African Safari Tours

Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route 11 Days Itinerary, Prices & Dates 2024/2025

Experience Spacious tents, deluxe comfort, amazing meals, Signature Camping and more ! Come and climb the incredible Kilimanjaro Peak in Tanzania via the incredible Northern Circuit over 9 days with one of our certified guides.

Climb The Northern Circuit (Mt Kilimanjaro) 2024/2025.

Join us on this Northern Circuit Route Expedition Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro climb and discover one of the world’s 7 summits! On this 9-day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit adventure in Tanzania, we will explore one of the most amazing mountains in the world as we climb to the top of the famous Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro is an emblematic mountain in Tanzania, and at 5,895 m, it is the highest mountain in Africa. There are many ways to tackle this breathtaking peak, however, the Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro route has the highest summit success rate. 

It is also the longest route, which allows for the most acclimatization time. The route approaches Mount Kili from the west and departs from Londorosi Gate. The descent is through the Mweka route and ends at the Mweka Gate.

Northern Circuit Route is the longest route on Kilimanjaro, offering an excellent acclimatization time & high success rate 98%. 

Northern Circuit Route 11 Days Itinerary, Prices & Dates 2024/2025

The Northern Circuit route is the newest route to climb Kilimanjaro. The route is unique as you hike via the quiet, still rather unknown northern side of the mountain. You will see Mount Kilimanjaro from a whole new perspective!

The hikes per day on the Northern Circuit route are relatively short. This gives your body enough time to recover. In addition, the Northern Circuit route is good for acclimatization, as it is a relatively long climb (in days). Your body has more time to get used to the daily increase in altitude.

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha – Tanzania

After your flight landing on  Kilimanjaro International Airport  you will meet our transfer guide to the hotel we book for your overnight ready for rest preparing for next day trekking. You will meet our experience mountain guides give you some information and check if you have all essential equipment’s. After that continuous relaxing at your hotel. BDB is included

Day 2: Arusha to Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa /Forest Camp

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

It could be very wet and muddy so be ready with your gaiters and trekking poles. Climbing elevation 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft, 4 miles, approx. 3-4 hours. 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

Day 3: Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp

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

Day 4: Shira 1 to Shira 2

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. Hiking elevation 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft, 4 miles, 3-4 hours. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero.

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5: Shira 2 to Moir Hut Camp

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.  Climbing elevetion 12,500 ft to 13,580 ft (Lava Tower), down to 15,190 ft, 8 miles, 5-7 hours. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp/Pofu Camp

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. Hiking elevation 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft, 7 miles, 5-7 hours. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 7: Buffalo Camp / Pofu to Third Cave

From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys. Hiking elevation 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft, 5 miles, 5-7 hours. 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

Day 8: Third Cave to School Hut Camp

There is a steady ascent to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Climbing elevelation 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft, 3 miles, 4-5 hours.  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

Day 9: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

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. Elevation 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 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

Day 10: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate –  Arusha.

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. Last stop by car towards Kilimanjaro. 

Accommodations: Arusha Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: 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, we will be there to help you comfortably transition from your climb into your next Tanzanian adventure.

Read TripAdvisor about Northern Circuit Routes

Inclusive & Exclusive

Inclusions 11-Days Northern Circuit Route – Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour
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What to bring 11-Days Northern Circuit Route – Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour

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