9 Days
The longest route on the mountain, circling the rarely-visited northern slopes before joining the summit approach — the most gradual acclimatization profile available, and the highest summit success rate of any standard itinerary.
With nine days and the most gradual altitude profile on the mountain, the Northern Circuit has the highest summit success rate of any standard route — a strong pick if you have the extra days to spare.
We pick you up from Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. Plan to arrive at least a day before the trek starts — we’ll use this time for a full briefing and to check and rent any last equipment you need.
We drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate on the mountain’s western side for registration, then a short transfer to the trailhead. A gentle walk through thick rainforest brings you to Mti Mkubwa, named for the giant tree by camp.
The trail climbs out of the forest into heath and moorland, emerging onto the wide Shira Plateau, an ancient collapsed volcanic caldera, with wide views back toward the Rift Valley.
A short, gentle day crossing the plateau, with the first clear views of Kibo’s summit dome ahead and time for your body to keep adjusting to the altitude.
Rather than turning south toward Lava Tower, the Northern Circuit branches north into rarely-visited terrain. An optional short side trip to the Lent Hills gives extra altitude exposure near camp.
The day starts with the Barranco Wall — a hands-on scramble that looks more intimidating than it is — rewarded with superb views of the Southern Ice Fields from the top. From there the trail undulates across several ridges to Karanga Camp.
The circuit continues east around the mountain’s shoulder, gradually curving toward the Mawenzi side in preparation for the approach to the summit camps.
A steady climb into the high desert below Kibo’s northeastern face. Early dinner and rest at School Hut before a pre-midnight wake-up call for the summit attempt.
Wake around midnight for the steep night climb to Gillman’s Point and on to Uhuru Peak — Africa’s highest point — timed for sunrise. After a short stay at the summit, we descend all the way past Barafu to Mweka Camp for your last night on the mountain.
A final descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where your summit certificate is issued. We transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and a well-earned rest.
