8 DAY NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE || KILITRACKS ADVENTURES

ROUTE OVERVIEW

The Northern Circuit Route is the longest and newest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering the highest summit success rate due to its excellent acclimatization profile. It approaches from the west, following part of the Lemosho Route before traversing around the quieter northern slopes of the mountain — far from the crowds.
Over 8 days, trekkers experience an incredible variety of landscapes: lush rainforest, Shira Plateau, moorlands, alpine desert, and finally the glacial summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m). This route combines scenic beauty, solitude, and a gradual ascent that maximizes acclimatization and enjoyment.

ITINERARY

DAY O: ARRIVAL TO TANZANIA.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotelin 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. The missing gear can be rented on this day.

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp)
Elevation: 2,100m/6,890ft to 2,785m/9,140ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Londorossi Gate (about 2–3 hours) for registration. Continue to the trailhead at Lemosho Gate, where you’ll begin your trek through the lush rainforest. You may encounter Colobus monkeys and rich birdlife before reaching Mti Mkubwa Camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 2,785m/9,140ft to 3,500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
You’ll climb steeply out of the forest and enter the heather and moorland zone, with wide views of the Shira Ridge. The trail leads to the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world. Camp overnight at Shira 1 Camp.

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 3,500m/11,500ft to 3,850m/12,630ft
Distance: 7km/4mi
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today is a short but important acclimatization day. You’ll cross the Shira Plateau toward Shira 2 Camp, enjoying magnificent views of Kibo Peak and Mount Meru. The afternoon can be used for rest or short acclimatization hikes nearby.

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Moir Hut
Elevation: 3,850m/12,630ft to 4,600m/15,090ft (Lava Tower) then down to 4,200m/13,780ft
Distance: 14km/8.5mi
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today offers a valuable acclimatization opportunity. You’ll ascend to Lava Tower (4,600m), where you’ll stop for lunch before descending to Moir Hut Camp. This “climb high, sleep low” strategy helps your body adjust to the altitude.

Day 5: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
Elevation: 4,200m/13,780ft to 4,020m/13,190ft
Distance: 12km/7.5mi
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert / Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Begin with a short climb to the Lent Hills for panoramic views of the plains below. Continue on a gentle trail across the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro — an area rarely visited by other climbers — before arriving at Buffalo Camp for dinner and rest.

Day 6: Buffalo Camp to School Hut Camp
Elevation: 4,020m/13,190ft to 4,800m/15,750ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek eastward through alpine terrain, gradually ascending toward School Hut, the base for your summit push. Enjoy an early dinner and plenty of rest before your midnight start to the summit.

Day 7: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,800m/15,750ft to 5,895m/19,340ft (Uhuru Peak)
Descent to: 3,100m/10,170ft
Distance: 6km/4mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 6–8 hours up / 5–6 hours down
Habitat: Arctic Zone / Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Begin your summit attempt just after midnight, climbing steeply to Gilman’s Point (5,685m) and continuing along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating your achievement, descend to Barafu Camp for lunch and continue down to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
Elevation: 3,100m/10,170ft to 1,640m/5,380ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, continue your descent through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificates. A vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Moshi for a well-deserved rest and celebration.

DAY 9: HOTEL TO AIRPORT
After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans or take a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.

Price Include.

Price Include
>>Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
>>2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
>>Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
>>Park entry fees,
>>Camping fees.
>>Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
>>18% VAT on tour fees & services
>>4 Season mountain tents
>>Double layered Sleeping Mats
>>Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters.
>>3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
>>Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
>>Hot water for washing.
>>Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by theKilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
>>Government taxes
>>Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
>>Emergency first-aid kit.

Price Exclude

Price Exclude
>>Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
>>Travel insurance
>>Flights.
>>Laundry (Available at hotel).
>>Personal items and toiletries.
>>Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).
Guide $25/guide/day
Assistant guide $ 20/guide/day
Cook $15/day
Porter’s $10/porter/day