9-Days Kilimanjaro Climb Northern Circuit Route with Crater Overnight
Description for 9-Days Kilimanjaro Climb Northern Circuit Route with Crater Overnight
The Kilimanjaro climb Northern Circuit is the newest and longest circuit on Mount Kilimanjaro. For the first two days, it begins from the Londorossi Gate in the west and follows the Lemosho Route.
After traversing the Shira plateau and using the Northern Circuit instead of the more popular Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley, the path veers north at Lava Tower.
The route swings across the calmer northern slopes to reach the mountain’s east side. Kilimanjaro’s Northern Circuit is longer than the others, taking at least eight or nine days to complete.
In lieu of a straight path to Moir Camp, the eight-day journey skips the additional acclimatization day that is usually spent in Shira Camp 2.
Crater Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro
Crater camp is a challenging extension that may be added to any route, rather than being a stand-alone route. It involves spending the night in the crater’s basin. Only the most courageous climbers get to experience this once-in-a-lifetime chance.
The duration is determined on the route. Because the park authority demands an extra fee and the personnel wages are paid separately, camping in the crater is a bit expensive.
9-Days Kilimanjaro Climb Northern Circuit Route with Crater Overnight
Day by Day Itinerary.
DAY 0: ARRIVE IN TANZANIA
You will be collected up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and driven to your Moshi town hotel, where you will meet your guide, who will brief you on your upcoming adventure and do an equipment check to verify that you have all of the necessary mountain gear.
You may rent the missing equipment on this day.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all Included
DAY 1: LONDOROSSI GATE (2,100MTS) TO MTI MKUBWA CAMP (2,820 METERS)
Both the Lemosho and Northern Circuit Routes begin at the west’s Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters). The trip from Moshi to Londorossi Gate takes around two hours, while it takes considerably longer from Arusha.
Before being carried further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point, you must register with Kilimanjaro National Park authorities at the gate. Most tour companies provide lunch before beginning the short first-day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters).
You may be lucky and witness large creatures like elephants and buffalo emerge from the forest onto the path as you travel towards your first tent. Dinner will be served when you reach at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
- Distance traveled: 5.5km
- Time spent: 4hrs
- Zone: Rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all Included
DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA CAMP (2,820 METERS) TO SHIRA CAMP TWO (3,850 METERS)
Spend the first hour of day two trekking along the last stretch of the forest trail before entering the low alpine moorland zone that leads to the Shira Plateau. The walk is short and easy, passing past Shira Camp 1 before reaching Shira Camp 2.
- Distance traveled: 14km
- Time spent: 7hrs
- Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all Included
DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP 2 (3,850 METERS) TO MOIR CAMP (4,200 METERS)
On the third day, you’ll go east, passing through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ before entering the high alpine desert zone. You’ll spend the morning trekking up to Lava Tower, where you’ll have lunch, and the renowned Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters.
You’ll join the northern circuit after lunch and descend to Moir Camp, which is at 4,200 meters (see map above). This is an important day in your journey since you will be exposed to high altitude and then sleep at a low altitude, which will help you acclimate.
- Distance traveled: 14km
- time spent: 7hrs
- Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all Included
DAY 4: MOIR CAMP (4,200 METERS) TO BUFFALO CAMP (4,020 METERS)
On day five, you’ll face a pretty difficult climb out of Moir Valley. Hikers may take a short detour to the summit of Little Lent Hill, which rises at 4,375 meters, before returning to the Northern Circuit path. The route continues to Buffalo Camp through a series of inclines and dips, following the northern slopes of Kibo (4,020 meters).
The journey provides breathtaking vistas of the plains north of Kilimanjaro, which stretch all the way to Kenya’s border with Tanzania. After a long day of hiking, you’ll arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday for lunch and relaxation.
- Distance traveled: 12km
- Time spent: 7hrs
- Zone: High alpine zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all Included
DAY 5: BUFFALO CAMP (4,020 METERS) TO RONGAI THIRD CAVE (3,800 METERS)
The fifth day starts with a climb over Buffalo Ridge, followed by a descend to Porfu Camp, where lunch is usually served. The path then continues east along the northern slopes to Rongai Third Cave, which is 3,800 meters high.
The trek is shorter today than it was the day before, and you should be completely acclimated to the altitude by now. You’ll arrive in the Third Cave about mid-afternoon.
- Distance traveled: 8km
- Time spent: 7hrs
- Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all Included
DAY 6: 3RD CAVE (3,800 METERS) TO SCHOOL HUT (4,800 METERS)
On day six, you’ll make a steady ascent up and over the Saddle, which connects Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. After there, the trekkers go south-west to School Hut (4,800 meters).
After arriving to School Hut, you will be served an early dinner, and you should get some rest since you will be woken before midnight to make your summit attempt. Make sure you have all of your supplies, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, food, a flashlight, and a camera, before retiring to bed.
- Distance traveled: 15km
- Time spent: 5hrs
- Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all Included
DAY 7: SCHOOL HUT (4,800 METERS) TO UHURU PEAK (5,895 METERS) TO CRATER CAMP (5790 METERS)
You’ll start your summit attempt early in the morning, walking up the switchbacks to Gilman’s Point before hiking along the caldera’s edge to Uhuru Peak – Africa’s Roof! You’ll go to Crater Camp, which is situated inside the volcano, after snapping pictures and enjoying the views.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all Included
DAY 8: CRATER CAMP (5,790M) TO MILLENNIUM CAMP (3790M)
We begin our descent after an early breakfast by returning to Stella Point and then down the scree slope through Barafu Camp for a short break before continuing on to Millennium Camp for a well-deserved rest.
- Distance traveled: 13.4km
- Time spent: 13hrs
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all Included
DAY 9: MILLENNIUM CAMP (3,950 METERS) TO MWEKA GATE (1,640 METERS)
The last day is a short trek through dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). You must sign out with the gate authorities, who will also give you your official certificate – a green certificate for those who reached Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. It is customary to tip your guide and porter before being returned to your Moshi lodging.
- Distance traveled: 10km
- Time spent: 4hrs
- Zone: Rainforest zone
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all Included
DAY 10: DEPART TANZANIA
You’ll have the remainder of the day to unwind before flying home after the trek. Depending on your departure times, you may want to take a tour around Moshi and pick up some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*Add-ons such as safaris, Zanzibar, and other activities are available if you wish to extend your stay in Tanzania.
- Breakfast is included in the meal plan.
Prices For 9-Days Kilimanjaro Climb Northern Circuit Route with Crater Overnight
| Route name | 1 Person | 2-4 People | 5-7 People | 8-10 People | 11 & Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-Days Kilimanjaro Climb Northern Circuit Route with Crater Overnight | $ 2,450/Person | $ 2,300/Person | $ 2,200/Person | $ 2,100/Person | $ 2,000/Person |