Northern Circuit Route
The longest route on Kilimanjaro, the Northern Circuit circumnavigates almost the entire mountain over 9 days — giving you unmatched acclimatization, the quietest northern trail, and the highest summit success rate of any route.
9–10 Days
Duration
Challenging
Difficulty
Jan-Mar, Jun-Oct
Best season
Contact for pricing
From (per person)
Contact for pricing
From (per person)
Why Climb the Northern Circuit
The Northern Circuit is the longest and most complete route up Mount Kilimanjaro, a 9-day traverse that circles almost the entire mountain before summiting at Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. It is sometimes called the "Grand Traverse," and it shows you every angle of Kilimanjaro on the way up. Starting from Londorossi Gate in the west, it crosses the Shira Plateau, swings around the quiet northern slopes, and approaches the summit from the east — so you see faces of the mountain most climbers never reach.
Pricing Note
Price varies by group size and season. Contact Allen for a custom quote.
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Highlights
- Full mountain circumnavigation
- 9-day acclimatization profile — highest success of any route
- Remote northern slopes rarely seen by other climbers
- Moir Hut — rarely visited highland terrain
- Lava Tower altitude boost with "climb high, sleep low" built in
- Western Shira Plateau crossing
- Summit approach from the east via School Hut
Northern Circuit Route Details
Duration & Schedule
- 9-day trek — the longest route on Kilimanjaro
- Best acclimatization and highest summit success of any route
- Departure dates available during the two dry seasons: January to early March, and June to October
- Summit night is Day 8: midnight start from School Hut to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)
- Day 9: descent to Mweka Gate, then lodge transfer
Departure & Meeting Point
- Departures from Arusha (transfer arranged by WildReality)
- Trailhead: Londorossi Gate on the western side of the mountain
- Transfer to and from the trailhead is included
- Descent via Mweka Gate on Day 9, followed by lodge transfer
Number of Travelers
- Private group climbs available — tailored to your party
- 100% Tanzanian guide team including a lead guide and assistant guide
- Full porter team included
- Small group ratios to ensure close attention to acclimatization and safety
- Fitness and altitude experience discussed with Allen before booking
What to Bring & Accessibility
- Broken-in hiking boots suitable for multi-day trekking
- Sleeping bag rated for deep cold (sub-zero temperatures)
- Warm down jacket, moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers
- Waterproof outer layers, warm gloves and a hat
- Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat)
- Headlamp for summit night
- Trekking poles recommended for the long distance
- Daypack for water and layers
- Fitness level: solid cardiovascular fitness required; stamina for 9 days on your feet
- No technical climbing experience needed — this is a trek, not a roped climb
- Training recommended 3 to 6 months before departure: long hikes, stairs with a weighted pack, regular cardio
- Detailed gear list sent after booking; pre-climb gear check included
What's Included
- Park entry, conservation, and rescue fees
- Lead guide and assistant guide
- Full porter team
- All camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, dining tent, kitchen tent)
- All meals on the mountain
- Transfers to and from the trailhead
- Gate registration
- Summit certificate
- Pre-climb gear check
- Daily oxygen-saturation checks with pulse oximeter
- Emergency oxygen carried by lead guides
Not Included
- International flights to/from Tanzania
- Tanzania tourist visa
- Personal climbing gear (boots, sleeping bag, down jacket, layers — full gear list provided)
- Tips for your guide and porter team (customary and strongly encouraged)
- Travel insurance with high-altitude evacuation cover (required)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Pre- or post-climb accommodation (lodge transfers included, but accommodation costs are separate)
Pricing & Booking
- Northern Circuit is the premium climb: longer, costlier, and highest success rates
- General price range: approximately $2,800 to $4,500+ per person depending on group size, season, and itinerary
- Transparent, line-item quote provided before any commitment — no hidden fees
- Book by contacting Allen directly via the inquiry form, WhatsApp, or phone
- Pre-booking conversation with Allen (founder) to assess fitness, altitude experience, and goals
- Call or WhatsApp: +255 755 425 859
- Request a custom quote at wildrealitysafari.com prefilled with your route preference
What to Expect
Day 1: Arusha → Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp
Drive from Arusha to the remote Londorossi Gate (2,100m) on Kilimanjaro's western side — the same starting point as the Lemosho, but the Northern Circuit diverges early and doesn't rejoin the southern routes until the final summit push. Register with rangers, meet your full team, and begin climbing through dense montane rainforest. Altitude: 2,750m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Lunch & DinnerDay 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp
Climb out of the forest and onto the edge of the Shira Ridge — the first dramatic altitude transition. The landscape opens from dense canopy to open heathland with clear views of the summit. Shira 1 sits at the western edge of the ancient Shira caldera. The Northern Circuit begins diverging from the Lemosho route tomorrow. Altitude: 3,500m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerDay 3: Shira 1 → Shira 2 Camp (Plateau Traverse)
A long traverse across the Shira Plateau — one of the highest plateaus in Africa and one of the most distinctive landscapes on the mountain. Wide open moorland, giant groundsel, and unobstructed views of the summit cone in every direction. Altitude: 3,850m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerDay 4: Shira 2 Camp → Moir Hut (Northern Traverse Begins)
Here the Northern Circuit splits from the Lemosho. Instead of heading toward Lava Tower and the Southern Circuit, you turn north toward Moir Hut — the beginning of the remote northern traverse that almost no other climbers ever see. The terrain becomes dramatically quieter. Wide views of the northern slopes and into Kenya. Altitude: 4,200m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerDay 5: Moir Hut → Buffalo Camp
Deep into the northern side of the mountain now — a landscape that most Kilimanjaro climbers never encounter. The trail crosses remote heathland and alpine desert on the northern slopes with sweeping views of the savannah plains below. Buffalo Camp is one of the quietest camps on the mountain. Altitude: 4,020m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerDay 6: Buffalo Camp → Third Cave Camp
Continue the northern traverse, passing the dramatic eastern face of Kilimanjaro with views of the Mawenzi peak. The trail passes through a transition zone from the northern moorland into the more barren alpine desert of the upper mountain. Third Cave Camp sits in a rocky gully on the eastern flank. Altitude: 3,800m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerDay 7: Third Cave Camp → School Hut / Outpost Camp
The trail climbs back up toward the high plateau, passing beneath the Mawenzi peak. School Hut is the highest point of the northern traverse, with panoramic views of both Kibo and Mawenzi summits from the saddle between them. The full northern circumnavigation of the mountain is nearly complete. Altitude: 4,750m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerDay 8: Outpost Camp → Barafu Camp (High Camp)
Final acclimatization day and the return to the Southern Circuit. The long northern traverse has given your body exceptional time to adjust — climbers on this route consistently record the highest summit success rates on Kilimanjaro. Arrive at Barafu, rest, eat well, and prepare for tonight's summit push. Altitude: 4,673m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerDay 9: Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp (Summit Night)
Midnight departure. Summit night follows the standard Barafu route to Stella Point (5,739m) and then the crater rim traverse to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. After 9 days on the mountain your body is as well acclimatized as it can be — summit night on the Northern Circuit is as well-prepared as Kilimanjaro gets. Descend all the way to Mweka Camp. Altitude: 5,895m (summit), 3,100m (camp). Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerDay 10: Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Arusha
Final descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Summit certificates and porter team farewells. Transfer back to Arusha for a celebration lunch. After 10 days on Kilimanjaro, this meal tastes like it should. Altitude: 1,640m (gate). Accommodation: Arusha lodge. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
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Most Scenic · Highest Success Rate
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