The best 10-day climbing northen circuit route on Kilimanjaro Overview
This 10-day climbing Northern Circuit Route is one of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a unique and scenic trek around the northern slopes of the mountain.
It is a longer and more remote route, taking approximately 9–11 days to complete and covering a distance of approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles).
The Northern Circuit Route is considered one of the most scenic routes on Kilimanjaro and also has a high summit success rate, with approximately 90% of trekkers successfully reaching the summit.
The longer duration of the trek allows for better acclimatization, and the route is less crowded than some of the more popular routes. Overall, it is a challenging and rewarding trek for those seeking a unique Kilimanjaro experience.
Departure / Return Location
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Departure Time
Please arrive at least 2 hours before flight.
Included
- Park fees
- Camp fees
- Rescue fees
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Portable toilet
- Accommodation in Arusha or Moshi
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Emergency oxygen
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Medical Kit and Oximeter
Not Included
- Both National and International flights
- Medical insurance
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
The best climbing Northern Circuit Route cost/price for 2024
The average cost to climb Kilimanjaro for 10 days Northern Circuit route ranges from $2500 to $4000; the price varies from cheap, budget operators to large Western travel agents selling outsourced climbs at an inflated price.
There are various, unavoidable fixed costs for any tour operator, and if a climb seems too cheap, you’ve got to ask yourself why.
The best 10 days climbing Northern Circuit Route itinerary
A full, detailed day-by-day itinerary for the best 10-day Northen Circuit route: Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) – start point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters); Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters); Day 3: – Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Moir Camp (4,200 meters); Day 4: Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters); Day 5: Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters) to Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters); Day 6: 3rd Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters); Day 7: School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then onto Millennium Camp (3,950 meters); Day 9: Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters) to Moshi
Day 01:Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi
Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town, which is commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. Meet your guide and review your equipment in the evening in preparation for the trek the following day
Day 02:Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) – start point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)
Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles Trekking time: 3-4 hours Zone: Rainforest The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Day 03:Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)
Distance: ~8km / 5 miles Trekking time: 5-6 hours Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone On day three you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).
Day 04:Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Moir Camp (4,200 meters)
Distance: ~14km / 8 miles Trekking time: 6-8 hours Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone / High alpine zone On day four the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 for lunch. Here nine-day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. But for 8days trekkers will continue with trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then enters the high alpine desert zone, then you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200.
Day 05:Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters)
Distance: ~12km / 7 miles Trekking time: 5-7 hours Zone: High alpine zone Day five involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters). The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking
Day 06:Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters) to Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters)
Distance: ~8km / 5 miles Trekking time: 5-7 hours Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone Day six starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Porfu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatised to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
Day 07:3rd Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters)
Distance: ~15km / 8 miles Trekking time: 4-5 hours Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone Day seven involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp and camera before going to bed.
Day 08:– School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then onto Millennium Camp (3,950 meters)
Distance: ~6km / 3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km / 6 mile descent Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first check-point is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking to reach Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain. In total you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels up.
Day 09:Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters) to Moshi
Distance: ~10km / 6.5 miles Trekking time: 3-4 hours Zone: Rainforest zone 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 need to sign-out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. We will drive you to Moshi Town.
Day 10:Depart Moshi
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
