Northern Circuit Route Mt. Kilimanjaro
11
Days Tanzania Safari
Safari Overview
The Northern Circuit Route is the longest route on Kilimanjaro, a nine day trip initially ascending Lemosho route on the western side of the mountain up onto the Shira Plateau before reaching the Lava Tower, then heading north and circumnavigating the main summit massif in a clockwise direction and joining up with the Rongai route. The summit is then climbed from the eastern side of the mountain and the descent is straight down via the southern Mweka route. Understandably this is also known as the Grand Traverse or the 360 Route and offers the complete Kilimanjaro experience in terms of all the habitats and the views of the mountain from all sides. The longer journey has excellent acclimatization and stunning scenery with views across the southern flanks, western forests, the northern plains to the Kenyan border and the arid eastern slopes. The paths are comparatively quiet and less used. Also the altitude gain each day is less than on other routes, with a gentle gradient until reaching Kikelewa or Third Caves camp, therefore over nine days the likelihood of altitude sickness is significantly less. Yet the overall length of the route is 96 kilometres, not much more than the other routes. An alternate route which summits directly up the northern slopes from School Hut is about 79 kilometres.
Being more expensive, the Northern Circuit is the least visited but in many respects it's the best option for climbing Kilimanjaro without the crowds. The incredible 11 Days Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro journey is the newest, longest, and most visually stunning trek available. The length of the climb lets you undergo gradual and complete acclimatization before reaching the summit. This unique feature gives the Northern Circuit the highest climb success rate out of all the routes up Kilimanjaro. On the way, you’ll survey spectacular scenery and glimpse untouched wildlife and wilderness. You’ll venture where few have gone before via secluded trails on this newly unlocked mountain route. The Northern Circuit is still a well-kept secret—hurry for the chance to be among its first pioneers! Check out our tour itinerary to see what to expect on your unforgettable Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro adventure:
11
Days / 10 Nights
Safari in Tanzania
Budget Safari
DAY 1
PRE DAY: Arriving in Tanzania
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
A Hotel/Lodge in Arusha
Our Kilimanjaro adventure starts the Moment, on your arrival at Kilimanjaro international Airport / Arusha Airport, one of our welcoming transfer drivers will take you to your choice accommodation for the night, Rest in the afternoon or relax at the pool. Our operations team will meet you to check all your equipment and to give you a thorough briefing of what to expect on your trek.
DAY 2
Moshi(900m) - Londorossi Gate(2385m) - Mti Mkubwa Camp(2780)
We leave the Hotel and drive to the Londorossi Gate (2385m), which can take 3.5 hrs but if there’s been a lot of rain the last section is on foot due to poor roads. We then meet the team of porters, guides and head upwards through the pristine forest to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree Camp) at 2780m. Trek: 6 km, 3-4 hours.
DAY 3
Mti Mkubwa (2780m) to Shira I Camp (3500m)
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
At Kilimanjaro Shira I Camp
We make our way further through the forest then out on to open heathland which is a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock. The land in undulates gently and after crossing several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge and descend gently to Shira I Camp at 3500m. Trek: 8 km, 5-6 hours.
DAY 4
Shira I Camp (3500m) to Shira II Camp (3840m)
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
At Kilimanjaro Shira II Camp
This is a relatively short day from Shira I to Shira II but an important day in terms of rest and acclimatization. We’ll explore the vast Shira Plateau as we enjoy the gentle walk across the heathland meadows of wildflowers and Senecio trees whilst looking up at the mass of Kibo seemingly only a stone’s throw away and the clouds which will be below u. Trek: 7 km, 3-4 hours.
DAY 5
Shira 2 Camp (3840m) - Lava Tower (4600m) - Moir Camp (4200
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
At Kilimanjaro Moir Camp
This is an important day in terms of acclimatization as we continue across the Shira plateau to the Lava Tower, which is a 100m volcanic rock skyscraper of a formation and our high point at 4600m not just for the day but also up until our summit attempt. We then divert from the main trail and drop in altitude to Moir Hut at 4200 which is a seldom used camp at the base of the Lent Hills. Trek: 14 km, 6 - 7 hrs.
DAY 6
Moir Camp (4200m) - Buffalo Camp (4000m)
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
At Kilimanjaro Buffalo Camp
We trek out of camp and the Moir Valley starting with a bit of a steep climb and then we have a detour option to the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4700m, which is great for acclimatization before returning to the main circuit trail. The path crosses a rock field and undulates up and down before reaching Buffalo Camp at 4000m. The views this day are simply stunning across the plains to the north of Kilimanjaro to the border. Trek: 12 km, 5-6 hours
DAY 7
Buffalo Camp (4000m) - Rongai Third Cave Camp (3800m)
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
At Kilimanjaro Rongai Third Cave Camp
We leave camp and head up the Buffalo Ridge in the morning and usually have some lunch at Porfu Camp before we start our trek around the northern slopes heading towards the eastern side of the mountain. The terrain becomes increasingly sparse and dry with little shrubs. This route is rarely travelled and feels remote, wild and free as we then reach our camp at what’s known as Rongai’s Third Cave at 3800m. Trek: 8 km, 6-7 hours
DAY 8
Third Cave (3800m) - School Camp (4800m)
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
At Kilimanjaro School Camp
We climb steadily up and over the Saddle, which sits between Kilimanjaro’s two peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi through an environment akin to the moon or a high-altitude desert. We then continue to our high camp at School Hut. We then have plenty of time to rest in the afternoon and to prepare for early start and summit day. Trek: 6 km, 4-5 hours
DAY 9
School Camp (4800m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Millennium Camp
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
At Kilimanjaro Millennium Camp
Around midnight, we begin our push to the summit. This is a night-time ascent on rock, scree and occasionally snow to the crater rim and beyond to the summit. We wake about 11:30pm and have tea, biscuits and some snacks before starting our trek up to the summit. After some time on the summit we then descend to Barafu for a rest and early lunch and then walk down along a gentle path to Millennium Camp, dropping out of altitude, arriving afternoon.
DAY 10
Millenium Camp (3850m) to Mweka Gate (1640m) to Arusha Hotel
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
A Hotel/Lodge in Arusha
Descending through the lush forest to Mweka Gate where we sign out of the national park and pick up our summit certificate. This is a walk surrounded by monkeys, lush ancient forests and can be slippy underfoot especially with tired legs! After a rest at the gate we’ll say thank you and farewell to our team of porters before transport back to the Moshi hotel, arriving back mid-afternoon for a hot shower, cold drink and an overnight in the hotel.
DAY 11
Drop off at Arusha or JRO Airport for onward journey.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
Upon request at extra cost
Today you can either fly home / onward travel, or we can organised for you to experience the wild side of East Africa on a four day, three-night safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. or Zanzibar excursion. Please tell us at the time of the booking for short safari after your climb eg. Zanzibar Excursion or Arusha/Moshi Day Trip or travel to Tanzania National Parks
The Tour Price Includes
- Filtered water throughout the trek.
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain.
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate.
- Access to emergency oxygen and first aid kit.
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters.
- Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Kilimanjaro certificate for your successful summit attempt.
- Camping equipment – tents, sleeping mattress and camping furniture.
- Accommodation and meals per the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).
- Dinner on day 1, breakfast, lunch and dinner on day 2-10 and breakfast on day 11 of your trip.
- 3-4 porters per climber, which includes porters to carry up to 30 lbs of your personal gear.
- All Park fees, Rescue fees, Camping fees, and 18% VAT on tour fees and service which cost nearly 60% of the total cost.
- Pre and after trek accommodation at the hotel, 2 nights at mid range hotel/lodge/resort in Moshi/Arusha with bed & breakfast (BB) Meal.
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
- Luggage allowance for your main bag, that will be carried by a porter, up to max. 15 kg. To make the porter’s life easier, we however strongly recommend to limit the weight of your main bag to 12 kg. For all bags exceeding 15 kg, you will need to pay for an extra porter
The Tour Price Excludes
- International and domestic flights and departure taxes (Quoted separately where applicable)
- Meals not listed above. eg Breakfast & lunch on the first day, lunch & dinner on the last day.
- Tanzania Visa cost which is 50% except for Canadian and USA passport holders which is US$100.
- Post Accommodation in Arusha / Moshi The next day after trek (Can be arranged upon request at an extra cost ).
- Optional Tours (short safari/tour after your climb can be arranged upon request at an extra cost).
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$100 per toilet + toilet tent)
- Mountain gears + Sleeping bag (can be rented, please ask us at the time of the booking).
- Inoculations and personal insurance (e.g. Tanzania Visa, Travel, Medical and Baggage insurance, A doctor for the group, Laundry, Souvenirs, Telephone, Beverages (available to purchase) and all other services that are not mentioned as included.
- Tips for the crew, which are mandatory on Kilimanjaro. The minimum amount is 15 USD per day per guide, 10 USD per cook per day and 10 USD per porter per day. We however strongly recommend a more correct tip of 25 USD per guide per day, 15 USD per cook per day and 15 USD per porter per day. All these amounts are to be divided by all group members.
- Holiday Surcharge : A supplement of US $ 40.00 per person per day will apply to all bookings on the 24th, 25th, 26th and 31 December and 1st January
- A supplement of US $ 35.00 per person will apply to all bookings between Friday 3rd and Monday 6th April (for all 4 days) as Easter holiday surcharge.
