About
The Long, Wild Way to the Roof of Africa
The Northern Circuit Route is Kilimanjaro’s longest major trekking route and one of its most rewarding. Beginning on the western side of the mountain, it follows the early stages of Lemosho before sweeping around Kilimanjaro’s quieter northern slopes, far from the busier southern trails.
Its greatest advantage is time. Over nine days, elevation is gained more gradually, with multiple opportunities for acclimatization before the summit attempt. For travellers who can dedicate the extra days, the Northern Circuit combines remote wilderness, changing landscapes and an excellent itinerary profile for adapting to altitude.
Trek at a Glance
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights on the mountain
Route: Northern Circuit
Highest Point: Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
Accommodation: Mountain camping
Difficulty: Challenging
Starting Point: Londorossi Gate / Lemosho Trailhead
Descent: Mweka Gate
Best For: Trekkers prioritizing acclimatization, quieter trails and a longer Kilimanjaro experience
Itinerary
Day 1: Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp
Elevation: Approx. 2,100 m → 2,650 m
Habitat: Montane Rainforest
Trekking Time: Approx. 3–4 hours
Your journey begins on Kilimanjaro’s western side. After completing park registration at Londorossi Gate, you continue toward the trailhead, meet the mountain crew and begin walking beneath the rainforest canopy.
The first day is deliberately gentle. The trail climbs through thick forest filled with giant ferns, moss-covered trees and abundant birdlife. Monkeys may occasionally be spotted among the branches.
By afternoon, you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp for your first night on Kilimanjaro.
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 2,650 m → 3,500 m
Habitat: Rainforest → Heath & Moorland
Trekking Time: Approx. 5–6 hours
After breakfast, you leave the forest and climb into Kilimanjaro’s heath and moorland zone.
The vegetation becomes shorter and the landscape opens around you. As you gain elevation, the immense Shira Plateau begins to reveal itself, with the upper slopes of Kibo appearing ahead when conditions are clear.
You eventually arrive at Shira 1 Camp, surrounded by the wide volcanic landscape of one of Kilimanjaro’s most impressive natural features.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 3,500 m → 3,850 m
Habitat: Heath & Moorland
Trekking Time: Approx. 4–5 hours
Today provides a relatively gentle crossing of the Shira Plateau.
Rather than gaining large amounts of elevation quickly, the itinerary allows you to settle into the rhythm of the mountain and continue adapting gradually to the altitude.
The trail crosses open terrain with expansive views toward Kibo and across the surrounding plains before reaching Shira 2 Camp.
Depending on conditions and the group’s progress, your guide may recommend an additional acclimatization walk in the afternoon.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Moir Hut
Elevation: 3,850 m → 4,600 m → approx. 4,200 m
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Trekking Time: Approx. 6–8 hours
Today plays an important role in acclimatization.
You climb toward Lava Tower at approximately 4,600 metres, entering increasingly stark alpine terrain along the way. Spending time at this higher elevation gives your body another opportunity to adapt before you descend.
Unlike Lemosho and Machame trekkers who continue toward Barranco, the Northern Circuit begins separating from the busier southern trails.
You continue toward Moir Hut, entering a quieter corner of Kilimanjaro where the sense of wilderness becomes increasingly noticeable.
Overnight: Moir Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Moir Hut → Buffalo Camp
Elevation: Approx. 4,200 m → 4,020 m
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Trekking Time: Approx. 5–7 hours
This is where the Northern Circuit truly begins to show its personality.
The trail travels around Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes through remote alpine terrain, with far fewer trekkers than you typically encounter on the mountain’s southern routes.
You climb over ridges and cross broad valleys while enormous views extend north toward the plains below and, in clear conditions, toward Kenya.
After several hours of trekking, you arrive at Buffalo Camp for another wonderfully remote night on the mountain.
Overnight: Buffalo Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Buffalo Camp → Third Cave Camp
Elevation: 4,020 m → approx. 3,870 m
Habitat: Alpine Desert / High Moorland
Trekking Time: Approx. 4–6 hours
Today continues across Kilimanjaro’s quieter northern slopes.
The route gradually turns east, crossing high-altitude valleys and increasingly barren terrain. Compared with the dramatic elevation gains of some Kilimanjaro days, this section allows your body to continue acclimatizing while maintaining a steady trekking rhythm.
You eventually reach Third Cave Camp, where you settle in for the evening with Kibo rising above the landscape.
Overnight: Third Cave Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Third Cave Camp → School Hut
Elevation: Approx. 3,870 m → 4,750 m
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Trekking Time: Approx. 4–6 hours
The summit begins to feel very close today.
You climb steadily toward School Hut, your final camp before attempting Uhuru Peak. Vegetation has almost completely disappeared, leaving volcanic rock, open sky and the immense upper slopes of Kibo.
After reaching camp, the rest of the day is dedicated to preparation.
Eat well, drink plenty of water and organize your summit equipment carefully. Your guide will conduct a final briefing and explain what to expect during the night.
Try to rest early.
Around midnight, the final ascent begins.
Overnight: School Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: School Hut → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,750 m → 5,895 m → approx. 3,100 m
Habitat: Arctic / Alpine Desert → Rainforest
Trekking Time: Approx. 12–16 hours
This is the day everything has been leading toward.
You begin climbing in darkness, your headlamp illuminating only a small section of trail ahead. Step by step, your guide maintains a slow, deliberate pace through the cold high-altitude environment.
Eventually, you reach the crater rim and continue toward Kilimanjaro’s highest point.
As dawn spreads across the horizon, glaciers emerge from the darkness and the enormous landscape below begins to reveal itself.
Then you reach:
Uhuru Peak – 5,895 metres
The highest point in Tanzania.
The highest point in Africa.
After photographs and time to absorb the achievement, the descent begins.
You make your way down toward Barafu, where there is time for a short rest and meal before continuing much farther down the mountain to Mweka Camp.
After eight days above the plains, the return to warmer air and thicker vegetation feels extraordinary.
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate
Elevation: Approx. 3,100 m → 1,640 m
Habitat: Montane Rainforest
Trekking Time: Approx. 3–4 hours
Your final morning on Kilimanjaro is wonderfully different from summit day.
There is no midnight alarm and no thin alpine air. Instead, you descend beneath the rainforest canopy as the sounds and colours of the lower mountain slowly return.
At Mweka Gate, the trek officially comes to an end. After completing park formalities and saying goodbye to the mountain crew, you meet your transfer vehicle for the journey back to your hotel.
Nine days have carried you around much of Kilimanjaro and ultimately to its highest point.
Why Choose the 9-Day Northern Circuit?
A Quieter Kilimanjaro Experience
Rongai generally receives fewer trekkers than popular routes such as Machame, particularly during its opening stages.
Gradual Approach
The route gains elevation progressively, creating a steady trekking rhythm across the northern side of the mountain.
See Two Sides of Kilimanjaro
You ascend from the north via Rongai and descend on the southeast via Marangu, giving the journey greater landscape variety.
Dramatic Mawenzi Scenery
The camps and trails around Mawenzi provide some of the route’s most striking high-altitude scenery.
Inclusives
- All Park fees
- Professional licensed mountain guide
- Porters and mountain cook
- accommodation on the mountain
- Meals during the trek
- Drinking water during the climb
- Rescue fees
- Summit certificate for successful climbers
- Roundtrip Airport transfers
- Government taxes and levies
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Tips for guides, porters and cooks
- Alcoholic and soft drinks unless stated
- Personal expenses
- Personal trekking equipment and clothing
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