The Northern Circuit is the newest route up Kilimanjaro and also the longest. Because of its length, the Northern Circuit has the highest summit success rate. The route follows the same as the Lemosho Route for the first two days and then veers off to circle around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain. Northern Circuit approaches the summit via Gilman's Point before descending on the same route as the Machame and Lemosho.
$2409
STARTING FROM $2409 PER PERSON IN A GROUP TREK
Itinerary
Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Day 1: Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.
Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Camp
This day is a long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch you will join the Northern Circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters. This is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low, which is good for the acclimatisation process.
Elevation: 3850m/11,500ft to 4200m/13780ft
Distance: 14km/8mi
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp
Today, we encountered a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. We can do an optional hike to 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.
Elevation: 4200m/13,780ft to 4020m/13,188ft
Distance: 12km/7mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: High Alpine
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave
We start the day 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. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimated to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
Elevation: 4020m/13,188ft to 3800m/12,467ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Climbing Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: High Alpine
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Third Cave to School Hut
Today involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut. 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.
Elevation: 3800m/12,467ft to 4800m/15,748ft
Distance: 15km/8mi
Climbing Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp
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 check-point 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 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 your 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.
Elevation: 4800m/15,748ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3950m/12,959ft
Distance: 6km/3.5mi up / 11km/6mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Monkey Adventures vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).
Elevation: 3950m/12,959ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
Clean, purified drinking water
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
Sleeping Mattress
All meals while on the Mountain
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Kilimanjaro summit certificate
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Exclusions
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
Tanzania Visa
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Travel insurance
International and domestic flights
Tips and gratuities
Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Payment Terms
Deposit Payment
- Deposit is 20% of the total booking amount.
- Deposit can be paid either via a bank transfer or an online card payment.
- A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charges), this is non-refundable.
- We offer bank accounts in 10 different currencies for bank transfer.
- Once you make the advance payment you will receive a booking confirmation.
Balance Payment
- Balance can be paid via bank transfer, online card payment, or with cash.
- Bank payment can be done 15 days prior to the tour date (recommended 30 days prior).
- Card Payment can be done 1 day prior to the tour date (recommended 7 days prior).
- A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charge), this is non-refundable.
- Cash can be paid on arrival (USD printed in or after the year 2009).
Cancellation Policy
8 days and above departure
- No cancellation fees.
0 to 7 days before departure
- 50% of the total tour price will be charged as cancellation fees.
- Trek can be postponed to any new date without any extra cost at any point in time.
- The 5% surcharge paid for either or both advance and balance payments is non-refundable in case of cancellation of the trek.
Supplements
- Solo Supplement = USD 45
Charged for solo trekkers throughout the year. - Off-season supplement = USD 135
Charged for solo trekkers looking to start a new departure in March, April, May, and November. Does not apply if you join an existing group. Does not apply if other trekkers also join your new group.
Discounts
Available discounts for Northern Circuit - 9 days
- Children between 5 years and 15 years old
Code: 5TO15 - USD 900 per person - Expatriates/Residents living in Tanzania
Code: RESTAN - USD 280 per person - East African Citizens
Code: EAC - USD 1000 per person
Private Trek
Please find below the prices for organizing a private trek. The prices are based on your group size.
- Solo Trekker - USD 2600 per person
- Group of 2 - USD 2531 per person
- Group of 3 - USD 2515 per person
- Group of 4 - USD 2401 per person
- Group of 5 - USD 2393 per person
- Group of 6 - USD 2388 per person
- Group of 7 - USD 2373 per person
- Group of 8 - USD 2370 per person
- Group of 9 - USD 2367 per person
- Group of 10 and above - USD 2364 per person
Addons
Hotels
We offer the following hotel options
- Lindrin Lodge (Single Room) - USD 55 per night
- Lindrin Lodge (Double Room) - USD 70 per night
- Lindrin Lodge (Triple Room) - USD 105 per night
- Keys Hotel (Single Room) - USD 69 per night
- Keys Hotel (Double Room) - USD 94 per night
- Keys Hotel (Triple Room) - USD 122 per night
- Parkview Inn (Single Room) - USD 81 per night
- Parkview Inn (Double Room) - USD 91 per night
- Parkview Inn (Triple Room) - USD 170 per night
- Kilimanjaro Wonders (Single Room) - USD 140 per night
- Kilimanjaro Wonders (Double Room) - USD 160 per night
Please note that if any hotel is booked out or is otherwise unavailable, we will book you in an alternate equivalent hotel.
If you are booking a hotel directly, please do check with us before booking, to make sure we can meet you and pick you up from the hotel.
Gear
We offer the following add-ons to your gear (all equipment are subject to availability):
- Private Toilet - USD 150
- Private Tent - USD 5 per day
- Kailas X3 III Alpine Tent with Vestibule - USD 10 per day (Click here for specifications)
- Thicker sleeping mattress - USD 10 per mattress
- Thermarest - USD 15 per thermarest
Our packages by default include a foam sleeping mattress of 2 inch thickness, if you want a thicker alternative you can opt a 4 inch foam mattress with above mentioned extra cost.
Transfers
We offer the following transfer options
- Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) to Moshi (one way) - USD 50 per vehicle
- Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) (one way) - USD 50 per vehicle
- Arusha to Moshi (one way) - USD 100 per vehicle
- Moshi to Arusha (one way) - USD 100 per vehicle
The Northern Circuit is the newest route up Kilimanjaro and also the longest. Because of its length, the Northern Circuit has the highest summit success rate. The route follows the same as the Lemosho Route for the first two days and then veers off to circle around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain. Northern Circuit approaches the summit via Gilman's Point before descending on the same route as the Machame and Lemosho.
$2409
STARTING FROM $2409 PER PERSON IN A GROUP TREK
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We use equipment of international standards & our guides are trained in First aid & personal protection equipment
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We reward our staff based on your feedback & that results in all of us working towards making your trip memorable
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Our guides are trained to pay attention to each clients requirements & situation & customize the program accordingly
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Once a tour is booked, its guaranteed to go, even if there is only single client for the entire trip
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Book by paying advance by card on our website. Balance can be paid upon arrival, before the tour
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Our minimum requirement for operation is only one client. So we can offer the tour any day of the year for you
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