9 Days Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route | Longest & Most Remote Trek Tanzania

Tour Overview

The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro's longest and most remote trekking route — and the one with the highest summit success rate of all. Circumnavigating almost the entire mountain, this 9-day adventure traverses remote northern slopes that very few trekkers ever see, offering extraordinary solitude, diverse ecosystems and the most thorough acclimatization possible before the final summit push.

Day to Day Itinerary

Arrival Day — Welcome to Kilimanjaro

Transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to hotel in Moshi. Full pre-climb briefing covering this exceptional 9-day route. Overnight at hotel in Moshi.

Day 1 - Lemosho Gate (2100m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m)

Distance covered: 7 km

Approximate time taken: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2100m) in the west, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities is at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephants, giraffes and buffalos that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m).

Day 2 - Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m) to Shira I Camp (3600m)

Distance covered: 8 km

Approximate time taken: 5 hours

Habitat: Rainforest/ Moorland

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Today you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of the 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 I (3600m).
 

Day 3 - Shira 1 Camp (3600m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)

Distance covered: 10 km

Approximate time taken: 3 hours

Habitat: Low alpine zone

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp I to Shira Camp II. We will continue east up to the Shira Plateau ridge for lunch, dinner & overnight.

Day 4 - Shira 2 Camp (3900m) Moir Hut camp (4200m)

Distance covered: 4 km

Approximate time taken: 2 hours

Habitat: Low alpine zone

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

On day four the trek crosses the Shira Plateau Shira Camp II and heads directly to Moir Hut camp. Today is a short day with best acclimatization as we will trek close to Lava tower and go down to Moir Hut camp for lunch and overnight.

Day 5 - Moir Camp (4200m) to Pofu Camp (4000m)

Distance covered: 10 km

Approximate time taken: 5-7 hours

Habitat: High alpine zone

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Today it is a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4375m before returning to the Grand Traverse trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Pofu (Buffalo) Camp (4000m). 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 Pofu Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch, dinner and overnight.

Day 6 - Pofu Camp (4000m) to Rongai Third Cave camp (3800m)

Distance covered: 7 km

Approximate time taken: 4 hours

Habitat: Alpine zone

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day five starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and then continues east along the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3800 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.

Day 7 - Rongai Third Cave camp (3800m) to School Hut (4800m)

Distance covered: 7 km

Approximate time taken:4-5 hours

Habitat: High alpine zone

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day six 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 (4800 m). After arriving at School Hut, you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some sleep as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt.

Day 8 - Summit day - School Hut (4800m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) and then down to Millennium Camp (3950m)

Distance covered: 16 km

Approximate time taken: 12 hours

Habitat: Glacial zone and all preceding zones

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
 

You will be awoken at 5am and have a full breakfast before starting our sunlight summit around 6am. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5681m), which will be around 4 - 5 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak. From here you gather all your energy and every bit of determination to reach Uhuru Peak (5895m). How long you stay at the summit will depend on the time, weather and your physical condition. You will then head around the crater rim to Stella Point (5739m) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4680m). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3950m) for their final night on the mountain.

Day 9 - Millennium Camp (3900m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

Distance covered: 14 km

Approximate time taken: 5 hours

Habitat: Glacial zone and all preceding zones

Meal: Breakfast, and lunch included

The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3950m) to Mweka Gate (1630m). 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.

Departure Day

After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro's ultimate adventure — and you completed it. Congratulations on an extraordinary achievement. Asante sana!