9 Northern Circuit Route - Mount Kilimanjaro

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Arrive Tanzania⌄

   Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to the Outpost Lodge, close to Arusha. . The rest of the day will be at leisure and you may choose to relax at the hotel or perhaps explore the town of Arusha (taxi required). In the evening, you will attend a briefing in preparation of your upcoming trek.

   Overnight: Outpost Lodge

2. 2Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa⌄

   Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft Distance: 6 km/4 miles Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain Forest We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

   Meals: Lunch · Breakfast · Dinner

   Overnight: Mti Mkubwa

3. 3Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp⌄

   Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft Distance: 8 km/5 miles Hiking Time 5-6 hours Habitat: Heath We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Shira 1 Camp

4. 4Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp⌄

   Elevation: 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft Distance: 7 km/4 miles Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Heath We explore the Shira Plateau. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. The heath zone displays abundant wildflowers and unique Senecio trees.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Shira 2 Camp

5. 5Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower⌄

   Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft Distance: 7 km/4 miles Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Lava Tower to Moir Hut Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,580 ft Distance: 7 km/4 miles Hiking Time: 2-3 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Lava Tower

6. 6Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp⌄

   Elevation: 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft Distance: 12 km/7 miles Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert We trek out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers great views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Buffalo Camp

7. 7Buffalo Camp to Third Cave⌄

   Elevation: 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft Distance: 8 km/5 miles Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Heath As we head up Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly sparse. This route is rarely travelled and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. We trek through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Third Cave

8. 8Third Cave to School Hut⌄

   Elevation: 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft Distance: 5 km/3 miles Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert We climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue on to our camp, School Hut. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: School Hut

9. 9School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp⌄

   Elevation: 15,600 ft to 19,341 ft Distance: 6 km/4 miles Hiking Time: 6-8 hours Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 Distance: 12 km/7 miles Hiking Time: 4-6 hours Habitat: Artic Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Mweka Camp

10. 10Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate⌄

    Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft Distance: 10 km/6 miles Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain Forest On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

    Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

    Overnight: Outpost Lodge

11. 11Departure Tanzania⌄

    Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

    Meals: Breakfast