Package Summary
A high-success Kilimanjaro itinerary that circles the mountain on the remote Northern Circuit. It offers more acclimatization time, varied landscapes and a quieter trekking experience than the southern routes.
Detailed Itinerary
Start at Londorossi, pass Mti Mkubwa, Shira, Moir, Buffalo and Third Cave before crossing to School Hut for the final summit ascent and descent to Mweka Gate.
Arrival in Moshi and Trek Briefing
ARRIVAL Arrive from JRO Kilimanjaro airport transfer to moshi at Panama garden resort then breifing for kilimanjaro. Transport: Company transfer (2 hour, 90 km) Accomodation: Panama gurden resort
Lat: N/A, Lng: N/ALondorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
LONDOROSSI GATE TO MTI MKUBWA CAMP 4WD transfer to Londorossi Park Gate for registration. Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite at 2895m.
Lat: N/A, Lng: N/AMti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
MTI MKUBWA CAMP TO SHIRA 1 CAMP Our journey continues eastwards across the Shira Plateau with spectacular views of Shira Cathedral. We cross moorland meadow to reach Shira 1 Camp for dinner and overnight camping at 3500m.
Lat: N/A, Lng: N/AShira 1 Camp to Moir Hut
SHIRA 1 CAMP TO SHIRA 2 CAMP 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.
Lat: N/A, Lng: N/AMoir Hut to Buffalo Camp
SHIRA 2 CAMP TO MOIR HUT We leave the moorland behind now and a gentle grade walk takes us across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.
Lat: N/A, Lng: N/ABuffalo Camp to Third Cave
MOIR HUT TO POFU CAMP We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (4700m). After admiring the views we return to the trail and heads eastwards around the Northern Circuit trail.
Lat: N/A, Lng: N/AThird Cave to School Hut
POFU CAMP TO THIRD CAVE CAMP From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp. Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours Descent: 60 m Max.
Lat: N/A, Lng: N/ASchool Hut to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp
THIRD CAVE CAMP TO SCHOOL HUT Today there is a steady ascent to reach the Saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut in the early afternoon.
Lat: N/A, Lng: N/AMweka Camp to Mweka Gate
SCHOOL HUT TO SUMMIT TO MILLENNIUM CAMP We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 am on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point.
Lat: N/A, Lng: N/A
-
Day 1 Morning Arrival in Moshi and Trek Briefing
ARRIVAL Arrive from JRO Kilimanjaro airport transfer to moshi at Panama garden resort then breifing for kilimanjaro. Transport: Company transfer (2 hour, 90 km) Accomodation: Panama gurden resort
-
Day 2 Morning Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
LONDOROSSI GATE TO MTI MKUBWA CAMP 4WD transfer to Londorossi Park Gate for registration. Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite at 2895m. We will stay here overnight. Transport: 1.7 hours, 80 km Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours Ascent: 535 m Max. altitude: 2895 m Accomodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 3 Morning Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
MTI MKUBWA CAMP TO SHIRA 1 CAMP Our journey continues eastwards across the Shira Plateau with spectacular views of Shira Cathedral. We cross moorland meadow to reach Shira 1 Camp for dinner and overnight camping at 3500m. By now we will be able to see the stunning glaciers of the Western Breach. It will be colder tonight than the previous night with temperatures possibly falling below freezing. Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours Ascent: 605 m Max. altitude: 3500 m Accomodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 4 Morning Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut
SHIRA 1 CAMP TO SHIRA 2 CAMP 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 near Shira Hut, we take in the unforgettable views of Mt Meru. Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours Ascent: 310 m Max. altitude: 3810 m Accomodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 5 Morning Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
SHIRA 2 CAMP TO MOIR HUT We leave the moorland behind now and a gentle grade walk takes us across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m. Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours Ascent: 390 m Max. altitude: 4200 m Accomodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 6 Morning Buffalo Camp to Third Cave
MOIR HUT TO POFU CAMP We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (4700m). After admiring the views we return to the trail and heads eastwards around the Northern Circuit trail. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp. Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours Ascent: 500 m Descent: 680 m Max. altitude: 4700 m Accomodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 7 Morning Third Cave to School Hut
POFU CAMP TO THIRD CAVE CAMP From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp. Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours Descent: 60 m Max. altitude: 4020 m Accomodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 8 Morning School Hut to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp
THIRD CAVE CAMP TO SCHOOL HUT Today there is a steady ascent to reach the Saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day. Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours Ascent: 830 m Max. altitude: 4790 m Accomodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 9 Morning Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
SCHOOL HUT TO SUMMIT TO MILLENNIUM CAMP We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 am on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point. We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. We then head on to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend down through Barafu Camp, where our porters will meet us with a packed lunch. We will then continue to descend to reach Millennium Camp. Hiking time: 14 - 16 hours Ascent: 1105 m Descent: 2068 m Max. altitude: 5895 m Accomodation: Camping Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner