The Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route is an unforgettable experience. This

relatively new route ascends the more scenic and tranquil western slope of

Kilimanjaro and crosses nearly the entire mountain before the summit. This is

easily one of the most picturesque paths and peaceful journeys up Africa’s

highest point, as there are almost no other groups on the northern face.

Climbing the Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route is an experience you will never forget.

This relatively new route ascends the more scenic and tranquil western slope of Kilimanjaro and crosses nearly the entire mountain before the summit.

This is easily one of the most picturesque paths up to Africa’s highest point. It’s also a peaceful journey as there are almost no other groups on the northern face.

For even more inspiration for your adventures in Africa, check out our other Mount Kilimanjaro tours. We also provide thrilling safaris in Tanzania that allow you to see the Big Five in real life.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll make our way to the western side of

Kilimanjaro, to the Londorossi Gate, where we will meet up with our team

of porters and guides. After we register your climb, our sta will prepare

the supplies and gear for our trek. Here we can rest and take pictures while

we wait for our baggage to be weighed and for the other necessary trip

formalities to be completed.

We’ll then begin the climb. The trail gently ascends through the mountain

forest and towards the end of the trek, we’ll enter the rst camp that will

have been set up and waiting for us. Tonight, we’ll rest under the forest

canopy listening to the sounds of birds and velvet monkeys calling gently to

each other—a very special experience.

Elevation: 2,100m/6,890ft to 2,850m/9,350ft

Hiking time: 3-4 hrs

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Habitat: Rain forest

We leave the rainforest, entering the heath and moorland zone. Today, we

have amazing panoramic views that reach the rim of the Shira Plateau and

enjoy the stunning views from the ridge. This day may challenge your

body’s acclimatization but you’ll be in good hands and we’ll be taking short,

continuous breaks. We will then camp on the Shira Plateau.

Elevation: 2,850m/9,350ft to 3,505m/11,500ft

Hiking time: 5-6 hrs

Distance: 8 km/5 miles

Habitat: Moorland/ heath

This is a short day in terms of terrain and elevation. We’ll look to climb about

350m/1,148ft of gentle hiking. We’ll treat this as a resetting and acclimatiza-

tion day and a chance to explore the Shira Plateau whilst enjoying views of

Kibo, the largest of the three volcanic cones on Kilimanjaro.

Elevation: 3,500m/11,500ft to 3,840m/12,600ft

Hiking time: 3-4 hrs

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Habitat: Moorland

This is a very important day in your growth and in your progression up the

mountain. An imperative day for acclimatization. Once we arrive at the

Lava Tower you will be served lunch, rest, and then descend down to Moir

Hut, where we divert from the main trail.

Elevation: 3,840m/11,400ft to 4,600m/15,150ft to 4,200m/13,700ft

Hiking time: 5 hrs up/3 hrs down

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

We leave Moir by starting with a bit of a steep climb. We’ll then follow the

trail that crosses a rock eld up and then down. We’ll treat this as a

recovery day, as we actually descend to 4,000m/13,100ft to Bualo Camp

where we will be served a delicious hot lunch.

Elevation: 4,200m/13,700ft to 4,000m/13,100ft

Hiking time: 5-6 hrs

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

Our day begins with a trek around the northern slopes heading towards the

eastern side of the mountain. The terrain here is dry with a bit of dust and a

few shrubs. The route is quiet and we won’t come across very many other

groups. On this day, we’ll begin to catch a sense of the quiet serenity and

remoteness during our trek before we reach the Third Cave Camp.

Elevation: 4,000m/13,100ft to 3,800m/12,500ft

Hiking time: 3-4 hrs

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Habitat: Moorland/heath

This part is a steady ascent before we reach the School Hut. We’ll see some

incredible views of the saddled landscape between Kibo Peak and Mawenzi

Peak. You will enjoy lunch at the School Hut and then we’ll rest and nish

preparing for the summit attempt.

Elevation:3,800m/12,500ft to 4,800m/15,750ft

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Distance: 7 km/ 4 miles

Habitat: Moorland/alpine desert

We begin our summit push at midnight after being woken up with a hot cup

of tea, a biscuit, and a snack for your way up. We’ll start the summit push by

zigzagging from Hans Mayer Cave, where we will take a rest for snacks, and

continue to Gilman’s Point. This will take roughly 2 hours and is a steep climb

with loose terrain underfoot. We’ll be walking at quite a slow pace as it will be

cold and possibly windy too. As we approach the crater rim, the sun will

begin rising behind you and next to the Mawenzi Peak. Remember, as the sun

rises, it brings warmth, and when you feel the heat, it will create an inner re

that will boost your energy and motivate you to keep plowing forward.

At Gilman’s Point, we’ll enjoy a well-deserved rest and a snack before

continuing to Uhuru Peak. You’ll be able to take some pictures at Uhuru Peak

and enjoy the incredible views before we descend to Barafu Camp and have

lunch. We will then gently walk down to Millennium Camp.

Elevation: 4,800m/15,750ft to 5,895m/19,635ft

Hiking time: 10-11 hrs Distance: 6km/3 miles up and 10km/6 miles down

Habitat: Moorland

We’ll finish our magnicent trek through lush forest as we descend to the

Mweka Gate. This sustained descent will become easier by having

colobus/blue monkeys and melodic birdsong cheering us on. At the gate, we

will then sign out of the national park as we collect our summit certicate and

on through a coee farm where we are then transferred back to Moshi.

Elevation: 3,900m/12,800ft

Hiking time: 5-6 hrs

Distance: 14 km/8 miles

Habitat: Moorland/ forest