Mount Kilimanjaro’s Northern Circuit
- July 18, 2024
- Posted by: chosen@202q
- Category: Prepare To Travel Tips
Mount Kilimanjaro’s Northern Circuit
“The Newest and Longest Kilimanjaro Route”
The newest and longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro is the Northern Circuit, which starts from the Londorossi Gate in the west and spends the first two days traveling along the same road as the Lemosho Route. Following the longer Northern Circuit rather than the more well-known Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley, the path veers north near Lava Tower after traversing the Shira Plateau.
From here, this path swings around the more sedate northern slopes to the east side of the mountain; all hikers access the summit via Gilman’s Point, and then either descend via the Marangu path or the Mewke Route, which joins trekkers from the Machame, Umbwe, Lemosho, and Shira’s Routes.
Map of the Northern Circuit Route
Compared to other Kilimanjaro treks, the Northern Circuit is longer and requires a minimum of 8 days to complete, while a 9-day climb is also an option. Trekkers on the Northern Circuit have comparatively high success rates because of the extra time they spend on the mountain.
The eight-day trek bypasses the extra day of acclimatization that is typically spent in Shira Camp 2 and travels directly via Lava Tower to Moir Camp.
Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Itinerary
This Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit hike lasts nine days and descends via the Mweke Route.
Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) starting position 2,360 meters
Approximately 5.5 kilometers (3.5 miles)
Time spent trekking: 3–4 hours
Zone: Forested
This route starts at the same location as the Lemosho Route, which is Londoross Gate (2,100 meters) in the West.
On the day of the climb, you will be picked up from your accommodation in Moshi or Arusha and driven about two hours to the gate, where you will register with park officials before continuing on your journey up the mountain to the trailhead.
Most of the time, you will eat lunch before starting the brief initial hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters). If you’re lucky, you might see elephants and cape buffaloes throughout the climb. These animals occasionally come out of the rainforest to walk along the trail leading to your first camp.
Dinner will be served to you at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Day 2: Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)
About 8 km (5 miles) in distance
Time spent trekking: 5–6 hours
Zone: Alpine lowland
After hiking over the final stretch of the rainforest trail for the first hour on Day 2, you will reach the low alpine moorland zone, which leads directly onto the Shira Plateau. The walk finishes at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters), after a very short and easy ascent.
the northern circuit route
Day 3: Shira Camps 1 and 2 (3,610 and 3,850 meters, respectively)
Distance: 4 miles/7 km
Time spent trekking: 3–4 hours
Zone: High-altitude / Low-altitude
The journey from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 takes place on Day 3, traversing the Shira Plateau. Typically, nine-day hikers spend the night at Shira Camp 2, where they will be joined by other hikers. Hikers who take nine days typically spend the night at Shira Camp 2, where they meet up with those who take the Machame Route.
Trekking to the plateau at Shira Camp 2 is worthwhile if you want to take in the breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro’s Western Breach and the valley below.
Because the plateau is open to the elements, expect a chilly night with typical lows of minus zero.
Note: Hikers planning an 8-day excursion will go east over the Shira Plateau ridge to Lava Tower (4,600 meters), after which they will descend by the Northern Circuit to Moir Camp (4,200 meters).
Day 4: Travel north to Moir Camp (4,200 meters) from Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters) to Lava Tower (4,600 meters).
Distinction: 8 miles/14 kilometers
Time spent trekking: 5-7 hours
Zone: High-mountain region
Day 4 is a lengthy walk that heads east, passing through the Garden of Senecios before entering the alpine desert. You spend the morning hiking to Lava Tower, which is 4,600 meters above sea level, where you will have lunch.
This is a crucial day in your journey since it will allow you to experience high altitude and then sleep at a lower altitude, which is beneficial for your acclimatization process. After lunch, you will rejoin the northern circuit and descend to Moir Camp, which is at 4,200 meters.
Day 5: Travel from 4,200-meter Moir Camp to 4,020-meter Buffalo Camp
Distance: 7.5 miles / 12 kilometers
Time spent trekking: 5-7 hours
Zone: High-mountain region
The hike’s fifth day is a somewhat steep ascent out of Moir Vally. Before rejoining the Northern Circuit trail, hikers can make a little detour to ascend Little Lent Hill’s summut, which is 4,375 meters high.From here, the path ascends and descends again as it circles around Kibo’s northern slopes to reach Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters).
The hike offers breathtaking views of the plains to the north of Kilimanjaro and the Kenyan/Tanzanian border. You will reach Buffalo Camp shortly after midday, where you can have lunch and relax after a strenuous day of hiking.
Day 6: Head from 4,020-meter Buffalo Camp to 3,800-meter Rongai Third Cave
Travel distance: 8 km / 5 mi
Time spent trekking: 5-7 hours
Zones: Low-altitude zone and high-altitude zone
On the sixth day, the route climbs the Buffalo Ridge and descends into Porfu Camp, where lunch is typically provided. From there, it heads east across the northern slopes to the 3,800-meter-high Rongai Third Cave.
You should be fully acclimated to the altitude by now, as the walk is usually shorter than it was the day before. You will reach the Third Cave in the middle of the day.
Day 7: Journey to School Hut (4,800 meters) from Third Cave (3,800 meters)
About 15 kilometers or 8.5 miles in distance
Time spent trekking: 4–5 hours
Zone: High-altitude region
On the seventh day of the hike, hikers ascend and cross the Saddle, which is between Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. They then go westward and southward until they reach School Hit, which is 4,800 meters above sea level.
You will eat an early dinner at School Hut, get some rest, and wake up early the next morning to begin your summit attempt.
Before you go to bed, don’t forget to gather all of your equipment, such as warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, a headlamp, and a camera.
Day 8: Travel from School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then on to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters)
Distance: about 6 km (3.5 miles) of climbing and 10.5 km (6 miles) of descending
Trekking time: 4-6 hours of descent after 6-8 hours of climbing.
Zone: Glacial zone and the zones that came before it
Around 11:30, you will be roused up with hot tea and biscuits. After that, you will start climbing the steep slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Hans Meyer Cave will be your first checkpoint, where you will stop for a little rest.
After leaving School Hut, it will take about five to six hours to reach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), when the ascent becomes steeper.
You will have a little opportunity to take in the breathtaking vista of Mawenzi Peak and the rapidly approaching dawn, but keep in mind that you still have two hours of trekking left to reach Uhuru Peak, so save up all of your energy. As you head around the crater rim to the west, the slope flattens, and you should reach the top at or shortly after sunrise. Since your time here will be limited, make sure to capture as many images as you can of the breathtaking vistas and nearby glaciers.
Once at Stella Point (5,739 meters), you will retrace your travels around the crater rim. From there, you will continue south and descend Kibo’s severely scoured slopes to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters).
The majority of hikers choose to take a quick rest at this point before going on to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for their last night on the mountain. Since day 8 will require 14–16 hours of hiking, it’s crucial to pace yourself. Drink plenty of water and maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
Note: Some hikers take the Marangu Route back to Horombo Hut via Gilman’s Point.
Day 9: From 3,950 meters at Millennium Camp to 1,640 meters at Mweka Gate
Approximately 10 kilometers (6.5 miles)
Time spent trekking: 3–4 hours
Zone: The rainforest zone
Day 9 of the climb is a short walk from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters) through a deep montane rainforest.
Trekkers who made it to Gilman’s Point will receive a green certificate, while those who reached Uhuru Peak will receive a gold certificate. You must sign out at the gate with the authorities, who will also give you your official certificate.
After the trip, it is customary to tip your guides and porters. After that, you will be brought back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.