Overview

NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE 9 DAYS HIGHLIGHTS

  • Summit Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the seven summits of the world at 19,340′
  • Navigate Kilimanjaro’s Lemosho Route, the most scenic on the mountain
  • Cross 6 ecological zones from lush rainforest to the harsh, beautiful arctic zone
  • Follow expert African guides, full of knowledge of the mountain and its environs
  • Experience Signature Camping! Spacious tents, deluxe comfort, amazing meals and more!

ITINERARY

  • !
    ARRIVAL DAY

    Arrive in Arusha

    Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you are met after passing through customs. Transfer to Mount Meru Hotel and have a comprehensive briefing and equipment check with your climbing manager and your guide. Overnight at Mount Meru Hotel

    Accommodations: Mount Meru Hotel

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • 1
    TREK DAY 1

    Arusha to Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa /Forest Camp

    7,742 ft to 9,498 ft, 4 miles, approx. 3-4 hours

    After breakfast in your hotel you will be given an overall briefing from your guide. At 9am you will be met by our staff, who will drive you several hours to the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro and to the Londrossi Gate, where our guides and porters will prepare and pack the equipment and supplies Once at the gate you will be given a packed lunch and after registration with the Kilimanjaro Park office, we will drive for another 45mins to Lemosho Glades where your trek will begin with ascending into the rainforest.

    You will ascend for approx. 3 hours in dense rain forest which could be very wet and muddy so be ready with your gaiters and trekking poles. During the trek we will have a break and you can enjoy the rest your packed lunch. We will reach the Mti Mkubwa Camp also known as ‘Big Tree’ Camp in late afternoon. After arrival, you will be taken to your camp and tent which has already been set up by the porters who ran ahead, where you will be greeted with boiled drinking water and hot washing water. Once you have freshened up and settled in, a hot dinner will be served in the mess-tent..

    Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 2
    TREK DAY 2

    Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp

    9,498 ft to 11,500 ft, 5 miles, approx. 5-6 hours

    From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through a podocarpus and juniper forest and then break out on to a zone of heather and lichen-draped volcanic rock and the Shira Plateau, which used to be Kilimanjaro’s third peak before it collapsed. Lunch is taken on the trail and you arrive in camp mid-afternoon. The view of Kibo (the peak of Kilimanjaro) is breathtaking from this vantage point. Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.

    Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 3
    TREK DAY 3

    Shira 1 to Shira 2

    11,500 ft to 12,500 ft, 4 miles, 3-4 hours

    After breakfast you will continue on your hike across and up the Shira plateau to Shira Camp 2 at 3,850 meters. Here you will join trekkers from the Machame Route whilst enjoying 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.

    Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 4
    TREK DAY 4

    Shira 2 to Moir Hut Camp

    12,500 ft to 13,580 ft (Lava Tower), down to 15,190 ft, 8 miles, 5-7 hours

    We leave the forest behind now and a gentle grade walk takes you across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.

    Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 5
    TREK DAY 5

    Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp/Pofu Camp

    13,580 ft to 13,200 ft, 7 miles, 5-7 hours

    We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (15,400ft). After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.

    Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 6
    TREK DAY 6

    Buffalo Camp / Pofu to Third Cave

    13,200 ft to 12,700 ft, 5 miles, 5-7 hours

    From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.

    Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 7
    TREK DAY 7

    Third Cave to School Hut Camp

    12,700 ft to 15,600 ft, 3 miles, 4-5 hours

    There is a steady ascent to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.

    Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 8
    TREK DAY 8

    School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

    15,600 ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065, 4 miles ascent, 7 miles descent, 6-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent

    We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 a.m on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. We then head on to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend down through Barafu Camp to reach Mweka Camp

    Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 9
    TREK DAY 9

    Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate

    10,065 ft to 5,380 ft, 6 miles, 3-4 hours

    Once again you will be woken for your final celebratory breakfast where our team will thank and congratulate you in their unique, special way! We will then set off for the final 3 hour scenic descent to Mweka Gate. After lunch you will dropped off at the hotel where you can relax under a long, well deserved hot shower.

    Accommodations: Arusha Hotel

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • 10
    TREK DAY 10

    Departure

    If your time in Africa ends today our transfer team will drive you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure. If you have booked with us a safari or a few days to dissolve into the pristine sandy beaches and tropical waters of Zanzibar, we will be there to help you comfortably transition from your climb into your next Tanzanian adventure.

    Hours trekking: 4-7

ACCOMMODATIONSMount Meru Hotel – Maasai Wanderings

Mount Meru Hotel

Mount Meru Hotel, ARUSHA Set in lush gardens amid forest and crystal clear waters on the slopes of Mount Meru, It offers 178 rooms, and has been providing personal service since 1974. Rooms have king-size beds or twin beds, and a bathroom with a tub for soaking after your trek. Also you can book a massage to ease your aching limbs after your climb. The Lodge is located only 45 minutes away from Kilimanjaro International Airport and 10 minutes away from Arusha town center.

Mountain Camps

Camp in comfort in customized all-weather tents with upgraded zippers, flysheets, and closed-cell full-ground pads. Private toilet tents and solar-lit dining tents are provided daily. Hot meals are prepared from fresh ingredients by the camp’s chef. In the afternoons, hot drinks and snacks are provided.

DATES & PRICES

Click here for our 2022 Kilimanjaro Dates

Click here for our 2023 Kilimanjaro Dates

 

Included in this Trek :

  • Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents:
  • Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
  • All Park fees Airport transfers Rescue fees
  • All meals while on the Mountain
  • Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
  • Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
  • Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
  • Clean, purified drinking water
  • Oximeter
  • Medical Kit
  • Emergency oxygen
  • Crisis management and safety procedures
  • Fair and ethical treatment of porters
  • Accommodation in Arusha
  • Portable toilet

Items not included:

  • Flights
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Visa fees
  • Tips Personal spending monies for souvenirs etc.
  • Travel insurance

 

$2999

Can’t find a date that works for you? Contact us to set up a trek with dates that work for you!

ROUTE PHOTO ALBUM

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

They were an awesome team. I couldn’t have asked for a better trip.

It was a spiritual journey for me. There was a point on the descent from the peak that I needed assistance from Andrew our head guide and Charles the lead for that day. I was returned safely to camp gratefully. The team cook brought food to my tent so I didn’t have to go anywhere

Excellent Kilimanjaro experience with reliable company

The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to make our climb successful. The food was 5 star quality the whole way – we had almost too much to eat! The porters were great guys