Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Kilimanjaro National Park - Begin with a drive to Londorossi Gate to complete registration formalities. After registration, continue by vehicle for another 12km to the starting point of the route. This final drive can take between 45 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on road conditions.

From the Lemosho starting point (2389m) to Big Tree Camp (2785m), the distance is approximately 5km, with an elevation gain of just under 400m. The entire first day’s trek is spent in some of the most pristine and beautiful areas on the mountain. The first day concludes at Mti Mkubwa, the Big Tree Camp (2785m), where, as with every night on the trek, your tent will be set up and a snack will be waiting. A full dinner follows before you settle down to sleep to the sounds of the forest, with monkeys calling and the noisy turaco bird in this blissful location, beneath the spreading branches of a beautiful old podocarpus tree.

Mti Mkubwa Camp - Spend the first night on the mountain at Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Kilimanjaro National Park - The second day, the most varied on the trek, begins with a continuation of the previous day’s march through the forest. Soon, however, you leave the trees behind to enter the grasses and wildflowers of the heather and moorland zone.

Continuing to climb, you eventually round the northern slopes of the Shira Ridge – Kilimanjaro’s lesser-known third summit – and pause to admire a glimpse of your final destination, the magnificent snow-covered Kibo summit. Descending a short distance, you arrive at your second campsite, the Shira One Campsite (3504m), on the western edge of the Shira Plateau, with views across the plateau to Kibo. It is common to experience mild headaches on this day, which should be alleviated with paracetamol. The distance to Shira 1 is 7.9km.

There’s an optional afternoon acclimatization ascent of Shira Ridge 3959m, offering arguably the best views of Kibo. From there, descend to sleep lower at Shira One (3504m) for the night. The excursion distance is 7.6km.

Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut

Kilimanjaro National Park - Leaving the campsite, it takes less than an hour to reach Simba Camp and a junction with the 4WD emergency track running from Shira 2 back down the mountain. From the junction with the main trail, a 135-minute path winds between boulders, around or over petrified lava flows, and through grassy swards.

Just over an hour later, the path curves in the shadow of some low cliffs past an impressive cave just before the Moir Huts (4161m). Today, you’ve gained 657m in total over a distance of 9.7km. You can walk more before dinner, with a sunset acclimatization climb to 4300m to the ridgeline, a total excursion distance of 1.9km and a 139m gain in height.

Moir Hut to Second Pofu Camp

Kilimanjaro National Park - Peace and solitude are the main characteristics of the Northern Circuit Route. Today, you reach an altitude of 4402m before descending to the Second Pofu Camp at 4033m. It is not unusual to feel some symptoms of altitude sickness (often a headache). Try to go pole pole and drink plenty to avoid this!

The walk begins with perhaps the steepest climb of the day, a relentless ascent up a barren slope to exactly 4300m. Make your way around Kibo’s northern face, dropping down into several valleys before clambering back out of them. Eventually, after three hours, you’ll come to the first of the Pofu Camps – followed shortly by some boulders that you need to scramble over to reach the Second Pofu Campsite.

If the skies are clear, you should get a full frontal view of Kibo, while Mawenzi peers coyly over your shoulder and the lights of Kenya twinkle in the far distance below. The total walking distance is 9.2km, though you’ve actually lost 122m in altitude over the course of the day.

Second Pofu Camp to Third Cave Camp

Kilimanjaro National Park - This up-and-down 6.8km stage continues around the northern slopes in much the same way as the previous day. The gradients aren’t quite as dramatic on this stage, and the day is slightly shorter, though you’ll still find yourself quite tired by the time you reach Third Cave Campsite. The reason for this is clear when you look at the gradient profile and see how much ascending and descending you have to do on this stage. The views, however, provide ample compensation, with Kibo to your right and Mawenzi gradually looming larger and larger ahead of you, though you won’t see much of the glorious Saddle that separates them until the next stage. Once again, it may be disappointing to find out that you’ve once again lost altitude over the course of the day, from 4033m to 3936m - a total loss of 97m.

Third Cave Camp to School Hut

Kilimanjaro National Park - After gently traversing the eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro, start the trek upwards from Third Caves Campsite (3936m) to School Hut (4717m). It’s a shorter distance than yesterday, but still involves a 781m height gain. Do not underestimate today and the valuable preparation you have completed prior to arriving here. The distance is 4.9km, and you should arrive early to mid-afternoon.

Once at camp, aim to get to sleep as soon as possible, as you will be woken at around 11pm to midnight to begin your ascent. Don’t worry about waking yourself for meals – your staff will wake you for these. You probably won’t feel like eating, but please try to do so as you’ll need the energy reserves. You are advised to get all your gear ready for the summit bid before you go to sleep, as you may feel disoriented when awoken for the ascent.

School Hut to Summit to Mweka Camp

Kilimanjaro National Park - Around midnight on Day 6, depart camp for the ascent to the summit. Tonight is challenging - particularly the final 550m - and you’ll need to commit to reaching the summit.

Ascend from School Hut (4717m) via Hans Meyer Cave (5259m) and Gillman’s Point (5719m), to Uhuru Peak (5895m). On the summit, your guide will advise how much time you can spend there, considering your condition, your timings, and the weather. After a rest at the top, continue 4.86km back down to Barafu Camp – a walk that is considerably quicker than it was on the way up! At Barafu, take breakfast and relax for an hour before continuing your march a further 6.6km down the mountain, this time on the Mweka Trail. The walk takes you back down through the alpine desert, heath, and moorland zones until you once more enter the forest zone. There, amongst the trees, you find the Mweka Huts (3106m), your final stop on the trek. You have been walking for around 16 hours, excluding breaks!

Uhuru Peak - Reach the summit of Kilimanjaro and the roof of Africa, Uhuru Peak! The peak stands at 5,895 meters above sea level, and reaching the peak marks the culmination of your efforts on the mountain!

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Kilimanjaro National Park - After breakfast, hike from the campsite to Mweka Gate (1633m), where those who reached the summit or Gillman’s Point will collect their certificates. A car will be waiting to take you back to your hotel, where warm showers and cold beers await. Your trek has come to an end. Back to Arusha.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

• Gratuities
• Hotel before or after tour

Duma’s recommended option, the Northern Circuit climb circles the mountain, and is the least traveled route on Kili. You’ll start in the west, circle around to the north, and ascend via Marangu on the east. You’ll then descend via the south, so you’ll see the entire mountain during your trek. This route provides the most comprehensive views of the mountain and crosses other climb routes, including Lemosho, Rongai, Marangu, and Mweka routes. The longer 8 day climb allows for greater acclimatization and as such, high summit success rates.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.