9-Day Kilimanjaro - Remote Northern Circuit

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

Lemosho Gate to Big Tree Camp (2650 m)

Elevation: 2,100m/6,890ft (Lemosho Gate) → 2,650m/8,694ft (Mti Mkubwa Camp)
Distance: 7km / 4.3 miles
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

After registration at Lemosho Gate, we drive through scenic farmland with sweeping views of the plains. The final stretch of road can be rough, and in rainy conditions, we may begin our trek a short distance before the gate. Lunch is usually taken at the trailhead before starting our hike.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira One camp (3550m)

Elevation: 2,650m / 8,694ft (Mti Mkubwa Camp) → 3,610m / 11,844ft (Shira 1 Camp)
Distance: 7km / 4.3 miles
Trekking Time: 6–7 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest & Moorland

Leaving the forest behind, the trail steadily ascends into the moorland, where giant heathers dominate the landscape. As we climb toward the Shira Plateau, sweeping views open up, often enhanced by a mystical veil of afternoon mist. The sense of wilderness here is profound. Tonight, we camp at Shira 1 (3,610m), right in the heart of the plateau.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira Two camp (3840m)

Elevation: 3,850m/12,631ft at Shira 2 camp to 4,600m/15,092ft at Lava Tower to 4,200m/13,780ft at Moir camp
Walking distance: 14km/8.7 miles
Estimate walking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland to high alpine
We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut (3,840 m). This campsite has stunning views, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau. The views from here of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. [5-7 hours walking].

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Moir Hut (4200m)

Elevation: 4,200m / 13,780ft (Moir Huts Camp) → 4,020m / 13,189ft (Buffalo Camp)
Distance: 12km / 7.5 miles
Trekking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: High Alpine

Today’s route begins with a steady ascent toward Lava Tower, with the option for strong hikers to continue higher to the remains of Arrow Glacier Hut (≈4,800m) for added acclimatization. From Lava Tower, the trail winds across rugged alpine terrain before gently descending to Buffalo Camp (4,020m), where expansive views over the northern plains create a true wilderness atmosphere.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Buffalo Camp (4150m)

Elevation: 4,020m / 13,189ft (Buffalo Camp) → 3,800m / 12,467ft (Third Cave Camp)
Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Trekking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: High Alpine & Moorland

The day begins with a steady climb out of the Moir Valley, including a rewarding detour to the summit of Little Lent Hill (4,375m) for panoramic views. Returning to the trail, we follow the Northern Circuit eastward, crossing a striking landscape of clinking rock slabs underfoot. The path then undulates gently before descending to Third Cave Camp (3,800m), where the vast Kenyan plains spread out endlessly to the north, creating a true sense of remoteness and space.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Third Cave Camp (3900m)

Elevation: 3,800m / 12,467ft (Third Cave Camp) → 4,800m / 15,748ft (School Hut)
Distance: 10km / 6.2 miles
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

From Third Cave Camp, the trail steadily ascends through the stark beauty of the alpine desert. Vegetation becomes sparse as we climb higher, crossing open, rocky terrain with wide views across the mountain’s northern slopes. The air grows thinner, and the landscape more barren, as we approach School Hut (4,800m) — our base camp for the final summit push.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

School Hut Campsite (4700m)

Elevation: 3,800m / 12,467ft (Third Cave Camp) → 4,800m / 15,748ft (School Hut)
Distance: 10km / 6.2 miles
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

The day begins with a steady climb toward The Saddle, a dramatic, lunar-like expanse that lies between Kibo and Mawenzi, offering panoramic views of both peaks. As the vegetation thins, the terrain becomes rocky and sparse, giving a true sense of high-altitude wilderness. We continue ascending through this otherworldly landscape to reach School Hut Camp (4,800m) in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is spent acclimatizing, hydrating, and preparing gear for the summit push under the guidance of your trekking team.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Summit (5896 m) to Millenium Camp (3800 m)

Elevation: 4,800m / 15,748ft (School Hut) → 5,895m / 19,340ft (Uhuru Peak) → 3,100m / 10,170ft (Mweka Camp)
Distance: 6km / 3.7 miles up; 12km / 7.5 miles down
Trekking Time: 11–15 hours (6–8 up, 4–6 down)
Habitat: High Alpine → Arctic → Moorland

We begin our summit push at midnight, ascending by torchlight toward the crater rim. After a tough climb over volcanic scree, we reach Gilman’s Point (5,685m) in time for a breathtaking sunrise over Mawenzi. The trail then follows the crater rim past dramatic glaciers to the Roof of Africa — Uhuru Peak (5,895m). After celebrating at the summit, we descend via Stella Point and Barafu, continuing down to Mweka Camp (3,100m) for a well-earned rest.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Descend to Mweka, then to Moshi or Arusha

Distance: 10km / 6.2 miles
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours

The final day is a steady descent along a well-built trail through lush tropical forest, alive with birdsong and rich botanical variety. The path winds down to Mweka Gate (1,650m), where we complete park formalities before continuing another short walk through coffee and banana farms to Mweka Village, where our vehicle awaits. A hot shower, a cold drink, and a relaxing swim are now just around the corner — the perfect reward after your Kilimanjaro adventure.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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