9-Day Northern Circuit Route Kilimanjaro Climb

Your climb begins with a transfer from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Gate on Kilimanjaro’s western side, through villages, farmland and forested slopes. Your guide completes park registration, permit checks and final equipment checks; depending on park arrangements and road conditions, the group may then drive on to the Lemosho trailhead before setting off into the rainforest.

The trail climbs gently through tall trees and moss-hung branches, home to forest birds and, sometimes, monkeys — a comfortable introduction to the mountain. After three to four hours, reach Mti Mkubwa (“Big Tree”) Camp at about 2,650 m, where your crew has pitched the tents. Enjoy a warm dinner and a briefing on tomorrow’s walk to Shira I Camp.

After breakfast the trail leaves the rainforest for heathland and open moorland, with wide views over Kilimanjaro’s western slopes and the plains below. The path climbs steadily over rocky ridges towards the Shira Plateau, and on clear days Kibo Peak grows ever more impressive. Your guide keeps a comfortable pace with regular rests.

After five to seven hours the land opens onto the Shira Plateau. Reach Shira I Camp (about 3,500 m), settle into your tent and enjoy a warm meal. Your guide carries out routine health checks and briefs you on tomorrow’s walk across the plateau to Shira II Camp.

Today crosses the Shira Plateau, an ancient volcanic landscape of open moorland, low alpine plants and volcanic rock, with superb views of Kibo and the mountain’s western and southern slopes. The gradient is gentler than on previous days, leaving time to enjoy the scenery while your guide watches how everyone is adjusting to the altitude.

After three to four hours, reach Shira II Camp (about 3,850 m). The shorter day gives you time to rest before tomorrow’s acclimatization stage to Lava Tower. After a warm meal and health checks, spend the afternoon relaxing, drinking well and enjoying the high-altitude calm of the plateau.

After breakfast, leave the Shira Plateau and climb into the alpine desert towards Lava Tower, a dramatic volcanic formation at about 4,600 m. The vegetation thins to almost nothing, the ground turns to rock and gravel, and the views of Kibo grow ever more striking. Your guide keeps a slow, steady pace — climbing high by day and sleeping lower is key to acclimatization.

After a rest at Lava Tower, turn north and descend through rugged alpine terrain to Moir Hut camp (about 4,200 m), with fine views over the valleys and Kilimanjaro’s northern landscapes — six to eight hours in all. Settle into your tent for a warm meal, health checks and a briefing on tomorrow’s traverse to Buffalo Camp, the start of the remote northern section.

Today the Northern Circuit begins its traverse of Kilimanjaro’s quiet northern slopes. The trail crosses rugged volcanic ground of rocky ridges and sparse vegetation and — depending on the trail variation and conditions — may climb towards the Lent Hills before continuing east. Some stretches see few other groups, giving the day a peaceful, remote feel.

After five to seven hours, reach Buffalo Camp (about 4,020 m), with wide views of the mountain and, in clear weather, the distant northern plains. Settle in for a warm meal, health checks and a briefing on tomorrow’s walk to Third Cave.

Continue across the northern slopes on a trail of gentle ups and downs through open alpine valleys, rocky ridges and sparse vegetation — a striking contrast to the rainforest and moorland of the first days. In clear weather, enjoy views of Kibo’s upper slopes and the plains far below.

Reach Third Cave Camp (about 3,870 m) after five to seven hours. Sleeping a little lower than the previous camps is a useful part of the route’s acclimatization profile. After a warm meal and health checks, your guide briefs you on tomorrow’s climb to School Hut, the base for the summit.

After breakfast, climb from the northern slopes towards School Hut through increasingly barren alpine terrain of volcanic rock and gravel, with impressive views of Kibo’s summit formations. It is colder and more exposed up here, and the weather can change during the day, so your guide keeps a slow, steady pace with regular drinks.

Reach School Hut (about 4,750 m) after four to five hours. After a warm meal, your guide carries out a detailed health assessment and briefs you on the night’s departure, weather and safety. Organize your summit kit — warm layers, headlamp and water — and rest as much as you can; the summit attempt goes ahead only if your guide judges the conditions and each climber’s health suitable.

Your summit attempt usually starts around midnight after a short rest at School Hut. After a light snack, climb steeply by headlamp through loose volcanic scree — cold, dark and at extreme altitude, this is the hardest stage of the climb. Your guide sets a slow, controlled pace and checks each climber regularly. The first goal is Gilman’s Point on the crater rim (about 5,685 m). If the weather, the trail and your health allow, continue along the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa, with views over the crater and the remaining ice fields. Reaching the summit is never guaranteed, and your guide’s safety decisions always come first.

From your highest safe point, descend carefully to the Barafu area on the southern side for a rest and a meal, then continue down through the alpine desert to Mweka Camp (about 3,100 m) as the air thickens and the vegetation returns. With the ascent and descent combined, this is an exceptionally long day of twelve to sixteen hours or more. Arrive for a warm dinner and a well-earned night’s rest after one of the most memorable days of your life.

After breakfast, descend through the upper forest towards Mweka Gate as open mountain slopes give way to dense rainforest, tall trees and moss-covered branches. The descent is easier on the lungs, but the steady downhill walking can be tiring after summit day, so your guide keeps a comfortable pace with time for rests and photographs.

Reach Mweka Gate after three to four hours, where your guide completes the park exit formalities and eligible climbers receive their summit certificate for the highest official point reached. Thank your mountain crew and transfer back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha to celebrate the end of your nine-day Northern Circuit climb with Genet Expeditions.