9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

9-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 Begin your trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp

This morning you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moshi for the drive to the Londrossi Park Gate. From here, you’ll take a 4Wd vehicle up a forest track to the Lemosho Glades where you can finally stretch your legs and start hiking! The trail today goes through the rainforest and is the section where you’ll see the most vegetation and wildlife. Keep an eye on the trees to look for monkeys on your way to your first campsite at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
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 Climb the ridge to Shira Camp

You’ll notice the trees are already thinning as your trail gets steeper today. You’ll have gorgeous panoramic views as you crest the dramatic Shira Ridge. Tonight, you’ll be camping at Shira 1 Camp, which is on the western side of the Shira Plateau.
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 Cross the plateau to Shira 2 Camp

Today will be a nice day to acclimate while you cross the meadows of Shira Plateau. Since this is an easier day, you’ll also have a chance to explore the moorland on one of the many short trails nearby.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,850m / 12,631’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 8 km, 350m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Lava Tower and Moir Camp

Your trail this morning winds through the “Garden of Senecios” which will be the last of the larger vegetation as you climb into the higher alpine desert region. You’ll stop for lunch at the Lava Tower rock formation, which you can scramble up if you’re so inclined. In the afternoon, you’ll finally be joining the Northern Circuit trail before heading down to Moir Camp.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,200m / 13,790’)
Distance: 5 to 7 hours, 14 km, 350m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Hike out of the Moir Valley and optional hike up Little Lent Hill

The trek out of the Moir Valley is a moderately steep trail, followed by the option to hike to the top of Little Lent Hill. Once you’ve returned to the Northern Circuit, the path is a series of gradual inclines and declines as you circle the slopes of Kibo. Buffalo Camp is only used by hikers on the Northern Circuit, so enjoy the seclusion!
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 6 Trek Buffalo Ridge

After you leave camp, you’ll be hiking up Buffalo Ridge and on to Porfu Camp for lunch. In the afternoon, the trail continues to skirt around the remote northern slopes until you reach the Rongai Third Cave Camp. At this point you should be well acclimated to the high elevations, so you can have another enjoyable night under the stars.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,875m / 12,713)
Distance: 5 to 7 hours, 8 km, 220 of elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 Cross the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi Peak

You’ll be trekking a steeper incline up over the saddle today, but the payoff is the unique views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks as you cross between them. You’ll arrive at School Hut Camp for early dinner and bedtime in preparation for your summit attempt tomorrow.
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 8 Reach the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro

The moon will still be high in the sky when you begin your trek around midnight. The cold and dark can be mentally challenging as you begin the steep ascent to Gilman’s Point. Here you’ll be joining the climbers from other routes as you make your final ascent together. The sun will be making its appearance as you cross the crater rim and take in the beauty of Mawenzi Peak. Let the sunrise uplift you as you scramble through the snow to the top, where you’ll celebrate while taking in the views of a lifetime! You won’t have long at the tallest point in Africa before you’ll have to descend to a safer altitude. There’s no rest here just yet as you still have another 5-6 hours of climbing back 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 9 Descend and return to Moshi

The energy this morning is likely to be high as you exchange summit stories with your fellow hikers. It will also become increasingly easier to breathe as you leave the mountainside and return to the rainforest. At Mweka Park Gate you’ll receive your summit certificate and meet your driver for the trip back to Moshi.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Moshi
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast