8 DAYS NORTHERN CIRCUIT

Overview

This route is also known as the Northern Circuit or Alternative Lemosho Route. This route starts on the western side of the mountain then winds around the north side before ascending up to Uhuru Peak from the east. Climbers have a great chance to experience lots of things. The descent is down the Mweka Route.It can be done from 8+ days but best done in 8 or 9 days. This route gets increasingly popular because of the good acclimatization and it is quite scenic. Right now this route is not crowded at all.

TINERARIES

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

Meal: dinner and breakfast included

Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, afterward your guide will come to brief you about the trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Then overnight and dinner in the hotel.

Day 2:  Londorossi Gate (2100 m) – start point 2,360 m to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2820 m)

Approx. hiking time: 3-4 hours

Distance covered: 11 km

Habitat: Rainforest

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2100 m) in the west, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities is at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephants, giraffes and buffalos that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp (2820 m).

Day 3:  Mti Mkubwa Camp (2820 m) to Shira Camp I (3610 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5 hours

Distance covered: 8 km

Habitat: Rainforest / Moorland

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Today 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 I (3610 m).

Day 4: Shira Camp I (3610 m) to Moir Camp (4200 m)

Approx. hiking time: 3-4 hours

Distance covered: 7 km

Habitat: low alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp I to Shira Camp II. We will continue east up to the Shira Plateau ridge and on to Lava Tower (4600 m) and then back down to Moir Camp (4200 m).

Day 5: Moir Camp (4200 m) to Pofu Camp (4020 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5-7 hours

Distance covered: 12 km

Habitat: high alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Today it is a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4375 meters before returning to the Grand Traverse trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Pofu (Buffalo) Camp (4020 m).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 Pofu Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch, dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Pofu Camp (4020m) to Rongai Third Cave (3800 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5-7 hours

Distance covered: 8 km

Habitat: alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day five starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and then continues east along the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

Day 7: Third Cave (3800 m) to School Hut (4800 m)

Approx. hiking time: 4-5 hours

Distance covered: 7 km

Habitat: high alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day six 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 (4800 m). After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some sleep as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt.

Day 8: Summit attempt:  School Hut (4800 m) to Uhuru Peak (5895 m) and then down to Millennium Camp (3950 m)

Approx. hiking time: 12 hours

Distance covered: 18 km

Habitat: glacial zone and all preceding zones

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

You will be awoken at midnight 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 (5681 m), 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. From here you gather all your energy and every bit of determination to reach Uhuru Peak (5895 m). How long you stay at the summit will depend on the time, weather and your physical condition. You will then head around the crater rim to Stella Point (5739 m) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4680 m). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3950 m) for your final night on the mountain.

 Day 9: Millennium Camp (3,950 m) to Mweka Gate (1,640 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5 hours

Distance covered: 14 km

Habitat: glacial zone and all preceding zones

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3950 m) to Mweka Gate (1640 m). 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.

Day 10: Departure / other destination in Tanzania

Later in the evening or the next day you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to board your home bound flight. Also Habari Adventure can organize an affordable safari trip to one of the best wildlife parks in Tanzania such as Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park.

END OF TOUR

PRICING

Prices (quoted in USD/per person)

8  DAYS NORTHERN CICRUIT ROUTE

GROUP SIZE

 

PRICE PER PERSON

1 person

 

$ 2,200/person

2-4 people

 

$ 2,150/person

5-9 people

 

$ 2,100/person

10 + people

 

$ 2,050/person

Included in the price:

  • Two nights’ hotel
  • Private transport to / from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Moshi
  • Qualified guides with mountain crew
  • National park fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees and services
  • All camping accommodations
  • Mountain tents
  • Transport
  • Rescue fees
  • All needs on the mountain (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Guides and porters accommodations and their entry fees on the mountain
  • Pulse oximeter
  • First aid kit
  • Emergence oxygen
  • Sleeping bag and sleeping mats
  • Katady filtered water through the trek
  • Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park authority

Not included

  • Flights
  • Visa
  • Tips to mountain crew
  • Laundry services
  • A doctor of a group
  • Portable flush toilet