9-Day Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro Climb

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Drive from Arusha to Londorossi Gate for registration before continuing to the Lemosho trailhead. Begin your climb through dense, lush rainforest where the trail can be wet and muddy. After approximately 3–4 hours of trekking, reach Mti Mkubwa, or Big Tree Camp, for your first night on Kilimanjaro.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Leave the rainforest and climb through podocarpus and juniper forest before entering open heathland and the vast Shira Plateau. Enjoy your first spectacular views of Kibo while crossing volcanic terrain. After lunch on the trail, arrive at Shira 1 Camp in the afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Continue across the beautiful Shira Plateau while gradually gaining altitude toward Shira 2 Camp. The trail offers sweeping views across the valleys and toward Kilimanjaro’s dramatic Western Breach. Arrive at camp in the afternoon and prepare for a colder night as temperatures may fall below freezing.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut Camp

Trek across the high-altitude Shira landscape as vegetation becomes increasingly sparse. Enjoy dramatic views of Kilimanjaro’s western glaciers and volcanic formations while gradually climbing toward Moir Hut. This quieter section of the route provides excellent scenery and valuable additional acclimatization.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Moir Hut Camp to Buffalo Camp

Climb out of Moir Valley and, conditions permitting, take an acclimatization detour toward Lent Hills for panoramic views. Return to the Northern Circuit trail and continue eastward across Kilimanjaro’s remote northern slopes. The undulating trail eventually leads to Buffalo, also known as Pofu Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

Continue eastward around Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes, crossing a series of small valleys through increasingly dry and sparsely vegetated terrain. Enjoy the solitude and expansive views unique to the Northern Circuit before reaching Third Cave Camp, where you will rest and continue acclimatizing.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Third Cave Camp to School Hut Camp

Climb steadily toward the Saddle, the dramatic high-altitude desert lying between Kibo and Mawenzi. Continue across the lunar-like landscape to School Hut, arriving in the early afternoon. Spend the remainder of the day resting, organizing your equipment and preparing for the overnight summit attempt.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Begin around 1:00 AM and climb through loose volcanic scree toward Gilman’s Point. Continue along the crater rim past spectacular glaciers to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. Celebrate reaching Africa’s highest point before descending via Stella Point and Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp for a well-earned rest.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Enjoy your final breakfast on Kilimanjaro before beginning the scenic descent through lush rainforest toward Mweka Gate. Celebrate with your mountain crew, receive your summit certificate and enjoy lunch before transferring back to your hotel in Arusha for a hot shower, relaxation and celebration.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.