8 days Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro trekking

About 8 days Kilimanjaro trekking Northern Circuit route

8 days Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro trekking is the newest route up Kilimanjaro. The trek begins in Moshi with a long drive to the Lemosho gate and follow the Lemosho trails in the beginning, approaching Kilimanjaro from the west. Later, instead of following the southern traverse as the Shira and Lemosho routes do, this route traverses around the mountain's quiet and rarely visited northern slopes. Trekking Mt Kilimanjaro via the northern circuit route, you will start from the south, where Moshi town is located, and drive to the west side of the mountain, Lemosho, to begin the trek. Later, you will turn to the north and east sides of the mountain before summiting and descending via the Mweka route, which is on the southern side. Our success rate is 99%. The route has a very high success rate, an incredible variety of scenery, and a very low visitor population. It is more advantageous for people who prefer to live in a remote location.

ARRIVE IN TANZANIA

• Driving distance: 55 km/miles
• Driving Time: 1hour
• Habitat: Cultivated zone
• Hotel: Bed and Breakfast

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

DAY 1: LONDOROSI GATE – MTI MKUBWA CAMP

• Distance: 8km/5miles
• Trekking Time: 3-4 hours
• Elevation:7,742ft-9,498ft
• Vegetation: Rain Forest

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 elephants 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 MtiMkubwa Camp.

DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA – SHIRA ONE

• Distance: 5km/3miles
• Trekking Time: 5-6hours
• Elevation: 9,498ft to 11,500ft
• Vegetation: Heath

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 1 (3,610 meters).

DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP ONE – MOIR CAMP

• Distance: 9km/5miles
• Trekking Time: 5-7 hours
• Elevation: 11,500 to 13,580 ft
• Habitat: Heath

Today we will cross the Shira plateau and traverse to the north side around the mount instead of following the south circuit like other routes starting from the west. The walk is quiet and has low traffic from here as the rough is just separated from the normal Lemosho route.

DAY 4: MOIR CAMP – BUFFALO CAMP

• Distance: 12km/7miles
• Trekking Time: 5-7 hours
• Elevation: 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 trek 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 trekking.

DAY 5: BUFFALO CAMP – THIRD CAVE CAMP

• Distance: 8km/5miles
• Trekking Time: 5-7 hours
• Elevation: 13,200 ft to 12700 ft
• Habitat: Heath

This day begins 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 6: THIRD CAVE CAMP – SKULL HUT CAMP

• Distance: 5km/3miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Elevation: 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 southwest 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, headlamps, and a camera before going to bed.

DAY 7: THIRD CAVE CAMP – UHURU – MILLENNIUM CAMP

• Distance: 6km/4miles and 12km/7miles
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 4-6 hours
• Elevation: 15,600 ft to 19,341ft and 10,065 ft
• Habitat: Arctic zone

You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking to reach Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or 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 Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.

DAY 8: MILLENNIUM CAMP – MWEKA GATE

• Distance: 12km/7miles
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Elevation: 12,434 ft – 5,380 ft
• Vegetation: Rainforest

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 guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi.

DEPART TANZANIA

This day left for your next destination. If you have a safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or flying to Zanzibar, or flying back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.