13 Days Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route With Crater

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Tour Details

The Northern Circuit route approaches Kibo from the west using the Lemosho ascent, then circles clockwise around the quieter northern slopes to Pofu Camp and onward to the east (Third Cave and School Hut Camps), offering outstanding views of the summit from all sides. The north flank of the mountain is remote and less trafficked, so the environment is less disturbed and allows one to enjoy Kilimanjaro away from other climbers. And with an overnight in the soft sand at Crater Camp, the route is well-suited for those seeking an enjoyable backpacking and camping experience without a frantic push for the summit. This allows for superior acclimatization and nearly guaranteed success reaching Uhuru Peak!

Duration
Best Months
Why This Route?

13 days / 12 nights (10 days on the mountain)

Route climbable year-round.  January through March and mid-June through October are driest months.

Incorporates all elements of an exceptional climb:  remote wilderness trail, unrivaled views from all sides of the mountain, unhurried pace allowing climbers to savor the experience with absolute acclimatization, crater overnight, and morning summit ascent.

Route Map
Route Highlights
  • Route encircles the mountain at ±13,000′ / 4,000m.
  • Long sections of undisturbed environment.
  • Ten total days on Kilimanjaro for maximum acclimatization and nearly 100% success rate.
  • Morning summit ascent starts at dawn.
Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Moshi town

We pick you up upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and bring you to the Hotel in moshi, approximately 45 minute from the airport

Overnight: Moshi

Day 2: Day hiking to Materuni waterfall/ Gear checking

You have the morning to rest and relax. Enjoy delicious breakfast/day hiking to Materuni waterfall including coffee tour/ Your trip leader provides a climb orientation and equipment check.

Overnight: Moshi town

Meals: B

Day 3: Lemosho to Big Tree Camp

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

After breakfast, we drive to the Londorossi Gate for check in, where you will meet your other guides and mountain crew.  We enter the Kilimanjaro National Park from the Lemosho trailhead and walk for a few hours uphill through the thick and undisturbed montane forest to our camp for the night. Many beautiful flowers are seen en route and with luck, we will observe colobus monkeys at play. In the evening you may hear the unforgettable shrieking call of the tree hyrax.

Overnight: Big Tree Camp.

Meals: B,L,D.

Day 4: Big Tree Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Today we reach the west side of the Shira Plateau in a hiking time of 6 hours. Taking our time walking through the forest allows us to observe its animal and bird life. The day’s hike takes us from the montane forest, through a transition zone, and into the heather zone, where old lava flows are visible. Your guides will point out unique environmental differences that characterize each zone. After a picnic lunch, we reach the edge of the Plateau and eventually our camp that offers a dramatic view of Kilimanjaro and its permanent glaciers.

Overnight: Shira 1 Camp.

Meals: B,L,D.

Day 5: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Today is an easy paced acclimatization day of 4 to 5 hours hiking. Camp is set higher on the Shira Plateau with more expansive views of Kilimanjaro. There is a conditioning hike in the afternoon where you can examine the clusters of giant lobelias and senecios that grow at this elevation.

Overnight: Shira 2 Camp.

Meals: B,L,D.

Day 6: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut Camp

Elevation: 3850m/11,500ft to 4200m/13780ft
Distance: 14km/8mi
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Today we start by heading due east toward Kibo, before veering northward as we start our circumnavigation of the northern flank of Kilimanjaro and diverge from the routes leading along the south side. The majesty of the solitude begins to envelop us as we enjoy the remoteness of the route. The sheer-sided peaceful valley where camp is set affords wonderful views over Shira, from whence we just came, and up to Kibo where we will be in a few days.

Overnight: Moir Hut Camp.

Meals: B,L,D.

Day 7: Moir Hut Camp to Pofu Camp

Elevation: 4200m/13,780ft to 4020m/13,188ft
Distance: 12km/7mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours

We have a steep climb out of the Moir Valley, followed by more gradual up-and-down ascent up to 14,400 feet before a long descent and a brief rock scramble to our camp more than a thousand feet lower. This helps in acclimatization as we “climb high, sleep low.” The rarely-used path can be followed by the cairns placed at periodic intervals. Pofu means eland in Swahili as the area was popular in the past for these majestic antelope to graze in the area.

Overnight: Pofu Camp.

Meals: B,L,D.

Day 8: Pofu Camp to Third Cave Camp

Elevation: 4020m/13,188ft to 3800m/12,467ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Climbing Time: 5-7 hours

Leaving Pofu Camp, we’ll continue to circle around the mountain’s north side, with magnificent views of Kenya the whole way. The route crosses several valleys and ridges, each distinct from the next, making for lots of up-and-down Kilimanjaro Climb and a surprisingly tiring day of hiking. You will notice that the vegetation begins to thin with the drier conditions on this northeastern section of Kilimanjaro.

Overnight: Third Cave Camp.

Meals: B,L,D.

Day 9: Third Cave Camp to School Hut Camp

Elevation: 3800m/12,467ft to 4800m/15,748ft
Distance: 15km/8mi
Climbing Time: 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 (15,500 feet) in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.

Overnight: School Hut Camp.

Meals: B,L,D.

Day 10: School Hut Camp to Crater Camp

We have a long and steep ascent with many switchbacks up to Gillman’s Point, from which we traverse the crater rim, then at Stella Point descend slightly into the crater. Across the floor of the crater is Crater Camp, with its great views of the surrounding glaciers.

Overnight: Crater Camp.

Meals: B,L,D.

Day 11: Crater Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp

Elevation: 4800m/15,748ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3950m/12,959ft
Distance: 6km/3.5mi up / 11km/6mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

After an early breakfast, we make the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, reaching the 19,340 foot summit of Kilimanjaro by 8 a.m. At this early hour, before the clouds close in, you will have spectacular views of Africa in all directions. After a brief stay for photos, hugs, and high fives, we descend 2 to 3 hours to Barafu Camp for lunch, rest, and to take off extra layers. Continuing downhill 3 to 4 hours to the edge of the Mweka Forest, we reach the final night’s camp – 7,000 feet below the summit! Eat, share your experiences of the climb, and sleep soundly. Congratulations, you touched the Roof of Africa!

Overnight: Millennium Camp.

Meals: B,L,D.

Day 12: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate; Moshi Town

Elevation: 3950m/12,959ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Our last day is another descent of 7,000 feet with 4 to 5 hours of hiking to the exit at Mweka Gate. The trail is steep in places and within the forest may be slippery if wet. After a hearty celebration lunch with the whole team in moshi or near the exit gate to say goodbye to the mountain crew, the trip leaders bring you to your hotel in Moshi Town to relax, have dinner, and enjoy its spacious garden and swimming pool. (Those going on safari tomorrow will overnight at a hotel in Arusha, closer to the wildlife parks.)

Overnight: Moshi

Meals: B

Day 13: Moshi Town

Those heading out on safari or to Zanzibar will depart after breakfast to continue your African adventure. For those returning home, we offer you a guided tour of Moshi Town with its colorful market and curio shops. You may eat lunch in town or back at the Hotel(lunch not included). Transfer by our driver to the Kilimanjaro Airport.

Meals: B.

Items Included
  • 2 Nights’ accommodation in Moshi is or Arusha included
  • All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
  • Professional, experienced, mountain guides
  • Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
  • Quality, waterproof, four seasons private mountain sleeping tents
  • All meals while on the mountain
  • Kilimanjaro National Park Entrance fees
  • All Government taxes and levies including 18% VAT.
  • Transfers to and from the airport
Items Excluded
  • Flights to and from Tanzania
  • Tips to mountain crew
  • Visa fees for Tanzania (approx. 50 USD on arrival, USA and CANADA passport holders USD.100)
  • Any other items of a personal nature, laundry, telephone and postage
  • Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes etc. (available for renting)
DISCLAIMER

Trip prices are based on MW Expeditions costs, fees, and supplier prices in effect at the time of booking. MW Expeditions reserves the right to alter trip prices should inflation, cost of fuel, labor, materials, or exchange rates change. If the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) raises park fees, or any hotel, lodge, camp, airline, or any other service provider raises their rates, MW Expeditions reserves the right to require additional payment from the client.

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