We will pick you up from the airport, Arusha, Kilimanjaro airport or Moshi and transfer you to the hotel where you will spend a night. If the time of arrival will allow us, you will meet with your Mountain guide for the briefing. It you arrive is late at night then the briefing will be done in the morning before departure. Your guide will check all your climbing equipment and if there any thing missing for one reason or another he will make arrangement with the office to make sure that you all have appropriate climbing gear for your safety.

Altitude 2,820m / Distance: 5.5km / Trekking time: 3-4 hours/ Habitat: Rainforest.

The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Altitude 3,610m / Distance: 8km / Trekking time: 5-6 hours / Habitat: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

Altitude 3,610m / Distance: 8km / Trekking time: 5-6 hours / Habitat: Rainforest / Low Alpine ZoneOn day three you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).

Altitude 3,850m / Distance: 7km / Trekking time: 3-4 hours / Habitat: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

On day four the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2. Nine day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. At Shira Camp 2 it is worth trekking a little higher up the plateau to enjoy the stunning view across the valley below and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero.

Altitude 4,200m /Distance: 14km / Trekking time: 5-7 hours / Habitat: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone

Day five is a long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters. This is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low, which is good for the acclimatization process.

Altitude 4,020m / Distance: 12km / Trekking time: 5-7 hours / Habitat: High alpine zone

Day five involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters).The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking.

Altitude: 3,800m / Distance: ~8km / 5 miles /Trekking time: 5-7 hours / Habitat: High alpine zone and low alpine zone

Day six starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Porfu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon

Altitude:(3,800mDistance: ~8km / 4 miles / Trekking time: 3 to 4 hours / Habitat: High alpine zone and low alpine zone

This will be another day of acclimatization between Third Cave and School Hut. You will depart after the breakfast and start hiking towards School Hut camp up to the half way at about 4300 meters. The hike will take about 3 to 4 hours round trip. You will then come back to the camp for lunch, rest and diner.

Altitude 4,800m / Distance: 15km / Trekking time: 4-5 hours / Habitat : High alpine desert and glacial zone

Day nine involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp and camera before going to bed.

Altitude5985m: Distance: 6km ascent and 10.5km /Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent / Habitat: Glacial zone and all preceding zones.

You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first check-point is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking to reach Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the carter rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680m). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950m) for your final night on the mountain. In total you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day nine so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels up. Note: You descent via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.

Altitude: 3950m / Distance: 10km / Trekking time: 3-4 hours / Habitat: Rainforest zone.

The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. It is customary to give your guides and porters tips at this point before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.The price for the above package as follows.

Depending on your flight departure time, we will transfer you to the departing port ( Moshi bus station, Kilimanjaro airport or Arusha airport) If your departure is at the evening or later afternoon the you will have free time for shopping and look around the nearest city until your departing time. If you have booked a safari, Zanzibar or any other trip extension then this will be the starting day.