Arrival Day

Moshi Town - Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be greeted and transported to Keys Hotel in Moshi town for a briefing and overnight stay.

Londorossi Gate – Big Tree Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins with a drive from Keys Hotel to the Londorossi Park Gate for registration. From there, you will drive along a rainforest track for about 45 minutes until you reach the Lemosho Glades, where the trek starts. You will hike for 3-4 hours along a beautiful rainforest trail, keeping an eye out for monkeys, and spend your first night at the Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite.

Mount Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Rainforest: The Lemosho route begins in a lush, fertile rainforest, the first ecological zone encountered on Kilimanjaro.

Animals you might see in the Lemosho rainforest include: Blue Monkey (also known as the Diademed Monkey), especially around Big Forest Camp; White Necked Raven; Colobus Monkey; and Four Striped Mouse.

Big Tree Camp – Shira Camp 1

Mount Kilimanjaro - From Big Tree Camp, you will follow the trail through the rainforest until it becomes slightly steeper, leading you to the moorland zone where you will get your first view of Kibo. You will cross the Shira Ridge, where the trail flattens as you reach Shira Camp 1, located next to a mountain stream on the Shira Plateau.

Shira Camp 1 – Shira Camp 2

Mount Kilimanjaro - Today involves a gentle walk across the Shira plateau to Shira Camp 2, situated on moorland meadows by another mountain stream. Various additional walks are available in the afternoon on the plateau, making this a good day for acclimatization. If you are tired, you can rest around the camp in the afternoon.

Mount Kilimanjaro - About the Shira Plateau: The Shira plateau on Mount Kilimanjaro was formed about 500,000 years ago from an ancient caldera (volcanic crater) that has eroded over time to create a plateau at the base of the volcanic pit.

Shira Camp 2 – Moir Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - This is a long trekking day heading east through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and into the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent hiking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch, you will join the northern circuit and descend to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters. This day is crucial for acclimatization as you will experience high altitude and then sleep at a lower elevation.

Mount Kilimanjaro - Garden of the Senecios: About an hour before reaching Shira II camp, you will pass through an area known as the “Garden of Senecios,” featuring uniquely shaped trees resembling desert palm trees. You will see more of these on Day 3, so be sure to take pictures with these striking trees.

Moir Camp – Buffalo Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - This day involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. The route then follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters). The trek offers great views across the plains north of Kilimanjaro, extending to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and time to rest after a long day of hiking.

Buffalo Camp – Rongai Third Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - The day begins with a climb up Buffalo Ridge and down into Porfu Camp, where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. This trek is shorter than the previous day, and by now you should be well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave around mid-afternoon.

Rongai Third Camp – School Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro - This day involves a steady climb up and over the Saddle, which lies between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Trekkers then continue southwest to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut, you will have an early dinner and should get some rest as you will be awakened before midnight to start your summit attempt. Be sure to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp, and camera before going to bed.

School Hut – Uhuru Peak – Millennium Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - The ascent begins by torchlight around midnight to reach the Crater rim by sunrise. On selected Non-Exclusive departure dates each month, the climb is particularly beautiful under the light of the Full Moon. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree includes well-graded zig-zags, and a slow but steady pace will take you to Gilman’s Point (5,685 m) in about five or six hours. After a short rest to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi, the trail leads west along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still cover much of the summit area. You will retrace your steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend through Barafu Camp to reach Millennium Camp (3,800 m). [11-15 hours of walking]

Millennium Camp – Mweka Gate

Mount Kilimanjaro - The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate, you will sign out with the authorities, who will provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who reached Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. It is customary to tip your guides and porters at this point before being driven back to Keys Hotel in Moshi.

• Portable Chemical Toilet and Tent
• 3 litres of bottled drinking water to be provided on the first day of your hike
• First aid kit and pulse oximeter
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

• Laundry , service available at Hotel reception for US $4/cloth

The Northern Circuit Route is distinctive for its circumnavigation of the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro.

Typically completed in 9-10 days, the Northern Circuit Route is one of the longest routes, providing ample time for acclimatization and ensuring a high success rate.

This route offers an unparalleled panorama of Kilimanjaro, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts and the glacial summit. The variety of landscapes is simply breathtaking.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.