9 Days Northern Circuit Route
PRICE FROM $2,300
9 Days Northern Circuit Route – Overview
The 9 Days Northern Circuit Route is one of the newest and most scenic ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Known for its excellent acclimatization profile and high summit success rate, this route offers a longer and quieter journey around the northern slopes of the mountain, away from the more crowded trails.
The trek begins on the western side of Kilimanjaro at Lemosho Gate, where climbers start their adventure through the lush rainforest zone. As the journey continues, the trail opens onto the spectacular Shira Plateau, one of the largest high-altitude plateaus in the world, offering breathtaking views of Kibo Peak and the surrounding landscapes.
Unlike other routes, the Northern Circuit travels around the remote northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, providing incredible panoramic views, diverse landscapes, and a peaceful trekking experience. Along the way, climbers pass through several ecological zones, including rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and the arctic summit zone.
The summit attempt begins from School Hut, with a midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — the highest point in Africa. After celebrating at the summit and witnessing an unforgettable sunrise above the clouds, climbers descend through the Mweka Route to complete this remarkable Kilimanjaro adventure.
The 9 Days Northern Circuit Route is ideal for trekkers looking for a less crowded route, gradual acclimatization, and the highest chances of reaching the summit, making it one of the best choices for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Plan Day By Day
Arrival Date
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our team and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
During the drive, you will get your first glimpse of Tanzania’s beautiful landscapes and, if the weather is clear, you may even see the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.
After arriving at the hotel, you will have time to relax and recover from your journey. Later in the day, your mountain guide will conduct a pre-climb briefing, where you will receive important information about your Kilimanjaro trekking adventure, review your equipment, and prepare for the climb starting the following day.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Moshi, preparing for the unforgettable journey to the Roof of Africa. 🏔️
Day 1: Lemosho Gate (2,100 m) – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750 m)
- Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
- Distance: ~3 km
- Hiking Time: 2 – 3 hours
Your 7 Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro climb begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel in Moshi. You will then drive to Lemosho Gate, located on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro.
After completing park registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority, your trekking adventure officially begins. The trail starts in the lush rainforest where tall trees, thick vegetation, and the sounds of tropical birds create a beautiful natural environment. This area is also home to wildlife such as colobus monkeys and blue monkeys, which are sometimes seen along the trail.
The hike is gentle and gradual, allowing you to slowly adjust to the altitude while enjoying the peaceful forest surroundings. After several hours of trekking, you will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp, where your support team will already have prepared the campsite.
In the evening, you will enjoy a warm dinner prepared by the mountain chef and receive a briefing from your guide about the next day’s trek. You will then rest overnight in your tent, surrounded by the quiet beauty of Kilimanjaro’s rainforest. 🏔️
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750 m) – Shira 1 Camp (3,850 m)
- Vegetation Zone: Moorland
- Distance: ~8 km
- Hiking Time: 5 -6 hours
After breakfast at Mti Mkubwa Camp, the trek continues as you gradually leave the dense rainforest behind and enter the beautiful moorland zone of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The trail climbs steadily through rolling hills covered with giant heather, volcanic rocks, and unique alpine vegetation. As you gain altitude, the landscape opens up, offering stunning views across the western slopes of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding valleys. On clear days, you may also catch your first clear views of Kibo Peak, the highest summit of the mountain.
During the trek, you will cross several small streams and walk through open terrain as you approach the edge of the famous Shira Plateau, one of the largest and most impressive high-altitude plateaus in the world.
After several hours of trekking, you will arrive at Shira 1 Camp (3,500 m) where your support team will have already set up the campsite. Here you can relax, enjoy the peaceful mountain environment, and take in the spectacular views as the sun sets over the plateau. Dinner will be served at camp before you settle into your tent for the night.
Day 3: Shira 1 (2,750m)- Shira 2 (3,750m)
- Vegetation Zone: Moorland
- Distance: ~7 km
- Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
After breakfast at Shira 1 Camp, the trek continues across the beautiful Shira Plateau, one of the most impressive high-altitude plateaus on Mount Kilimanjaro. The trail is relatively gentle, allowing trekkers to walk at a comfortable pace while enjoying the wide open landscape and spectacular mountain views.
As you move across the plateau, you will see unique alpine vegetation including giant lobelias and heather plants. The open terrain also provides stunning panoramic views of Kibo Peak, the highest summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
This is a shorter trekking day designed to help your body continue adjusting to the altitude. Along the way, you may also meet climbers joining from the Machame Route, as the two routes connect near Shira.
After a scenic hike, you will arrive at Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m) where your support team will already have prepared the campsite. The afternoon can be spent relaxing, enjoying the dramatic mountain scenery, and preparing for the next stage of your Kilimanjaro adventure. Dinner will be served at camp followed by an overnight stay under the clear mountain sky.
Day 4: Shira Camp (3,750 m) – Lava Tower (4,600 m) – Moir Hut (4,200 m)
- Vegetation Zone: Moorland & Alpine Desert
- Distance: ~10 km
- Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
After breakfast at Shira Hut, the trek continues across the high-altitude landscapes of Mount Kilimanjaro toward Lava Tower, an important acclimatization point on the mountain. The trail gradually climbs through the alpine desert zone, where the scenery becomes more rugged with volcanic rocks and sparse vegetation.
Upon reaching Lava Tower (4,630 m), you will spend some time resting and enjoying lunch while allowing your body to adjust to the higher altitude. This “climb high, sleep lower” strategy helps improve acclimatization and increases the chances of a successful summit.
After the break, the trek continues along the remote northern slopes of Kilimanjaro toward Moir Hut (4,200 m). This quieter section of the mountain offers stunning views and a peaceful trekking experience away from the busier routes.
After several hours of hiking, you will arrive at Moir Hut, where your team will prepare dinner and you will spend the night resting and preparing for the next stage of the Northern Circuit adventure.
Day 5: Moir Hut (4,200 m) – Buffalo Camp (4,020 m)
- Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert
- Distance: ~12 km
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
After breakfast at Moir Hut, the trek continues along the remote northern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. This section of the Northern Circuit Route is quieter and less crowded, offering incredible panoramic views of the Kenyan plains to the north.
The trail gradually climbs away from Moir Valley before descending slightly as it curves around the northern side of the mountain. Along the way, trekkers enjoy dramatic high-altitude scenery with volcanic rocks, open landscapes, and expansive mountain views.
This stage of the climb is important for continued acclimatization, as the route allows you to move slowly while maintaining altitude. After several hours of trekking, you will arrive at Buffalo Camp (4,020 m), located on a broad ridge with spectacular views across the northern side of Kilimanjaro.
Upon arrival, you will relax at camp, enjoy dinner prepared by your mountain crew, and rest overnight while preparing for the next day’s trek along the beautiful Northern Circuit.
Day 6: Buffalo Camp (4,020 m) – Third Cave Camp (3,875 m)
- Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert
- Distance: ~8 km
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
After breakfast at Buffalo Camp, the trek continues along the remote northern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. This part of the Northern Circuit Route offers incredible panoramic views of the vast plains of Kenya and the rugged landscapes surrounding the mountain.
The trail gently descends as it crosses several valleys and ridges, making this a relatively moderate trekking day while still allowing your body to continue adjusting to the altitude. The quiet northern side of Kilimanjaro provides a peaceful trekking experience with fewer climbers on the trail.
After several hours of scenic hiking, you will arrive at Third Cave Camp (3,875 m). Upon arrival, you can relax, enjoy dinner prepared by your mountain crew, and rest for the night while preparing for the next stage of your Kilimanjaro adventure.
Day 7: Third Cave Camp (3,875 m) – School Hut (4,790 m)
- Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert
- Distance: ~5 km
- Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
After breakfast at Third Cave Camp, the trek continues across the upper slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro toward School Hut (4,790 m), the final base camp before the summit attempt.
The trail gradually climbs through the alpine desert zone, with a dry and rocky landscape that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain terrain and the impressive Kibo Peak. As you gain altitude, the air becomes thinner and temperatures cooler, so the pace remains slow and steady to help with proper acclimatization.
After several hours of trekking, you will arrive at School Hut, where you will rest and prepare for the challenging midnight ascent to the summit. An early dinner will be served, followed by a few hours of rest before waking around midnight to begin the final climb to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — the highest point in Africa.
Day 8: School Hut (4,790 m) – Gilman’s Point – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Millennium Camp (3,700 m) / Mweka Camp (3,100 m)
Vegetation Zone: Arctic Zone → Alpine Desert → Moorland
Distance: ~16–18 km
Hiking Time: 10–14 hours
Your summit day begins around midnight from School Hut (4,790 m) on Mount Kilimanjaro. Equipped with headlamps and warm clothing, you will begin the challenging ascent toward the crater rim through steep scree and rocky paths.
After several hours of steady climbing, you will reach Gilman’s Point (5,685 m) on the edge of the crater. From here, the trail continues along the crater rim for another 1–2 hours to the summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — the highest point in Africa. Reaching the summit is an incredible achievement, and you will have time to celebrate, take photos, and enjoy the unforgettable sunrise above the clouds.
After your summit celebration, you will descend back to School Hut for a short rest and lunch. Later, the journey continues down through the alpine desert and moorland zones toward Millennium Camp (3,700 m) or Mweka Camp (3,100 m) for dinner and an overnight stay.
This is the most challenging yet rewarding day of the entire Kilimanjaro climb, marking the successful summit of the Roof of Africa.
Day 9: Mweka Camp (3,100 m) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m)
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Distance: ~10 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
After breakfast at Mweka Camp, you will begin the final descent through the lush rainforest of Mount Kilimanjaro. The trail is scenic and gradually leads down through dense forest filled with tall trees, moss, and tropical vegetation.
As you continue descending, you may spot birds, monkeys, and other wildlife that inhabit the lower slopes of the mountain. The fresh air and greener surroundings mark the end of your incredible journey from the summit of Kilimanjaro.
After several hours of hiking, you will arrive at Mweka Gate (1,640 m) where your trek officially ends. Here you will sign out at the park office and receive your Kilimanjaro summit certificate if you reached Uhuru Peak.
Your driver will then transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, where you can relax, celebrate your achievement, and reflect on the unforgettable experience of climbing the Roof of Africa.
Departure Date
After breakfast at your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, you will have time to relax and reflect on your incredible Mount Kilimanjaro climbing adventure.
Depending on your travel plans, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your international departure flight.
If you wish to extend your Tanzania experience, this day can also mark the beginning of another exciting journey:
Tanzania Wildlife Safari: Continue your adventure with a safari to famous national parks such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, or Tarangire National Park, where you can experience incredible wildlife and the famous Big Five.
Zanzibar Beach Holiday: Fly to the beautiful island of Zanzibar for a relaxing beach escape. Enjoy white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and the rich culture of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Whether you choose to return home, explore Tanzania’s wildlife, or relax on the beaches of Zanzibar, your journey will conclude with unforgettable memories of Mount Kilimanjaro and Tanzania’s natural beauty. 🌍🏔️🌴
Price (quoted in USD/per person)
Number of Pax
1 Pax
2 - 4 Pax
5 - 7 Pax
8 - 9 Pax
10+ Pax
9 Days Northern Circuit Route
$ 2,500
$ 2,300
$ 2,350
$ 2,300
$ 2,250
This Tour Includes & Exclude
- Airport pickup and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- All Mount Kilimanjaro park fees, camping fees, and rescue fees
- Professional English-speaking mountain guides
- Experienced porters and cook
- All meals during the Kilimanjaro trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Three Meals During Trekking
- Government taxes and service charges
- aily health checks and emergency oxygen for safety
- Fair wages for the mountain crew
- Clean and quality mountain camping equipment (tents, dining tent, tables, and chairs)
- International & Local Flights
- Tanzania Visa
- Personal climbing gear (sleeping bag, trekking poles, clothing, etc.)
- Tips for guides, porters, and cook
- Personal expenses (laundry, drinks, souvenirs, etc.)
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