11-day trip: wander up Kilimanjaro via the 8-day Northern Circuit Route. Kilimanjaro can now be climbed via the Northern Circuit way. The trail is one of a kind because it goes along the quiet, little-known northern side of the mountain. You will have a whole new view of Mount Kilimanjaro!

On the Northern Circuit, each day’s hikes aren’t very long. Your body will have enough time to heal. The Northern Circuit route is also good for getting used to the altitude because it has a long climb (in days). It takes your body longer to get used to the daily rise in altitude.

The Northern Circuit Route takes 8 days to do the whole climb, including the return.

Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb
Day 2: Northern Circuit (1/8) | Lemosho Trailhead (2,000 m/6,561 ft) – Big Tree Camp (2,780 m/9,120 ft)
Day 3: Northern Circuit (2/8) | Big Tree Camp (2,780 m/9,120 ft) – Shira 1 Camp (3,510 m/11,515 ft)
Day 4: Northern Circuit (3/8) | Shira 1 Camp (3,510 m/11,515 ft) – Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft)
Day 5: Northern Circuit (4/8) | Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190) – Buffalo Camp (3,995 m/13,107 ft)
Day 6: Northern Circuit (5/8) | Buffalo Camp (3,995 m/13,107 ft) – Third Cave Camp (3,930 m/12,893 ft)
Day 7: Northern Circuit (6/8) | Third Cave Camp (3,930 m/12,893 ft) – School Huts Camp (4,710 m/15,452 ft)
Day 8: Northern Circuit (7/8) | School Huts Camp (4,710 m/15,452 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) – Millenium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft)
Day 9: Northern Circuit (8/8) | Millenium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m/5,380 ft) – Hotel
Day 10 – 11: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

Tanzania Zanzibar Safari gives a one-of-a-kind service during the climb.

The hardest thing you can do is climb Kilimanjaro. Little things can make a big difference, that’s why we send you up with trained guides, porters, and a cook. The people who work on the Northern Circuit road take care of you by checking on your health twice a day and giving you tasty food. Does that sound like too much? Not if you want to get to the top! Because we know that altitude sickness can sneak up on you and that good eating is important to keep you going on a tough climb.

Besides that, we have a lot of information for you to help you get ready for your climb through the Northern Circuit. It tells you about Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro, how to get ready, and what you can buy or rent. Another thing we want to bring up is that we work with the Kilimanjaro Responsible Travel Organization (KRTO). That means that while we climb, we look out for our team and the mountain. This way, you can climb without worrying. Are you ready for an event you’ll never forget?

*We can send you the menu ahead of time if you’d like to see it.

How fit do you have to be to go up Kilimanjaro’s Northern Circuit Route?

Kilimanjaro is very hard to climb because of its high elevation, fast ascent rate, and changing weather. You will walk for six to seven hours every day on average when you climb. It is definitely possible if you are healthy and fit. You can do many things to improve your chances of making it to the top and to make sure you enjoy the hike.

Take your time. Allow your body time to adjust and get used to the altitude by hiking slowly.
Get ready. Also, being in good shape helps a lot with the climb. Hiking a few months before the climb is a great way to prepare, especially walks that last more than one day. But running and other physical activities are also good ways to get ready.

Add one more day. There is no way to know ahead of time who will get altitude sickness. This risk will go down if you climb for one more day. Because the climb is spread out over more days, your body has more time to get used to being taller. We really think you should do this to improve your chances of getting to the top.

Day by day breakdown

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb

When you get to Kilimanjaro International Airport, our Tanzania Zanzibar Safari guide will be there to meet you. After the trip, he drops you off at your hotel where you can rest.
Getting ready for your climb: Before you start your climb, you meet your guide. He tells you about the climb and gives you important tips on what to wear, what to bring, and how to make it as easy as possible.

Day 2: Northern Circuit (1/8) | Lemosho Trailhead (2,000 m/6,561 ft) – Big Tree Camp (2,780 m/9,120 ft)

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Londorossi Gate on the west side. After lunch, you go to the Lemosho entrance and start the climb. This easy walk through a dense jungle takes three to four hours and gives you the chance to see many animals, such as buffalo and monkeys. You get to Big Tree Camp after going down a narrow road with some steep parts. This is where you spend the night.

Day 3: Northern Circuit (2/8) | Big Tree Camp (2,780 m/9,120 ft) – Shira 1 Camp (3,510 m/11,515 ft)

You leave the forest this morning and go into an area with field heather and volcanic rock. You go up and down through the green hills below Kilimanjaro’s third volcanic peak, Shira Plateau. When you get to the edge of the plateau, the hard part of the 5- to 6-hour walk is over, and the trail gets easier. Then you get to Shira Camp, where you can spend the night with a great view of Kibo’s peak.

Day 4: Northern Circuit (3/8) | Shira 1 Camp (3,510 m/11,515 ft) – Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft)

The walk today from Heather to the alpine desert takes about 7 to 8 hours. On the way to the Lava Tower, you go by the Shira Plateau, which is one of the highest in the world. You can also stop at the Shira Cathedral if you want to. The path goes northwest from the Lava Tower to Kibo, which is Kilimanjaro’s highest point. After that, you’ll have to walk up a steep path to get to Moir Hut Camp, which is in the middle of nowhere and has amazing views of the Shira Plateau.

Day 5: Northern Circuit (4/8) | Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190) – Buffalo Camp (3,995 m/13,107 ft)

You keep going on the Northern Circuit until you reach a steep hill that you have to climb. The hike to Buffalo Camp today will take about 8 to 9 hours and take you through heathland and alpine desert. In the morning, you can take a short journey to get to Little Lent Hill.

Day 6: Northern Circuit (5/8) | Buffalo Camp (3,995 m/13,107 ft) – Third Cave Camp (3,930 m/12,893 ft)

On the fifth day on the mountain, you continue through a variety of scenery, such as heathlands, valleys, and high alpine areas. The Northern Circuit path goes east and is less used, so you can enjoy the wilderness, beautiful mountains, and scenery without many other people. It takes about 5 to 7 hours to do this hike.

Day 7: Northern Circuit (6/8) | Third Cave Camp (3,930 m/12,893 ft) – School Huts Camp (4,710 m/15,452 ft)

From Mawenzi Peak to Kibo Peak, the “Saddle” is a beautiful lunar scenery that you will reach today after a 4- to 5-hour climb. After that, you keep going to School Hut Camp and get there early in the afternoon. You can rest and get ready for the last climb the next day for the rest of the day.

Day 8: Northern Circuit (7/8) | School Huts Camp (4,710 m/15,452 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) – Millenium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft)

Around midnight, the cold peak push starts. Get ready for the steep road that leads to Gilman’s Point, which is on the edge of the main crater. You climb for a few hours with short breaks, and when you get to Gilman’s Point, you can see a beautiful sunrise over Mawenzi Peak. After another two to three hours, you’ll reach Uhuru Peak, where you can enjoy your accomplishment with stunning views. Then you go down to Millenium Camp via Kibo Huts Camp. This is where you have your last meal and spend the night on the mountain.

Day 9: Northern Circuit (8/8) | Millenium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m/5,380 ft) – Hotel

Finally, you enjoy the drop in elevation. Soon after breakfast, you walk to the park’s exit. After the descent, everyone gets together to thank each other. Before going back to the hotel for a well-earned rest, your driver takes you back and gives you a shower.

Day 10 – 11: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

It’s time to go home now that your vacation is over. Have fun in Tanzania for a few more hours before our driver picks you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your trip home. Do you still want more? You can also add a few days of hiking or a trip to the beach to your Kilimanjaro trip!