9 Days Northern Circuit Itinerary | Ultimate Success Rate

Day 01

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

2,100m to 2,650m 7 km 3 - 4 Hours

Your journey begins at Londorossi Gate on the western side of the mountain for entry registration. A brief 4x4 transfer drops you at the Lemosho trailhead. Walk immediately into an undisturbed montane rainforest eco-zone, home to deep moss canopies and rare colobus monkeys. The trail climbs steadily, offering a quiet, wild start to your expedition. Arrive at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp in the afternoon to find your premium tents fully prepared for a hot meal and rest.

Day 02

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

2,650m to 3,610m 8 km 5 - 7 Hours

Ascend sharply out of the forest canopy as the trail transitions into the vast heath and low-alpine moorland zone. You scale several steep ridges before crossing the western rim of the massive Shira Plateau. The path levels out across a striking moorland landscape that feels completely vast and untouched. Your campsite at Shira 1 sits on the edge of this high caldera, providing unmatched views of Kibo's peak glowing in the sunset far ahead.

Day 03

Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

3,610m to 3,850m 10 km 4 - 5 Hours

A gentle and crucial acclimatization trek directly across the open plains of the Shira Plateau. You'll navigate ancient lava flows and cold glacial stream paths. This low-gradient terrain minimizes physical exertion, allowing your body to adapt safely to the changing atmospheric pressure. Set up camp at Shira 2, which positions you directly beneath Kibo's towering western breach wall for a spectacular sunset view over the valley below.

Day 04

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Moir Hut

3,850m to 4,630m to 4,200m 11 km 5 - 7 Hours

Trek east toward Kibo before ascending to the volcanic monolith of Lava Tower (4,630m) for a hot lunch and high-altitude adaptation. Here, instead of dropping south to Barranco like other routes, your path turns sharply north into the isolated Northern Circuit. Descend into the volcanic valleys around Moir Hut—a secluded, protected campsite hidden inside a rugged ridge basin. This quiet outpost feels completely private, far away from the crowded main trails.

Day 05

Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp (Pofu)

4,200m to 4,020m 12 km 5 - 7 Hours

Begin a steady climb out of the Moir valley, crossing a high ridge before starting the true northern traverse. The trail loops around the northern face of Kibo, taking you through a raw alpine desert of volcanic scree and basalt rock. This wild, high-altitude path offers vast, unobstructed views looking north across the plains toward the Kenyan border. Navigate several valleys before arriving at Buffalo Camp (also called Pofu Camp) for a peaceful night under the stars.

Day 06

Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

4,020m to 3,875m 8 km 5 - 6 Hours

The trek pushes further along the northern slopes, traversing rugged ridges where few climbers ever step. The air noticebly thins, but your body is now thoroughly adjusted after nearly a week on the mountain. Wind around the northern ridges to merge briefly with paths descending from the Rongai Route. You arrive at Third Cave Camp by early afternoon. This quiet, high-desert camp gives your muscles a restful break before tomorrow's climb up to high camp.

Day 07

Third Cave Camp to School Hut Camp

3,875m to 4,800m 5 km 4 - 5 Hours

A steady, steep climb out of the third cave basin up into the high desert landscape between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Walk slowly ("pole pole") as you gain significant altitude. The path terminates on a rocky ridge at School Hut Camp (4,800m). Your crew will help you settle in by early afternoon, giving you plenty of time to organize your summit gear layers, eat an early dinner, and sleep deeply before the midnight summit push.

Day 08

Summit Push: School Hut to Uhuru Peak down to Mweka Camp

4,800m to 5,895m down to 3,100m 16 km 11 - 15 Hours

Your guides wake you at midnight with hot tea. Scale the steep, frozen switchbacks up toward Hans Meyer Cave and the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,712m). Thanks to the exceptional 9-day acclimatization route, your body can handle this extreme push with confidence. Continue along the spectacular, glaciated crater rim to stand at Uhuru Peak—the true Roof of Africa at 5,895 meters. Celebrate an unforgettable sunrise before a steady descent back down to Kibo Hut for lunch, finally dropping into Mweka Camp for a long, deep sleep.

Day 09

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

3,100m to 1,640m 10 km 3 - 4 Hours

Your final morning starts with a joyful celebration song from your professional crew of guides, chefs, and porters. Complete your descent through the warm, oxygen-rich rainforest canopy paths down to Mweka Gate. Check out officially and receive your official gold certificate for reaching Uhuru Peak's true summit. Your private vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to Arusha for a long hot shower, celebrations, and a well-earned feast.

Price Includes

All Kilimanjaro National Park conservation entry fees, camping fees, and rescue fees.
Professional, licensed English-speaking Wilderness First Responder (WFR) mountain guides.
Dedicated crew of local porters, camp assistance staff, and professional mountain chefs.
High-quality, water-resistant four-season mountain tents and thick foam sleeping mattresses.
Three fresh, chef-prepared hot meals daily on the mountain (high-calorie endurance menus).
Boiled, filtered, and chemically treated purified drinking water supplied daily at each camp.
Comprehensive medical kit including emergency bottled oxygen cylinders and pulse oximeters.
Private airport arrivals and departures transfers plus roundtrip mountain gate transport.

Price Excludes

International or domestic flight tickets and mandatory entry tourist visas.
Tipping gratuities for guides, porters, and mountain chefs (Industry standards recommend approx. $25-$30/day per crew split).
Personal cold-weather trekking apparel and high-altitude technical gear (available for local hire at headquarters).
Mandatory high-altitude medical travel insurance coverage with medical evacuation provisions.
Pre-and-post trek lodge accommodations and meals in Arusha town (available to add upon custom booking).
Personal medicine kits, snacks, soft drinks, alcohol, or individual laundry services.

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9 Days Northern Circuit

Total Distance

Trek Duration

Accommodation

Summit Success