Overview
This route is also known as the Northern Circuit. This route starts on the western side of the mountain then winds around the north side before ascending 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 10 days and spend an overnight at crater camp. This route is becoming increasingly popular because of the good acclimatization, and it is quite scenic. Right now, this route is not crowded at all. This program allows you to summit twice: Both sunset & Sun rise because you will be at crater camp which is very close to the summit.
Arrive in Tanzania
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 in the hotel in Moshi.
Day 1 - Lemosho Gate (2100m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m)
Distance covered: 7 km
Approximate time taken: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2100m) 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 (2820m).
Day 2 - Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m) to Shira I Camp (3600m)
Distance covered: 8 km
Approximate time taken: 5 hours
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 (3600m).
Day 3 - Shira 1 Camp (3600m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)
Distance covered: 10 km
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Habitat: Moorland zone
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
On this day you will trek across the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 is very flat. Today is the most relaxing day.
Day 4 - Shira Camp 2 (3900m) to Moir hut Camp (4200m)
Distance covered: 4 km
Approximate time taken: 2 hours
Habitat: Low alpine zone
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
On this day you will trek across the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 2 to Moir hut where you will start to follow the northern circuit route. Today it is gradual ascent. We will pass through the moorland zone until we reach Moir camp for a hot lunch, then some rest and in the evening, you will go for a bit acclimatization before dinner and overnight.
Day 5 - Moir hurt (4200m) to POFU camp (4000m)
Distance covered: 10 km
Approximate time taken: 5-7 hours
Habitat: High alpine zone
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Begin the morning trek heading out of the moorland and into the stark alpine desert, on a steep ridge off the main trail, and begin our venture on the Northern Circuit Route. The total trekking time is about 5 hours. From the Pofu Campsite, you will enjoy a magnificent view of Kenya's wild lands to the north.
Day 6 - Pofu camp (4000m) to Rongai Third Cave camp (3800m)
Distance covered: 7 km
Approximate time taken: 4-5 hours
Habitat: High alpine zone
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Proceed onward through valleys and over ridges through the alpine desert and moorland, continuing our circuit to the east, enjoying a vast mountain wilderness to ourselves. Trekking time today is 5 - 7 hours.
Day 7 - Rongai Third Cave camp (3800m) to School Hut (4800m)
Distance covered: 7 km
Approximate time taken:4-5 hours
Habitat: High alpine zone
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 7 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 (4800m). 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 - School Hut (4800m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) and then Crater Camp (5790m)
Distance covered: 8 km
Approximate time taken: 6 hours
Habitat: Glacier zone
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Wake up around 5 am to start your summit approach. You'll reach Uhuru Peak in the early afternoon, when few groups are around. A short descent brings you to Crater Camp, set in soft sands near the famed Furtwangler Glacier. Crater camp is not a route in its own, but a challenging extension which in principle can be added to any route. It involves sleeping overnight in the bowl of the crater. An amazing experience enjoyed by only a few of the most adventurous climbers.
Day 9 - Crater Camp (5790m) to Millennium Camp (3950m)
Distance covered: 9 km
Approximate time taken: 5 hours
Habitat:Glacier/Moorland
Meal: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
In the morning after early breakfast, we begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope passing Barafu camp for a short break before heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Day 10 - Millennium Camp (3950 m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
Distance covered: 14 km
Approximate time taken: 6 hours
Habitat: Moorland/Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, and lunch included
The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3950m) to Mweka Gate (1630m). 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.
Then - Depart Tanzania/ 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.