9 Days Northern Circuit Route

Elevation (m): 2360m to 2895m, Distance: 6 km, Time: 3-4 hours, Habitat: Montane forest.

After breakfast, we set off for the Londorossi Gate where you are registered to climb and the porters will assemble all the equipment and supplies that we need. We then begin our climb through the forest to Mti Mkubwa, our first camp at 2895m.

Elevation (m): 2895m to 3500m, Distance: 8 km, Time: 5-6 hours, Habitat: Moorland

Our trek today will take us to Shira Plateau, the caldera left by the collapse of Kilimanjaro’s third volcanic crater. Tonight’s campsite is Shira 1 camp, and it will be significantly colder here than the previous night.

Elevation (m): 3500m to 3810m, Distance: 7 km, Time: 3-4 hours, Habitat: Moorland

Today we walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here, especially when the afternoon mists roll in. From our camp at Shira 2, we take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Meru.

Elevation (m): 3810m to 4200m, Distance: 14 km, Time: 6-7 hours, Semi-desert.

Leaving Shira 2, we briefly join climbers on the Machame route before we turn north and make our way on a lesser-used trail to Moir Hut campsite, where we will camp below the Lent Hills.

Elevation (m): 4200m to 4000m, Distance: 12 km, Time: 7-8 hours, Habitat: Semi-desert

We start with a steep climb out of Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills.  After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern edge of the mountain. The final section of today’s walk undulates as we cross several valleys until reaching Pofu Camp.

Elevation (m): 4020m to 3960m, Distance: 7 km, Time: 6 hours, Habitat: Semi-desert

From Pofu Camp we continue around the northern edge of the mountain, with views out across Kenya. We cross more small valleys as the trail heads eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to reach Third Cave Camp.

Elevation (m): 3960m to 4790, Distance: 6 km, Time: 5 hours, Habitat: Alpine desert

We will make a steady ascent to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards to reach School Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.

Elevation (m): 4790m to 5895m to 5730m, Distance: 14 km, Time: approx 10 hours, Habitat: Stone scree and moorland

At around 1am, we set off on a tough zig-zag trail taking us to the rim of the crater at Gillman’s Point. From here we take a short break to watch the sunrise over Mawenzi. Then its a trek around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, close to the glaciers that still exist at the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Time for a celebration and a few summit photos before the start of our descent down to the Mweka Hut campsite. This will take us back to Barafu for lunch. There will be loose gravel going down to Mweka Camp (3100m), so trekking poles will be useful. That evening we will enjoy our last dinner on Kilimanjaro and sleep well after the day exertions.

Elevation (m): 3100m to 1800m, Distance: 8 km, Time: approx 3-4 hours, Habitat: Montane Forest.

The last day on the mountain starts with a descent down to the Mweka Park Gate where summit certificates are issued. Through the rain forest, it can get wet and muddy. If you have gaiters, you may want to use them here and trekking poles will help. It may be warmer so shorts and t-shirts can be worn, but keep waterproofs and warmer clothing to hand. This concludes our 9 Days Northern Circuit Route