Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking

Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking | The Nothern Circuit Route

• 9 Days / 8 Night
• Mount Kilimanjaro

Explore Kilimanjaro’s new frontiers, hike on remote trails away from the crowd with maximum comfort, and a great acclimatization schedule. The Northern Circuit is longer than the other trails on Kilimanjaro, taking a minimum of eight or nine days to complete. The eight-day trek skips the additional acclimatization day that is usually spent at Shira Camp 2 and continues straight on to Moir Camp.

The route provides plenty of time to explore the less known features of Kilimanjaro, including Shark’s Tooth and several caves along the route.  Mount Kilimanjaro trek – Stand on the ‘Roof of Africa’ – trek with your own team of guides and porters.

Itinerary Plan

Day 0: Arrival – Pre-trek Briefing
If you have chosen to use our airport transfer service, we will collect you from Kilimanjaro Airport and take you to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Your guide will meet you at the hotel for a pre-trek briefing, which is scheduled for the day after your arrival. We recommend that you arrive at least one day before the trek begins. During the briefing, we will discuss the trek and review your equipment. If you require any additional equipment, we can arrange for it to be rented from our store.

Day 1: Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Londorossi Gate for registration and entry formalities. Once the paperwork is complete, the trek begins through the lush rainforest zone, where you may spot wildlife such as monkeys and a variety of bird species. The trail is scenic and peaceful, making it a great start to your Kilimanjaro adventure. After approximately 3–4 hours of hiking covering 6km (4 miles), you will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp for dinner and overnight.
Habitat: Rain Forest
Hiking Time: 3–4 hrs
Distance: 6 km / 4 miles
Elevation: 7,742 ft – 9,498 ft

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira 1 Camp
Today you continue ascending as you leave the rainforest behind and enter the heath zone. The vegetation changes dramatically, with open landscapes and beautiful mountain views. The trail climbs steadily toward the Shira Plateau. After about 5–6 hours of hiking over 8km (5 miles), you will arrive at Shira 1 Camp for dinner and overnight.
Habitat: Heath
Hiking Time: 5–6 hrs
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Elevation: 9,498 ft – 11,500 ft

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp
After breakfast, you will trek across the Shira Plateau with stunning panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The trail is relatively moderate and allows you to enjoy the wide-open scenery. After approximately 3–4 hours of trekking covering 7km (4 miles), you will reach Shira 2 Camp for dinner and overnight.
Habitat: Heath
Hiking Time: 3–4 hrs
Distance: 7 km / 4 miles
Elevation: 11,500 ft – 12,500 ft

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp – Lava Tower – Moir Hut
This is an important acclimatization day. You will hike toward Lava Tower (15,190 ft) through the rugged alpine desert landscape. After reaching Lava Tower, you will descend to Moir Hut (13,580 ft). This “climb high, sleep low” method helps your body adapt to the altitude. The trek includes approximately 3–4 hours to Lava Tower and 2–3 hours descending to Moir Hut.
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Hiking Time: 3–4 hrs / 2–3 hrs
Distance: 7 km / 4 miles (to Lava Tower) + 7 km / 4 miles (to Moir Hut)
Elevation: 12,500 ft – 15,190 ft – 13,580 ft

Day 5: Moir Hut – Buffalo Camp
Today you continue trekking along the quieter northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro. The route is less crowded and offers unique views of the mountain and surrounding plains. The hike is longer and gradual, passing through the alpine zone before reaching Buffalo Camp (13,200 ft). After approximately 5–7 hours of hiking covering 12km (7 miles), you will arrive at camp for dinner and overnight.
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Hiking Time: 5–7 hrs
Distance: 12 km / 7 miles
Elevation: 13,580 ft – 13,200 ft

Day 6: Buffalo Camp – Third Cave
After breakfast, you will continue along the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro with beautiful open views. Today’s hike is steady and helps further acclimatization. After about 5–7 hours of trekking covering 8km (5 miles), you will reach Third Cave (12,700 ft) for dinner and overnight.
Habitat: Heath
Hiking Time: 5–7 hrs
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Elevation: 13,200 ft – 12,700 ft

Day 7: Third Cave – School Hut
Today you will trek uphill toward School Hut (15,600 ft), the base camp for your summit attempt. The environment becomes more rocky and barren as you move deeper into the alpine desert zone. After approximately 4–5 hours of hiking covering 5km (3 miles), you will arrive at School Hut, enjoy dinner, and rest early in preparation for the summit climb.
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Hiking Time: 4–5 hrs
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Elevation: 12,700 ft – 15,600 ft

Day 8: School Hut – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp
This is summit day and the highlight of the entire trek. You will start the climb around midnight, ascending steadily toward Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft), the highest point in Africa. After reaching the summit and celebrating your achievement, you will begin your descent down to Mweka Camp (10,065 ft) for dinner and overnight. This is a long and challenging day but extremely rewarding.
Habitat: Arctic
Hiking Time: 6–8 hrs up / 4–6 hrs down
Distance: 6 km / 4 miles (to Uhuru Peak) + 12 km / 7 miles (to Mweka Camp)
Elevation: 15,600 ft – 19,341 ft – 10,065 ft

Day 9: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate
After breakfast, you will make your final descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate (5,380 ft). The trail is scenic but may be slippery. Upon arrival at the gate, you will sign out and receive your summit certificate before being transferred back to Moshi/Arusha. The hike takes approximately 3–4 hours and covers 10km (6 miles).
Habitat: Rain Forest
Hiking Time: 3–4 hrs
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Elevation: 10,065 ft – 5,380 ft

Inclusions and Exclusions