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Highlights
Experience true wilderness on the remote Northern Circuit Route
Take the route less travelled and experience the more remote side of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Discover the extreme variation in landscapes from the verdant rainforest to the moonlike alpine desert.
Get acclimatized to the high altitude by taking a spectacular longer route.
Reach Uhuru Peak and summit the tallest mountain in Africa.
Give yourself the best chance at reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro by taking the longer Northern Circuit route in 9 days. An experienced team of guides, porters and cooks will provide you with all the support you need for a successful trek up the tallest mountain in Africa!
This tour offers an extra day on the gorgeous Shira Plateau, where you are most likely to begin feeling the effects of the elevation. The added time will help you adjust and rest to prepare for the challenging conclusion of your journey to the top. Your route will circle around the rugged and seldom travelled northern slopes. You may even find yourselves the only ones at some of the campsites, which will be a nice contrast to some of the livelier spots. You get incredible, unique vantage points along this trail, especially as you cross the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. You’ll be approaching the summit from Gilman’s Point, and hopefully the magnificent sunrise will inspire the rest of the scramble to the top. After completing your climb and arriving at Mweka Gate, you’ll be picked up and brought back to your hotel in Moshi. Book the 9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route today!
Give yourself the best chance at reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro by taking the longer Northern Circuit route in 9 days. An experienced team of guides, porters and cooks will provide you with all the support you need for a successful trek up the tallest mountain in Africa!
This tour offers an extra day on the gorgeous Shira Plateau, where you are most likely to begin feeling the effects of the elevation. The added time will help you adjust and rest to prepare for the challenging conclusion of your journey to the top. Your route will circle around the rugged and seldom travelled northern slopes. You may even find yourselves the only ones at some of the campsites, which will be a nice contrast to some of the livelier spots. You get incredible, unique vantage points along this trail, especially as you cross the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. You’ll be approaching the summit from Gilman’s Point, and hopefully the magnificent sunrise will inspire the rest of the scramble to the top. After completing your climb and arriving at Mweka Gate, you’ll be picked up and brought back to your hotel in Moshi. Book the 9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route today!
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9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route Itinerary
Day 0 Arrive early to attend your pre-trek briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, you will be picked from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today you will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. The team will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed. Please note that the accommodation or airport transfers for this day are not included but can be booked as a supplement.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 1 Begin your trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp
This morning you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moshi for the drive to the Londrossi Park Gate. From here, you’ll take a 4Wd vehicle up a forest track to the Lemosho Glades where you can finally stretch your legs and start hiking! The trail today goes through the rainforest and is the section where you’ll see the most vegetation and wildlife. Keep an eye on the trees to look for monkeys on your way to your first campsite at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (2,780m / 9,120’)
Distance: 2 to 3 hours, 6 km, 820m of elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Climb the ridge to Shira Camp
You’ll notice the trees are already thinning as your trail gets steeper today. You’ll have gorgeous panoramic views as you crest the dramatic Shira Ridge. Tonight, you’ll be camping at Shira 1 Camp, which is on the western side of the Shira Plateau.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,600m / 11,811’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 8 km, 850m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Cross the plateau to Shira 2 Camp
Today will be a nice day to acclimate while you cross the meadows of Shira Plateau. Since this is an easier day, you’ll also have a chance to explore the moorland on one of the many short trails nearby.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,850m / 12,631’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 8 km, 350m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Lava Tower and Moir Camp
Your trail this morning winds through the “Garden of Senecios” which will be the last of the larger vegetation as you climb into the higher alpine desert region. You’ll stop for lunch at the Lava Tower rock formation, which you can scramble up if you’re so inclined. In the afternoon, you’ll finally be joining the Northern Circuit trail before heading down to Moir Camp.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,200m / 13,790’)
Distance: 5 to 7 hours, 14 km, 350m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Hike out of the Moir Valley and optional hike up Little Lent Hill
The trek out of the Moir Valley is a moderately steep trail, followed by the option to hike to the top of Little Lent Hill. Once you’ve returned to the Northern Circuit, the path is a series of gradual inclines and declines as you circle the slopes of Kibo. Buffalo Camp is only used by hikers on the Northern Circuit, so enjoy the seclusion!
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,020m / 13,180’)
Distance: 5 to 6 hours, 12 km, 180m of elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Trek Buffalo Ridge
After you leave camp, you’ll be hiking up Buffalo Ridge and on to Porfu Camp for lunch. In the afternoon, the trail continues to skirt around the remote northern slopes until you reach the Rongai Third Cave Camp. At this point you should be well acclimated to the high elevations, so you can have another enjoyable night under the stars.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,875m / 12,713)
Distance: 5 to 7 hours, 8 km, 220 of elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Cross the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi Peak
You’ll be trekking a steeper incline up over the saddle today, but the payoff is the unique views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks as you cross between them. You’ll arrive at School Hut Camp for early dinner and bedtime in preparation for your summit attempt tomorrow.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,800m / 15,748’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 15 km, 1000m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Reach the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro
The moon will still be high in the sky when you begin your trek around midnight. The cold and dark can be mentally challenging as you begin the steep ascent to Gilman’s Point. Here you’ll be joining the climbers from other routes as you make your final ascent together. The sun will be making its appearance as you cross the crater rim and take in the beauty of Mawenzi Peak. Let the sunrise uplift you as you scramble through the snow to the top, where you’ll celebrate while taking in the views of a lifetime! You won’t have long at the tallest point in Africa before you’ll have to descend to a safer altitude. There’s no rest here just yet as you still have another 5-6 hours of climbing back down to Millennium Camp.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,950m / 12,960’)
Distance: 10 to 15 hours, 17 km, 1095m of ascent, 1945m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Descend and return to Moshi
The energy this morning is likely to be high as you exchange summit stories with your fellow hikers. It will also become increasingly easier to breathe as you leave the mountainside and return to the rainforest. At Mweka Park Gate you’ll receive your summit certificate and meet your driver for the trip back to Moshi.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Moshi
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route Price and Dates
Pricing for this guided hiking tour of Mount Kilimanjaro depends on whether you choose to join an existing group on a specific date or if you prefer a custom tour for your group only.Prices below are per person:
- Guided group of 4: from USD2595* per person
Accommodation on the 9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route
All the included accommodations on this tour involve camping at communal sites with double occupancy tents. The tents are good quality, all-weather tents with an included sleeping pad. Each site will have rustic covered vault toilets but no running water. Your porters will provide covered mess tents with tables and chairs for dining.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private tent (please enquire for more information).
What’s Included in the 9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route Tour?
Meals
8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners, and purified drinking water are included.
Accommodations
Double occupancy tent accommodations for 8 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes the transfers between Moshi and the trailhead before and after the tour. Airport transfers can be booked as a supplement.
Also Included
- Experienced mountain guides
- Porter and cook salaries
- Park fees
- Quality four-season tents (based on twin share)
- Sleeping mattress
- Emergency oxygen cylinder
- Mess tents with table and chairs
- Conservation, camping and rescue fees
- VAT (18% charged by the government)
Not included
- Visa if required
- Flights to and from Tanzania
- Personal equipment such as sleeping bag, trekking poles, etc. (rental options are be available)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
Not included
- Extra nights in Moshi or Arusha
- Private toilet rental added to your gear
- Additional equipment rentals (available locally)
- Private tent rental
- Add-on bundles are available
- Airport transfers
- How hard is the 9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route?
- What makes the 9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route different than other routes?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Tanzania?
- Are meals included on the 9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route?
- Is there first aid available on the 9-day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Moshi to start this tour?
- Is the 9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route tour in English?
- Where does the 9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Tanzania?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Tanzania?
- When is the best time to travel to Tanzania for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 5 / 5. The Northern Circuit Route has one of the highest success rates of all the routes up Kilimanjaro due to the length of time you’re give to acclimate to the elevation. That being said, the thin atmosphere makes the final ascent to the peak very difficult. No technical climbing skills are required, although there are a few very steep sections with challenging footing. Fit hikers will be able to get the most out of this tour.
This route is great for travellers who have more time, as they can benefit from getting better acclimatized before their summit attempt. It is also not a busy route.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners, and purified drinking water are included.
Yes, the experienced and professional guides are all trained in first aid as well as in the use of personal protective equipment.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking at high altitudes. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
The tour ends with a transfer back to Moshi. Airport transfers or extra nights in Moshi can be booked as a supplement.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Tanzania for this tour is during the driest and warmest months of the year, which tend to be December-March and June-October.
Customer Ratings
Monkey Adventures is an East African (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) operator offering Safari Tours, Kilimanjaro climbs, and Gorilla tracking (Uganda). They have offices in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda. The company offers Kilimanjaro climbs over different routes with a duration of 5 days to 9 days and all their departures are guaranteed. You can opt for a group joining trek (depending on if there is a group on that day) or a private trek just for your group.
Monkey Adventures is proud to share that the Tanzania National Parks Authority, Government of Tanzania recently presented them with the “Best Tour Operator” award for 2018/2019 and the company has also been recognized as the Travellers’ Choice Winner – 2020 by Tripadvisor. In the past, Monkey Adventures have also won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2018 and 2019.
Monkey Adventures guides hold certifications such as Kilimanjaro Guide Licence, Wilderness First Aid Responder, Tourism College Certificates, Kilimanjaro search and rescue, High altitude Medicine Skills Acquisition Program for Mountain Guide, and more.
