A wide view of climbers strung out along the trail

Northern Circuit Route

The longest route on Kilimanjaro and the strongest acclimatisation profile available. If you have nine days, this is the most conservative way up.

9 days
On the mountain: 84 km
Total distance: 5,895 m
Highest point: Camping
Sleeping

Northern Circuit Route altitude profile, in brief
Day	Location	Altitude (m)	Distance (km)	Overnight
1	Londorossi Gate	2,100	0	No
1	Mti Mkubwa Camp	2,650	6	Yes
2	Shira 1 Camp	3,610	14	Yes
3	Shira 2 / Moir area	4,200	24	Yes
4	Buffalo Camp	4,020	36	Yes
5	Third Cave	3,870	44	Yes
6	School Hut	4,750	49	Yes
7	Uhuru Peak	5,895	58	No
7	Millennium Camp	3,820	67	Yes
8	Mweka Camp	3,100	74	Yes
9	Mweka Gate	1,640	84	No

Sleeping altitudes, night by night

In short

The Northern Circuit starts on Lemosho, then swings around the rarely walked northern slopes before approaching the summit from the east. It is the only route that shows you the mountain from all four sides.

What it does well

The most gradual altitude gain of any route on the mountain.
The northern slopes are the quietest ground on Kilimanjaro.
The only route that circles the entire mountain.
More time on the mountain means more margin if a day goes badly.

What to weigh up

The most expensive route, because of the number of days inside the park.
Nine days is a significant amount of leave to arrange.
Several long walking days in the middle of the itinerary.

Route facts

9 days
Recommended length: 84 km
Total distance: 5,895 m
Highest point: West
Approach side: Mweka
Descent route: Camping
Sleeping: Challenging but well paced
Difficulty: Jan · Feb · Mar · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
Best months

The altitude profile

Circles mark sleeping altitudes. Those are what your body adapts to — the high points you walk over during the day matter far less.

Northern Circuit Route elevation profile Route Sleeping altitude

Northern Circuit Route elevation profile
Day	Location	Altitude (m)	Distance (km)	Overnight
1	Londorossi Gate	2,100	0	No
1	Mti Mkubwa Camp	2,650	6	Yes
2	Shira 1 Camp	3,610	14	Yes
3	Shira 2 / Moir area	4,200	24	Yes
4	Buffalo Camp	4,020	36	Yes
5	Third Cave	3,870	44	Yes
6	School Hut	4,750	49	Yes
7	Uhuru Peak	5,895	58	No
7	Millennium Camp	3,820	67	Yes
8	Mweka Camp	3,100	74	Yes
9	Mweka Gate	1,640	84	No

The route, camp by camp

As walked on our 9 Days Northern Circuit Route itinerary, with the altitudes it gives.

Ascent Descent Overnight camp Schematic map, not to scale: positions are approximate and not for navigation. Altitudes are from our itineraries. Terrain: SRTM (NASA), via Terrain Tiles on AWS.

01 Londorossi Gate gate 2,100 m
02 Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp camp 2,650 m
03 Shira 1 Camp camp 3,610 m
04 Moir Hut Camp hut 4,200 m
05 Buffalo Camp camp 4,020 m
06 Third Cave Camp camp 3,870 m
07 School Hut hut 4,750 m
08 Uhuru Peak summit 5,895 m
09 Millennium Camp · descent camp 3,820 m
10 Mweka Camp · descent camp 3,100 m
11 Mweka Gate · descent gate 1,640 m

Day by day

These are the days of our 9 Days Northern Circuit Route.

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

2,100 m → 2,650 m
6 km
3–4 hrs
Rainforest

↑ 550 m gained

A controlled first day through montane forest, focused on settling into expedition pace.

From: Londorossi Gate
To: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Sleeping altitude: 2,650 m (8,694 ft)

Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

2,650 m → 3,610 m
8 km
5–6 hrs
Heath

↑ 960 m gained

Climb out of the forest and onto the expansive Shira Plateau.

From: Mti Mkubwa
To: Shira 1 Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,610 m (11,844 ft)

Shira 1 to Shira 2 / Moir area

3,610 m → 4,200 m
10 km
4–6 hrs
Moorland / alpine desert

↑ 590 m gained

Cross the plateau with optional acclimatization above camp, depending on conditions and group health.

From: Shira 1
To: Shira 2 / Moir area
Sleeping altitude: 4,200 m (13,780 ft)

Moir area to Buffalo Camp

4,200 m → 4,020 m
12 km
5–7 hrs
Alpine desert

Turn onto the quiet northern flank, traversing beneath the Lent Hills into a much less visited part of Kilimanjaro.

From: Moir area
To: Buffalo Camp
Sleeping altitude: 4,020 m (13,189 ft)

Buffalo Camp to Third Cave

4,020 m → 3,870 m
8 km
4–6 hrs
High moorland

A rolling traverse with broad views toward Kenya. The slightly lower sleeping altitude supports recovery.

From: Buffalo Camp
To: Third Cave
Sleeping altitude: 3,870 m (12,697 ft)

Third Cave to School Hut

3,870 m → 4,750 m
5 km
4–5 hrs
Alpine desert

↑ 880 m gained

Climb steadily to the final high camp. Rest, hydrate and prepare for the midnight summit departure.

From: Third Cave
To: School Hut
Sleeping altitude: 4,750 m (15,584 ft)

School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp

4,750 m → 3,820 m
18 km
12–16 hrs
Arctic summit to moorland

↑ 1,145 m gained ↓ 2,075 m descended Sleeps 3,820 m

Ascend toward Gilman’s Point, continue around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, then descend via Barafu toward Millennium Camp.

From: School Hut
To: Millennium Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,820 m (12,533 ft)
Highest point: 5,895 m

Millennium Camp to Mweka Camp

3,820 m → 3,100 m
7 km
3–4 hrs
Moorland to rainforest

A deliberately easier recovery day after summit, descending into thicker vegetation.

From: Millennium Camp
To: Mweka Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,100 m (10,171 ft)

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

3,100 m → 1,640 m
10 km
3–4 hrs
Rainforest

Complete the final forest descent and return to Moshi after certificate formalities.

From: Mweka Camp
To: Mweka Gate

Dates, prices and booking Take the itinerary with you (PDF)

What is and is not included

As listed on our 9 Days Northern Circuit Route. What the crew does and what we carry is the same on every itinerary we run here. The number of nights is not, and park fees are charged per night, so each climb page carries its own list.

What is included

Transfers

Airport pick-up and drop-off - Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to/from your hotel
Private transfers to/from the mountain gate - Hotel to Kilimanjaro trailhead and exit gate to hotel

Meals & water

Pre & post-climb accommodation - 2 nights in Moshi (1 night before and 1 night after the climb) on Bed & Breakfast basis
Three freshly prepared meals per day on the mountain - breakfast, lunch and dinner
Nutritious snacks during the trek
Clean, purified drinking water throughout the climb
Hot water for washing each morning and evening where practical

Permits & park fees

Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees
Camping fees
All applicable government taxes & VAT
Kilimanjaro summit certificate for successful climbers

Safety equipment

Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
Emergency supplemental oxygen
Pulse oximeter for monitoring blood oxygen saturation and pulse during the climb
First-aid kit and mountain emergency equipment
Daily health monitoring by the mountain guide
24/7 emergency communication support between the mountain team and operations office

Guides & crew

Professional, licensed English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guide
Assistant mountain guides - according to group size
Professional mountain chef/cook
Porters - to carry group equipment, food and clients permitted duffel luggage
All mountain crew wages and salaries
Cooking tent and complete camp equipment
Private portable flush/chemical toilet with dedicated toilet tent and porter - throughout the trek

Camping equipment

Quality four-season mountain tents
Comfortable sleeping mattresses
Dining/mess tent with tables and chairs

Also included

Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
All logistical and operational support throughout the expedition

What is not included

International and domestic flights
Tanzania entry visa
Travel and medical insurance - clients should have appropriate coverage for high-altitude trekking up to at least 6,000 metres
Helicopter/air evacuation or specialist medical evacuation unless specifically included by the client insurance policy
Personal trekking equipment and clothing, including hiking boots, sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, daypack and other personal gear
Equipment rental, unless specifically included in the quotation
Tips/gratuities for mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
Lunch and dinner at the hotel before or after the climb unless specified
Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks outside those specifically included
Personal snacks and energy bars brought by the client
Laundry services
Telephone calls, SIM cards, internet/data charges and other communication expenses
Additional hotel nights or transfers caused by flight changes, early arrival or late departure
Single-room or single-tent supplement, where applicable
Extra porter required for luggage exceeding the permitted mountain weight
Personal expenses such as souvenirs and shopping
Any activities, accommodation, meals, transfers or services not specifically stated in the itinerary
Costs arising from itinerary changes requested by the client or circumstances outside the company control

What it costs

Our 9 Days Northern Circuit Route, per climber. A smaller group pays more each because the crew, the vehicles and the camp cost the same however many of you there are.

Private climb prices by party size
Party size	Per person
1 climber Private Solo Expedition — Maximum privacy.	US$4,005

Scheduled group prices by party size
Party size	Per person
2–4 climbers Small Group Rate — Shared value.	US$3,690
5–7 climbers Group Discount Rate — Preferred group rate.	US$3,375
8–10 climbers Best Group Rate — Best value per climber.	US$3,150