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The Northern Circuit is one of the newest routes on Kilimanjaro. It is an amazing climb and the only one that circles clockwise around the north side of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Northern Circuit begins at the Lemosho gate and ascends quickly through the lush rainforest. It follows the Lemosho path for the first few days. The route continues ascending to the desolate yet beautiful Shira Plateau in the Heather/Moorland zone. From there the route continues to the prominent Lava Tower before heading north on the only route on that side of Kilimanjaro.
Arrival & Briefing
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be transferred to your accommodation where your guide will meet you for a full briefing and equipment check.
Overnight Simba Farm Lodge (Classic) or Ndarakwai Ranch (Premium)
Day 1 - Lemosho Trailhead (2,400m/7,880ft) To Big Tree Camp (2,800m/9,190ft)
Elevation Gain: 400m/1,310ft
This morning you will drive to the Londorossi gate where you will complete entry formalities. From here your drive continues for around 1 hour to the Lemosho trailhead. Enjoy lunch before commencing your trek through lush undisturbed forest where you may be lucky enough to see Colobus monkeys. The path undulates, steeply in places, to arrive at the first camp after 2-3 hours of trekking.
Overnight Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa)
Day 2 - Big Tree Camp (2,800m/9,190ft) To Shira 1 Camp (3,550m/11,650ft)
Elevation Gain: 750m/2,460ft
Your trek will begin in the forest; however, you will soon leave it behind, taking a steep track into a zone of giant heather and volcanic rock. This is a full day ascending the lush rolling hills below the Shira Plateau. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones. The trail begins to ease as you reach the edge of the plateau, reaching camp after 5-6 hours. The view of Kibo across the plateau is incredible.
Overnight Shira 1 Camp
Day 3 - Shira 1 Camp (3,550m/11,650ft) To Shira 2 Camp (3,850m/12,650ft)
Elevation Gain: 300m/1,000ft
Trek across the Shira Plateau with an optional climb to Shira Cathedral (3,880m). Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. The day finishes with a gradual climb to Shira 2 Camp. Trekking time without the optional excursion is approximately 3 hours. Including acclimatisation to the peak of Shira Cathedral will add approximately 1 hour.
Overnight Shira 2 Camp
Day 4 - Shira 2 Camp (3,850m/12,650ft) To Moir Huts (4,200m/13,780ft) Via Lava Tower (4,600m/15,090ft)
Elevation Gain: 750m/2,400ft
Elevation Loss: 400m/1,310ft
Your climb today will take you steadily up and over the expansive ridge lines of high desert to Lava Tower. The trek to the base of the tower, a 300-foot-high volcanic plug, takes around 4-5 hours. From Lava Tower head north west beginning your circuit of Kibo, the almighty summit cone of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Moir Huts is an isolated and seldom used camp, affording views over the Shira Plateau. Total trekking time approximately 6-7 hours. An alternative would be to take a gentle ascent across the alpine desert to Moir Huts in the morning and spend the afternoon on a guided trek of the nearby Lent Group, a series of wind eroded parasite cones from which you can gaze down to the plains of Kenya.
Overnight Moir Huts
Day 5 - Moir Huts (4,200m/13,780ft) To Buffalo/Pofu Camp (4,020m/13,190ft)
Elevation Gain: 180m/590ft
Today you will delve more deeply into the stark alpine desert. If you chose not to explore the Lent Group yesterday, take a short detour to the top of Little Lent Hill (4,375m/14,350ft) in the morning before regaining the trail to Buffalo Camp. The total trekking time today is approximately 5 – 7 hours covering a distance of 12km.
Overnight Buffalo/Pofu Camp
Day 6 - Buffalo/Pofu Camp (4,020m/13,190ft) To Third Cave Camp (3,870m/12,700ft)
Elevation Loss:150m/490ft
Proceed onwards passing valleys and hiking ridges, through the alpine desert and moorland, continuing your circuit towards the east. This rarely travelled route allows you to enjoy the vast mountain wilderness in peace. Trekking time today is 5 - 7 hours.
Overnight Third Cave Camp
Day 7 - Third Cave Camp (3,870m/12,700ft) To School Huts (4,750m/15,580ft)
Elevation Gain:880m/2,880ft
Climb steadily to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here, continue upwards to reach School Hut Campsite in the early afternoon. The remainder of the day is spent resting and preparing for your summit ascent, which will begin in the early hours of the morning. Despite the short distance of 5km covered, trekking time is approximately 4-5 hours due to the high altitude and steep incline.
Overnight School Huts
Day 8 - School Huts (4,750m/15,580ft) To Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) Then Descending To Mweka Camp (3,110m/10,200ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,145m/3,760ft
Elevation Loss: 2,785m/9,140ft
Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. For the next six hours, hike by the light of your flashlight. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail consists mostly of steep switchbacks, with a rocky section known as Jamaica Rocks to scramble over as you approach the crater rim at Gilman's Point (5,756m). The hike from here to Uhuru Peak is gradual and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude however makes it feel long and tiring. After summit celebrations descend from the rim at Stella Point, to Barafu Camp and then straight down to Mweka Hut, with lunch served on the way. This part of the descent takes about 6 hours, covering new terrain. Enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Overnight Mweka Camp
Day 9 - Mweka Camp (3,110m/10,200ft) To Mweka Gate (1,830m/6,000ft)
Elevation Loss: 1,280m/4,200ft
Descend to the gate through lush forest (2-3 hours), looking for monkeys along the way. You will be collected from Mweka Village and taken to your hotel in Moshi.
Overnight Ameg Lodge (Classic) or Pink Flamingo Boutique Hotel (Premium)
Departure Or Onwards Travel
Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport in time for your flight, or if you’ve decided to extend your Tanzanian adventure, begin the next part of your journey!
Park FeesCamping FeesRescue FeesHead GuideAssistant GuidesCook, & Porters’ SalariesAll Food & Drinking WaterTentsEmergency Oxygen Transport To/From Park Entry Gate & 18% VAT TaxAccommodation in Moshi including dinner & breakfast pre-climb and complimentary celebration dinner
Hiring of personal equipment including clothing, sleeping mat, sleeping bag etc.Tipping to your crewPrivate Toilet upon requestVisasVaccinationsspending moneyany drinks and lunches in MoshiPrice On Request
Unforgettable safari Experience at Tanzania Safari house in Serengeti: Luxury wildlife, and exceptional hospitality. Highly recommended
USA
We (2 adults plus 2 kids aged 9+11) undertook a 10 day trip to Arusha, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. We wanted an individual tour which included not only game driving but some insights into socio-cultural life in Tanzania (the kids attended a local school for two days and we wanted to spend some time with the Datoga tribe and bushmen at Lake Eyasi)
Italy
We took the 6 Days Safari Package in Ngorongoro and Serengeti, I would like to thank Dream African Safaris for the excellent preparation for our Ngorongoro tour. The tour was fabulous and hassle-free the accommodation was very nice and the food as well. they are very helpful. we really enjoyed it.
USA
Issak knows a lot about the park, He is fun and when you travel with him you learn a lot and he guides you well
USA
Unforgettable safari Experience at Tanzania Safari house in Serengeti: Luxury wildlife, and exceptional hospitality. Highly recommended
USA
We (2 adults plus 2 kids aged 9+11) undertook a 10 day trip to Arusha, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. We wanted an individual tour which included not only game driving but some insights into socio-cultural life in Tanzania (the kids attended a local school for two days and we wanted to spend some time with the Datoga tribe and bushmen at Lake Eyasi)
Italy
We took the 6 Days Safari Package in Ngorongoro and Serengeti, I would like to thank Dream African Safaris for the excellent preparation for our Ngorongoro tour. The tour was fabulous and hassle-free the accommodation was very nice and the food as well. they are very helpful. we really enjoyed it.
USA
Issak knows a lot about the park, He is fun and when you travel with him you learn a lot and he guides you well
USA
Unforgettable safari Experience at Tanzania Safari house in Serengeti: Luxury wildlife, and exceptional hospitality. Highly recommended
USA
We (2 adults plus 2 kids aged 9+11) undertook a 10 day trip to Arusha, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. We wanted an individual tour which included not only game driving but some insights into socio-cultural life in Tanzania (the kids attended a local school for two days and we wanted to spend some time with the Datoga tribe and bushmen at Lake Eyasi)
Italy
We took the 6 Days Safari Package in Ngorongoro and Serengeti, I would like to thank Dream African Safaris for the excellent preparation for our Ngorongoro tour. The tour was fabulous and hassle-free the accommodation was very nice and the food as well. they are very helpful. we really enjoyed it.
USA
Issak knows a lot about the park, He is fun and when you travel with him you learn a lot and he guides you well
USA
Unforgettable safari Experience at Tanzania Safari house in Serengeti: Luxury wildlife, and exceptional hospitality. Highly recommended
USA
We (2 adults plus 2 kids aged 9+11) undertook a 10 day trip to Arusha, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. We wanted an individual tour which included not only game driving but some insights into socio-cultural life in Tanzania (the kids attended a local school for two days and we wanted to spend some time with the Datoga tribe and bushmen at Lake Eyasi)
Italy
We took the 6 Days Safari Package in Ngorongoro and Serengeti, I would like to thank Dream African Safaris for the excellent preparation for our Ngorongoro tour. The tour was fabulous and hassle-free the accommodation was very nice and the food as well. they are very helpful. we really enjoyed it.
USA
Issak knows a lot about the park, He is fun and when you travel with him you learn a lot and he guides you well
USA
Unforgettable safari Experience at Tanzania Safari house in Serengeti: Luxury wildlife, and exceptional hospitality. Highly recommended
USA
We (2 adults plus 2 kids aged 9+11) undertook a 10 day trip to Arusha, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. We wanted an individual tour which included not only game driving but some insights into socio-cultural life in Tanzania (the kids attended a local school for two days and we wanted to spend some time with the Datoga tribe and bushmen at Lake Eyasi)
Italy
We took the 6 Days Safari Package in Ngorongoro and Serengeti, I would like to thank Dream African Safaris for the excellent preparation for our Ngorongoro tour. The tour was fabulous and hassle-free the accommodation was very nice and the food as well. they are very helpful. we really enjoyed it.
USA
Issak knows a lot about the park, He is fun and when you travel with him you learn a lot and he guides you well
USA
Unforgettable safari Experience at Tanzania Safari house in Serengeti: Luxury wildlife, and exceptional hospitality. Highly recommended
USA
We (2 adults plus 2 kids aged 9+11) undertook a 10 day trip to Arusha, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. We wanted an individual tour which included not only game driving but some insights into socio-cultural life in Tanzania (the kids attended a local school for two days and we wanted to spend some time with the Datoga tribe and bushmen at Lake Eyasi)
Italy
We took the 6 Days Safari Package in Ngorongoro and Serengeti, I would like to thank Dream African Safaris for the excellent preparation for our Ngorongoro tour. The tour was fabulous and hassle-free the accommodation was very nice and the food as well. they are very helpful. we really enjoyed it.
USA
Issak knows a lot about the park, He is fun and when you travel with him you learn a lot and he guides you well
USA
Unforgettable safari Experience at Tanzania Safari house in Serengeti: Luxury wildlife, and exceptional hospitality. Highly recommended
USA
We (2 adults plus 2 kids aged 9+11) undertook a 10 day trip to Arusha, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. We wanted an individual tour which included not only game driving but some insights into socio-cultural life in Tanzania (the kids attended a local school for two days and we wanted to spend some time with the Datoga tribe and bushmen at Lake Eyasi)
Italy
We took the 6 Days Safari Package in Ngorongoro and Serengeti, I would like to thank Dream African Safaris for the excellent preparation for our Ngorongoro tour. The tour was fabulous and hassle-free the accommodation was very nice and the food as well. they are very helpful. we really enjoyed it.
USA
Issak knows a lot about the park, He is fun and when you travel with him you learn a lot and he guides you well
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