9-Day Northern Circuit Route – "The Ultimate Kilimanjaro Trek"
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9-Day Northern Circuit Route Overview
The longest and least crowded route on Kilimanjaro
The Northern Circuit is the longest route on Kilimanjaro and the only one that circumnavigates almost the entire mountain before the summit push. Starting from Londorossi Gate on the western side, the route crosses the Shira Plateau, then diverts north rather than south, traversing the remote northern slopes before swinging east and approaching the summit from the Kibo side via School Hut.
Because the northern slopes see very few trekkers, this route offers a level of solitude not found on any other Kilimanjaro path. The 9 days on the mountain also provide the most gradual acclimatisation profile available, with several days spent between 3,500 and 4,200 metres before the upper mountain sections begin.
The Northern Circuit is not an easier route than the others. The summit night from School Hut is as demanding as from Barafu or Kibo. What it offers is more time, more distance, more varied terrain, and a perspective of the mountain that most Kilimanjaro trekkers never see.
Ideal for: Trekkers who want maximum time on the mountain, minimal crowds, and a complete circuit of Kilimanjaro before the summit.
📌 Best time to climb: June – October & December – March.
Tour Plan
Arrival in Moshi
A representative from Lora Adventures Africa will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Moshi is a small, relaxed town sitting directly at the base of Kilimanjaro. On a clear evening you may catch a view of the mountain from town, which is a good reminder of what lies ahead. If you are already in Moshi or arriving from elsewhere in Tanzania, we will arrange to meet you at an agreed point. Your trek begins the following morning.
Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel or similar mid-range hotel in Moshi.
Meals: No meals included.
Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Elevation: 2,100m to 2,650m | Distance: ~6km | Time: 3 to 4 hours
We drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate on the western side of the mountain, where you complete registration and meet your mountain crew. The drive takes about 2.5 hours through the foothills of Kilimanjaro.
The first day’s trek is short and moves through dense montane rainforest. This side of the mountain is quiet and the forest feels genuinely remote. Mti Mkubwa, meaning “Big Tree” in Swahili, sits in a forest clearing at 2,650 metres and is a calm, sheltered place to spend the first night.
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp, camping tent accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 2,650m to 3,500m | Distance: ~8km | Time: 5 to 6 hours
The trail climbs steadily out of the rainforest and transitions into open moorland. The vegetation shifts from dense canopy to heather and giant lobelia as you gain altitude, and the views begin to open up considerably.
Shira 1 sits at the western edge of the Shira Plateau at 3,500 metres. The plateau stretches out ahead and Kibo Peak becomes visible to the east on a clear day. The openness of the landscape after two days in the forest is a significant shift in atmosphere.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp, camping tent accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 3,500m to 3,900m | Distance: ~7km | Time: 4 to 5 hours
A shorter day crossing the Shira Plateau toward Shira 2. The plateau is wide and exposed, with unobstructed views in every direction. The walking is not technically demanding but the altitude is building and the landscape feels high and remote.
The views of the western flank of Kibo from this section are among the best on the mountain. Arriving at Shira 2 with time to rest is one of the advantages of the 9-day pace, and the body benefits from spending another night at around 3,900 metres before climbing further.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp, camping tent accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Shira 2 to Moir Hut
Elevation: 3,900m to 4,200m | Distance: ~10km | Time: 5 to 7 hours
This is where the Northern Circuit diverges from the Lemosho Route. Rather than heading south toward Lava Tower and Barranco, the trail turns north into terrain that most Kilimanjaro trekkers never see.
The northern slopes are remote and sparsely vegetated. The walking is across open moorland and rocky ground, with wide views of the plains far below to the north. Moir Hut sits at 4,200 metres near a cluster of volcanic rock formations. On a clear night the sky from this camp, far from any settlement, is exceptional.
Overnight: Moir Hut Camp, camping tent accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
Elevation: 4,200m to 4,020m | Distance: ~8km | Time: 5 to 6 hours
The trail continues east along the northern slopes, with a slight descent to Buffalo Camp at 4,020 metres. The drop in elevation is intentional. Spending another night below 4,200 metres gives your body further time to adapt before the upper mountain sections begin.
The terrain here is true alpine desert, stark and largely silent. The views north across the plains and south toward the summit cone are a constant companion through the day. Very few trekkers pass through this section of the mountain and the solitude is one of the defining qualities of this route.
Overnight: Buffalo Camp, camping tent accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp
Elevation: 4,020m to 3,870m | Distance: ~8km | Time: 4 to 5 hours
The route continues its gentle traverse around the northern and northeastern slopes, descending slightly to Third Cave Camp at 3,870 metres. The name refers to a series of natural lava caves in the area that have historically been used as shelter on the mountain.
The terrain becomes increasingly barren as you move around the eastern flank. The descent continues the climb high, sleep low acclimatisation pattern that is one of the key advantages of this route. By this point you will have spent several days moving between 3,800 and 4,200 metres, which prepares your body well for what lies above.
Overnight: Third Cave Camp, camping tent accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Third Cave to School Hut
Elevation: 3,870m to 4,750m | Distance: ~5km | Time: 4 to 5 hours
Today the trail climbs directly toward the summit base. School Hut sits on the eastern side of Kibo at 4,750 metres and is the highest camp on the Northern Circuit. It is a short distance but the altitude gain is significant and the pace slows accordingly.
School Hut is more sheltered than Barafu Camp on the southern routes and sees very few other trekkers. Dinner is served early and the camp settles quickly. Your guide will brief you on the summit route before you rest. The alarm goes off around midnight.
Overnight: School Hut Camp, camping tent accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Summit Night, then Descent to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,750m to 5,895m, then descend to 3,100m | Distance: ~15km | Time: 12 to 16 hours total
The summit push begins around midnight. The route from School Hut to Uhuru Peak approaches the crater rim from the eastern side, joining the crater rim trail before the final climb to the summit. This is a slightly different approach from the southern routes and gives a different perspective on the upper mountain.
The altitude, the cold, and the steep terrain are the defining challenges of summit night regardless of which route you have taken to get here. Your guide sets a slow and deliberate pace. The mental challenge of pushing through the early hours in darkness and thin air is something most climbers reflect on long after the trek.
Uhuru Peak stands at 5,895 metres, the highest point in Africa. After the summit, you descend via the Mweka Route all the way to Mweka Camp at 3,100 metres. It is a long descent but the air thickens noticeably with every hundred metres you drop.
Overnight: Mweka Camp, camping tent accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate: Descent & Farewell
Elevation: 3,100m to 1,640m | Distance: ~10km | Time: 3 to 5 hours
The final descent takes you back through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. The return of trees, birdsong, and humid air after more than a week on the open mountain is a welcome transition as the altitude drops away beneath you.
At the gate, summit certificates are presented. You say goodbye to your mountain crew here, then transfer back to Moshi for a well deserved rest. We will transfer you to the airport depending on your flight schedule.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Price: Starts from $3,525 per person.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation: Tents with sleeping mats on the mountain, pre/post-climb lodging in Arusha/Moshi (1 night each).
- Meals: All meals on the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner), prepared by camp cooks.
- Transportation: Transfers to/from Londorossi Gate and Arusha/Moshi.
- Support: Professional guides, porters, cook, camping gear (tents, tables, chairs).
- Fees: Kilimanjaro National Park entry, camping, and rescue fees.
- Safety: First aid kit, pulse oximeter for altitude monitoring.
Excludes:
- International Flights: Airfare to/from Tanzania.
- Travel Insurance: Personal travel and medical insurance (mandatory for evacuation coverage).
- Visas: Tanzanian visa fees.
- Gear: Personal climbing gear (e.g., sleeping bag, trekking poles, clothing rentals available).
- Beverages: Bottled water (boiled water provided), alcohol, soft drinks.
- Gratuities: Tips for guides, porters, and cook (customary).
- Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, additional nights, or upgrades.
- Extra Activities: Optional pre/post-climb tours or extensions.
Booking Inquiry
Ready to embark on your African adventure? Reach out to us for booking inquiries and let’s make your dream trip a reality!
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Northern Circuit different from other Kilimanjaro routes?
Yes, this safari is carefully designed for a comprehensive wildlife experience in a short time. We’ve packed three of Tanzania’s most iconic parks into a single, unforgettable itinerary.The Northern Circuit is the only Kilimanjaro route that traverses the northern slopes of the mountain, which are rarely visited by trekkers. Most routes approach from the south or southeast and share significant sections of trail. The Northern Circuit diverts north after the Shira Plateau and spends several days crossing remote terrain that most climbers never see. This adds unique views, genuine solitude, and a more complete experience of the mountain. It is also the longest route available, with 9 days on the mountain providing the most gradual acclimatisation profile of any standard Kilimanjaro itinerary.
Is the Northern Circuit suitable for trekkers who have not climbed at altitude before?
The Northern Circuit is one of the more accessible options for those without prior high-altitude experience, largely because of the number of days on the mountain and the gradual pace of ascent. That said, no Kilimanjaro route removes the fundamental challenge of altitude, and summit night from School Hut at 4,750 metres is demanding regardless of experience. Physical fitness, proper preparation, and a willingness to move slowly and listen to your guide are the most important factors for any first-time high-altitude trekker on this route.
How remote is the Northern Circuit in practice?
The western section from Londorossi Gate to Shira 2 is shared with the Lemosho Route and sees moderate traffic during peak season. From Day 4 onward, when the trail turns north toward Moir Hut, the route becomes genuinely remote. Buffalo Camp and Third Cave Camp are quiet camps with very few other groups. There are no tea houses, shops, or facilities of any kind between the camps. Your crew carries everything needed for the trek, including all food, water, and camping equipment.
What is the summit approach like from School Hut compared to Barafu?
School Hut sits on the eastern side of Kibo at 4,750 metres, slightly higher than Barafu Camp at 4,673 metres on the southern routes. The summit approach from School Hut follows a different line up to the crater rim before joining the final trail to Uhuru Peak. The altitude gain and terrain are comparable to the Barafu approach, but the eastern side of the mountain tends to be quieter on summit night since most trekkers using the southern routes depart Barafu at a similar time and converge on the same path.
How physically demanding is the Northern Circuit compared to shorter routes?
The daily distances are moderate and the pace is deliberately slow, which makes individual days manageable. The cumulative effect of 9 consecutive days at altitude, however, is significant. Fatigue builds over the course of the trek and the body is working harder than it would at sea level throughout. Summit night remains the hardest day regardless of how well-paced the approach has been. Trekkers who arrive at School Hut feeling strong are in a good position, and the longer approach of the Northern Circuit is one of the best ways to arrive in that condition.
When is the best time to climb the Northern Circuit?
The best periods are June to October and December to March. The northern slopes of Kilimanjaro tend to be drier than the southern and southeastern approaches, but avoiding the rainy seasons still makes for a more predictable and comfortable experience. July and August are the busiest months on the mountain overall, though the Northern Circuit remains significantly quieter than Machame or Marangu even during peak season. December to March can bring cold temperatures at altitude but generally clear skies and stable conditions.
