Northern Circuit 9 Day Kilimanjaro Trekking

DAY 1: LONDOROSSI GATE (2100 M) TO MTI MKUBWA CAMP (2820 M)

Pickup from the hotel in Moshi and drive to Londorossi gate for registration formalities and trekking preparations

Initiate the hike through the tropical rain forest which provides access to wildlife like elephants and bufallos

Proceed hiking to reach Mti Mkubwa camp in the evening

Dinner and overnight stay at the camp

DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA CAMP (2820 M) TO SHIRA 1 CAMP (3505 M)

Trek from the rain forest through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, to reach Shira Ridg

Break for lunch and proceed with the path to reach Shira camp in the evening

Dinner and overnight stay at the camp

DAY 3 : SHIRA CAMP 1 (3500 M) TO SHIRA CAMP 2 (3840 M)

Acclimatization day providing a chance to explore the Shira plateau. This allows your body getting used to high altitude

Pass through the moorland zone leading to Shira 2 camp

Dinner and overnight stay at the camp

DAY 4: SHIRA CAMP 2 (3840 M) TO LAVA TOWER (4,630M) TO MOIR HUT CAMP (4200 M)

Hike from the Shira Plateau through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ while approaching Lava Tower

Arrive at the tower around noon for rest and lunch break

Proceed with the trail to reach Moir hut in the evening

Dinner and sleep at the camp

DAY 5: MOIR HUT CAMP (4,200 M) TO BUFFALO CAMP (4,020 M)

Trek out of Moir Valley while approaching summit of Lent Hills before joining the Northern Circuit trail

Explore the landscape offering stunning views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border

Continue hiking to reach Buffalo camp for dinner and overnight stay

DAY 6: BUFFALO CAMP (4,020 M) TO THIRD CAVE (3,870 M)

Climb up the Buffalo Ridge which provides beautiful views and a remote wilderness feeling

The path leads to Third cave for rest and overnight stay

DAY 7: THIRD CAVE (3,870 M) TO SCHOOL HUT (4,800 M)

Trek steadily over the “Saddle,” which lies between peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi

The path leads to School Hut where you will arrive in the afternoon

Upon arrival, have much rest and drink lots of water as to prepare your body for the next day

It’s recommended to sleep early by 07:00 pm

DAY 8: ASCEND TO UHURU PEAK (5895 M)

Wake up around 11:30 pm for a hot drink and some snacks. Proceed by putting on trekking gears Leave the camp by torchlight in the final pursue of the summit

Climb from the alpine desert into the volcanic scree as noticing the sudden drop of temperature

The steep climb with short breaks in between leads to Gilman’s point (5681 m) to arrive in time for sunrise

Get time for a little break before making a final round trip to Uhuru peak (5895 m)

Get time for photographs while feeling accomplished standing at the roof of Africa

Proceed with descending down the mountain which is quite fast. The trail finally leads to Horombo hut (3720 m) to arrive in the evening

An overnight stay at the hut

DAY 9: MWEKA CAMP (3100 M) TO MWEKA GATE (1640 M)

Have a hot breakfast and initiate the hike walking through the forest to reach Mweka gate

Get awarded with certificates upon the level reached. Green certificates are awarded to hikers who reached Stella and golden ones to those who reached Uhuru

Show appreciation to the crew (guide, porters and cooks) by tipping them

Drive back to Moshi to previous accommodations or airport for departure