Circle the rarely visited northern slopes on a 9 day climb with the best acclimatisation on the mountain. Local guides from Moshi.
Get a free quoteSee itineraryThe Northern Circuit is the newest and most exciting route on Kilimanjaro. It follows the Lemosho trail at the start, approaching from the west. But instead of taking the southern traverse like the other western routes, it circles the mountain around the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes.
At 9 days it is the longest route in both time and distance. Several days are spent at around 4,000 m (about 13,000 ft), which is excellent for acclimatisation and gives one of the highest summit success rates of all the routes. Add varied scenery and very few other trekkers, and it is easily one of the best ways up the mountain.
You start in the Lemosho rainforest, cross the wide Shira Plateau, then swing north through moorland and alpine desert with sweeping views across the northern plains. You finish on the summit approach from the Kibo side and descend via Marangu.
| Stage (9 day plan) | Altitude | Distance | Walking time | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemosho trailhead to Big Tree Camp | 2,100 to 2,780 m | ~6 km | 3–4 hrs | Rainforest |
| Big Tree to Shira 1 Camp | 2,780 to 3,505 m | ~8 km | 5–6 hrs | Forest to moorland |
| Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp | 3,505 to 3,840 m | ~7 km | 3–4 hrs | Shira Plateau |
| Shira 2 to Moir Hut Camp | 3,840 to 4,200 m | ~14 km | 6–7 hrs | Moorland |
| Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp | 4,200 to 4,020 m | ~8 km | 4–5 hrs | Northern slopes |
| Buffalo to Third Cave | 4,020 to 3,870 m | ~8 km | 5–6 hrs | Alpine desert |
| Third Cave to School Hut | 3,870 to 4,750 m | ~7 km | 4–5 hrs | The saddle |
| School Hut to Uhuru Peak, down to Mweka | 4,750 to 5,895 to 3,720 m | ~5 km up, ~15 km down | 12–15 hrs | Arctic summit |
| Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate | 3,720 to 1,970 m | ~20 km | 5–7 hrs | Moorland to forest |
Distances and times are approximate and vary with pace and conditions. Registration at Londorossi Gate and the drive to the trailhead add a few hours on day one.
The longest, quietest and best-acclimatised route on Kilimanjaro.
Day 1:Londorossi Gate, drive to trailhead, walk to Big Tree Camp.
Day 2: Big Tree to Shira 1 Camp.
Day 3: Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp.
Day 4: Shira 2 to Moir Hut Camp.
Day 5: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp.
Day 6: Buffalo to Third Cave.
Day 7: Third Cave to School Hut.
Day 8: Summit night to Uhuru Peak, descend to Mweka.
Day 9: Mweka to Mweka Gate.
If you can’t spare 9 days, these routes also give good acclimatisation:
Confirm the exact inclusions for your booking when you request a quote.
The driest and clearest months are January to March and June to October. The long rains fall from about March to May and short rains in November. With 9 days on the mountain you will see changing weather, so pack for both sun and cold. Dry-season dates fill up early, so book ahead.
Misty Lemosho rainforest, the Shira Plateau, long quiet days around the northern slopes with wide views across the plains, and the lunar saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo before the summit push.
You leave School Hut around midnight and climb slowly through scree to Gilman’s Point on the crater rim, then continue to Uhuru Peak for sunrise. It is very cold. The extra days at altitude help, but still walk “pole pole” (slowly), drink plenty and tell your guide about any headache or nausea.
Layered clothing, a warm summit jacket, waterproof shell, broken-in boots, gloves, hat, headlamp, trekking poles, a sleeping bag rated to about –10°C and a 2 to 3 litre water system. Tents and mats are provided, but bring your own sleeping bag.
It is the newest and longest Kilimanjaro route. It follows the Lemosho trail from the west, then circles the quiet northern slopes instead of taking the southern traverse.
It offers varied scenery, very few other climbers and the best acclimatisation of any route, with several days spent around 4,000 m.
Its 9 days and time at altitude give the best acclimatisation, and it is typically among the highest success rates on Kilimanjaro.
Both start on the western side. Lemosho then crosses the south of the mountain, while the Northern Circuit goes around the north, adding days, distance and quieter trails. See our Lemosho page.
January to March and June to October are driest. Book early for these seasons.
You register at Londorossi Gate and start from the Lemosho trailhead on the western side. The route circles the north and descends to Marangu Gate.
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