Northern Circuit Route Itinerary
Orbit Kilimanjaro- A Day-by-Day Travelogue
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation where your guide will meet you for a full briefing and equipment check.
- Overnight Simba Farm Lodge (Classic) or Ndarakwai Ranch (Premium)
-Elevation: 2100 m to 2820 m
-Approx. hiking time: 3-4 hours
-Distance covered: 11 km
-Habitat: Rainforest
The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2100 m) in the west, the same starting point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities is at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephants, giraffes, and buffalos that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek toward your first camp. Dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp (2820m)
-Elevation: 2820 m to 3610 m
-Hiking time: 5 hours
-Distance covered: 8 km
-Habitat: Rainforest / Moorland
Today, you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of the rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone, which leads up to the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, concluding at Shira Camp I (3610 m).
-Elevation: 3610 m to 4200 m
-Hiking time: 3-4 hours
-Distance covered: 7 km
-Habitat: low alpine zone
On day three, the trek takes us from Shira Camp I to Shira Camp II as we cross the Shira Plateau. We will continue eastward to reach the Shira Plateau ridge, proceed to Lava Tower (4600 m), and then descend to Moir Camp (4200 m).
-Elevation: 4200 m to 4020 m
-Hiking time: 5-7 hours
-Distance covered: 12 km
-Habitat: high alpine zone
Today, there is a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4375 meters before returning to the Grand Traverse trail. From here, the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Pofu (Buffalo) Camp (4020 m). The trek offers great vistas across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro, stretching out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Pofu Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch, and dinner, and stay overnight.
-Elevation: 4020m to 3800 m
-hiking time: 5-7 hours
-Distance covered: 8 km
-Habitat: alpine zone
Day five starts with a climb up the Buffalo Ridge and then continues east along the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before, and by now, you should be feeling well-acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon
-Elevation: 3800 m to School Hut 4800 m
-Hiking time: 4-5 hours
-Distance covered: 7 km
-Habitat: high alpine zone
On day six, you will experience a steady incline up and over the Saddle, which is situated between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Trekkers will then continue walking southwest to reach School Hut (4800 m). Upon arriving at School Hut, you will be served an early dinner, and you should get some sleep because you will be awakened before midnight to begin your summit attempt.
-Elevation: 4800 m to 5895 m and then down to 3950 m
-Hiking time: 12 hours
-Distance covered: 18 km
-Habitat: glacial zone and all preceding zones
You will be awakened at midnight with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave, where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5681 m), which will be approximately 5-6 hours after departing from School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and the incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak. From here, gather all your energy and every bit of determination to reach Uhuru Peak (5895 m). The duration of your stay at the summit will depend on the time, weather, and your physical condition. Afterward, you will head around the crater rim to Stella Point (5739 m), where you will turn south and descend the heavily scree-covered slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4680 m). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3950 m) for your final night on the mountain.”
-Elevation: 3,950 m to 1,640 m
-Hiking time: 5 hours
-Distance covered: 14 km
-Habitat: glacial zone and all preceding zones
The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3950 m) to Mweka Gate (1640 m). At the gate, you will need to sign out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak.
Later in the evening or the next day you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to board your flight. Also, we can organize an affordable safari trip to one of the best wildlife parks in Tanzania such as Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, or Serengeti National Park.
Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport in time for your flight, or if you’ve decided to extend your Tanzanian adventure, begin the next part of your journey!
