8-day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

8-day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

8-day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

Prices

From $2,572USD

Difficulty

Guided

Camping, Hotel

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Highlights

Take the spectacular Northern Circuit for a more remote route up Kilimanjaro

Discover the less travelled, remote northern slopes up Kilimanjaro.

See all the unique temperate zones as you ascend the mountain.

Get acclimatized to the high altitude by taking a spectacular longer route.

Summit the tallest mountain in Africa.

This guided tour of the Northern Circuit route will find you at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and back to Moshi in 8 days. Taking a longer and less travelled route means you’ll get to experience the true wilderness of the mountain while you become acclimatized to the altitude.

Your guides, porters and cooks will help look after everything for you except the actual walking. You’ll have expert knowledge and delicious healthy meals to help fuel your trek. You’ll be camping in spectacular designated sites where you can meet other trekkers from around the world. This trail will lead you through varied landscapes, across dramatic ridges and through volcanic peaks. Your tour will also begin and end with convenient transportation to and from the mountain.

8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive early to attend your pre-trek briefing

Meet your representative after arriving in Moshi and transferring to your hotel. During this meeting, the representative will assess your gear and help you with the rental of the missing items.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Moshi
Distance
None
Meals
None

Day 2 Londorossi Gate and trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp

You have a fair bit of driving today before you can hit the trail. A vehicle will pick you up at your hotel in Moshi and drive you the three hours to Londorossi Park Gate. Here you’ll switch to a 4WD vehicle that can navigate the forest track to the Lemosho Glades, where you’re hike finally begins. You’ll be trekking through the rainforest trails all the way to Mti Mkubwa, or “big tree” campsite.

Overnight Location
Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (2,780m / 9,120’)
Distance
2 to 3 hours, 6 km, 820m of elevation gain
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Trek the dramatic Shira Ridge to Shira Camp

The trail today will get steeper and the trees will become sparser as you leave the forest behind. Today will be a gorgeous day as you’ll experience the dramatic views from the Shira Ridge. You’ll have to cross a few streams as well before you arrive at camp.

Overnight Location
Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,600m / 11,811’)
Distance
4 to 5 hours, 8 km, 850m of elevation gain
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Hike across the plateau and into the alpine desert

Your journey this morning begins with a beautiful trek through the moorland heather and across the plateau. You’ll pass by Shira Camp 2 before heading east and joining the Northern Circuit trail. Before arriving at Moir Camp you’ll pass through the “Garden of the Senecios” and then transition to the high alpine desert.

Overnight Location
Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,200m / 13,790’)
Distance
6 to 8 hours, 14 km, 700m of elevation gain
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Little Lent Hill and Kibo peak

Today you won’t be gaining altitude overall, but the track will have steeper uphill and downhill sections, especially as you climb out of the valley and circle the north slopes of Kibo. You’ll also have the choice today to hike to the top of Little Lent Hill before you resume your trek to Buffalo Camp

Overnight Location
Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,020m / 13,180’)
Distance
5 to 6 hours, 12 km, 180m of elevation loss
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Buffalo Ridge and northern slopes

Your climb up Buffalo Ridge should help you build your appetite in time for lunch at Porfu Camp. From there, you’ll be continuing to circle the remote northern slopes until you reach the Rongai Third Cave Camp. Tonight will be your third night sleeping near 4000m, so you should be getting adjusted to the elevation.

Overnight Location
Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,875m / 12,713)
Distance
5 to 7 hours, 8 km, 220m of elevation loss
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 Hike the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi

The trail today will be getting increasingly steeper as you hike up between the two other volcanic cones known as the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. You’ll be arriving at the School Hut campsite in the afternoon, and we recommend you go to bed early as your wake-up call is midnight and tomorrow is a big day!

Overnight Location
Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,800m / 15,748’)
Distance
4 to 5 hours, 15 km, 1000m of elevation gain
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 Summit Uhuru peak and begin descent

You’ll be leaving the warmth of your sleeping bag around midnight this morning to begin your attempt at the summit. You’ll have to be careful in the dark as you begin the steep track up Kibo. After your first break at Hans Meyer Cave, the path will become even more challenging up to Gilman’s Point. As the sky starts to lighten, you’ll be inspired for the climb ahead by the stunning sight of Mawenzi Peak. You’ll follow the crater rim up the last snowy stretch to the top around sunrise.

Enjoy your moments at the top of Uhuru Peak, as the air is so thin that you won’t be able to stay long before you begin your descent. The victory of reaching Africa’s highest point will hopefully refill your energy tanks, as you still have a long hike down to Millennium Camp.

Overnight Location
Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,950m / 12,960’)
Distance
10 to 15 hours, 17 km, 1095m of ascent, 1945m of descent
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 Last day on the mountain and return to Moshi

You’ll appreciate the warming temperature as you descend from the rocky slopes back into the rainforest. After yesterday’s gruelling day you’ll have a much shorter hike down the mountain to Mweka Park Gate where you’ll receive your summit certificate. A driver will be waiting for you at the gate to take you back to Moshi.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Moshi
Distance
3 to 4 hours, 10 km, 2270m of descent
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10 Goodbye!

Today, after a well-deserved rest, you’ll depart Moshi after the transfer to the airport. Goodbye, Kilimanjaro!

Overnight Location
None
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast

9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route Price and Dates

Pricing for this guided hiking tour of Mount Kilimanjaro depends on whether you choose to join an existing group on a specific date or if you prefer a custom tour for your group only.

Prices below are per person:

  • Guided group of 2: from $2,572USD per person*

*-Please note that the price depends on the size of your group. Please contact us to get the exact quote.

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Accommodation on the 8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

All the included accommodations on this tour are based on camping at communal sites with double occupancy tents. The tents are good quality, all-weather tents with an included sleeping pad. Each site will have rustic covered vault toilets but no running water. Your porters will provide covered mess tents with tables and chairs for dining. You’ll also spend two nights in Moshi (before and after the trek).

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $5USD per day to have a private tent. Contact us and we can try and match single travellers up, where possible.

Lindrin Lodge in Moshi

This beautiful lodge near Moshi is a perfect spot to relax before and after your adventure to Kilimanjaro. Cozy rooms, nice area and all the amenities needed to guarantee comfortable stay!

Night 2

Mti Mkubwa Camp

Nestled in the trees of the forest, “Big Tree” camp will be your first home on the mountain. After only a day on the trail, you’re already at 2780m!

Night 3

Shira Camp

After cresting the dramatic Shira Ridge, you’ll see why people rave about the views from the plateau. This is where you’ll find Shira Camp.

Night 4

Moir Camp

Tonight will be quiet as Moir camp is a lesser-used site. It’s a great spot to relax and get acclimated to the elevation.

Night 5

Buffalo Camp

No other route currently uses Buffalo Camp, so tonight it could be just your group and the wilderness on this side of the mountain!

Night 6

Rongai Third Cave Camp

Another less-visited remote camp, this provides a peaceful place to rest.

Night 7

School Hut Camp

Set at the base of Kibo, you won’t see much of this site as you’ll want to go to sleep as early as possible in preparation for your midnight trek.

Night 8

Millennium Camp

Your final campsite on the mountain. At a much more comfortable lower altitude, you’ll see the trees are starting to appear again.

Lindrin Lodge in Moshi

This beautiful lodge near Moshi is a perfect spot to relax before and after your adventure to Kilimanjaro. Cozy rooms, nice area and all the amenities needed to guarantee comfortable stay!

Hotels on Standard Tour

What’s Included in the 8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route?

Meals

9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners, and purified drinking water are included.

Accommodations

Double occupancy tent accommodations for 7 nights are included. 2 nights in Moshi (before and after the tour) are included too.

Transportation during the Tour

This tour includes all the airport transfers and the transfers between Moshi and the trailhead before and after the tour.

Also Included

  • Experienced mountain guides
  • Porter and cook salaries
  • Park fees
  • Quality four-season tents (based on twin share)
  • Sleeping mattress
  • Emergency oxygen cylinder
  • Mess tents with table and chairs
  • Conservation, camping and rescue fees
  • VAT (18% charged by the government)

Not included

  • Visa if required
  • Flights to and from Tanzania
  • Personal equipment such as sleeping bag, trekking poles, etc. (rental options are available)
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic beverages

Not included

  • Extra night in Moshi or Arusha before or after the tour
  • Private toilet rental added to your gear: $100USD
  • Additional equipment rentals (available locally)
  • Add-on bundles are available

Frequenty Asked Questions about 8-day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

How hard is the 8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route tour?

We rate this tour as a 5 / 5. The Northern Circuit route has one of the highest success rates of all the routes up Kilimanjaro due to the amount of time you have to acclimate to the elevation. That being said, the thin atmosphere makes the final ascent to the peak very difficult. No technical climbing skills are required, although there are a few very steep sections with challenging footing. You should be a fit hiker to complete this tour.

What makes the 8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route different than other routes?

This route is great for travellers who have more time, as they can benefit from getting better acclimatized before their summit attempt. It is also not a busy route, and you will experience a few days that feel more remote on the mountain.

Do I need a visa to travel to Tanzania?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the 8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route tour?

9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners, and purified drinking water are all included.

Is there first aid available on the 8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route tour?

Yes, the experienced and professional guides are all trained in First aid as well as in the use of personal protectiive equipment.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking at high elevations. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Moshi to start this tour?

Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

Is the 8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route tour in English?

Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.

Where does the 8-day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route tour end?

The tour ends with a transfer to the Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Tanzania?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Tanzania?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to Tanzania for this tour?

The best time to travel to Tanzania for this tour is during the warmest and driest times of the year, which tend to be December-March and June-October.

Reviews

All tours on 10Adventures are operated by highly vetted local tour operators and guides.

Having local tour operators and guides means you get a more authentic experience, and your booking creates jobs in the local communities you visit.

Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.

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Prices

From $2,572USD

Difficulty

Guided

Camping, Hotel

Start Your Booking

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Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews

Tour Difficulty

We rate this tour as a 5 / 5. The Northern Circuit route has one of the highest success rates of all the routes up Kilimanjaro due to the amount of time you have to acclimate to the elevation. That being said, the thin atmosphere makes the final ascent to the peak very difficult. No technical climbing skills are required, although there are a few very steep sections with challenging footing. You should be a fit hiker to complete this tour.


Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

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