8 DAYS NORTHERN CIRCUIT

Overview

The newest addition and most exciting route to the Kilimanjaro climbing. This is the longest route in terms of time and distance travelled while this route offers the highest level of successful summits and an amazingly beautiful journey.  Even though it is the most expensive climb option, with a very high success rate. It begins in the West at the Londorossi Gate and follows the same path as the Lemosho route for the first two days. After crossing the Shira plateau the path veers north near Lava Tower, following the longer Northern Circuit instead of the more popular Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley The route circles around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain.

ARRIVE IN TANZANIA

Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be meet with All weather adventures representative, picked up there and transfer to hotel in Moshi town. Then you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

Hotel: Bed & Breakfast

Day 1:  Londorossi Gate (2100 m) – start point 2,360 m to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2820 m)

Approx. hiking time: 3-4 hours

Distance covered: 11 km

Habitat: Rainforest

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2100 m) in the west, the same start 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 towards your first camp. Dinner and overnight at MtiMkubwa Camp (2820m)

Day 2:  Mti Mkubwa Camp (2820 m) to Shira Camp I (3610 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5 hours

Distance covered: 8 km

Habitat: Rainforest / Moorland

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

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).

Day 3: Shira Camp I (3610 m) to Moir Camp (4200 m)

Approx. hiking time: 3-4 hours

Distance covered: 7 km

Habitat: low alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

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)

Day 4: Moir Camp (4200 m) to Pofu Camp (4020 m

Approx. hiking time: 5-7 hours

Distance covered: 12 km

Habitat: high alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

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, dinner, and stay overnight.

Day 5: Pofu Camp (4020m) to Rongai Third Cave (3800 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5-7 hours

Distance covered: 8 km

Habitat: alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

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

Day 6: Third Cave (3800 m) to School Hut (4800 m)

Approx. hiking time: 4-5 hours

Distance covered: 7 km

Habitat: high alpine zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

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.

Day 7: Summit attempt:  School Hut (4800 m) to Uhuru Peak (5895 m) and then down to Millennium Camp (3950 m)

Approx. hiking time: 12 hours

Distance covered: 18 km

Habitat: glacial zone and all preceding zones

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

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.”

Day 8: Millennium Camp (3,950 m) to Mweka Gate (1,640 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5 hours

Distance covered: 14 km

Habitat: glacial zone and all preceding zones

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

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 home bound flight. Also Boko Explorers 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.

End of Tour