Northern Circuit Route Overview
The Northern Circuit is the longest route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a beautiful and scenic journey with the highest success rates. Though it’s the most expensive option, it provides climbers with more time for acclimatization and an incredibly high chance of reaching the summit. The trek begins at Londorossi Gate in the west and follows the Lemosho Route for the first two days. After crossing the Shira Plateau, the path diverts north near Lava Tower, following the quieter Northern Circuit instead of the popular Southern Circuit through Barranco Valley. The route circles the northern slopes, leading to the east side of the mountain for a more peaceful and less crowded experience.
Arrival in Tanzania Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by an Pasema Adventures representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Here, you will meet your guide for a trek briefing and equipment check. Any missing gear can be rented at this time.
- Hotel: Bed & Breakfast
Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)
The trek begins at Londorossi Gate after registration, followed by a short drive further up the mountain to the starting point. The first trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp leads through the rainforest. If lucky, you may spot wildlife like elephants or buffalo.
- Distance: 5.5 km / 3 miles
- Approx. trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Zone: Rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)
The day begins with a trek through the last section of rainforest before entering the low alpine moorland zone, ending at Shira Camp 1.
- Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
- Approx. trekking time: 5-6 hours
- Zone: Rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Moir Camp (4,200 meters)
You trek through the Garden of Senecios and ascend to Lava Tower and Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters before descending to Moir Camp. This day aids acclimatization.
- Distance: 15 km / 8 miles
- Approx. trekking time: 5-7 hours
- Zone: Low Alpine / High Alpine Zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters)
A moderate climb leads out of Moir Valley, with an optional detour to summit Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters. You then trek around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp.
- Distance: 12 km / 7 miles
- Approx. trekking time: 5-7 hours
- Zone: High Alpine Zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters) to Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters)
This day involves a climb up Buffalo Ridge, passing Porfu Camp, and ending at Rongai Third Cave. By now, you should be well-acclimatized.
- Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
- Approx. trekking time: 5-7 hours
- Zone: High Alpine / Low Alpine Zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters)
A trek across scree slopes leads to School Hut, your staging point for the night summit of Uhuru Peak.
- Distance: 15 km / 8 miles
- Approx. trekking time: 4-5 hours
- Zone: High Alpine / Glacial Zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters)
Begin your summit ascent before dawn to reach Uhuru Peak in the early afternoon. After celebrating at the summit, descend to Millennium Camp for rest.
- Distance: 6 km ascent and 10.5 km descent
- Approx. trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent
- Zone: Glacial Zone and all preceding zones
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,630 meters)
The final trek leads down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificate.
- Distance: 10 km / 6.5 miles
- Approx. trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Zone: Rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Departure from Tanzania
This day is reserved for departure. You will be transported to your hotel or airport as needed. Additional activities like safaris or a Zanzibar beach holiday can also be arranged.
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)
The journey begins with registration at Londorossi Gate, followed by a drive to the trailhead. A short trek through the rainforest to Mti Mkubwa Camp may offer glimpses of wildlife like elephants and buffalo.
- Distance: 5.5 km / 3 miles
- Trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Zone: Rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)
On this day, you transition from the rainforest to the low alpine moorland as you trek onto the Shira Plateau, ending at Shira Camp 1.
- Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
- Trekking time: 5-6 hours
- Zone: Rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Moir Camp (4,200 meters)
The trek continues east through the Garden of Senecios and into the high alpine desert. After lunch at Lava Tower (4,600 meters), descend to Moir Camp.
- Distance: 15 km / 8 miles
- Trekking time: 5-7 hours
- Zone: Low Alpine / High Alpine Zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters)
A moderately steep climb from Moir Valley, with an optional detour to summit Little Lent Hill, leads to Buffalo Camp.
- Distance: 12 km / 7 miles
- Trekking time: 5-7 hours
- Zone: High Alpine Zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters) to Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters)
This shorter trek includes a climb over Buffalo Ridge and a descent to Rongai Third Cave, helping with altitude acclimatization.
- Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
- Trekking time: 5-7 hours
- Zone: High Alpine / Low Alpine Zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Rongai Third Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters)
A steep climb over scree slopes leads to School Hut, where you’ll rest before the summit attempt.
- Distance: 15 km / 8 miles
- Trekking time: 4-5 hours
- Zone: High Alpine / Glacial Zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and Crater Camp (5,790 meters)
Begin the summit trek before dawn, reaching Uhuru Peak in the early afternoon. Then descend to Crater Camp, a challenging and exclusive overnight stop in the crater.
- Distance: 6 km / 3.5 miles
- Trekking time: 6-8 hours
- Zone: Glacial Zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Crater Camp (5,790 meters) to Millennium Camp (3,790 meters)
Descend from Crater Camp to Millennium Camp through Stella Point, enjoying sweeping views on the way down.
- Distance: 13.4 km / 8.3 miles
- Trekking time: 12-15 hours
- Zone: Rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Millennium Camp (3,790 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,630 meters)
The final trek down to Mweka Gate completes your Kilimanjaro adventure. After park formalities, return to Moshi for celebration.
- Distance: 12.1 km / 7.5 miles
- Trekking time: 6 hours
- Zone: Rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Depart Tanzania
You will be driven back to Moshi or the airport for your departure or onward adventures, such as a safari or Zanzibar beach holiday.
- Meals: Breakfast

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Price Included
- Two nights accommodation in Hotel
- Private transport to / from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Moshi
- professional guides with mountain crew
- National park fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees and services
- All camping equipment; mountain tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats
- All camping equipment; mountain tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats
- Transport & rescue fees
- Guides and porters’ accommodations and their entry fees on the mountain
- First aid kit, emergence oxygen & Pulse oximeter
- Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authorit
Not Included in Price
- Flights
- Visa
- Insurance
- Tips to mountain crew
- Personal items
- Laundrary services
