OVERVIEW
The Northern Circuit is the newest and longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It begins in the West at the Londorossi Gate and follows the same path as the Lemosho route for the first two days. After crossing the Shira plateau the path veers north near Lava Tower, following the longer Northern Circuit instead of the more popular Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley The route circles around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain. The Northern Circuit is longer than the other trails on Kilimanjaro, taking a minimum of eight or nine days to complete. The eight day trek skips the additional acclimatization day that is usually spent at Shira Camp 2 and continues straight on to Moir Camp
About Crater Camp on Kilimanjaro
Crater camp is not a route in it’s own right but a challenging extension which in principle can be added to any route. It involves sleeping overnight in the bowl of the crater. An amazing experience enjoyed by only a few of the most adventurous climbers. Time period depends on the route. Camping at crater is a bit expensive since it’s charged in extra by park authority and also the crew wages are paid in extra
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Londorosi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp
The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start points as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two 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 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. Dinner will be served when you reach MtiMkubwa Camp. Distance covered: 8km / 5miles
Approx. time taken: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 3:Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira Camp 2 (3,850 Meters)
On day two you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, passing at shira camp one and ending at Shira Camp two. Distance covered: 14km / 9mi
Approx. time taken: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4: Shira Camp 2 (3,850 Meters) To Moir Camp (4,200 Meters)
This Day is a long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters (see map above). This is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low, which is good for the acclimatisation process. Distance covered: 5km / 3mi
Approx. time taken: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5: Moir Camp (4,200 Meters) To Buffalo Camp (4,020 Meters)
This day is moderately involving the 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. Distance covered: 12km / 7mi
Approx. time taken: 5-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 6: Buffalo Camp (4,020 Meters) To Rongai Third Cave (3,800 Meters)
This day begins with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Pofu Camp where lunch is usually served. 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. Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 5-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7: Third Cave Camp – School Hut Camp
This day 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. Distance covered: 5km / 3mi
Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 8: School Hut (4,800 Meters) To Uhuru Peak (5,895 Meters) To Crater Camp (5790 Meters)
You will awake before dawn to start your summit attempt, meandering up the switch backs to Gilman’s Point before hiking around the edge of the caldera to Uhuru Peak – The Roof of Africa! After pictures are taken and the views enjoyed, you will head to Crater Camp inside the volcano.
Note: Some tour operators return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route depends on our client’s choice. Distance covered: 6km / 4mi and 12km/7mi
Approx. time taken: 6-8hours and 4-6hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 9:Crater Camp (5,790m) To Millennium Camp (3790m
In the morning after early breakfast, we begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope passing Barafu camp for a short break before heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest. Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3miles
Approx. time taken: 5-7 hours
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast
Day 10: Millennium Camp (3,950 Meters) To Mweka Gate (1,640 Meters)
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. It is customary to give your guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi. Distance covered: 10km / 6.5miles
Approx. time taken: 3.4 hours
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast
Day 11: Departure Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.
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WHY BOOK WITH US
- Unbeatable Support
- World Class Guide
- Expert Advice 24/7
- Comfortable Safari Vehicle
INCLUDED
- Private Airport picks up on arrival and drops off on departure day.
- 2 night in Arusha
- Transportation in a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
- Professional and Experienced English-speaking safari guide
- All national park fees;
- All accommodation in safari lodges under your program
- Three meals per day on safari;
- Bottled drinking water throughout the tour
- Medical kit;
- Binocular
- Wine, Unlimited, Soft drinks, Snacks,
- unlimited Game mileage
- Sundowner picnic in Serengeti
- Cooler
- WI-FI on board
- Hamper for hot Lunch
- Power outlet for charging your phone and camera
NOT INCLUDED
- International and Local Flights
- Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Optional activities
- Balloon safari for extra $600
- Tips and gratuities to driver/Safari guide (30usd/day – recommended).
![[downloader.la] 663df660bec79](https://ungitours.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Downloader.la-663df660bec79-300x163.jpg "9 Days Northern Circuit Route - with Crater overnight")
