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9 Days Northern Circuit Route

Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking

Mount Kilimanjaro Trek - Northern Circuit Route Itinerary

Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) – start point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)

Estimated Trekking distance: 5.5km / 3 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters). B, L, D.

The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point 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 Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)

Estimated Trekking distance: 8km / 5 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone/ Low Alpine Zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters). B, L, D.

On day two 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 1 (3,610 meters) to Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters)

Estimated Trekking distance: 7km / 4 miles,
Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone/ Low Alpine Zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters) B, L, D

On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2. 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 2 (3,850 M) to Moir Camp (4,200 M)

Estimated Trekking distance: 14km / 8 miles,
Estimated Trekking time: 5-7 hours,
Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone,
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Moir Camp (4,200 meters) B, L, D.

Day four is a long trek 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.

Day 5: Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters)

Estimated Trekking distance: 12km / 7 miles,
Estimated Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters) B, L, D.

Day five involves a moderately 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 (4,020 meters) to Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters)

Estimated Trekking distance: 8km / 5 miles, Estimated Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters) B, L, D.

Day six starts 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.

Day 7: 3rd Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters)

Estimated Trekking distance: 15km / 8 miles,
Estimated Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: School Hut (4,800 meters) B, L, D.

Day seven 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: School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then onto Millennium Camp (3,950 meters)

Estimated Trekking distance: 6km / 3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km / 6 mile descent,
Estimated Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent
Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) B, L, D.

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.

Day 9: Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)

Estimated Trekking distance: 10km / 6.5 miles,
Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking

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 guides and porters tips at this point before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Note:

-The pack that the porters carry is limited to 35 pounds (i.e. 15kgs)

-Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at $10/day

You can leave extra luggage in Hotel in Arusha (if you leave any valuable items like cash, jewelry, etc) make sure you get a receipt for that.

Price Includes:

  • Arrival and departure Kilimanjaro airport transfers
  • Transport from the hotel to the mountain and back to the hotel
  • Accommodation as indicated
  • Sleeping tent and mattresses on the mountain
  • Dining tent on the mountain
  • Meals as indicated above (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
  • Transport from your hotel to the mountain, and back to your hotel.
  • Group average of 4~6 climbers, maximum of 10.
  • Portable toilets
  • All park fees, including mountain rescue fees, government taxes and all applicable fees and taxes.
  • Services of a Professional Leading Guide who is medically trained, certified, licensed and English speaking.
  • Services of English-speaking assistant guide (s) and enough number of porters for your luggage, food, and water, and a skilled cook.

Price does not Include:

  • Accommodation in Town
  • International airfare
  • Items of a personal nature such as passport, and visa,
  • Climbing gears (can be rented on arrival)
  • Tips (recommended in USD, Cash)
  • Medical Equipment which can be rented well in advance for the following costs: $250/group for hyperbaric chamber, $210/group for an emergency Oxygen cylinder and $140/group for a stretcher. Please note these prices include a porter to carry the equipment.
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