Northern Circuit – 9 Days “The Grand Traverse”
Overview
The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro’s newest and longest route, offering the best acclimatization profile and the highest success rate. Approaching from the west, it shares the start with the Lemosho Route before circling around the mountain’s remote northern slopes, far from the crowds. With over a week on the mountain, trekkers experience every landscape and climate zone, making this the ultimate Kilimanjaro adventure.
Duration: 9 days
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Scenery: Wild rainforest, Shira Plateau, remote northern wilderness, glaciers
Accommodation: Camping in tents
Day 1: Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 2,100 m → 2,820 m | 6 km / 3–4 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Rainforest; colobus monkeys, lush flora
Temperature Ranges: 15–20°C daytime, 10°C night
Meals & Accommodation: Lunch & Dinner | Mti Mkubwa Camp (camping)
Activities & Highlights: Registration and trek through rainforest, wildlife spotting in a pristine jungle setting.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 2,820 m → 3,500 m | 8 km / 5–6 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Moorland with giant heathers
Temperature Ranges: 10–15°C daytime, 5°C night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Shira 1 Camp
Activities & Highlights: Climb out of the forest onto the open Shira Plateau, first clear views of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic peaks.
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,500 m → 3,840 m | 7 km / 4–5 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Moorland to alpine desert
Temperature Ranges: 5–10°C daytime, below 0°C at night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Shira 2 Camp
Activities & Highlights: Gentle trek across Shira Plateau, acclimatization day, stunning sunsets over the plateau.
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Moir Hut
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,840 m → 4,630 m → 4,200 m | 14 km / 6–8 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Alpine desert
Temperature Ranges: 0–10°C daytime, well below 0°C at night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Moir Hut
Activities & Highlights: Trek high to Lava Tower for acclimatization before descending to the secluded Moir Valley.
Day 5: Moir Hut → Buffalo Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 4,200 m → 4,020 m | 12 km / 5–7 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Alpine desert → moorland slopes
Temperature Ranges: 0–8°C daytime, below 0°C at night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Buffalo Camp
Activities & Highlights: Climb out of Moir Valley, trek through the wild northern slopes with expansive views of Kenya’s savannah.
Day 6: Buffalo Camp → Third Cave Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 4,020 m → 3,870 m | 8 km / 5–6 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Alpine desert and moorland
Temperature Ranges: 2–8°C daytime, below freezing at night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Third Cave Camp
Activities & Highlights: Traverse rolling hills of the north, quiet trails with almost no other trekkers, peaceful atmosphere.
Day 7: Third Cave Camp → School Hut
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,870 m → 4,800 m | 15 km / 4–5 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Alpine desert; barren, rocky terrain
Temperature Ranges: 0–5°C daytime, -5°C at night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | School Hut
Activities & Highlights: Gradual climb to high camp, settle in early to rest before summit night.
Day 8: School Hut → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 4,800 m → 5,895 m → 3,110 m | 21 km / 12–15 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Arctic summit zone → rainforest at descent
Temperature Ranges: -7°C to -20°C at summit
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Mweka Camp
Activities & Highlights: Midnight summit push via Gilman’s Point and Stella Point, reach Uhuru Peak, descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 9: Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,110 m → 1,640 m | 10 km / 3–4 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Rainforest; lush birdlife and flora
Temperature Ranges: 15–25°C daytime
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast & Lunch | Transfer to hotel
Activities & Highlights: Final descent, collect summit certificates at Mweka Gate, transfer to Moshi/Arusha for celebration.
✅ Inclusions (What’s Included)
All park fees, camping/hut fees, and government taxes
Professional mountain guides, cook, and porters
Rescue fees (as required by Kilimanjaro National Park)
Airport transfers (Kilimanjaro International Airport – Moshi/Arusha)
All meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Drinking water (treated and safe)
Accommodation before and after the climb (standard hotel, double occupancy)
Camping equipment (tents, chairs, tables, mattresses) – except personal sleeping bags
Oxygen cylinder, pulse oximeter & first aid kit for emergencies
Hot water for washing daily
Transport to and from the Kilimanjaro gate
❌ Exclusions (What’s Not Included)
International flights & visas
Travel insurance & medical evacuation coverage
Personal climbing gear (sleeping bags, trekking poles, clothing, boots, etc.)
Tips for guides, porters, and cook (highly recommended)
Alcoholic & soft drinks at hotels and on the mountain
Extra nights in hotels due to early arrival, late departure, or early mountain exit
Personal expenses (laundry, phone, internet, souvenirs, etc.)
Optional activities before/after the climb (safaris, cultural tours, Zanzibar extensions)
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