10 Days Northern Circuit Route

Description

Northern Circuit is the most up to date and the longest route to Mt. Kilimanjaro, making it the best route for the summit. The route offers a 360-degree perspective of Mt. Kilimanjaro making it the most dynamite perspectives of the differing area. As the longest route on Kilimanjaro, the Northern Circuit also has the longest acclimatization time, giving you the highest chance of reaching the summit successfully.

Itinerary Details

• Day
  1

  Arrive Kilimanjaro

  Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, please clear immigration, collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals hall where our driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. Your guide will schedule a meeting in the afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure.

  Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel

• Day
  2

  Londorossi Gate To Mti Mkubwa Camp

  Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft

  Distance: 6 km

  Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

  Habitat: Rainforest

  After breakfast today, your driver will pick you up and drive you to the Londorossi Gate, where you will complete registration before transferring a further 12km to the start of the trailhead where you will begin your expedition to the Roof of Africa. You will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp early afternoon. The rest of the day it at leisure.

• Day
  3

  Mti Mkubwa Camp To Shira One Camp

  Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft

  Distance: 8 km

  Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

  Habitat: Moorland

  You’ll enjoy an early mountainside breakfast before climbing a slightly steeper gradient up through the moorland zone as you make your way to Shira One Camp. On a clear day, you’ll enjoy fantastic views of Kibo, Mt. Kilimanjaro’s summit cone, as you continue along the rocky ridge to Shira Plateau. From here, the trail becomes easier and you’ll arrive at camp in the afternoon.

• Day
  4

  Shira One Camp To Shira Two Camp

  Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft

  Distance: 14 km

  Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

  Habitat: Moorland

  After breakfast this morning, you will continue along the Shira Plateau to Shira Two Campsite, where you’ll get your first glimpse of the Western Breach with its dramatic glaciers. Today’s hike will take approximately 5-hours, and you will arrive at camp in the early afternoon. Shira Two Campsite is exposed to the elements, so you can expect colder temperatures tonight, often well below zero.

• Day
  5

  Shira Two Camp To Moir Hut Camp

  Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 15,190ft to 13,580ft

  Distance: 14 km

  Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

  Habitat: Moorland

  You will continue up and over the expansive ridgeline of Shira today as you make your way towards the impressive Lava Tower at 15,090ft or 4,600m above sea level. Here, you will have the opportunity to climb to the top of the tower with your guide, before continuing north-west on your circuit of Kibo. After lunch, you will continue to Moir Hut Camp, an isolated camp that offers spectacular views of the Shira Plateau.

• Day
  6

  Moir Hut Camp To Buffalo Camp

  Elevation: 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft

  Distance: 12 km

  Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

  Habitat: Alpine Desert

  You’ll leave the moorland zone behind today as you continue your trek into the alpine desert and across a steep ridge that connects the Lemosho Route to the Northern Circuit Route. This part of the trail offers fantastic views of the plains north of Kilimanjaro, and while it is steep in some parts, you’ll enjoy plenty of ups and downs as you make your way to Buffalo Camp.

• Day
  7

  Buffalo Camp To Third Cave Camp

  Elevation: 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft

  Distance: 8 km

  Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

  Habitat: Alpine Desert

  To help you acclimatize, you’ll hike high and sleep low again today. As you head up Buffalo Ridge, you’ll notice a change in scenery once again the terrain becomes increasingly sparse. This rarely travelled route is perfect for those who are looking for a more peaceful experience, traversing remote valleys on the northern slopes on the way to Third Cave Camp.

• Day
  8

  Third Cave Camp To School Huts Camp

  Elevation: 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft

  Distance: 5 km

  Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

  Habitat: Alpine Desert

  After a warm breakfast in the mess tent, you will climb steadily from Third Cave Camp to the ‘Saddle’ that sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here, you’ll continue across the lunar landscape to School Hut Camp, where you will spend the afternoon resting in preparation for your midnight summit attempt. Try to get some sleep this afternoon, you have a long night ahead!

• Day
  9

  School Huts Camp To Uhuru Peak To Mweka Camp

  Elevation: 15,600 ft to 19,341 ft

  Distance: 18 km

  Hiking Time: 10-14 hours

  Habitat: Artic

  Today is the day you have been waiting for! You will be woken up just before midnight with tea and biscuits in preparation for your final journey to the summit – Uhuru Peak. Your journey to the Roof of Africa will take approximately 7-8 hours, and you will arrive just in time to watch the sun rise over Africa. After taking your summit photos, you will descend to Barafu Camp for lunch and some much-needed rest. Afterwards, you’ll descend to Mweka camp for your last night on the mountain.

• Day
  10

  Mweka Camp To Moshi – Departure

  After breakfast in camp, you will walk down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate where you will receive your certificate. After tipping your crew, you will transfer back to your hotel in Moshi for a welcome hot shower and a celebratory Kilimanjaro Beer!

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