9 Days Northern circuit Kilimanjaro hike

9 Days Northern circuit Kilimanjaro hike is one of the best routes on mountain Kilimanjaro approaching the mountain from the west direction, this route is regarded as one of the best route as it offers 360 degrees of magnificent sceneries of the northern slopes which are rarely visited. Northern circuit is the longest of mountain Kilimanjaro, has the highest summit rate and the most acclimatization time.

Itinerary for climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using Northern circuit

Climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using the Northern circuit begins with a long drive from Moshi village to Londorossi gate, the first days of the trek involves crossing the Shira plateau and takes you through the rainforest to Shira ridge. The route then heads north circling from Moir Hut leading to both Buffalo camp and School hut before summiting from East, the descending on this route is done using Mweka Hut.

Day 1 of 9 Days Northern circuit Kilimanjaro hike: trek from Londorossi gate to Mti Mkubwa

The first day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using Northern circuit is a trek from Londorossi gate to Mti Mkubwa, this trail is of 6 kilometers taking 3-4 hours of hiking passing through the rainforest and it lies in the elevation range of 7,742 ft – 9,498 ft.

Today is trek starts with departing from your hotel in Moshi city heading to Londorossi gate which is a drive of 4 hours, at Londorossi gate you will do and complete all the entry formalities and then drive to the Lemosho trail head. At the trail head the hike starts on a trail passing through undisturbed forest leading to the campsite where you are to have dinner and spend the night.

Day 2 of 9 Days Northern circuit Kilimanjaro hike: trek from Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 camp

The second day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using the northern circuit is a trek of 8 kilometers passing through heath vegetation and taking approximately 5-6 hours of hiking, this trail lies in the elevation of range of 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft.

The trek begins with a continuing trek on the trail leading out of the rain forest entering into a series of vegetation cover including the tall savannah grass, heather and lichen beards draping the volcanic rock. The trek continues with ascending through rolling hills and crossing several streams until reaching the Shira ridge, at the ridge you gently descend down to Shira 1 camp. At the camp you will be rewarded with a glimpse of Kibo peak across the plateau, you are to have dinner and spend the night at the camp

Day 3 of 9 Days Northern circuit Kilimanjaro hike: trek from Shira 1 camp to Shira 2 camp

The third day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using Northern circuit is a trek from Shira 1 camp to Shira 2 camp on a trail of 7 kilometers taking approximately 3-4 hours, this trail passes through heath vegetation and lies in the elevation range of 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft. Today’s trekking h a gentle walk eastwards passing through moorland meadows towards Shira 2 camp and it involves exploring Shira plateau, at Shira 2 camp you will have dinner and stay the night.

Day 4 of 9 Days Northern circuit Kilimanjaro hike: trek from Shira 2 camp to Lava tower and from Lava Tower to Moir hut

The fourth day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using the northern circuit is a trek between two points that is from Shira 2 camp to Lava tower and from Lava Tower to Moir hut, the first trek from Shira 2 camp to Lava Tower is done on a trail of 7 kilometers taking approximately 3-4 hours of hiking. This trail passes through Alpine dessert vegetation and lies in the elevation of 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft, the second trek is from Lava Tower to Moir hut is done on a trail of 7 kilometers taking approximately 2-3 hours of hiking. This trail also passes through Alpine desert vegetation and lies in the elevation of 15,190 ft to 13,580 ft.

The day’s trek starts with continuation east wards up to the ridge then head south east towards the Lava tower, the Lava Tower is a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation and from the Lava Tower a diversion is made from the main trail heading to Moir hut. Moir hut lies on the base of Lent hills and it is a less used site, at the site walks on the hills are available which an excellent acclimatization opportunity is.

Day 5 of 9 Days Northern circuit Kilimanjaro hike : trek from Moir Hut to Buffalo camp

The fifth day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using the Northern circuit is a trek from Moir Hut to Buffalo camp, the trek is on a trail of 12 kilometers taking approximately 5-7 hours and passing through the Alpine desert. This trail lies in the elevation range of 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft, today’s trek starts with heading out of the Moir valley with a moderate steep climb. Before returning to the main trail you climb to the summit of the Lent hills, the path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching Buffalo camp and at this point you are rewarded by great scenic views across the plains lieing north of mountain Kilimanjaro and also stretching out to the border of Kenya and Tanzania

Day 6 of 9 Days Northern circuit Kilimanjaro hike : trek from Buffalo camp to the third cave

The sixth day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using the Northern circuit is a trek from Buffalo camp to the third cave on a trail of 8 kilometers taking approximately 5-7 kilometers, this trail passes through heath vegetation and lies in the elevation range of 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft.

Today’s trek starts with leaving the camp trekking up to Buffalo ridge on a terrain which becomes increasing sparse, on this trail you will enjoy magnificent views of the mountain. The trek continues through valley on the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro arriving at the Third cave where you will spend the night after dinner.

Day 7: trek from Third cave to school Hut

The seventh day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using the Northern circuit is a trek from the third cave to school hut on a trail of 5 kilometers taking approximately 4-5 hours, this trail pass through Alpine desert and lies in the elevation range of 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft. Today’s hike begins with leaving the camp and climbing steadily up and over the saddle sitting between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, the trek continues to the school Hut camp where you will spend the night.

Day 8: trek from School Hut to Uhuru peak and from Uhuru peak to Mweka camp

The eighth day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using the Northern circuit is a trek between two points that is from School Hut to Uhuru peak and from Uhuru peak to Mweka camp. The first trek from School Hut to Uhuru peak is a trek on a trail of 6 kilometers taking approximately 6-8 hours, the trail passes through Artic vegetation and lies in the elevation range of 15,600 ft to 19,341 ft. The second trek is from Uhuru peak to Mweka camp on a trail of 12 kilometers taking about 4-6 hours of hiking, this trail passes through Artic and lies in the elevation range of 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft.

Today’s trek aims at reaching the summit and the trek begins as early as midnight with a push to the summit, the push to the summit is the most mentally an physically challenging portion of the whole trek due to long distance. At this point you should expect wind and coldness to be extreme as it is the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and Africa as a continent, the ascending to summit involves frequent but short breaks. At the Gilman’s point standing at the altitude of 18,600 ft you get beautiful views of the sunrise as it comes over Mawenzi peak, the trek continues arriving at Uhuru peak.

From the summit you descend straight down to Mweka Hut campsite with a stopover at Barafu camp for lunch and this trail is very rocky which makes it hard on the knees that is why you need trekking poles, you are to spend the night at Mweka Hut camp which is situated in the upper forest and at this point mist or rain is expected in the late afternoon.

Day 9: descend from Mweka camp to Mweka gate

The ninth and last day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using the Northern circuit is for descending from Mweka camp to Mweka gate on a trail of 10 kilometers taking approximately 3-4 hours , this trail passes through rain forest and lies in the elevation range of 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft.

The day’s trek starts with descending from Mweka camp heading to Mweka gate, the lower elevation is at times muddy and wet, at the gate you will collect your summit certificates and from the gate you continue to Mweka village where you will meet your driver and drive to your hotel in Moshi city.