The Northern Circuit route is one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360 degrees of beautiful scenery including the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes.

As the longest Kilimanjaro route, the Northern Circuit also has the most acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate. Thus, the Northern Circuit route is highly recommended.

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge, before crossing the Shira Plateau. The route then heads north and circles clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp to School Hut, before summiting from the east. Descend is made via the Mweka route.

Note that summit day on this path is tougher than other routes due to its longer distance.

Ultimate Kilimanjaro® offers the Northern Circuit as a 9 day group climb or as a 8 to 10 day private climb.

• The 9 day Northern Circuit route is the standard itinerary and is described in detail below.
• The 10 day Northern Circuit “daytime summit” route follows the 9 day Northern Circuit route with the following change. It shortens the summit day by beginning the summit bid in the daytime and descending and staying at Barafu Camp (instead of Mweka Camp). This variation eliminates the midnight summit attempt, which is typically very cold and windy, but uses an additional day to complete the descent.
• The 8 day Northern Circuit variation combines days 3 and 4, going directly to Moir Hut and bypassing the hike to Lava Tower.
• The 9 day Northern Circuit “daytime summit” route follows the 8 day Northern Circuit route with the following change. It shortens the summit day by beginning the summit bid in the daytime and descending and staying at Barafu Camp (instead of Mweka Camp). This variation eliminates the midnight summit attempt, which is typically very cold and windy, but uses an additional day to complete the descent.
• Another 10 day variation, known as Lemosho Crater, includes an overnight at Crater Camp, which is located just under the summit. This route is available as a private climb by special request. You can read more about this route here.

How Long is the Northern Circuit Route?

The distance of the Northern Circuit route is approximately 88 km or 53 miles.

How Many Days Does it Take to Climb Kilimanjaro on the Northern Circuit Route?

The Northern Circuitroute has several variations and thus, the trail can be completed in as little as 8 days and as many as 10 days. The standard itinerary is the preferred variation which requires 9 days.

How Hard is Climb Kilimanjaro on the Northern Circuit Route?

The Northern Circuit route is considered a difficult route due to its up and down nature. The long time spent on the mountain means climbers have a great chance of acclimatizing to the altitude. However, this duration on the mountain also has its drawbacks. It can cause general fatigue, sleep deprivation, digestive problems, respiratory issues, and other illnesses. Additionally, summit day is particularly challenging because climbers must travel a longer distance compared to other routes.

What is the Success Rate of Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Northern Circuit Route?

The success rate depends on the number of days you spend on the mountain. Our success rate for 8 day Northern Circuit is about 90-95%. Our success rate for the 9 and 10 day Northern Circuit route is about 95-98%.

How Much Does it Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro on the Northern Circuit Route?

The cost of the Northern Circuit route will vary depending on the guide service. Our current pricing for a group climb on the 9 day Northern Circuit route is $3,429 per person. See all of our prices here.

---

9 DAY NORTHERN CIRCUIT ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

DAY 2 – Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

DAY 3 – Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

We explore the Shira Plateau. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. The heath zone displays abundant wildflowers and unique Senecio trees.

DAY 4 – Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Moir Hut

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 5 – Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

We trek out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers great views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.

DAY 6 – Buffalo Camp to Third Cave

As we head up Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly sparse. This route is rarely travelled and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. We trek through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave.

DAY 7 – Third Cave to School Hut

We climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue on to our camp, School Hut. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

DAY 8 – School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we make our descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 9 – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. A vehicle takes us back to the hotel in Moshi, where we receive our summit certificates.