9 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking – Northern Circuit Route

Tour Overview

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1. 1
   Day 1 Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp

   Elevation: 2,100 m → 2,650 m
   Distance: 6 km
   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
   Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp (tents)
   
   Drive to Londorossi Gate for registration, then continue to the trailhead. Begin your trek through dense rainforest. Keep an eye out for monkeys and unique bird species. Arrive at camp and relax.

   • Trekking from Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp

   B, L, D Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)
2. 2
   Day 2 Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1 Camp

   Elevation: 2,650 m → 3,500 m
   Distance: 8 km
   Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
   Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp (tents)
   
   You leave the forest and enter the moorland area. The trees become smaller, and the views open.
   The trail goes uphill but at a steady pace. You will see wide views of the Shira Plateau.
   You arrive at Shira 1 Camp and enjoy the open landscape.

   • Trek from Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1 Camp

   B, L, D Shira 1 Camp (3,500m)
3. 3
   Day 3 Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp

   Elevation: 3,500 m → 3,850 m
   Distance: 7 km
   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
   Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp (tents)
   
   A shorter hike across the Shira Plateau with stunning landscapes and unique vegetation. This is an important acclimatization day. You may take a short acclimatization walk in the afternoon.

   • Trek from Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp

   B, L, D Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)
4. 4
   Day 4 Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Moir Hut

   Elevation: 3,850 m → 4,630 m → 4,200 m
   Distance: 14 km
   Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
   Accommodation: Moir Hut (tents)
   
   Climb steadily toward Lava Tower for acclimatization (“climb high, sleep low”). After lunch, descend slightly to Moir Hut. This day helps your body adjust to altitude.

   • Trek from Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Moir Hut

   B, L, D Moir Hut (4,200m)
5. 5
   Day 5 Moir Hut → Buffalo Camp

   Elevation: 4,200 m → 4,020 m
   Distance: 12 km
   Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
   Accommodation: Buffalo Camp (tents)
   
   This is where the Northern Circuit becomes quieter. Trek through remote northern slopes with amazing panoramic views and fewer trekkers. Reach Buffalo Camp for an overnight.

   • Trek from Moir Hut → Buffalo Camp

   B, L, D Buffalo Camp (4,035m)
6. 6
   Day 6 Buffalo Camp → Third Cave Camp

   Elevation: 4,020 m → 3,800 m
   Distance: 8 km
   Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
   Accommodation: Third Cave Camp (tents)
   
   A relatively shorter day for recovery and acclimatization. The trail gently descends with views of the Kenyan plains to the north.

   • Trek from Buffalo Camp → Third Cave Camp

   B, L, D Third Cave Camp (3,800m)
7. 7
   Day 7 Third Cave Camp → School Hut

   Elevation: 3,800 m → 4,800 m
   Distance: 5 km
   Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
   Accommodation: School Hut (tents)
   
   Climb steadily to School Hut. Rest early, hydrate well, and prepare for the summit attempt. You will sleep early as the summit climb begins at midnight.

   • Trek from Third Cave Camp → School Hut

   B, L, D School Hut 3,800
8. 8
   Day 8 School Hut → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp

   Elevation: 4,800 m → 5,895 m → 3,100 m
   Distance: 18 km
   Hiking Time: 10–14 hours
   Accommodation: Mweka Camp (tents)
   
   Start the summit push around midnight. Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, at sunrise. After celebrating, descend to Mweka Camp for a well-deserved rest.

   • Descending from Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate

   B, L Mweka Camp 3,100m
9. 9
   Day 9 Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate

   Elevation: 3,100 m → 1,640 m
   Distance: 10 km
   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
   
   Description:
   Descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Receive your summit certificate and transfer back to your hotel. End of your Kilimanjaro adventure.

   • Descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate.

   B, L No accommodation

Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

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