Reccomended
Bantu Pori Journeys - The Northern Circuit Route
Tour Package Overview
This route approaches Kibo from the west using the Lemosho ascent, but then circles clockwise around to the quieter northern slopes and onward to the east, offering outstanding views from all sides. The north flank of Kilimanjaro is remote and less trafficked, so the environment is less disturbed and offers the best option to get away from other tourists. The route is well-suited for climbers who are seeking an enjoyable backpacking and camping experience without a frantic push for the summit. This allows for superior acclimatization and nearly guaranteed likelihood of reaching the Roof of Africa!.
In our opinion this is Kilimanjaro's connoisseur route as it takes you on a stunning journey and allows you to explore the mountain in detail, from all sides and through all her environments. It offers excellent acclimatisation, stunning scenery with views across the southern flanks, western forests, the northern plains to the Kenyan border and the dry arid eastern slopes.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Northern Circuit Route
Day By Day
Day 0 :
Arrival In Tanzania : Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. On arrival in Tanzania we will transfer roughly 1 hour to your hotel in Moshi town. You`ll have a short time to freshen up, and then have a briefing. Your guide will give you a briefing and ensure that you have all the gear/kits required for the trip. If you are missing essential equipment it can be rented for very cheap prices.
Our briefings will give you a clear view of the days to come from your personal guide and CEO, also you will be told your exact crew numbers and make up as well as get a chance to ask any questions.
Park View Hotel (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
Day 1
Moshi Town To Londorosi Gate To (Mti Mkubwa) BigTree Camp :
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours; here we will complete entry formalities while guides and porters prepare equipment. We then continue to drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate where we will begin the hike. The trek starts through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Simba CampIn the morning we transfer to Londorossi (2385m), passing between the slopes of Kilimanjaro and the horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater of Mount Meru (a distance of about 120 km). After carrying out the necessary registration procedures, we drive on for a short distance through farmland and plantations to reach the Lemosho road head. The last 5 km of the road to the park gate is of poor quality, particularly after rain, and the drive there should be considered part of the adventure.
We will have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest, this area has a variety of game including buffalo. We camp at Lemosho Forest camp (2650 m) Full-service Camping.
Elevation: 2750m
Driving Distance: 39.1kms/5 miles (54 Minutes)
Walking Distance From Gate To Camp: 7km / 4.3mi (3-4 Hours)
Habitat : Montane Forest
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2
(Mti Mkubwa) BigTree Camp To Shira 1 Camp :
Today You Will Trek Across A Plateau Of Grassy Moorland And Heather Scattered With Volcanic Rock Formations. Our Destination For Today Is The Shira 1 Camp From Where There Are Often Views Of Kibo Peak Floating On The Clouds. We Gain A Reasonable Amount Of Altitude Today And Parts Of The Route Are Fairly Steep.
Elevation: 3500M
Walking Distance: 8.5KM / 5.3MI
Walking Time: 7 HRS
Habitat : Moorland Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3
Shira 1 To Shira 2 Camp :Today You Will Get The Chance To View The Northern Ice Fields From The Western Side Of The Mountain With Some Unusual Views Of Kibo. Our Steady Climb Across The Moorland Of The Shira Plateau Will Help With Acclimatization And We Enjoy Great Panoramic Views. Our Destination Today Is The Shira 2 Camp. In The Afternoon You Will Take An Acclimatization Walk Then Head Back To Camp For Dinner And Overnight.
Elevation: 3900M
Walking Distance: 8KM / 5MI
Walking Time: 5-4 Hours
Habitat : Moorland Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4
Shira 2 to Lava tower to Moir hut camp :
Today you will trek east, passing through the “Garden of the Senecios’, where you will be surrounded by large senecio plants, before reaching the high alpine desert. The day starts with a trek up to the Lava Tower and the Sharks Tooth rock formation (4,600 m) which will be the highest point reached today.
You will have lunch at this iconic site before pressing onto joining the Northern Circuit and heading down to Moir Camp (4,200 m). Today is an important addition to your trek as it helps you acclimatise and ultimately prepare for the summit!
Elevation: 4,600 m
Walking Distance: 14 km
Walking Time: 5-7 Hours
Habitat : Alpine desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5
Moir hut camp to Buffalo Camp :
Today will be a relatively strenuous stage in your journey to the summit. However, the views make it all worth it. On your journey, you will be met with vistas out across the north of Kilimanjaro all the way out to the border of Kenya.
Your day starts with a steep climb out of the Moir Valley before taking a detour to Little Lent Hill (4,375 m). After this, you will reconnect with the Northern Circuit trail and continue over a number of inclines and declines surrounding the slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 m).
You will arrive at camp around midday where you will have lunch and spend the rest of the day resting and preparing for tomorrow.
Elevation: 4,020 m
Walking Distance: 12 km
Walking Time: 7-8 Hours
Habitat : Alpine Desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6
Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave :
Today’s hike will be short but sweet, with your body steadily adjusting to the high altitude. You will begin the day with a hike up the Buffalo Ridge and then down into Porfu Camp.
Here you will rest and have lunch. After lunch you will press on eastwards, around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave (3,800 m) where you trek will end for the day.
Elevation: 3,800 m
Walking Distance: 8 km
Walking Time: 5-7 Hours
Habitat : Alpine Desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7
Rongai Third Cave to School Hut :
Today is another short hike. You will start upwards over the Saddle which sits between Kibo Peak and Mawenzi Peak. You will then continue south-went towards School Hut (4,800 m).
Here you will stop for the night and enjoy an early dinner before preparing for the big day tomorrow. Be sure to rest and prepare all your gear for the journey to the peak in the morning!.
Elevation : 4,800 m
Duration : 4 - 5 Hours To Reach Uhuru Peak
Hiking Distance : 15km
Habitat : Alpine desert and glacial snow Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8
School Hut to Uhuru Peak, Down to Mweka Camp :
Your last morning on the Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit route will get off to an early start. You and your guides will travel through the darkness towards Kilimanjaro’s main crater rim at Gilman’s Point. There you’ll rest before the final push, passing spectacular ice cliffs and glaciers. You’ll arrive at the Mount Kilimanjaro summit just in time to catch the sunrise, the most spectacular of nature’s backdrops. Share the sense of exhilaration and accomplishment with your guides and support team. Soak in the beauty of the view before retracing your steps down the crater rim. Then you’ll descend on the Mweka Route towards the last stop on your journey – Mweka Camp.
Elevation: Up 5895 m, Down 3080 m
Walking Distance: Approx. 13 Km
Walking Time: 8 hrs to 9 hrs
Habitat : Stone scree and Ice-capped summit Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi :
After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic, 3-hour hike back to the park gate. Don't give your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate. At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down to the Mweka Village, possibly a muddy, 3 km, 1 hour hike if the road is too muddy for vehicles. In the Mweka Village you will be served a delicious hot lunch after which you are driven back to Moshi for an overdue hot shower and comfortable night at your hotel in Moshi.
Park View Hotel (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
Day 10 :
Departure Date/Flight Day :
A long and short safari, Zanzibar holiday or Mafia island adventure can be arranged right after your trek or at the beginning of your trek with us. If you wish to explore round Moshi Town and visit some of it's local attractions and people, you'll need to spend another overnight. We have put together a list of Moshi destinations. View Them Here
If not, You will be transfered to the airport ready for you flight back home or onward to your next destination.
No Accommodation : Check-out time is 10:30am
Meals : Breakfast (Lunch & Dinner not included)
