The best 9 days Kilimanjaro climbing northen circuit route tour package Overview
This Northern Circuit Route is one of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a unique and scenic trek around the northern slopes of the mountain.
It is a longer and more remote route, taking approximately 9–11 days to complete and covering a distance of approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles).
The Northern Circuit Route is considered one of the most scenic routes on Kilimanjaro and also has a high summit success rate, with approximately 90% of trekkers successfully reaching the summit.
The longer duration of the trek allows for better acclimatization, and the route is less crowded than some of the more popular routes. Overall, it is a challenging and rewarding trek for those seeking a unique Kilimanjaro experience.
Which Kilimanjaro route has the highest success rate?Northern Circuit Route has the highest Kilimanjaro Success Rate, which is 98 %, and approaches from south of Kilimanjaro.
As we have mentioned earlier, it is the newest and longest route on Kilimanjaro, which offers the most spectacular view of the overall 360 degree scenery of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kilimanjaro on this route takes 8 to 9 days to the summit.
Due to its extended length, much of which hovers around the same altitude for improved acclimatization, the Northern Circuit route has the highest success rate of any of the routes on Mount Kilimanjaro of over 95 % to 98 %.
The trek begins at the Londorossi Gate and makes its way up the western flanks of the mountain, passing through the rainforest and climbing onto the Shira Ridge.
From there, it is up to the Shira Plateau itself, before heading north to circle in a clockwise direction, starting at the Moir Hut, then moving on to Buffalo Camp, and finally the School Hut.
Along the way, trekkers make an almost 360 degree hike around Kilimanjaro, before summiting from the east.
Departure / Return Location
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Departure Time
Please arrive at least 2 hours before flight.
Included
- Park fees
- Camp fees
- Rescue fees
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Portable toilet
- Accommodation in Arusha or Moshi
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Emergency oxygen
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Medical Kit and Oximeter
Not Included
- Both National and International flights
- Medical insurance
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
The best Kilimanjaro climbing cost/price for 2024 and 2025
The average cost to climb Kilimanjaro for 9 days Northern Circuit route ranges from $2300 to $4500; the price varies from cheap, budget operators to large Western travel agents selling outsourced climbs at an inflated price.
There are various, unavoidable fixed costs for any tour operator, and if a climb seems too cheap, you’ve got to ask yourself why.
The best Kilimanjaro climbing Northern Circuit route itinerary from Moshi or Arusha
A full detailed 9 days Kilimanjaro climbing Northern Circuit day by day itinerary:
Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) – start point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters);
Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp;
Day 3: Shira 1 to Shira 2;
Day 4 : Shira 2 to Moir Hut Camp;
Day 5: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp/Pofu Camp;
Day 6: Buffalo Camp / Pofu to Third Cave;
Day 7: Third Cave to School Hut Camp;
Day 8: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp;
Day 9: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate
Day 01:Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) – start point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)
7,742 ft to 9,498 ft, 4 miles, approx. 3-4 hours After breakfast in your hotel you will be given an overall briefing from your guide. At 9am you will be met by our staff, who will drive you several hours to the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro and to the Londrossi Gate, where our guides and porters will prepare and pack the equipment and supplies Once at the gate you will be given a packed lunch and after registration with the Kilimanjaro Park office, we will drive for another 45mins to Lemosho Glades where your trek will begin with ascending into the rainforest. You will ascend for approx. 3 hours in dense rain forest which could be very wet and muddy so be ready with your gaiters and trekking poles. During the trek we will have a break and you can enjoy the rest your packed lunch. We will reach the Mti Mkubwa Camp also known as ‘Big Tree’ Camp in late afternoon. After arrival, you will be taken to your camp and tent which has already been set up by the porters who ran ahead, where you will be greeted with boiled drinking water and hot washing water. Once you have freshened up and settled in, a hot dinner will be served in the mess-tent..
Day 02:Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp
9,498 ft to 11,500 ft, 5 miles, approx. 5-6 hours From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through a podocarpus and juniper forest and then break out on to a zone of heather and lichen-draped volcanic rock and the Shira Plateau, which used to be Kilimanjaro’s third peak before it collapsed. Lunch is taken on the trail and you arrive in camp mid-afternoon. The view of Kibo (the peak of Kilimanjaro) is breathtaking from this vantage point. Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
11,500 ft to 12,500 ft, 4 miles, 3-4 hours After breakfast you will continue on your hike across and up the Shira plateau to Shira Camp 2 at 3,850 meters. Here you will join trekkers from the Machame Route whilst enjoying stunning view across the valley below and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero.
Day 04:Shira 2 to Moir Hut Camp
D12,500 ft to 13,580 ft (Lava Tower), down to 15,190 ft, 8 miles, 5-7 hours We leave the forest behind now and a gentle grade walk takes you across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.
Day 05:Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp/Pofu Camp
13,580 ft to 13,200 ft, 7 miles, 5-7 hours We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (15,400ft). After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.
Day 06:Buffalo Camp / Pofu to Third Cave
13,200 ft to 12,700 ft, 5 miles, 5-7 hours From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.
Day 07:Third Cave to School Hut Camp
12,700 ft to 15,600 ft, 3 miles, 4-5 hours There is a steady ascent to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.
Day 08:School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
15,600 ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065, 4 miles ascent, 7 miles descent, 6-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 a.m on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. We then head on to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend down through Barafu Camp to reach Mweka Camp
Day 09:Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate
10,065 ft to 5,380 ft, 6 miles, 3-4 hours Once again you will be woken for your final celebratory breakfast where our team will thank and congratulate you in their unique, special way! We will then set off for the final 3 hour scenic descent to Mweka Gate. After lunch you will dropped off at the hotel where you can relax under a long, well deserved hot shower.
