8-day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route Itinerary

Day 0 Arrive early to attend your pre-trek briefing

If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, you will be picked from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today you will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. The team will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed. Please note that the accommodation or airport transfers for this day are not included but can be booked as a supplement.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 1 Londorossi Gate and trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp

You have a fair bit of driving today before you can hit the trail. A vehicle will pick you up at your hotel in Moshi and drive you the three hours to Londorossi Park Gate. Here you’ll switch to a 4WD vehicle that can navigate the forest track to the Lemosho Glades, where you’re hike finally begins. You’ll be trekking through the rainforest trails all the way to Mti Mkubwa, or “big tree” campsite.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (2,780m / 9,120’)
Distance: 2 to 3 hours, 6 km, 820m of elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2 Trek the dramatic Shira Ridge to Shira Camp

The trail today will get steeper and the trees will become sparser as you leave the forest behind. Today will be a gorgeous day as you’ll experience the dramatic views from the Shira Ridge. You’ll have to cross a few streams as well before you arrive at camp.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,600m / 11,811’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 8 km, 850m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Hike across the plateau and into the alpine desert

Your journey this morning begins with a beautiful trek through the moorland heather and across the plateau. You’ll pass by Shira Camp 2 before heading east and joining the Northern Circuit trail. Before arriving at Moir Camp you’ll pass through the “Garden of the Senecios” and then transition to the high alpine desert.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,200m / 13,790’)
Distance: 6 to 8 hours, 14 km, 700m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Little Lent Hill and Kibo peak

Today you won’t be gaining altitude overall, but the track will have steeper uphill and downhill sections, especially as you climb out of the valley and circle the north slopes of Kibo. You’ll also have the choice today to hike to the top of Little Lent Hill before you resume your trek to Buffalo Camp
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,020m / 13,180’)
Distance: 5 to 6 hours, 12 km, 180m of elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Buffalo Ridge and northern slopes

Your climb up Buffalo Ridge should help you build your appetite in time for lunch at Porfu Camp. From there, you’ll be continuing to circle the remote northern slopes until you reach the Rongai Third Cave Camp. Tonight will be your third night sleeping near 4000m, so you should be getting adjusted to the elevation.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,875m / 12,713)
Distance: 5 to 7 hours, 8 km, 220m of elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Hike the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi

The trail today will be getting increasingly steeper as you hike up between the two other volcanic cones known as the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. You’ll be arriving at the School Hut campsite in the afternoon, and we recommend you go to bed early as your wake-up call is midnight and tomorrow is a big day!
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,800m / 15,748’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 15 km, 1000m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 Summit Uhuru peak and begin descent

You’ll be leaving the warmth of your sleeping bag around midnight this morning to begin your attempt at the summit. You’ll have to be careful in the dark as you begin the steep track up Kibo. After your first break at Hans Meyer Cave, the path will become even more challenging up to Gilman’s Point. As the sky starts to lighten, you’ll be inspired for the climb ahead by the stunning sight of Mawenzi Peak. You’ll follow the crater rim up the last snowy stretch to the top around sunrise.

Enjoy your moments at the top of Uhuru Peak, as the air is so thin that you won’t be able to stay long before you begin your descent. The victory of reaching Africa’s highest point will hopefully refill your energy tanks, as you still have a long hike down to Millennium Camp.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,950m / 12,960’)
Distance: 10 to 15 hours, 17 km, 1095m of ascent, 1945m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 Last day on the mountain and return to Moshi

You’ll appreciate the warming temperature as you descend from the rocky slopes back into the rainforest. After yesterday’s gruelling day you’ll have a much shorter hike down the mountain to Mweka Park Gate where you’ll receive your summit certificate. A driver will be waiting for you at the gate to take you back to Moshi.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 10 km, 2270m of descent
Meals: Breakfast