Upon your arrival, our driver guide will be there to welcome you and transport you to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi for a well-deserved rest. Your guide will provide you with a detailed overview of your itinerary and make sure you are fully prepared for your ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro the following day. Your journey is about to unfold!

Note:Accommodations before and after the trek are not included. You can set up your lodging or allow us to take care of your accommodation and airport transfers.

The Northern Circuit Route departs from the far west side of Mount Kilimanjaro, where you will complete entry formalities. Next, you will drive to the Lemosho trailhead, which is located 21 kilometers away from the Lendorossi Gate. Upon arrival at the starting point, you eat lunch, then proceed through an undisturbed forest that winds to the first camp site. We will serve dinner at Mti Mkubwa Campsite, also known as Big Tree Camp, where you will rest and prepare for the challenging days ahead.

Note: In the wet season (April-May), access to the car track can be quite challenging, and you might find it necessary to walk the final miles from the gate to reach the starting point.

Elevation: 2,359 meters to 2,650 meters
Elevation Increase: 291 m
Distance: 6 kilometers
Duration of the hike: 2–3 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Big Tree Camp (2 guests in 1 tent)
Habitat: Mountainous Woodland (Montane Forest)

After breakfast, we proceed as the path steadily inclines and transitions into the expansive heather moorland area. A smooth, gradual walk will lead you through the elevated Shira Caldera, passing by Shira Cave at 3500 meters before making your way down to the Shira 1 camp. This is a valuable adjustment day as we navigate up and down various ridges throughout the journey. You will also traverse several streams and catch your first glimpse of Kibo Peak in the distance.

Elevation: 2,650 meters to 3,610 meters.
Elevation Increase: 960 m.
Distance: 8 kilometers
Duration of the hike: 4–5 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Shira 1 Camp (2 guests in 1 tent)
Habitat: Moreland

After breakfast, a gentle trek across the plateau will lead you to Shira 2 Camp, situated on moorland meadows by a stream. There are several hikes available on the plateau, making this an excellent day for acclimatization.

Elevation: 3,610 meters to 3,850 meters)
Elevation Increase: 240 m.
Distance: 7 kilometers
Duration of the hike: 3 – 4 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Shira 2 Camp (2 guests in 1 tent)
Habitat: Moreland

After breakfast in the morning, you will trek to Lava Tower and the renowned Shark’s Tooth rock formation, situated at an elevation of 4,600 meters, where we will serve lunch. Following lunch, we take a detour from the main route to Moir Hut Camp (4,200 meters), a seldom-visited location at the foot of Lent Hills. Today marks an important milestone in your adventure, as you will rise to impressive heights and then gradually lower your elevation, facilitating your body’s adjustment to the changing environment. If the weather permits, you could take some delightful walks on Lent Hills, offering a wonderful opportunity for acclimatization.

Elevation: 3,850 meters to 4,600 meters to 4,200 meters
Elevation Increase: 750 m up and 400 m down.
Distance: 14 kilometers
Duration of the hike: 6 – 7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Moir Hut/Camp – 2 guests in 1 tent
Habitat: Alpine Zone

Following a moderately steep ascent from Moir Valley, we travel to the summit of Lent Hills at 4,300 meters before resuming our journey on the main trail. Before reaching Buffalo Camp, the path traverses a gravel field and experiences a gentle undulation. This section of the trail offers stunning views of the plains stretching to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border, located north of Kilimanjaro. If the cloud cover dissipates, you may be able to see Kibo, and the vistas of the vast expanses below can be truly breathtaking.

Elevation: 4,200 meters to 4020 meters
Elevation Decrease: 180 m
Distance: 12 kilometers
Duration of the hike: 5 – 7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Buffalo Camp (2 guests in 1 tent)
Habitat: Alpine Desert

The morning commences with an ascension up the Buffalo Ridge after breakfast, followed by a descent into Pofu Camp, where lunch is typically served. The route then proceeds east, circumnavigating the northern slopes to reach the Third Cave at an elevation of 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the previous day, and you should be feeling well-acclimatized to the altitude by this point. Around midday, you will reach the Third Cave.

Elevation: 4,020 meters to 3,800 meters
Elevation Decrease: 220 m
Distance: 8 kilometers
Duration of the hike: 5 – 7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Third Cave Camp (2 guests in 1 tent)
Habitat:High Alpine Desert and Low Alpine Zone

You are likely to experience the altitude as you ascend consistently toward School Huts (4715 m), even though your body has had ample time to acclimatize over the past few days. Ensure that you consume an abundance of water and adhere to the leisurely tempo of your guide. When feasible, take a few moments to relax and appreciate the breathtaking views of Mawenzi that extend across the saddle. After a journey of 4 to 5 hours, you will reach School Huts. Before embarking on the final ascent to the summit, you will consume an early supper and retire to bed for a brief period of recuperation.

Elevation: 3,800 meters to 4,715 meters
Elevation Increase: 1000 m
Distance: 15 kilometers
Duration of the hike: 4 – 6 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at School Huts Camp (2 guests in 1 tent)
Habitat: High Alpine Desert

Your guide will awaken you at approximately midnight. Following a cup of hot tea and a few snacks, we will commence the gradual ascent toward the lip of Kibo’s crater. We will proceed to Gilman’s Point (5,681 m) on the crater rim after a brief halt at Hans Meyer Cave (5,520 m). As we proceed via Stella Point (5,739 m) to the highest summit of Kilimanjaro—Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters—the sun should be just beginning to rise. A genuinely unforgettable experience awaits you as you witness the awe-inspiring views from the highest point on the African continent.

After taking a few photographs, we will return to Stella Point and then proceed to Barafu Camp. Here, we will take a brief respite and enjoy a delicious lunch to replenish our energy before continuing our descent. The trail of descent is quite rugged and may present a challenge for your knees; trekking poles may be beneficial. Upon reaching Mweka Camp (3,100 m), you will spend the night, which should take approximately 3 to 4 hours. You can request an overnight stay at Millennia Camp (3,950 m).

Elevation: 4,715 meters to 5,895 meters to 3,100 meters
Elevation Increase: 1,180 m
Elevation Loss: 2,795 m
Distance: 6 km up and 11 km down
Duration of the hike: 6 – 8 hours up and 5 – 8 hours down
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Mweka Hut or Millenia/camp (2 guests in 1 tent)
Habitat: Stone Scree and Ice-caped summit

After breakfast, we make our way down to the trailhead (Mweka Gate) to finalize park formalities and obtain the certificate of completion for successfully reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro. This is the moment to bid farewell to your guides and porters, who have played a crucial role in your journey to the summit. It is standard practice to settle your gratuities with your trekking team prior to returning to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Afterward, make your way back to Arusha or Moshi, where you can indulge in a refreshing shower and enjoy a couple of cold beers to unwind.

Be aware that at lower elevations, conditions may be damp and muddy. Using gaiters and trekking poles will be beneficial. Ensure you have your rain gear and warmer clothing readily available.

Elevation: 3,100 meters to 1,640 meters
Elevation Loss: 1,460 m.
Distance: 10 km down
Duration of the hike: 2 – 3 hours down
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha or Moshi
Habitat: Rain Forest

We will transfer you from the hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will fly back home or proceed with your onward travel plans. We hope you had a wonderful Kilimanjaro experience and will treasure your memories. As you journey back home, we encourage you to share your adventure with friends and family and inspire others to embark on their own Kilimanjaro expedition. Thank you for choosing us as your guide on this incredible journey. Safe travels.