9 days / 8 nights on the mountain · Uhuru Peak 5,895 m

9-day Northern Circuit route

The longest and most beautiful route: almost 360° around Kilimanjaro.

From $2,950per person, group of 6–10 · $3,200 each for 2–5

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SummitUhuru Peak via Gilman's Point

Sleep inHigh-quality tents

AcclimatizationThe best of any route: 9 days

Best forFirst-timers who want the best chance, photographers

Overview

The route at a glance

The Northern Circuit is the king of Kilimanjaro routes: the longest, the most scenic, and the route with the highest summit success rates on the mountain. You walk almost all the way around Kilimanjaro.

While other routes crowd the south side, you head north where almost nobody goes: Buffalo Camp, Third Cave and real wilderness near the Kenyan border. Nine days give your body time to adapt slowly, which is why it suits first-timers who want the best chance of the summit.

Your adventure starts at Kilimanjaro Airport with a night in Moshi, then takes you through all five climate zones, from rainforest to the arctic summit.

Day by day

Detailed itinerary

DAY0
Arrival in Moshi: karibu Tanzania
You land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your Wildecho Exped driver is waiting with your name. Transfer to a hotel in Moshi for a hot meal, the pool and a full briefing with your head guide. We check your gear.
Overnight: Hotel in Moshi · dinner, bed & breakfast
DAY1
Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast, drive 3–4 hours to Lemosho Gate to register, then hike through undisturbed rainforest of tall trees, monkeys and birds. A gentle climb to Mti Mkubwa ("Big Tree") Camp.
Altitude2,100 → 2,650 mDistance6 kmTime3–4 hrsHabitatRainforest
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp
DAY2
Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
Leave the rainforest for the heath zone of tall grasses, heather and lichen-covered volcanic rock. Climb rolling hills, cross streams and reach the Shira Ridge for your first amazing view of Kibo across the Shira Plateau.
Altitude2,650 → 3,505 mDistance7 kmTime5–6 hrsHabitatHeath
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
DAY3
Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
An easy acclimatization day walking east across the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus on Earth, through moorland meadows, wildflowers and giant senecios.
Altitude3,505 → 3,850 mDistance7 kmTime3–4 hrsHabitatMoorland
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
DAY4
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Moir Hut
Climb a ridge to Lava Tower, a 300 ft (about 90 m) volcanic rock formation, for a hot lunch at 4,630 m. Then descend to remote Moir Hut at the foot of the Lent Hills. Excellent acclimatization: climb high, sleep low.
Altitude3,850 → 4,630 → 4,200 mDistance14 kmTime5–7 hrsHabitatAlpine desert
Overnight: Moir Hut Camp
DAY5
Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
Climb out of the Moir Valley to the top of the Lent Hills, then cross a rock field. This section is wild and quiet, with views over the plains towards the Kenyan border. Arrive at rarely visited Buffalo Camp.
Altitude4,200 → 4,020 mDistance12 kmTime5–7 hrsHabitatAlpine desert
Overnight: Buffalo Camp
DAY6
Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp
Climb Buffalo Ridge as the land becomes sparse, then trek through remote valleys on Kilimanjaro's northern slopes in complete solitude to Third Cave Camp.
Altitude4,020 → 3,870 mDistance8 kmTime5–7 hrsHabitatAlpine desert
Overnight: Third Cave Camp
DAY7
Third Cave Camp to School Hut
Climb steadily up and over the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi, a lunar desert, to School Hut. Early dinner at 5 pm and bed at 6 pm: tonight is summit night.
Altitude3,870 → 4,750 mDistance5 kmTime4–5 hrsHabitatAlpine desert
Overnight: School Hut Camp
DAY8
Summit day: Uhuru Peak, then down to Mweka
Wake at 11:30 pm for tea and biscuits, headlamp on. Pole pole. Climb 7–9 hours to Gilman's Point (5,685 m) and on to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), with the sunrise over Mawenzi. After photos, descend to Barafu for lunch and down to Mweka Camp in the forest.
Altitude4,750 → 5,895 → 3,090 mDistance18 kmTime11–15 hrsHabitatArctic to rainforest
Overnight: Mweka Camp
DAY9
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate: celebration
An easy 3–4 hour descent through rainforest, muddy near the bottom. Receive your summit certificate at Mweka Gate, then drive to Moshi for a hot shower, hot lunch and a cold Kilimanjaro beer, followed by the tipping ceremony.
Altitude3,090 → 1,650 mDistance10 kmTime3–4 hrsHabitatRainforest