8 Days Northern Circuit Route

ABOUT NORTHERN CIRCUITS ROUTE

This route is also known as the Northern Circuit or Alternative Lemosho Route. The route starts on the western side of the mountain, then winds around the north side before ascending to Uhuru Peak from the east. Climbers have a great chance to experience many things. The descent follows the Mweka Route. It can be completed in 8+ days but is best done in 8 or 9 days. This route is becoming increasingly popular due to good acclimatization and its scenic beauty. Currently, this route is not crowded at all.

lemosho gate Nafika Tours

ITINERARY

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport

After arriving at the airport, a Nafika Tours representative will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. Later, you will enjoy dinner with your group before receiving a briefing on the trek and undergoing an equipment check to ensure you have all the necessary mountain gear. We can also organize the rental of any missing equipment if needed.

ITINERARIES

Arrive in Tanzania

Meal: dinner and breakfast included

After arriving at the Airport, you will be picked up by a Nafika tours representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. Later on, you will enjoy dinner with your group before being briefed on the trek followed by an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. We can organize the rental of any missing equipment should it be needed.

Day 1:  Londorossi Gate (2100 m) – start point 2,360 m to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2820 m)

Approx. hiking time: 3-4 hours

Distance covered: 11 km

Habitat: Rainforest

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2100 m) in the west, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities is at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephants, giraffes and buffalos that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp (2820m)

 

day1

Day 2:  Mti Mkubwa Camp (2820 m) to Shira Camp I (3610 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5 hours

Distance covered: 8 km

Habitat: Rainforest / Moorland

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Today, you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of the rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone, which leads up to the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, concluding at Shira Camp I (3610 m).

 

day2

Day 3: Shira Camp I (3610 m) to Moir Camp (4200 m)

Approx. hiking time: 3-4 hours

Distance covered: 7 km

Habitat: low alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

On day three, the trek takes us from Shira Camp I to Shira Camp II as we cross the Shira Plateau. We will continue eastward to reach the Shira Plateau ridge, proceed to Lava Tower (4600 m), and then descend to Moir Camp (4200 m).

 

shira 2

Day 4: Moir Camp (4200 m) to Pofu Camp (4020 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5-7 hours

Distance covered: 12 km

Habitat: high alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Today, there is a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4375 meters before returning to the Grand Traverse trail. From here, the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Pofu (Buffalo) Camp (4020 m). The trek offers great vistas across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro, stretching out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Pofu Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch, dinner, and stay overnight.

 

day 4 lemosho route

Day 5: Pofu Camp (4020m) to Rongai Third Cave (3800 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5-7 hours

Distance covered: 8 km

Habitat: alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day five starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and then continues east along the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3800 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

 

Kilimanjaro Climbing Local Company

Day 6: Third Cave (3800 m) to School Hut (4800 m)

Approx. hiking time: 4-5 hours

Distance covered: 7 km

Habitat: high alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

On day six, you will experience a steady incline up and over the Saddle, which is situated between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Trekkers will then continue walking southwest to reach School Hut (4800 m). Upon arriving at School Hut, you will be served an early dinner, and you should get some sleep because you will be awakened before midnight to begin your summit attempt.

 

day 5 lemosho route

Day 7: Summit attempt:  School Hut (4800 m) to Uhuru Peak (5895 m) and then down to Millennium Camp (3950 m)

Approx. hiking time: 12 hours

Distance covered: 18 km

Habitat: glacial zone and all preceding zones

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

You will be awakened at midnight with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave, where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5681 m), which will be approximately 5-6 hours after departing from School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and the incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak. From here, gather all your energy and every bit of determination to reach Uhuru Peak (5895 m). The duration of your stay at the summit will depend on the time, weather, and your physical condition. Afterward, you will head around the crater rim to Stella Point (5739 m), where you will turn south and descend the heavily scree-covered slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4680 m). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3950 m) for your final night on the mountain.”

summit northern circuit

Day 8: Millennium Camp (3,950 m) to Mweka Gate (1,640 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5 hours

Distance covered: 14 km

Habitat: glacial zone and all preceding zones

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3950 m) to Mweka Gate (1640 m). 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.

Later in the evening or the next day you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to board your home bound flight. Also Nafika  tours can organize an affordable safari trip to one of the best wildlife parks in Tanzania such as Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park.

 

mweka gate

 

8 DAYS NORTHERN CIRCUIT  ROUTE

PRICING.
Prices (quoted in USD/per person)

Group Size Price
1 Person
2,250/person
2-4 People
$ 1,900/person
5-9 people
$ 1,850/person
10 & above
$ 1,780/person

Included in the price:

  • Two nights accommodation in Hotel
  • Private transport to / from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Moshi
  • Qualified guides with mountain crew
  • National park fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees and services
  • All camping equipment; mountain tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats
  • Transport
  • Rescue fees
  • All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Guides and porters’ accommodations and their entry fees on the mountain
  • Pulse oximeter
  • First aid kit
  • Emergence oxygen
  • Katady filtered water through the trek
  • Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authorit

Not Included:

  • Flights
  • Visa
  • Insurance
  • Tips to mountain crew
  • Personal Items
  • Laundry services (available at the hotel for cost)

 

Book 8 Days Northern Circuit Climb

Email us: nafikatours@gmail.com

WhatsApp us: +255 753 118 725

Call us: +255 753 118 725