Northern Circuit Route — 8 Days

The longest, quietest way up Kilimanjaro, circling the mountain's remote northern slopes.

8 days Moderate Kilimanjaro National Park From $2,650 per person

Northern Circuit Route — 8 Days · 8 days

Package Overview

The Northern Circuit starts like Lemosho in the west, then leaves the busy southern trails behind to wrap around Kibo's wild northern side, with views across to Kenya and very few other climbers. Eight days on the mountain give your body plenty of time to adjust, and the summit approach from School Hut is the quietest of any route.

Highlights

360° views as you circle the mountain
Remote northern camps, far from the crowds
Long acclimatization profile
Summit from School Hut via Gilman's Point

Route map

Day 1 Mti Mkubwa Camp → Day 2 Shira 1 Camp → Day 3 Moir Hut → Day 4 Buffalo Camp → Day 5 Third Cave Camp → Day 6 School Hut → Day 7 Millennium Camp → Day 8 Mweka Gate

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 • Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Mti Mkubwa Camp

Drive to Londorossi Gate to register and walk through quiet rainforest to Mti Mkubwa, the "Big Tree" camp (2,780 m).

Day 1 Accommodation, Mti Mkubwa Camp Meal Plan: Full board

Day 2 • Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Climb out of the forest onto the western edge of the Shira Plateau and Shira 1 Camp (3,510 m).

Day 2 Accommodation, Shira 1 Camp Meal Plan: Full board

Day 3 • Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut

Cross the plateau with an acclimatization detour towards Lava Tower, then turn north to the sheltered valley of Moir Hut (4,200 m).

Day 3 Accommodation, Moir Hut Meal Plan: Full board

Day 4 • Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

Begin the traverse of the northern slopes, with wide views north over the Kenyan plains, to Buffalo Camp (4,000 m).

Day 4 Accommodation, Buffalo Camp Meal Plan: Full board

Day 5 • Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

Continue east around the mountain through high alpine desert to Third Cave Camp (3,930 m).

Day 5 Accommodation, Third Cave Camp Meal Plan: Full board

Day 6 • Third Cave Camp to School Hut

Climb onto the saddle below Kibo to School Hut (4,710 m), the base for the summit.

Note: Early dinner and lights-out: the summit push begins around midnight.

Day 6 Accommodation, School Hut Meal Plan: Full board

Day 7 • School Hut to Uhuru Peak, descend to Millennium Camp

Uhuru Peak, sunrise

Night climb to Gilman's Point and along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) for sunrise, then descend the southern side to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).

Day 7 Accommodation, Millennium Camp Meal Plan: Full board

Day 8 • Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

Walk down through heath and rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,640 m) for your certificates and the drive back to your hotel.