8 Days Northern Circuit Route

Your 8 Days 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 elephants 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.

• 2,100 meters - 2,360 meters - 2,820 meters

• Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles

• Trekking time: 3-4 hours

• Zone: Rainforest

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

On day two of your 8 Days Northern Circuit Route you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of the 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).

• 2,820 meters - 3,610 meters

• Distance: ~8km / 5 miles

• Trekking time: 5-6 hours

• Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

On day three of your 8 Days Northern Circuit Route, 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 8 days trekkers will continue with a 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.

• 3,610 meters - 4,200 meters

• Distance: ~~14km / 8 miles

• Trekking time: 6-8 hours

• Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone/ High Alpine zone

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day four of your 8 Days Northern Circuit Route, 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 of hiking.

• 4,200 meters - 4,020 meters

• Distance: ~12km / 7 miles

• Trekking time: 5-7 hours

• Zone: High alpine zone

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day five of your 8 Days Northern Circuit Route, 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 acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

• 4,020 meters - 3,800 meters

• Distance: ~8km / 5 miles

• Trekking time: 5-7 hours

• Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day six of your 8 Days Northern Circuit Route, involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking southwest 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.

• 3,800 meters - 4,800 meters

• Distance: ~15km / 8 miles

• Trekking time: 4-5 hours

• Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

On day seven of your 8 Days Northern Circuit Route, 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 checkpoint 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 of 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 their 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. Note: some tour operators return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.

• 4,800 meters - 5,895 meters - 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 hours descent

• Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

The final day of your 8 Days Northern Circuit Route, 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. It is customary to give your guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi.

• 3,950 meters - 1,640 meters

• Distance: ~10km / 6.5 miles

• Trekking time: 3-4 hours

• Zone: Rainforest zone

• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included