8 Days Northern Circuit

You will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA)   and transferred to Arusha city at a good hotel, and then you will meet your guide and review your equipment in the evening in preparation for the trek the following day.

Elevation (m):2360m-2820m

Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately four hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You will start your journey at 2360m point. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. You will get Dinner when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Elevation (m):2820m-3160m

Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
Our second day on the mountain, will see us travel over the massive Shira Plateau, the eroded remains of the third and most ancient of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic vents. We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

Elevation (m):3160m-4200m

Distance: 14km / 8 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone / High alpine zone
On day four the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 for lunch. Here nine day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. But for 8days trekkers will continue with trek heading east which passes through the 'Garden of the Senecios' and then enters the high alpine desert zone, and then you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200.

Elevation (m):4200m-4020m

Distance: 12km / 7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: High alpine zone
Day five involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb 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 (4,020 meters). The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking

Elevation (m):4020m-3800m

Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: High alpine zone and low alpine zone
Day six starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Porfu Camp where lunch you will be  served your lunch. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

Elevation (m):3800m-4800m

Distance: 15km / 8 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: High alpine zone and glacial zone
Day seven 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 (4,800 meters). 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 (m):4800m-5895m

Distance: 6km / 3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km / 6 mile descent
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent
Habitat: Glacial zone and all preceding zones
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 (m):3950m-1640m

Distance: 10km / 6.5 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest zone
The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate - a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman's Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak.

Your trip in Tanzania is now over. After a good night rest at your hotel, there will a breakfast ready according to your request while a scheduled check-out in most hotels is 10.00am. (If you wish to remain in the hotel during the day, please advise us of this when you book your trip and we will inform you of the cost for day room which ends at 18:00hrs. If you have booked an airport transfer to the airport, you will be picked from your hotel and dropped off at the Kilimanjaro International Airport if you wish airport transfer arrangement; your airport transfer driver will meet you at the hotel. However, those travelers who have booked with us to go on safari, your Alkebulan Travels guide will be meeting you in the evening for safari briefing.