Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Trekking

Detailed itinerary

• Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi – briefing and welcome dinner

  You will be met at Kilimanjaro Airport by our driver and then driven to your booked hotel in Moshi. The drive takes around one hour and, with a little luck, you may catch a glimpse of Mt. Kilimanjaro. After checking in, your guide will give you a short briefing about your booked trip and then go through your equipment. The rest of the day is at your leisure. In the evening you are invited to a welcome dinner by your guide. Overnight at Chanya Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (D).

• Day 2: Drive to Londorossi Gate (2,389 m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,785 m) – 2 hours of driving and 3 to 4 hours of hiking | rainforest

  From Moshi we drive for 45 minutes through inviting mountain villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. While we wait patiently for our permits to be issued, we can watch the hectic preparations of the mountain crews. We begin our trek through a beautiful rainforest landscape and along winding paths, while our guide tells us about the local flora and fauna and the natural wildlife. At these lower elevations the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are therefore an advantage. After a good three hours of hiking we arrive at our first camp and spend the night under a wonderful starry sky. Overnight in a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,785 m) to Shira I Camp (3,504 m) – 4 to 5 hours of hiking | moorland

  After a restful night and a hearty breakfast we emerge from the rainforest and follow an ascending path. We leave the forest behind us now, the trail rises steadily with wide views and reaches the edge of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures now begin to drop with the altitude we are gaining. Overnight in a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 4: Shira I Camp (3,504 m) – Shira II Camp (3,895 m) – 3 to 4 hours | lower alpine zone

  From Shira I Camp we cross the Shira plateau on our hike, one of the highest plateaus on earth, until we reach Shira II Camp. Here we meet the hikers ascending via the Machame Route. The climbs continue eastwards onto the Shira Plateau. From Shira II Camp it is worth climbing a little higher up onto the plateau to enjoy the breathtaking view across the valley and the western breach of Kilimanjaro. The plateau is very exposed, so during the night we have to expect sub-zero temperatures for the first time. Overnight in a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 5: Shira II Camp (3,895 m) via Lava Tower (4,650 m) to Moir Camp (4,155 m) – 6 to 7 hours | high alpine zone

  Although we end the day at the same altitude as we started, this day is very important for acclimatisation. From the Shira Plateau we hike further east up a ridge, passing the junction to the Kibo summit, before continuing south-east up to the Lava Tower, also known as the “Shark’s Tooth” (4,650 m). Just past the tower we come to a second junction that leads to the Arrow Glacier. Here we descend to spend the night at Moir Hut Camp, a rarely used camp at the foot of the Lent Hills. Overnight in a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 6: Moir Hut (4,155 m) to Buffalo Camp (4,033 m) – 5 to 6 hours | high alpine zone

  We start with a moderately steep ascent out of the Moir Valley. Beforehand we can take a small detour to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 metres, before returning to the Northern Circuit. The route follows a series of ascents and descents that lead along the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp. Along the way we have spectacular views across the plains north of Kilimanjaro, which stretch all the way to the Tanzanian border with Kenya. We arrive at Buffalo Camp in the early afternoon, where we have lunch and plenty of time to rest. Overnight in a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 7: Buffalo Camp (4,033 m) to Rongai Third Cave (3,936 m) – 6 to 7 hours | alpine desert

  The sixth day begins with an ascent of the Buffalo Ridge and a descent into Pofu Camp, where lunch is served. We hike further east around the northern slopes to the Third Rongai Cave. Today’s ascent is shorter than the day before, and we should now be better acclimatised to the altitude. In the afternoon we reach the camp. Overnight in a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 8: Rongai Third Cave (3,936 m) – Kibo School Hut (4,717 m) – 6 to 7 hours | glacier zone

  
  A steady ascent across the saddle between the summits of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. We hike further south-west to the School Hut, where an early dinner is served, since you will set off for the summit shortly before midnight. Remember to prepare all your equipment, including warm clothing, thermos flask, headlamp and camera, before you go to bed. Overnight in a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 9: Kibo School Hut (4,717 m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) and descent to Millenium Camp (3,820 m) – approx. 12 to 14 hours

  The tension is rising. This is the mentally and physically most demanding part of the hike. After a hot tea and a light snack, the ascent begins around midnight. Warmly dressed and lit by the beams of our headlamps, we climb the scree slopes of Kibo. The trail rises steeply in switchbacks. After 5 to 7 hours of climbing in the dark we reach Stella Point (5,756 m), the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. From here on, strong winds and cold temperatures are to be expected. Another 1 to 2 hours of climbing along the crater rim lead us to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Here we see Kilimanjaro in all its glory and, at sunrise, enjoy the 360° view across the landscape. You are now standing on the “Roof of Africa”. The comparatively easy but long descent leads us to Barafu Camp (4,600 m) on the southern side of Kilimanjaro, where we take a break and have lunch. After another 2 hours we arrive at camp for dinner. Overnight in a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 10: Millenium Camp (3,820 m) to Mweka Gate (1,630 m) and drive to Moshi – 5 hours of hiking and 1 hour of driving

  After breakfast and a heartfelt farewell ceremony with our mountain crew, it is time to say goodbye. We continue our descent to Mweka Gate. The further we descend, the dramatically warmer the weather becomes. We descend steeply through rainforest with wet, muddy terrain, where great care is required. Gaiters and trekking poles are recommended. At the gate in the village of Mweka, our driver picks us up and takes us back to our hotel in Moshi. Enjoy a long-overdue hot shower, dinner and a little celebration! Overnight at Chanya Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (B).

• Day 11: Departure: drive to Arusha–Kilimanjaro International Airport or onward extension module Safari/Zanzibar

  Free time until departure. Our driver will pick you up from the hotel according to your flight details and take you to the airport (B).

  We reserve the right to make changes to the programme due to special events, force majeure or weather conditions.

  Legend: B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner