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The Northern Circuit route is a 9 day climb, which is the longest route in terms of time and distance travelled. The days spent at around 13,000 feet are great for acclimatization, resulting in the highest success rates for all routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. With a high success rate, incredible varied scenery and a very low number of visitors, the Northern Circuit route is certainly one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro. On average you can expect to hike for 6-8 hours per day, covering a distance of about 8-15 kilometers. The maximum daily vertical gain in a day is about 1,150 meters, with an average being 440 meters per day.
Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport,
Day 2 – Lemosho Gate (2,300 meters) – start point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)
Day 3 – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)
Day 4 – Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Moir Camp (4,200 meters)
Day 5 – Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Pofu Camp (4,020 meters)
Day 6 – Pofu Camp (4,020 meters) to Third Cave (3,800 meters)
Day 7 – 3rd Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters)
Day 8 – School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then onto Millennium Camp (3,950 meters)
Day 9 – Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters) to the Hotel
Day 10 – Moshi/Arusha/Departure
Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport,
Met our driver upon Arrival and transfer to hotel in Moshi,
Activities: Transfer
Accommodation & Meals: Salsanero Hotel, B, B.
Day 2 – Lemosho Gate (2,300 meters) – start point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)
The Northern Circuit Route begins at Lemosho Gate (2,300 meters) . The drive to Lemosho 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 you start walking to the mountain. Ellbark will 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 elephant and buffalo, Blue Monkey, white and Black colobus that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Estimated Trekking distance: 5.5km / 3 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters). B, L, D.
Day 3 – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)
Today you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of 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).
Estimated Trekking distance: 8km / 5 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone/ Low Alpine Zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters). B, L, D.
Day 4 – Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Moir Camp (4,200 meters)
On this day the trek crosses the Shira Plateau which is considered one of the highest plateaus on earth. You immediately veer away from the crowded trails and head towards the northeast edge of the Plateau to reach Moir Camp. Nine day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. At Shira Camp 2 it is worth trekking a little higher up the plateau to enjoy the stunning view across the valley below and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero. The trek takes about 5-7 hours over easy terrain. Moir camp is an isolated and rarely used camp affording stunning views over the Shira Plateau.
Estimated Trekking distance: 14km / 8 miles,
Estimated Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Moir Camp (4,200 meters) B, L, D
Day 5 – Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Pofu Camp (4,020 meters)
Day five involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb 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 hiking.
Estimated Trekking distance: 12km / 7 miles,
Estimated Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters) B, L, D.
Day 6 – Pofu Camp (4,020 meters) to Third Cave (3,800 meters)
Day six starts with a climb up the Pofu 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.
Estimated Trekking distance: 8km / 5 miles,
Estimated Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters) B, L, D.
Day 7 – 3rd Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters)
Day seven involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west 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, headlamp and camera before going to bed.
Estimated Trekking distance: 15km / 8 miles,
Estimated Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: School Hut (4,800 meters) B, L, D.
Day 8 – School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then onto Millennium Camp (3,950 meters)
Today 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 check-point 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) then proceed to Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters) on Kibo’s crater rim. Descent back to Kibo Hut, and onto Horombo Hut. In total you will be trekking upwards of 12-16 hours. It will be one of the longest days of your life but well worth it! Here’s the good news, beers can be bought at Horombo!
Estimated Trekking distance: 5.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 15km / 8 mile descent
Estimated Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Horombo Hut
Zone: Glacial zone, high alpine zone and low alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Horombo Hut (3,720 meters). B, L, D.
Day 9 – Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)
The final day is descent from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate is approximately 20km but usually only takes 7 hours to complete. You will be exhausted at this stage and spend most of the hike imagining the hot shower you will be having that evening. At Marangu Gate you will be presented with your certificate, either for Gilman’s Point or Uhuru Peak (depending on how far you managed to get). It is customary to present your trekking team with their hard-earned tips at this point. You will then be driven back to your hotel where celebrations can begin!
Estimated Trekking distance: 20km / 12.5 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone and rainforest
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Salsanero Hotel, B, L.
Day 10 – Moshi/Arusha/Departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return flight, or Proceed safari with us.
Activities: Transfer
Accommodation & Meals: B.
Prices are quoted in $ per person | ||||||||
| Number of people in a group | Days | 1Pax | 2Pax | 3Pax | 4Pax | 5Pax | 6Pax | 10Pax+ |
| Validity: 01 Jan – 31 Dec, 2024 | 9 | 2,955 | 2,280 | 2,214 | 2,208 | 2,110 | 2,123 | 2,100 |
| Validity: 01 Jan – 31 Dec, 2024 | 10 | 3,263 | 2,567 | 2,486 | 2,449 | 2,372 | 2,371 | 2,370 |
| Optional: Add: Cost for Extra Night at any camp | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | |
Note:
You can leave extra luggage in Hotel in Arusha (if you leave any valuable items like cash, jewelry, etc) make sure you get a receipt for that.
*If you add that day, instead of just staying at the hotel, we can offer a day trip to the nearby Arusha National Park for game drives for $180pp inclusive of 1to 2 hours hiking on mount Meru. Starting from 4 pax in a group.
1. HOW DIFFICULT IS THE NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE?
The 9-day Northern circuit route allows your body to acclimatize the best as you climb Kilimanjaro. Despite the longer trek duration, this route feels the easiest on the body. Needless to say that good firness levels are still required for this trek.
2. HOW LONG IS THE NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE?
The Northern Circuit Route is 88 km or 53 miles and can be done in 8 or 9 days. The average daily altitude gain is about 440m mainly because of the much higher starting point at 2360m and the longer duration of the trek. On the summit night you will climb 1150 m from School hut to Uhuru peak.
3. WHAT IS NORTHERN CIRCUT ROUTE’S SUMMIT SUCCESS RATE?
The Northern Circuit is the longest route up Kilimanjaro which gives the best chance for acclimatization. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 90%. However, we have a summit success rate of over 98% for the Northern Circuit Route!
4. HOW IS THE SCENERY ON THE NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE?
The main approach will take you through the rich Lemosho forest and across the Shira Plateau. Then as the climber traverses around to the remote and rarely-visited north side of Kilimanjaro, the scenery becomes more arid and austere. It is so remote here that the shy eland are often seen as well as the occasional buffalo that come to lick minerals from the natural caves on the high slopes of Kilimanjaro.
The origin of the Name ellbark
E-Elephants
L-Lion
L-Leopard
Ba-Baffalo
R-Rhino
K-Kilimanjaro
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