10 Days Northern Circuit Trail Kilimanjaro Mountain

ITINERARY

Day 1: LONDOROSI GATE TO MTI MKUBWA CAMP

Distance: 8km/5miles,
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours,
Eleven: 7,742ft 9,498ft
Habitat: Rain Forest.
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 3 hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities will be at the gate and then you will be drive to the starting point. You will your 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. MtiMkubwa Camp.

Day 2: MTI MKUBWA TO SHIRA ONE

Distance: 5km/3miles,
Hiking Time: 5-6hours,
Eleven: 9,498ft to 11,500ft or,
Habitat: Heath.
After breakfast and medical checkup 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).

Day 3: SHIRA CAMP ONE TO SHIRA CAMP TWO

Distance: 7km/4miles,
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours,
Eleven: 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft
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).

Day 4: SHIRA CAMP TWO TO MOIR CAMP

Distance: 7km/4miles and 7km/4miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours and 2-3 hours
Eleven: 12,500 ft to 15,190ft to 13,580 ft
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
On this you will head 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 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. 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.

Day 5: MOIR CAMP TO BUFFALO CAMP

Distance: 12km/7miles,
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours,
Eleven: 13,580 ft to 13,200 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.

Day 6: BUFFALO CAMP TO THIRD CAVE CAMP

Distance: 8km/5miles,
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours,
Eleven: 13,200 ft to 12700 ft
Habitat: Heath
This day begins with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Poffu 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.

Day 7: THIRD CAVE CAMP TO SKULL HUT CAMP

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

Day 8: SKULL HUT CAMP TO CRATER CAMP

Distance: 5km/3miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today after breakfast you will park your things together with few porters will start your steep hike to crater bowl of Mt Kilimanjaro. On your way to crater camp you will meet with people coming down from the summit. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilmans Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 4-5 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy an incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak before you head down to the crater.
After lunch you will walk around to explore the crater and ashpit area.

Day 9: CRATER CAMP TO UHURU TO MILLENNIUM CAMP

Distance: 6km/4miles and 12km/7miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 4-6 hours
Eleven: 15,600 ft to 19,341ft and 10,065
Habitat: Arctic zone
You will be awoken around 5:00 am with hot tea and biscuits you will start you summit ascent of 1 hour where you should reach the summit with sunrise 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 Gilmans Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.

Day 10: MILLENNIUM CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

Distance: 12km/7miles,
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours,
Eleven:12,434 ft to 5,380 ft
Vegetation: Rain forest
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 Gilmans 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.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE FAQ

What is the success rate of the Northern Circuit route?
The Northern Circuit route has an average success rate of 90% – 95%, which is quite high. The main reason for this high summit success rate is because of the route's long length which facilitates enough acclimatization time for climbers.

How difficult is the Northern Circuit Route?
The Northern Circuit has a lowest difficulty level on all the Kilimanjaro Routes. Although it is the longest route, the longer itinerary means that it has the best acclimatization profile which makes the trek less difficult. The physical trek over nine days is excellent for altitude acclimatization and generally easy under foot. Good level of fitness is highly recommended.

What is the distance of the Northern Circuit Route and how many days does it take?
The exact trekking distance for the Northern Circuit Route is 88km or 53 miles. The shortest number of days required for the Northern Circuit Route is 8 days, Shorter ascents are possible but mean some strenuous trekking days. By the time you have added on arrival and departure days it is 10 or 12. However, as it’s considered one of the longest routes on the mountain it is actually best done over 10 days of trekking to increase your changes of success

What is the Scenery like on the Northern Circuit Route?
The main approach will take you through the rich Lemosho forest and across the Shira Plateau. Then as the climber traverses around to the remote and rarely-visited north side of Kilimanjaro, the scenery becomes more arid and austere. It is so remote here that the shy eland are often seen as well as the occasional buffalo that come to lick minerals from the natural caves on the high slopes of Kilimanjaro.

When is the best time to Trek Northern Circuit Route?
July-September is the best time to trek the Northern Circuit Route, as the weather is most stable during this period and encountering rain is less likely. That said, since it is close to the equator it is possible to climb the mountain at any time of the year. April and May is the rainy season so this period is best avoided.

Price Per Person

• GROUP SIZE (US-Dollar)
• 1 Person $ 3550
• 2-4 People $ 3420
• 5-7 People $ 3380
• 8-10 People $ 3300
• 10 ++People $ 3230

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.
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• 4 Season mountain tents
• Double layered Sleeping Mats
• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters.
• 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
• Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
• Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
• Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
• Hot water for washing.
• Government taxes
• Emergency first-aid kit.

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.