9-Day Northern Circuit Route
Overview
The longest route, circling the quiet northern slopes. The most time to acclimatise and the fewest climbers.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
2,100 m to 2,780 m · 6 km, 3 to 4 h. Western forest start.
Meals: Lunch, dinner - Day 2
Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
2,780 m to 3,610 m · 8 km, 5 to 6 h. Onto the Shira Plateau.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 3
Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp
3,610 m to 3,850 m · 7 km, 4 to 5 h. Plateau crossing.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 4
Shira 2 to Lava Tower to Moir Hut
3,850 m to 4,630 m to 4,200 m · 12 km, 6 to 8 h. Acclimatisation via Lava Tower, then north.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 5
Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
4,200 m to 4,020 m · 12 km, 5 to 7 h. Onto the quiet northern slopes.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 6
Buffalo Camp to Third Cave
4,020 m to 3,870 m · 8 km, 5 to 6 h. Views north over the Kenyan plains.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 7
Third Cave to School Hut
3,870 m to 4,750 m · 5 km, 4 to 5 h. High camp below the crater rim.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 8
Summit, then down to Mweka Camp
4,750 m to 5,895 m to 3,100 m · 20 km, 12 to 15 h. Gilman's Point, Uhuru Peak, descent on the south side.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 9
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
3,100 m to 1,640 m · 10 km, 3 to 4 h. Final descent and certificates.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Compare this route with the other six on the Kilimanjaro guide
What's included
- Park and rescue fees
- Certified mountain guides, professional chef and porters
- All-weather tents, or hut beds on Marangu and Meru
- Three hot meals a day and purified drinking water
- Emergency oxygen and pulse oximeter checks
- Private hotel transfers
- Official summit certificate
Not included
- International flights and visas
- Hotel nights before and after the climb
- Personal gear and sleeping bag (rentals available)
- Tips for the crew
- Travel insurance
Important information
- See the full packing list on the Kilimanjaro guide
- Passport and travel insurance covering trekking to 6,000 m
- Broken-in hiking boots
Questions about this tour
Which route should I choose?
Seven routes are compared on the Kilimanjaro guide page. For most first-time climbers Kodo suggests Machame in 7 days or Lemosho in 8.
Do I need experience?
No technical climbing skills are needed. Train with long hikes in the weeks before.
How do you handle altitude sickness?
Guides run pulse oximeter checks twice a day and carry emergency oxygen. Anyone with severe symptoms descends.
Why is there no price on the website?
Park fees, group size and the number of days change the price. Send a request for a full quote.
More mountain treks
Mountain trek6 days6-Day Marangu Route
Starts: MoshiThe only route with hut accommodation. Same path up and down, with an acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut.
- Hut beds, no tents
- Acclimatisation day at Horombo
- Summit via Gilman's Point
Mountain trek7 days7-Day Machame Route
Starts: MoshiThe 'Whiskey Route': rainforest, the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall and a summit from Barafu.
- Lava Tower acclimatisation
- Barranco Wall scramble
- Descent via Mweka
Mountain trek8 days8-Day Lemosho Route
Starts: MoshiStarts on the quiet western side and crosses the whole Shira Plateau. Eight days gives very good acclimatisation.
- Remote western start
- Shira Plateau crossing
- Eight days to acclimatise
Booking request
9-Day Northern Circuit Route
Give us your dates and who is travelling. We confirm availability and send the full plan and quote before anything is booked.
- You send this requestTakes about two minutes.
- We check availabilityParks, lodges, vehicles and guide for your dates.
- You get your plan and quoteBy email or WhatsApp, Tanzania time UTC+3.
- You approve, then we bookNo charge before you say yes.
Prefer to chat? WhatsApp +255 628 707 180
