m → ~3,870 m
Distance: ~8 km
Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Overnight: Third Cave Camp
Today's hike continues around the northern side of Kilimanjaro.
Start by climbing along the Buffalo Ridge before descending toward the Pofu area.
The trail then continues eastward beneath the northern slopes of Kibo.
On clear days, there are excellent views across northern Tanzania toward Kenya.
The route eventually turns toward the southeastern side of the mountain and approaches the Rongai/Third Cave area.
This is a shorter day compared with Day 5, giving you valuable time to rest and prepare for the final approach to the summit.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Third Cave Camp
Altitude: ~3,870 m → ~4,750 m
Distance: ~5–8 km
Hiking time: 4–6 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Overnight: School Hut Camp
After breakfast, begin the gradual climb toward the Saddle, the broad alpine desert between Kibo and Mawenzi Peak.
The landscape becomes increasingly barren as you gain elevation.
You will have impressive views of Mawenzi to the east and Kibo ahead.
Continue across the Saddle before turning toward School Hut, situated at approximately 4,750 m.
Once you arrive, have an early dinner and rest.
Your guide will conduct the final summit briefing and check everyone's equipment.
Prepare your warm clothing, headlamp, water, snacks and trekking poles before going to sleep.
You will normally be awakened around midnight for the summit attempt.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: School Hut Camp
School Hut: ~4,750 m
Uhuru Peak: 5,895 m
Millennium Camp: ~3,800–3,950 m
Summit hiking: Approximately 7–9 hours to the summit
Total day: Approximately 12–16 hours depending on conditions and group pace
Summit Day
Wake around midnight and have a light breakfast or hot tea with snacks.
Begin the summit attempt in darkness.
The climb is steep and demanding as you ascend the volcanic scree toward the crater rim. Your guide will maintain a slow, steady pace—pole pole—with regular breaks.
The first major objective is Gilman's Point, located on the crater rim at approximately 5,700 m.
From there, continue around the crater rim toward Stella Point and then onward toward Uhuru Peak.
Uhuru Peak – 5,895 m
Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the highest mountain in Africa.
Take photographs, enjoy the views and celebrate the achievement, while keeping your time at the summit relatively short because of the altitude and cold.
After the summit, descend carefully.
The route continues down toward the southern side of Kibo and eventually to Millennium Camp, where you will spend the night.
This is normally the longest and most physically demanding day of the trek.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Millennium Camp
Altitude: ~3,800–3,950 m → ~1,640 m
Distance: Approximately 10–12 km
Hiking time: 3–5 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
After breakfast, begin the final descent through the lush montane rainforest.
The trail becomes increasingly green and humid as you lose altitude.
Continue toward Mweka Gate, where you complete the park exit procedures and receive your summit certificate if applicable.
Say goodbye to your mountain crew before meeting your transfer vehicle.
Transfer back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a shower, rest and celebration.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
End of trek: Mweka Gate
The Mweka descent is a standard finish for many Northern Circuit itineraries.
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