Northern Circuit Route (8 Days)

Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit 8 days, The route has the highest Kilimanjaro Success Rate which is 98% and approaches from south of Kilimanjaro. It is the newest and longest route which offers the most spectacular view of overall 360 degree scenery of Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on this route takes 8 to 9 days for the summit., Karibu Adventure offers tours the opportunity to experience the most recent route on Kilimanjaro.

The Northern Circuit route is one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360 degrees of beautiful scenery including the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes.

As the longest Kilimanjaro route, the Northern Circuit also has the most acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate. Thus, the Northern Circuit route is highly recommended.

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate to Shira Ridge, and crossing the Shira Plateau. The route then heads north and circles clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp to School Hut, before summiting from the east. Descend is made via the Mweka route. The distance of the Northern Circuit route is approximately 98 km or 61 miles.

Highlights

✓ Good acclimatization profile

✓ Very high success rate

✓ Beautiful scenery

✓ Panoramic views

✓ Varied terrain

✓ Quieter than other routes

How hard is the Northern Circuit?

No Kilimanjaro climb is easy, but the Northern Circuit route is one of the easier climbs because of its great acclimatisation profile. It has great ‘climb high, sleep low’ opportunities, and as such is the Kilimanjaro route with the highest summit success rate. Put simply, with the right Kilimanjaro preparation anyone can climb it.

Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route 8 days

No need to arrange transport! Our transfer driver will collect you and all your gear from Kilimanjaro Airport and take you to the hotel in Moshi Later you will meet the Karibu Adventure operation team. They will tell you more about the trip, share tips and safety information and thoroughly check your gear to see if you have everything you need.

• Meals: BLD (Full board accommodation)

Day 02: Moshi – Londorosi gate – Big tree camp

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

• Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
• Distance: 6 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

Day 03: Big tree camp – Shira one camp

We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

• Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
• Distance: 8 km/5 miles
• Hiking Time 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Heath

Day 04: Shira one – Moir Hut: Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route 8 days

After a good breakfast, you continue your trek over the Shira Plateau. Once again the landscape changes and you will pass big Senecios that can grow to an astonishing height of about 9 meters. Leaving behind the remains of Fischer Camp, we head towards our camp for the night, Moir Camp at 4175 meters. After a short rest you can go towards the top of the ridgeline for further acclimatization. The ridgeline is only about 2 km away and about 130 meters higher than the camp. After arriving back at camp dinner will be served.

• Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
• Distance: 14 km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

Day 05: Moir Hut – Buffalo (pofu) camp: northern circuit route

We trek out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers great views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.

• Elevation: 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft
• Distance: 12 km/7 miles
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 06: Buffalo Camp – Third Cave

As we head up Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly sparse.  This route is rarely travelled and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. We trek through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave.

• Elevation: 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft
• Distance: 8 km/5 miles
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Heath

Day 07: Third Cave – School Hut

We climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue on to our camp, School Hut. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

• Elevation: 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft
• Distance: 5 km/3 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 08: School Hut – Uhuru Peak

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

• School Hut to Uhuru Peak
• Elevation: 15,600 ft to 19,341 ft
• Distance: 6 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

• Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
• Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065
• Distance: 12 km/7 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Artic

Why summit Kilimanjaro at night?

You begin your summit attempt at around midnight. This is because you have lots of climbing to do in a day, and reaching the summit just after sunrise is glorious! Here’s what to expect, what to wear, and how to tackle this physical and mental challenge.

Below is the schedule we at Karibu Adventure for summit night. We’re not alone in doing things this way – you’ll be joined by trekkers climbing with other operators who were at base camp with you, though we having our own plan.

How long do we spend at the summit?

This is a very popular question, and most people are surprised to hear that you spend about 15 minutes or so at the summit. “But why?! We go all this way to spend just 15 minutes at the top?”

Again, there’s a reason for the way things are done. First and foremost, we don’t hang around at the summit for long because it’s cold and you are at very high altitude. We generally find that after 15 minutes of high fives, photographs and soaking in the view, people want to start moving again to warm up and avoid feeling sick.

What is the temperature at the summit?

The temperature at Uhuru Peak (the summit of Kilimanjaro) sits at around -5 or -6° C (or 23 to 21° F). There’s chances of more snow at the summit in winter, The summit of Kilimanjaro remains below freezing point all year round.

“Summit night is by far the hardest part of the hike for various reasons: it’s freezing, it’s dark, due to the altitude you only walk very slowly, and you know this is the part where the people who did not make it to the top had to give up. You will certainly ask yourself why exactly you are doing this and why watching a movie on the couch at home wasn’t good enough for you? But in the end for us the group spirit, the motivation of the guides and the adrenalin of completing this adventure carried us all the way up! The feeling on top has no words to describe. Frank

Day 09: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

• Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
• Distance: 10 km/6 miles
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

Day 10: After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans or take a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.

8  DAYS NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE PRICE PER PERSON PER TRIP

The price for the mountain includes:

• Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
• Twice a day medical health check up, monitoring with pulse-oximeter and stethoscope with basic first aid kit
• Oxygen Cylinder
• Orientation meeting in Moshi and gear check as well.
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mat, camp chairs, camp tables, mess tent & cutlery for meals) and 3 Season mountain tents
• Transportation to & from the mountain gate
• Medically qualified mountain guides, cooks and porters
• 3 Meals while on the mountain + evening tea with popcorn or peanuts.
• Hot water for washing up daily and treated water for drink while climbing.
• Two nights’ accommodation in the hotel includes bed and breakfast with storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes.
• Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
• 3-4 porters per climber, which includes porters to carry up to 30 lbs of your personal gear.
• Kilimanjaro certificate for your successful summit attempt.

Not Included:

• Flights
• Tips to mountain crew
• Items of a personal nature
• Laundry Services
• Entry visa for Tanzania

We look forward to preparing your “trip of a lifetime

Karibu Adventure