Longest route with 360° views and 85% success rate
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by an Ahsante Tours representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. The drive from the airport takes approximately 45 minutes through lush green landscapes with Mount Kilimanjaro towering majestically in the distance. Once at the hotel, you can relax, settle in, and enjoy the warm hospitality of Moshi. Later in the afternoon, your professional mountain guide will meet with you for a thorough briefing about the upcoming trek on the longest route on Kilimanjaro. The guide will walk you through the entire itinerary day by day, discuss what to expect at each camp, explain the acclimatization advantages of the Northern Circuit, and answer any questions you may have. An equipment check will be conducted to ensure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing items can be rented locally at affordable prices before we depart tomorrow morning.
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. The drive takes approximately two hours through picturesque farmland and local villages. At the Londorossi Gate, you will register for your Kilimanjaro climb and your guide will handle all the formalities. A short 15km drive takes you to the drop-off point and the trailhead to start your climb. You begin trekking steadily through the magnificent rainforests of the Lemosho Glades, one of the most pristine and beautiful sections of the entire route. The forest is dense and lush, with towering trees creating a natural canopy overhead. You may spot various bird species, colorful butterflies, and if you are exceptionally lucky, Black and White Colobus monkeys swinging through the treetops. The trail is well-maintained but the altitude gain is noticeable as you climb from 2,385m to 2,780m. Porters will assist throughout the trek carrying all of your luggage except your day pack, and the mountain crew will have already set up your tents before you arrive at Big Tree Camp. You can rest and enjoy the beautiful forest surroundings in which you will camp tonight.
The destination today is the Shira 1 Camp at 3,500m from where there are often stunning views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. Start the day on a trail out of the rainforest, soon entering moorland terrain where Lobelia plants and Erica trees punctuate the landscape. These unique plants are found only in East African high-altitude environments and seeing them in their natural habitat is a truly special experience. Trek across this plateau of grassy moorland and heather, before climbing the northern slopes of Shira Ridge to arrive at Shira 1 Camp. The trail is well-defined and the gradient is steady but manageable. You will notice the vegetation becoming increasingly sparse as you gain altitude, and the volcanic landscape becomes more prominent. Relax, put your feet up, enjoy your meal and sleep well, after gaining a fair amount of altitude today. The camp offers some of the most atmospheric settings on the entire route, with panoramic views stretching across the Shira Plateau and the surrounding peaks.
Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice Fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual and breathtaking views of Kibo. The ice fields are massive glaciers that have been slowly retreating over the decades, and seeing them up close is a powerful reminder of the mountain natural beauty. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views in every direction. The plateau is vast and open, with volcanic rock formations and sparse vegetation creating a stark, beautiful landscape. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp at 3,900m. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk, climbing higher before descending back to camp for dinner and overnight. This walk is crucial for your body to adapt to the altitude and significantly improves your chances of reaching the summit successfully. The camp is well-situated with excellent views and provides a comfortable base for the nights ahead.
Today we have the chance to view the Northern ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. The terrain during our steady climb will change from the moorland of the Shira Plateau to the broad upland desert beneath the Lent Hills with great panoramic views. Look out for the giant Senecios before the high alpine desert zone. The Senecios are remarkable plants that can grow up to 10 meters tall and live for over 100 years, making them some of the oldest plants on the mountain. Our camp is at Moir Hut at 4,175m, a unique sheltered location nestled in a rocky cirque. After a short rest you can go on a recommended afternoon acclimatization walk towards the top of the ridgeline. The ridgeline is in the lower part of the Lent Hills at 4,300m, about 2km away and 130 meters higher than the camp. Dinner will be served on your return to camp. The Moir Camp setting is truly special, with the towering cliffs of the Lent Hills providing a dramatic backdrop to your campsite.
Today we trek North to Moir Valley, tackling the hardest part of the day at the beginning as you climb a bleak and imposing slope to the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375m. The ascent is steep and demanding, but the reward is incredible 360-degree views of the entire mountain and the surrounding landscape. From the summit of Little Lent Hill, you can see both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, the vast plains stretching to the horizon, and the unique terrain of the Northern Circuit trail ahead. Strike eastwards around the Northern Circuit Trail, continuing up and down the undulating valleys on the northern face of Kibo. This section of the route is truly remote and wild, with very few other trekkers. The landscape is barren and volcanic, with stunning rock formations and expansive views. Afternoon Acclimatization Hike recommended. The trail follows the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro, offering a completely different perspective from the more popular southern routes. Pofu Camp is situated in a sheltered valley, providing a peaceful and remote camping experience.
The day starts with a climb up heading east through the remote valleys and around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,900m. The trek is shorter than the day before and vegetation gets increasingly sparse, but by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude and enjoying the fact there are no steep passages to tackle today. The trail winds through increasingly barren volcanic terrain, with stunning views of the Kenyan border to the north and the vast African plains stretching to the horizon. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon, giving you plenty of time to rest and relax. The cave itself is a natural rock formation that has provided shelter to travelers for centuries, and camping here adds a sense of history and adventure to your trek. The Third Cave marks the point where the Northern Circuit joins the Rongai Route, and from here you will continue on the same path as the Rongai climbers towards the summit. The camp is well-situated with excellent views and provides a comfortable base for the final push to the summit.
We begin today with a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The Saddle is a vast, barren plateau of volcanic rock and scree, stretching between the two main peaks of Kilimanjaro. Although you should be acclimatizing by now, make sure to drink lots of water and stick to your guide slow pace. You could feel the weight of altitude today as you climb steadily higher up Kilimanjaro. Take a few breaks to rest when possible and enjoy stunning views across the Saddle to Mawenzi. The jagged peaks of Mawenzi are a spectacular sight, and the contrast between the rocky spires and the smooth slopes of Kibo is striking. In preparation for your summit attempt, you will be served an early dinner after arriving at School Hut, before going to bed for an attempt at some shut-eye and rest. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks and headlamp before going to bed, as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. The anticipation builds as you lie in your hut, knowing that in just a few hours you will begin the final push to the roof of Africa.
Today is The Big Day, the summit stage. Your guide will wake you around midnight for a hot beverage and snacks before you begin your final ascent. The climb is long and strenuous, ascending through scree and volcanic rock. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5,220m, where the famous German geologist first explored Kilimanjaro crater in 1889, the climb slowly but surely goes upward. At sunrise, you should reach Gillmans Point at 5,681m, the crater rim of Kilimanjaro, where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. The moment when the first rays of sunlight illuminate the African landscape below is one of the most magical experiences you will ever witness. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night as warmth spreads across the crater rim. After a further hike of 1 to 2 hours, you will pass Stella Point at 5,730m to reach the highest summit on Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. Witness the awe-inspiring views from the highest point on the African continent, take your pictures to document your achievements and revel in an unforgettable experience. Your descent to Barafu Camp will be fast and dusty, but a warm meal and short rest awaits you, before proceeding downwards 3-4 hours to Millennium Camp. The descent is steep and requires careful footing, but the sense of accomplishment carries you through.
After breakfast the final day of your adventure begins, with a gentle trek down through the lush tropical rainforest to Mweka Gate at 1,630m, where we complete park formalities and receive your well-deserved summit certificates, which you can hang up with pride for the rest of your life. The descent through the rainforest is a beautiful contrast to the barren landscapes you experienced at higher altitudes. The sounds of birds, the smell of vegetation, and the cool, damp air are a welcome change. After approximately 6 to 7 hours of trekking, you will arrive back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. Our vehicles and driver will meet us at the gate to take you to your accommodation in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower, a cold swim, and a cold beer or two before a big evening celebration. The celebration dinner at the hotel is a wonderful way to mark this incredible achievement with your fellow climbers and the Ahsante Tours team.
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on your flight times, you could explore Moshi town and pick up some souvenirs before heading to the airport. We also welcome you to spare an hour of your day to plant a tree as part of our environmental conservation efforts in the Kilimanjaro region. Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania after your incredible Kilimanjaro experience. The Northern Circuit is the longest route on Kilimanjaro and completing it is a truly remarkable achievement that you will remember for the rest of your life.
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