6 days Shira Route
Start your trek from a higher altitude on the plateau.
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Experience Africa’s highest peak via the newest and longest route. Featuring incredible varied scenery, uncrowded trails, and the highest acclimatisation success rate on Kilimanjaro.
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The Northern Circuit Route is the newest and most exciting trail on Mount Kilimanjaro. It follows the Lemosho path in the beginning, approaching the mountain from the west through lush rainforests and the stunning Shira Plateau. However, instead of taking the southern traverse, it circles the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes.
Spanning the longest distance and duration of any Kilimanjaro route, the extra days spent around 13,000 feet provide phenomenal acclimatisation. This results in the highest summit success rates across all routes on the mountain, combined with unmatched serenity and panoramic wilderness views.
You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. You will meet your lead guide for a comprehensive briefing on your upcoming trek and an equipment check to ensure all necessary gear is ready.
Driven from Moshi toward the Londorossi Gate, stopping in a local village for last-minute supplies. You begin your ascent through the lush rainforest lower slopes. Keep an eye out for Colobus monkeys before arriving at Mti Mkubwa Camp for your first night under canvas.
The landscape changes from dense forest to gently swaying savannah grass and colourful heather. Your gradual ascent crosses bubbling streams before reaching Shira 1 Camp, offering your first magnificent glimpses of the Kibo Glacier across the plateau.
An ideal acclimatisation day dedicated to exploring the magnificent Shira Plateau. Enjoy an easy hike through sun-dappled meadows and the otherworldly Senecio forest on your way to Shira 2 Camp.
Climb toward the imposing Lava Tower (4,640m) for crucial high-altitude exposure before descending into the secluded valley of Moir Hut. Optional short hikes up the nearby Lent Hills offer extra acclimatisation.
Trek up moderately steep trails to rejoin the main Kilimanjaro trail near Lent Hills. Cross undulating rock-strewn earth across open ridges to Buffalo Camp, enjoying breathtaking views stretching toward the Kenya border.
Ascend Buffalo Ridge through truly wild, remote terrain where you will feel like the only trekkers on the mountain. Traverse windswept valleys along the peaceful northern slopes to camp at Third Cave.
Climb up and over the dramatic saddle situated between the Kibo and Mawenzi glaciers. A shorter hike across the alpine desert allows you to rest and eat an early dinner in preparation for summit night.
Wake up around midnight for your summit attempt. Hike in silence under starlight for 5 to 7 hours to reach Stella Point on the crater rim before continuing along the snowy rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) at sunrise. Descend via Barafu for lunch and continue down to Mweka Camp.
Celebrate your monumental achievement with your mountain crew over breakfast before descending through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Receive your official summit certificates before transfer back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
The best months for climbing the Northern Circuit are January to March and June to October, offering stable weather and clear skies. Be sure to pack thermal layers, a waterproof outer shell, broken-in trekking boots, a down jacket, a sleeping bag rated to at least -10°C, and trekking poles. Read more on our Kilimanjaro General Info guide.
It is the longest route on Kilimanjaro, offering incredible varied scenery, uncrowded trails along the remote northern slopes, and the highest acclimatisation success rate.
Prices range from $2,700 for a solo trekker down to $2,250 per person for larger groups (10+ people). See our detailed price table.
You sleep in four-season mountain tents set up by your expert porters at designated alpine campsites.
While longer in duration, the extended time spent around 13,000 feet provides superior acclimatisation, making the climb more manageable though summit night remains physically demanding.
Airport transfers, 2 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi, park entry and camping fees, professional mountain crew, 3 hot meals daily, drinking water, rescue fees, 18% VAT, portable oxygen, and emergency first-aid kit.
The driest and clearest months are January to March and June to October.
Start your trek from a higher altitude on the plateau.
A classic scenic western approach route.
Send your dates and group size and we’ll confirm availability and your itinerary.
Book this tripCall +255 765 470 565