The Northern Circuit Route on Mount Kilimanjaro is the longest route, making it the best option for acclimatization and having the highest success rate compared to other routes for climbing the mountain.
The Northern Circuit Route offers almost 360° of amazing Kilimanjaro scenery, and the hike using this route starts from Londorossi gate.
This newly established trail in Mount Kilimanjaro traverses a quieter side of the mountain that is less visited compared to the other side where routes are found.
- Day 1: The first day of hiking Mount Kilimanjaro starts from Londorossi Gate, covering a distance of 6 kilometers through plantations and rainforests. Trekkers will encounter lots of primates and birds in the rain-forest zone. The hike takes about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the hikers’ speed, and ends at Mti Mkumbwa, where you will spend the night.
- Day 2: The second day of the hike starts from Mti Mkumbwa to Shira 1 camp, covering 8 kilometers of heath and volcanic rock in a period of 5 to 6 hours. The hike is spectacular, with a stopover at Shira Ridge, and then you will spend the night at Shira 1 camp. On a clear day, if the weather is good enough, you can see Kibo Peak.
- Day 3: Day 3 will help you acclimatize very well as you cross the Shira plateau, covering 7 kilometers in the moorland zone. The hike takes about 3 to 4 hours before you arrive at Shira 2 camp, where you will spend the night.
- Day 4: The fourth day’s hike is also spectacular, starting from Shira camp to Moir Hut. The hike on the fourth day takes 3 to 4 hours to reach Lava Tower and then another 2 to 3 hours to climb from Lava Tower to Moir Hut, where you will spend the night. While at Moir Hut, you can do several hikes to acclimatize on the lent hills.
- Day 5: The climb from Moir Hut on the 5th day is steep and demanding as you hike the summit of Lent Hills and then return to the main trail to Buffalo Camp. While at the camp, you get amazing views of the plains, including the Kenyan/Tanzanian border. You will spend 5 to 7 hours hiking on day 5, covering a distance of 12 kilometers.
- Day 6: Day 6 on the Northern Circuit Route will take you 5 to 7 hours to cover 8 kilometers. You will climb through Buffalo Ridge from Buffalo Camp, pass through Porfu Camp where you will stop for lunch before continuing to Rongai 3rd Cave for the night.
- Day 7: The seventh day takes trekkers from Rongai 3rd Cave to School Hut at 4,300 meters above sea level, covering a distance of 15 kilometers in just 4 to 5 hours. You will arrive at the hut early enough to rest and have an early dinner because you will need to embark on the summit climb at night.
- Day 8: Day 8 is the hardest day of the climb for the entire journey. You will be woken up at 11 pm to have breakfast and start trekking using headlamps by 12 am. You will ascend for about 6 kilometers in approximately 6 to 8 hours with a stopover at Hans Meyer Cave. The climb then continues to Gilman’s Point and gets tougher as the trek continues until you reach the crater rim and finally Uhuru Point. Here, you will spend a few minutes and then start a 4 to 6 hour descent with a stopover at Barafu Camp before continuing to Millennium Camp, where you will sleep.
- Day 9: Day 9 will be your final day on Mount Kilimanjaro, passing through a rain-forest zone and covering 10 kilometers from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate. There, you will be awarded summit certificates following a celebration with your team and guides. At this point, you can tip your guides and part ways.
