KILIMANJARO CLIMB VIA NORTHERN CIRCUIT 8-9 DAYS
This is the longest and the newest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, Northern Circuit, is known for excellent acclimatization and breathtaking views of the Kilimanjaro northern slopes. at the moment a very limited number of travelers have set foot on this trail, and the route is hardly ever crowded.
It is recommended to those who enjoy long trekking experiences in remote wilderness with a minimal number of other trekkers around.
It takes at least eight days to climb Kilimanjaro through the Northern Circuit which is why the route boasts a very high success rate. A 9-day extended version camping is also available for an incredible wilderness adventure on Africa’s highest volcano.
Itinerary
Day 1– Arrive
Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at the airport with our driver holding signboard with group name/ leader name with company logo to avoid confusion and transferred to the hotel in Moshi, if you will be arriving before 4pm then we will conduct thorough pre climb briefing with your mountain guide who will double check the climbing gears and itinerary also will answer all the question you may have.
Day 2 – Moshi to Mti Mkubwa first camp.
Hiking distance; 6 km
Hiking time; 3-4hrs
Depart your hotel in Moshi by 8am then we start driving toward the western side of the mountain for almost 3 hours to Simba forest gate make a stop then drive for another 30 minutes to Londorosi gate for registration and weighing luggage, the process can take upto 1hrs so possibly you will have boxed lunch at the gate, drive again for 45min to trail head and start hiking under the rain forest for 3-4 hours before arriving at Big tree campsite (Mti mkubwa).
Day 3 – Mti mkubwa campsite to Shira one campsite.
Hiking distance; 8 km
Hiking time; 5-6hrs
Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. The route is fairly steep for the most of the hike, today you will start to see the Kibo peak from the clouds, today you will have lunch at the camp and take a rest as we will have acclimatization before getting to camp.
Day 4 – Shira one campsite to Moir hut/campsite.
Hiking distance; 11 km
Hiking time; 6-7hrs
Today you will be hiking in gentle shira plateau hills on the moorland vegetation with the clear view of the mountain from sunshine, here is where we make difference from other trekker/outfitters as they go straight to Shira 2 campsite we go a bit further to overnight at Moir hut, other hikers will spend night at 3986m (Shira 2 campsite) while we overnight at 4200m moir hut this will give you an extra chance to experience the altitude and acclimatize very well.
DAY 5 - MOIR HUT TO POFU CAMP
Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (4700m). After admiring the views we return to the trail and heads eastwards around the Northern Circuit trail. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.
DAY 6 - POFU CAMP TO THIRD CAVE CAMP
Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.
DAY 7 - THIRD CAVE CAMP TO SCHOOL HUT
Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
Today there is a steady ascent to reach the Saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.
DAY 8 - SCHOOL HUT TO SUMMIT TO MILLENNIUM CAMP
Hiking time: 14 - 17 hours
We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 am on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point. We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. We then head on to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend down through Barafu Camp, where our porters will meet us with a packed lunch. We will then continue to descend to reach Millennium Camp.
DAY 9 - MILLENNIUM CAMP TO MWEKA GATE
Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
Your final day on the trek. Departing after breakfast, we descend a further 1300m to the Mweka Park Gate to pick up your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. We will then transfer toy our hotel for a well-earned shower and celebration.
Day 10– Departure
If you are catching late evening flight you may arrange some short day trips with our office representatives, please make sure you leave the hotel 3 hours before your flight.
NB - With 9 days hike version we will take extra day on day 3 instead of going to Moir hut will spend a day at Shira two campsite which is 4200m
Group price
USD 2150$ Per person in a group of 5 Climbers - 8 days
USD 2450$ Per person in a group of 5 Climbers - 9 days
What's Includes
- 2 Night Hotel accommodation in Moshi, a day before trek and a day after trek
- Transportation to and from your selected route
- Quality, Waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tent
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Certified, experienced, English speaking mountain guides
- All Tanzanian National Park Fees
- Airport pickup and dropoff
- Climbing permits
- Full board nutritious Meals prepared by our cook while on Mountain
- Guides, Porters and Cook Salaries
- Fair and ethical treatment of Porters
- Safety Equipment
- Emergency Oxygen
- Pulse Ox meter
- Water provided on climb, mineral water for the first day and boiled water every day
- Emergency rescue fees
- Personal Summit Certificate signed by the National Park and your Guide
- Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick
What’s not included
- Personal items and toiletries
- Tips for guides, porters and cook
- Flight tickets
- All items of person nature such as telephone call, fax, email etc
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
- Laundry services
- Visa and International flight tickets fees.
- Lunch or dinner at hotel