KILIMANJARO TREKKING 9 DAYS NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE
NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE OVERVIEW
This unique route combination is a lesser traveled route. You will see less hikers along the way, making this more private. As the trailhead is at a high elevation, you will start more slowly. This trail begins on the Shira Plateau.
The trek across the plateau is said to be one of the most stunning and gorgeous hikes in Africa.
WHY CHOOSE THE 9-DAY NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE?
The 9-Day Northern Circuit Route offers excellent acclimatization, breathtaking scenery, and one of the best chances of reaching Uhuru Peak successfully. With more time on the mountain and a gradual ascent, climbers can adjust better to the altitude while enjoying a quieter and less crowded route around Kilimanjaro.
Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport – Moshi
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a Peak Climber Safaris representative and
transferred to your hotel in Moshi.
After checking in, you can relax and recover from your journey.
Your mountain guide will conduct a pre-climb briefing and check your trekking equipment to make sure everything is ready
for the expedition.
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: According to your arrival package
Day 1: Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp
Altitude: Approximately 2,100 m at the gate to 2,800 m at camp
Distance: Approximately 6–7 km
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, we drive from Moshi toward Londorossi Gate, located on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro.
After completing registration and park entry procedures, we continue toward the trailhead.
The trek begins through the beautiful Kilimanjaro rainforest. The trail is surrounded by tall trees, dense vegetation
and mountain wildlife habitat.
With good luck and appropriate conditions, trekkers may see signs of wildlife in the forest.
After several hours of walking, we arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp.
Dinner will be served at camp before you rest for the night.
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira 1 Camp
Altitude: Approximately 2,800 m to 3,600 m
Distance: Approximately 8 km
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Heath and Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today we leave the rainforest behind and gradually enter the heath and moorland zone.
As the vegetation becomes shorter and the landscape opens up, the views toward Kibo and the surrounding mountain become
increasingly impressive.
The trail continues toward the spectacular Shira Plateau, one of the most scenic sections of the western Kilimanjaro
approach.
We arrive at Shira 1 Camp, where you will have dinner and rest.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp
Altitude: Approximately 3,600 m to 3,850 m
Distance: Approximately 7–8 km
Trekking Time: 3–5 hours
Habitat: Moorland / High Alpine Environment
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is a relatively moderate trekking day across the Shira Plateau.
The trail crosses open highland terrain with spectacular views of Kibo and the surrounding volcanic landscape.
This shorter day is important because it gives your body additional time to adapt to increasing altitude.
Depending on weather and the guide's assessment, an optional acclimatization walk may be arranged around the Shira
Plateau.
We spend the night at Shira 2 Camp.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp – Lava Tower – Moir Hut
Altitude: Approximately 3,850 m → 4,600 m → 4,200 m
Distance: Approximately 14 km
Trekking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: Moorland / Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is an important acclimatization day.
We gradually climb from Shira Plateau toward Lava Tower, reaching approximately 4,600 meters.
This section provides a valuable "climb high, sleep lower" acclimatization opportunity.
After spending time around Lava Tower, we descend toward Moir Hut, located at approximately 4,200 meters.
The landscape becomes increasingly dry and rugged as you enter the high alpine desert environment.
Dinner will be served at camp.
Overnight: Moir Hut Camp
Day 5: Moir Hut – Buffalo Camp
Altitude: Approximately 4,200 m to 4,020 m
Distance: Approximately 12 km
Trekking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: High Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, we climb out of the Moir Valley and continue along the Northern Circuit.
The trail includes several ascents and descents as we move around the northern slopes of Kibo.
Depending on weather and your guide's assessment, an optional acclimatization detour may be possible around the Lent
Hills area.
The route then continues toward Buffalo Camp.
From here, you can enjoy impressive views toward the northern plains and, on clear days, the Kenya–Tanzania landscape.
Overnight: Buffalo Camp
Day 6: Buffalo Camp – Third Cave Camp
Altitude: Approximately 4,020 m to 3,800 m
Distance: Approximately 8 km
Trekking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: High Alpine / Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We begin the day by climbing along the Buffalo Ridge before descending toward the northern side of Kibo.
After lunch, we continue eastward around the northern slopes toward Third Cave Camp.
The trail is shorter than the previous day, giving you time to rest and prepare for the higher elevations ahead.
By this stage of the trek, you will have spent several days gradually acclimatizing to altitude.
Your guide will continue monitoring your condition as we prepare for the summit zone.
Overnight: Third Cave Camp
Day 7: Third Cave Camp – School Hut – Kibo Crater Camp
Altitude: Approximately 3,800 m → 4,750–4,800 m → approximately 5,750–5,790 m
Distance: Approximately 10–15 km depending on the selected crater access
Trekking Time: Approximately 6–8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert / Summit Zone
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is one of the most demanding days of the entire expedition.
We leave Third Cave Camp and continue toward the high saddle between Mawenzi Peak and Kibo.
The landscape becomes increasingly barren as we approach the summit zone.
We continue toward the School Hut / high camp area, where the final preparations for the crater ascent are completed.
From the high camp area, we continue toward the Kibo summit zone and make our way into the crater area, subject to
weather conditions, park regulations and the guide's safety assessment.
Our destination is Crater Camp, located at approximately 5,750–5,790 meters above sea level.
This is an extreme-altitude environment.
After reaching camp, you will have time to settle into your tent, eat and rest.
Depending on weather and physical condition, your guide may organize a short exploration around the crater area, but
rest remains the priority.
Overnight: Kibo Crater Camp
Day 8: Crater Camp – Uhuru Peak – Millennium Camp
Crater Camp: Approximately 5,750–5,790 m
Uhuru Peak: 5,895 m / 19,341 ft
Millennium Camp: Approximately 3,900 m
Trekking Time: Variable; long summit and descent day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Summit Day – Uhuru Peak
Today is the ultimate objective of your Kilimanjaro adventure.
After resting at Crater Camp, we begin the final summit section toward Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
Depending on the itinerary, weather and guide's assessment, the summit attempt may begin from the crater area during
suitable conditions. We climb toward the summit of Kibo and reach:
UHURU PEAK – 5,895 METERS / 19,341 FEET
Standing at Uhuru Peak is an extraordinary achievement.
Take photographs, celebrate your success and enjoy the spectacular summit environment—always following the guide's
instructions regarding time and conditions at the summit.
After the summit, we begin the long descent.
The route eventually leaves the summit zone and continues toward Millennium Camp, where we spend our final night on
Mount Kilimanjaro.
This will be a physically demanding day, so your pace, hydration, nutrition and safety will be carefully managed.
Overnight: Millennium Camp
Day 9: Millennium Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi
Altitude: Approximately 3,900 m to 1,640 m
Distance: Approximately 10 km
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast, we begin the final descent through the beautiful Kilimanjaro rainforest.
The trail becomes increasingly green as we lose altitude.
Eventually, we reach Mweka Gate, where we complete the park exit procedures and receive your summit certificate where
applicable.
Our vehicle will then transfer you back to Moshi.
After completing such an extraordinary expedition, you can relax at your hotel and celebrate your achievement.
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 10: Departure from Tanzania
Your Kilimanjaro adventure comes to an end.
Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
You can also extend your trip with a Tanzania safari or Zanzibar holiday.
Popular safari extensions include:
Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
GROUP SIZE
AMOUNT(US DOLLAR)
1 Person
$2750
2-4 People
$2620
5-7 People
$2510
8-10 People
$2400
PRICE INCLUDES
Transfers:
Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi;
Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
Entry fees:
Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees,
vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
Accommodation:
Accommodation at hotel one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay - friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool;
Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season );
Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition,
we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.
Meals:
Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups,
garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
Hiking and safety equipment:
Comfortable sleeping mats;
All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
Complete medical kits including Diamox.
Private portable Toilet.
Climbing crew:
Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification.
All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
Taxes:
18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy.
PRICE EXCLUDE
International flights;
Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
Personal gear rentals;
Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
Peak Climbers and Safaris is a full-service Tanzanian tour operator specializing in unforgettable travel experiences across Tanzania’s most iconic destinations. We offer a wide range of adventures tailored to different interests, from thrilling wildlife safaris and cultural tours to mountain trekking and beach holidays.