Climb Overview
9 Days Northern Circuit Route –
The Ultimate Kilimanjaro Adventure
The 9 Days Northern Circuit Route Kilimanjaro Climbing is one of the longest and most scenic routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers a gradual ascent, excellent acclimatization, and one of the highest summit success rates among all Kilimanjaro routes.
This route circles the remote northern slopes of the mountain, providing breathtaking views, fewer crowds, and diverse landscapes ranging from rainforest and moorland to alpine desert and glaciers. With professional guides, experienced porters, and full mountain support, climbers enjoy a safe and rewarding journey to Africa’s highest peak.
Destination
Accomodations
Route
Maximum Altitude
Duration
Best Time
Tour Type
Arrival Airport
Why Choose the Northern Circuit Route?
✔ One of the highest summit success rates on Kilimanjaro
✔ Excellent acclimatization with gradual ascent
✔ Least crowded route on the mountain
✔ Stunning views from all sides of Kilimanjaro
✔ Diverse landscapes and ecosystems
✔ Longer itinerary for better altitude adjustment
✔ Ideal for first-time and experienced climbers
✔ Professional guides and full mountain support
Quick Itinerary Overview
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🗓️ Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania & Briefing in Moshi
🗓️ Day 2: Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp
🗓️ Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp
🗓️ Day 4: Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp
🗓️ Day 5: Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Moir Hut
🗓️ Day 6: Moir Hut → Buffalo Camp
🗓️ Day 7: Buffalo Camp → Third Cave Camp
🗓️ Day 8: Third Cave Camp → School Hut
🗓️ Day 9: School Hut → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
🗓️ Day 10: Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Moshi
🗓️ Day 11: Departure Day
This Kilimanjaro climbing experience can be customized to match your route, schedule, fitness level, and budget. Share your preferences, and we will create your perfect journey to Uhuru Peak.
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Kilimanjaro Climbing Itinerary
1
Day
Arrival in Tanzania & Transfer to Moshi
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be welcomed by your professional mountain guide and transferred to Moshi town for your overnight stay. After checking in at your hotel, you will have time to relax and prepare for the adventure ahead. In the evening, your guide will conduct a detailed climbing briefing, route overview, safety discussion, and gear check to ensure you are fully prepared for your Northern Circuit Route climb.
Activities: Airport pickup, hotel transfer, briefing, gear check, relaxation
Accommodation: Lammama Hotel, Moshi
2
Day
Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast at your hotel in Moshi, your mountain guide and support crew will pick you up and drive for approximately 3–4 hours to Londorossi Gate (2,250m), where you will complete park registration and obtain climbing permits. From there, you will continue to the Lemosho trailhead, where the trek begins through lush and untouched rainforest. Along the trail, you may spot Colobus monkeys and other wildlife in their natural habitat. The hike is moderately steep in some sections and takes around 2–3 hours to reach Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m), where your camping crew will have already set up tents and prepared lunch. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a short acclimatization hike with a gentle elevation gain before returning to camp for dinner and overnight stay under the rainforest canopy. and this Altitude: 2,250m – 2,650m
Hiking distance: Approximately 5–7 km (trail dependent)
Hiking time: 2–3 hours
Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp
3
Day
Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp
After breakfast at Shira 1 Camp, you will begin your trek across the Shira Plateau, one of the most beautiful and expansive high-altitude landscapes on Mount Kilimanjaro. The trail is relatively gentle, allowing you to enjoy wide panoramic views of Kibo Peak and the surrounding moorland scenery. This is an important acclimatization day as you gradually gain altitude while walking at a steady pace. The hike takes approximately 3–4 hours before arriving at Shira 2 Camp (3,840m), where your mountain crew will set up tents and prepare hot meals. In the afternoon, you will have time to rest and enjoy the high-altitude environment before dinner and overnight stay at camp.
Altitude: 3,500m – 3,840m
Hiking distance: Approximately 5 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp
4
Day
Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp
After breakfast at Shira 1 Camp, you will continue your ascent across the vast Shira Plateau, enjoying one of the most scenic sections of the Lemosho Route. The trail is relatively gentle with open landscapes, offering stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s peak and surrounding moorland. This steady hike supports proper acclimatization as you gain altitude at a comfortable pace. After approximately 3–4 hours of trekking, you will arrive at Shira 2 Camp (3,840m), where your crew will have already set up tents and prepared hot meals. The rest of the afternoon is for rest, acclimatization, and enjoying the high-altitude scenery before dinner and overnight stay.
Altitude: 3,500m – 3,840m
Hiking distance: Approximately 5 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp
5
Day
Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Moir Hut
After breakfast at Shira 2 Camp, you will begin a steady climb through the alpine desert zone toward Lava Tower, one of the most important acclimatization points on the Northern Circuit Route. The landscape becomes increasingly rugged and dramatic, with spectacular views of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic terrain and surrounding peaks. Upon reaching Lava Tower (4,630m), you will stop for lunch and acclimatization before descending to Moir Hut. This “climb high, sleep low” approach helps your body adjust to the altitude and increases your chances of a successful summit. You will arrive at the remote and scenic Moir Hut in the afternoon for dinner and overnight stay.
Altitude: 3,850m – 4,630m – 4,200m
Hiking distance: Approximately 14 km
Hiking time: 6–8 hours
Accommodation: Moir Hut
6
Day
Moir Hut → Buffalo Camp
After breakfast, you will leave Moir Hut and begin trekking along the remote Northern Circuit Trail. This section offers some of the most spectacular and least crowded scenery on Mount Kilimanjaro. As you traverse the northern slopes, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Kenyan plains, rolling valleys, and distant mountain ridges. The gradual trail allows for continued acclimatization while providing a true wilderness experience far from the busier routes. Upon arrival at Buffalo Camp, you can relax and enjoy stunning sunset views over the northern side of the mountain.
Altitude: 4,200m – 4,020m
Hiking distance: Approximately 12 km
Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Accommodation: Buffalo Camp
7
Day
Buffalo Camp → Third Cave Camp
Today's trek continues across the northern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro through quiet alpine terrain. The trail offers magnificent panoramic views and a unique perspective of the mountain rarely seen by climbers on other routes. The gradual elevation changes help support acclimatization while allowing you to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and diverse mountain scenery. After a rewarding day of trekking, you will arrive at Third Cave Camp where you can rest, enjoy a hot meal, and prepare for the higher elevations ahead.
Altitude: 4,020m – 3,870m
Hiking distance: Approximately 8 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Accommodation: Third Cave Camp
8
Day
Third Cave Camp → School Hut
After breakfast, you will leave the Northern Circuit and head toward School Hut, the final camp before your summit attempt. The trail climbs steadily through the alpine desert zone with impressive views of Kibo Peak and the surrounding volcanic landscape. As you gain altitude, the environment becomes increasingly barren and temperatures begin to drop. Upon arrival at School Hut, you will enjoy an early dinner and attend a detailed summit briefing from your guide before resting for a few hours ahead of the midnight ascent.
Altitude: 3,870m – 4,800m
Hiking distance: Approximately 5 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Accommodation: School Hut
9
Day
School Hut → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Around midnight, you will begin your summit attempt under a sky filled with stars. The climb is challenging but incredibly rewarding as you make your way toward Gilman’s Point and continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. After celebrating your achievement and taking photographs at the summit, you will begin your descent through Barafu Camp and continue down to Mweka Camp. The descent offers changing landscapes and warmer temperatures as you leave the summit zone behind. After this unforgettable day, you will enjoy a well-deserved rest at camp.
Altitude: 4,800m – 5,895m – 3,100m
Hiking distance: Approximately 16 km
Hiking time: 10–14 hours
Accommodation: Mweka Camp
10
Day
Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Moshi
After breakfast, you will continue your descent through the lush rainforest zone toward Mweka Gate. The trail passes through beautiful forest scenery filled with colorful birds, unique plants, and occasional wildlife sightings. Upon reaching the gate, you will receive your summit certificate and complete all park exit formalities. You will then be transferred back to Moshi where you can relax, enjoy a hot shower, and celebrate your successful Kilimanjaro climb.
Altitude: 3,100m – 1,640m
Hiking distance: Approximately 10 km
Hiking time: 3–5 hours
Accommodation: Lammama Hotel, Moshi
11
Day
Departure Day
After breakfast at Mweka Camp, you will begin your final descent through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate. The trail is scenic and offers a chance to reflect on your incredible achievement of reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival at the gate, you will complete park exit formalities and receive your summit certificate as recognition of your accomplishment. Your driver will then transfer you back to Moshi, where you can enjoy a hot shower, celebrate your success, and relax at your hotel after completing the 8 Days Lemosho Route trek.
Altitude: 3,100m – 1,640m
Hiking distance: Approximately 10 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Lammama Hotel, Moshi
Included in This Kilimanjaro Climbing Package
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Kilimanjaro National Park entry fees
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Rescue fees and camping fees
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Professional English-speaking mountain guides
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Experienced mountain porters and cook
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Quality camping equipment
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Sleeping tents and dining tent
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Portable private toilet tent
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Emergency oxygen cylinder
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Daily pulse oximeter health checks
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All meals during the climb (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
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Drinking water on the mountain
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Hotel accommodation before and after the climb
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Airport pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
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Transfers between Moshi and Kilimanjaro National Park
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Summit certificate upon successful completion
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Government taxes and VAT
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24/7 mountain support and safety monitoring throughout the trek
Not Included
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International and domestic flights
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Tanzania visa fees
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Travel and medical insurance
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Personal climbing gear and equipment
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Tips for guides, porters, and cook
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Alcoholic and soft drinks
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Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
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Additional hotel nights not mentioned in the itinerary
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Optional activities before or after the climb
Important Climbing Information
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By default, our Kilimanjaro climbing packages include shared accommodation in twin or double rooms before and after the trek. Single rooms are available at an additional cost.
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Hotels in Moshi usually include breakfast only, unless stated otherwise in your itinerary.
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During the climb, all meals on the mountain are included and freshly prepared by our mountain chef.
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On Mount Kilimanjaro, accommodation is in quality camping tents equipped for high-altitude trekking. Our mountain crew sets up and manages the camp at each overnight stop.
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Weather conditions can vary greatly, from warm rainforest temperatures to freezing conditions near the summit. Proper clothing and equipment are essential.
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For your safety, every climb includes experienced mountain guides, daily health checks, pulse oximeter monitoring, and emergency oxygen.
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We recommend reviewing your itinerary and packing list carefully to ensure you are fully prepared for your Kilimanjaro adventure.
