Northern Circuit

Overview

The longest route on Kilimanjaro circles almost the whole mountain, following the Lemosho start and then traversing the remote northern slopes that very few climbers see. Nine days on the mountain give the best acclimatisation and the highest success rates of any route.

Best for: Maximum summit chances, solitude and people who want to see the whole mountain.

Altitude profile

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp

   2,250 m → 2,650 m ~6 km 3–4 h

   Start on the western side through untouched rainforest to Mti Mkubwa.

2. 2

   Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp

   2,650 m → 3,500 m ~8 km 5–6 h

   Out of the forest and onto the Shira Ridge, with the first big views of Kibo.

3. 3

   Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp

   3,500 m → 3,850 m ~7 km 4–5 h

   Walk across the Shira Plateau to its eastern edge.

4. 4

   Shira 2 Camp → Moir Hut

   3,850 m → 4,200 m (max 4,630 m) ~12 km 6–7 h

   Climb to the Lava Tower for acclimatisation and turn north to the secluded Moir Hut camp.

5. 5

   Moir Hut → Buffalo Camp

   4,200 m → 4,020 m ~11 km 5–7 h

   Begin the northern traverse, with views across the plains to Kenya and Amboseli.

6. 6

   Buffalo Camp → Third Cave

   4,020 m → 3,870 m ~8 km 5–6 h

   Continue east along the remote northern slopes to Third Cave.

7. 7

   Third Cave → School Hut

   3,870 m → 4,750 m ~5 km 4–5 h

   Climb over the Saddle towards Kibo to School Hut, the base camp for the summit.

8. 8

   School Hut → Mweka Camp

   4,750 m → 3,100 m (max 5,895 m) ~18 km 12–15 h

   Summit night via Gilman's Point to Uhuru Peak, then descend on the south side to Mweka Camp.

9. 9

   Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate

   3,100 m → 1,640 m ~10 km 3–4 h

   Final descent through the forest to the gate and the celebration.

Distances and times are approximate.