Full-moon & event summits 2026–2028 · join a group departure →
Trek Up Kilimanjaro
A wide view of climbers strung out along the trail

9 Days Northern Circuit Route

The grand Kilimanjaro expedition

9 days
Duration
5,895 m
Highest point
Challenging but well paced
Difficulty
Northern Circuit
Route
Londorossi Gate → Mweka Gate
Start / finish

Overview

The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro’s longest standard route and one of its most complete expeditions. It begins in the west, traverses the quieter northern slopes and approaches the summit from School Hut, giving climbers exceptional time at altitude and a rare sense of wilderness.

This trip is best for

  • Climbers who prioritize acclimatization, quieter trails and a premium expedition feel over speed.

The altitude profile

Circles mark where you sleep. Those are the altitudes that decide how you feel, not the high points you walk over during the day.

9 Days Northern Circuit Route elevation profile Route Sleeping altitude
9 Days Northern Circuit Route elevation profile. Full data is given in the table below. 2,000 m 3,000 m 4,000 m 5,000 m 6,000 m Mti Mkubwa 2,650 Shira 1 Cam 3,610 Shira 2 / M 4,200 Buffalo Cam 4,020 Third Cave 3,870 School Hut 4,750 Uhuru Peak 5,895 Millennium 3,820 Mweka Camp 3,100
9 Days Northern Circuit Route elevation profile
Day Location Altitude (m) Distance (km) Overnight
1 Londorossi Gate 2,100 0 No
1 Mti Mkubwa Camp 2,650 6 Yes
2 Shira 1 Camp 3,610 14 Yes
3 Shira 2 / Moir area 4,200 24 Yes
4 Buffalo Camp 4,020 36 Yes
5 Third Cave 3,870 44 Yes
6 School Hut 4,750 49 Yes
7 Uhuru Peak 5,895 58 No
7 Millennium Camp 3,820 67 Yes
8 Mweka Camp 3,100 74 Yes
9 Mweka Gate 1,640 84 No

Day by day

01

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

  • 2,100 m → 2,650 m
  • 6 km
  • 3–4 hrs
  • Rainforest
↑ 550 m gained
A controlled first day through montane forest, focused on settling into expedition pace.
From
Londorossi Gate
To
Mti Mkubwa Camp
Sleeping altitude
2,650 m (8,694 ft)
Highest point
2,650 m
02

Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

  • 2,650 m → 3,610 m
  • 8 km
  • 5–6 hrs
  • Heath
↑ 960 m gained
Climb out of the forest and onto the expansive Shira Plateau.
From
Mti Mkubwa
To
Shira 1 Camp
Sleeping altitude
3,610 m (11,844 ft)
Highest point
3,610 m
03

Shira 1 to Shira 2 / Moir area

  • 3,610 m → 4,200 m
  • 10 km
  • 4–6 hrs
  • Moorland / alpine desert
↑ 590 m gained
Cross the plateau with optional acclimatization above camp, depending on conditions and group health.
From
Shira 1
To
Shira 2 / Moir area
Sleeping altitude
4,200 m (13,780 ft)
Highest point
4,200 m
04

Moir area to Buffalo Camp

  • 4,200 m → 4,020 m
  • 12 km
  • 5–7 hrs
  • Alpine desert
Turn onto the quiet northern flank, traversing beneath the Lent Hills into a much less visited part of Kilimanjaro.
From
Moir area
To
Buffalo Camp
Sleeping altitude
4,020 m (13,189 ft)
Highest point
4,020 m
05

Buffalo Camp to Third Cave

  • 4,020 m → 3,870 m
  • 8 km
  • 4–6 hrs
  • High moorland
A rolling traverse with broad views toward Kenya. The slightly lower sleeping altitude supports recovery.
From
Buffalo Camp
To
Third Cave
Sleeping altitude
3,870 m (12,697 ft)
Highest point
3,870 m
06

Third Cave to School Hut

  • 3,870 m → 4,750 m
  • 5 km
  • 4–5 hrs
  • Alpine desert
↑ 880 m gained
Climb steadily to the final high camp. Rest, hydrate and prepare for the midnight summit departure.
From
Third Cave
To
School Hut
Sleeping altitude
4,750 m (15,584 ft)
Highest point
4,750 m
07

School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp

  • 4,750 m → 3,820 m
  • 18 km
  • 12–16 hrs
  • Arctic summit to moorland
↑ 1,145 m gained ↓ 2,075 m descended Sleeps 3,820 m
Ascend toward Gilman’s Point, continue around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, then descend via Barafu toward Millennium Camp.
From
School Hut
To
Millennium Camp
Sleeping altitude
3,820 m (12,533 ft)
Highest point
5,895 m
08

Millennium Camp to Mweka Camp

  • 3,820 m → 3,100 m
  • 7 km
  • 3–4 hrs
  • Moorland to rainforest
A deliberately easier recovery day after summit, descending into thicker vegetation.
From
Millennium Camp
To
Mweka Camp
Sleeping altitude
3,100 m (10,171 ft)
Highest point
3,100 m
09

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

  • 3,100 m → 1,640 m
  • 10 km
  • 3–4 hrs
  • Rainforest
Complete the final forest descent and return to Moshi after certificate formalities.
From
Mweka Camp
To
Mweka Gate
Sleeping altitude
1,640 m (5,381 ft)
Highest point
1,640 m

Route map

Where this itinerary goes, night by night. Every camp and altitude on the map is the one in the day-by-day above.

N Mawenzi Londorossi Gate2,100 m Mti Mkubwa2,650 m Shira 1 Camp3,610 m Moir Hut Camp4,200 m Buffalo Camp4,020 m Third Cave Camp3,870 m School Hut4,750 m Uhuru Peak5,895 m Millennium Camp3,820 m Mweka Camp3,100 m Mweka Gate1,640 m
Ascent Descent Overnight camp Schematic map, not to scale: positions are approximate and not for navigation. Altitudes are from our itineraries. Terrain: SRTM (NASA), via Terrain Tiles on AWS.

What is and is not included

What is included

Transfers

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off - Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to/from your hotel
  • Private transfers to/from the mountain gate - Hotel to Kilimanjaro trailhead and exit gate to hotel

Meals & water

  • Pre & post-climb accommodation - 2 nights in Moshi (1 night before and 1 night after the climb) on Bed & Breakfast basis
  • Three freshly prepared meals per day on the mountain - breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Nutritious snacks during the trek
  • Clean, purified drinking water throughout the climb
  • Hot water for washing each morning and evening where practical

Permits & park fees

  • Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees
  • Camping fees / Hut fees - depending on the selected route
  • All applicable government taxes & VAT
  • Kilimanjaro summit certificate for successful climbers

Safety equipment

  • Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
  • Emergency supplemental oxygen
  • Pulse oximeter for monitoring blood oxygen saturation and pulse during the climb
  • First-aid kit and mountain emergency equipment
  • Daily health monitoring by the mountain guide
  • 24/7 emergency communication support between the mountain team and operations office

Guides & crew

  • Professional, licensed English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guide
  • Assistant mountain guides - according to group size
  • Professional mountain chef/cook
  • Porters - to carry group equipment, food and clients permitted duffel luggage
  • All mountain crew wages and salaries
  • Cooking tent and complete camp equipment
  • Private portable flush/chemical toilet with dedicated toilet tent and porter - throughout the trek on camping routes

Camping equipment

  • Quality four-season mountain tents - on camping routes
  • Comfortable sleeping mattresses
  • Dining/mess tent with tables and chairs

Also included

  • Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
  • All logistical and operational support throughout the expedition

What is not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Tanzania entry visa
  • Travel and medical insurance - clients should have appropriate coverage for high-altitude trekking up to at least 6,000 metres
  • Helicopter/air evacuation or specialist medical evacuation unless specifically included by the client insurance policy
  • Personal trekking equipment and clothing, including hiking boots, sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, daypack and other personal gear
  • Equipment rental, unless specifically included in the quotation
  • Tips/gratuities for mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
  • Lunch and dinner at the hotel before or after the climb unless specified
  • Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks outside those specifically included
  • Personal snacks and energy bars brought by the client
  • Laundry services
  • Telephone calls, SIM cards, internet/data charges and other communication expenses
  • Additional hotel nights or transfers caused by flight changes, early arrival or late departure
  • Single-room or single-tent supplement, where applicable
  • Extra porter required for luggage exceeding the permitted mountain weight
  • Personal expenses such as souvenirs and shopping
  • Any activities, accommodation, meals, transfers or services not specifically stated in the itinerary
  • Costs arising from itinerary changes requested by the client or circumstances outside the company control

Dates and prices

Private climb prices by party size
Party size Per person
1 climber Private Solo Expedition — Maximum privacy. US$4,005
Scheduled group prices by party size
Party size Per person
2–4 climbers Small Group Rate — Shared value. US$3,690
5–7 climbers Group Discount Rate — Preferred group rate. US$3,375
8–10 climbers Best Group Rate — Best value per climber. US$3,150

This climb runs on your dates

There is no fixed departure calendar for this itinerary — it runs as a private climb whenever suits you, which for most parties is the better arrangement anyway.

Ask about your dates

If you would rather join an existing group on a fixed date, our scheduled departures run on the Lemosho and Machame routes, each built around a full moon or an event summit.

These are the scheduled dates for this itinerary. See every group departure across all our routes, or ask about your own dates.

What to bring

You will walk through five climate zones in a week, from humid rainforest to sub-zero arctic. Layering is the whole strategy — no single garment solves it.

The full packing list What you can rent locally
From

US$3,150

Plan this climb