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Climb Kilimanjaro via the Northern circuit route with highlights including....

  • A non-technical high altitude challenge of reaching Africa's highest point, Uhuru peak at 5985m or 19,341ft approaching via Kibo / Gilmans point and nights spent in mountain huts.
  • A friendly and proffessional support team of guides, cook, waiter and porters with external monitoring for fair working standards on each and every trek.
  • Spectacular 'equator to arctic' scenery of the mountain through a mountain forest, heather, moorland, alpine desert and snowy summit nearly 360o around the mountain.
  • 8 to 10 day trekking options with 9 days our recommended option for this route and 1 night before and after at a base lodge in Moshi.
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Day 1 - Arrival & pre-climb briefing at a Moshi based lodge

Direct arrival at a lodge in Moshi at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. This evening you will have a pre-climb briefing with your guide and a consultant.

  • Check in time: 12:00pm
  • Expected briefing time: 17:00pm
  • Meals included: none

Day 2 - Moshi based lodge to Londrossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big tree) camp

Depart Moshi to Londorosi gate, upon arrival at the gate complete park formalities, you will then be driven to Lemosho starting point, start your hike through a rain forest while enjoying watching wild animals.

  • Approx driving distance: 3-4 hours
  • Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 7km
  • Start Altitude: 2100m
  • End Altitude: 2780m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 2780m
  • Altitude gain: 680m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Mti Mkubwa (Big tree) camp to Shira One camp

Continue through the forest, steeply climbing into the heather and moorland zone, crossing the Shira Ridge, and descending into the Shira Plateau.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 4-5 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 7-8km
  • Start Altitude: 2780m
  • End Altitude: 3500m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 3700m
  • Altitude gain: 720m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Shira One camp to Moir camp

A long day of trekking across the heather and moorland, arriving at the base of the alpine desert, the destination for today.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 9-11 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 12km
  • Start Altitude: 3500m
  • End Altitude: 4030m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 4140m
  • Altitude gain: 640m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Moir camp to Pofu camp

Today you leave Moir Valley behind and continue in the alpine desert zone. Your night will be spent at a lower altitude than the night before.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 8-10 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 11km
  • Start Altitude: 4140m
  • End Altitude: 4030m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 4140m
  • Altitude loss: 110m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Pofu camp to Third cave camp

Make your way across the alpine desert, as you trail ends joining the Rongai route where once again your night will be spent at a slightly lower altitude than the night before.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 6-7 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 7km
  • Start Altitude: 4030m
  • End Altitude: 3935m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 4030m
  • Altitude loss: 95m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Third cave camp to Kibo camp

Journey across the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 3-5 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 8km
  • Start Altitude: 3935m
  • End Altitude: 4700m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 4700m
  • Altitude gain: 765m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Kibo Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka camp

Around mid-night start for the summit to Gilman’s Point (5681m) and then continue to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Descend Barafu Camp for a short break and later continue to Millennium Camp or Mweka Camp for overnight.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 14-18 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 21km
  • Start Altitude: 4700m
  • End Altitude: 3080m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 5895m
  • Altitude gain / loss: +1195m / -2815m
  • Meals included: Pre-climb snack, brunch and dinner

Day 9 - Mweka camp to Mweka gate to a Moshi based lodge

Today is the final day on the mountain; enjoy your breakfast before descending to Mweka gate passing through forest zone. Upon arrival at the gate complete park formalities and tipping ceremony with your support team. Our driver will then transfer you to Moshi.

  • Approx driving distance: 0.5-1 hours
  • Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 10km
  • Start Altitude: 3080m
  • End Altitude: 1680m (park gates)
  • Highest Altitude reached: 3080m
  • Altitude loss: 1400m
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10 - End of our services after check-out.

After check-out our services end or you can include extra activities, a safari, beach extension or a airport transfer.

  • Check out time: 10:00am
  • Meals included: Breakfast
9 days on trek * Recommended *
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa > Shira 1 > Shira 2 > Moir > Pofu > Third Cave > Kibo / School hut > Mweka

Day 1 - Arrival & pre-climb briefing at a Moshi based lodge

Direct arrival at a lodge in Moshi at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. This evening you will have a pre-climb briefing with your guide and a consultant.

  • Check in time: 12:00pm
  • Expected briefing time: 17:00pm
  • Meals included: none

Day 2 - Moshi based lodge to Londrossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big tree) camp

Depart Moshi to Londorosi gate, upon arrival at the gate complete park formalities, you will then be driven to Lemosho starting point, start your hike through a rain forest while enjoying watching wild animals.

  • Approx driving distance: 3-4 hours
  • Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 7km
  • Start Altitude: 2100m
  • End Altitude: 2780m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 2780m
  • Altitude gain: 680m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Mti Mkubwa (Big tree) camp to Shira One camp

Continue through the forest, steeply climbing into the heather and moorland zone, crossing the Shira Ridge, and descending into the Shira Plateau.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 4-5 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 7-8km
  • Start Altitude: 2780m
  • End Altitude: 3500m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 3700m
  • Altitude gain: 720m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Shira One camp to Shira Two camp

A slow-paced hike across the Shira Plateau through the heather and moorland.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 3-5 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 6km
  • Start Altitude: 3500m
  • End Altitude: 3900m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 3900m
  • Altitude gain: 400m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Shira Two camp to Moir camp

A short trek arriving at the base of the alpine desert, the destination for today.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 2-3 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 4km
  • Start Altitude: 3900m
  • End Altitude: 4140m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 4140m
  • Altitude gain: 240m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Moir camp to Pofu camp

Today you leave Moir Valley behind and continue in the alpine desert zone. Your night will be spent at a lower altitude than the night before.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 8-10 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 11km
  • Start Altitude: 4140m
  • End Altitude: 4030m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 4140m
  • Altitude loss: 110m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Pofu camp to Third cave camp

Make your way across the alpine desert, as you trail ends joining the Rongai route where once again your night will be spent at a slightly lower altitude than the night before.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 6-7 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 7km
  • Start Altitude: 4030m
  • End Altitude: 3935m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 4030m
  • Altitude loss: 95m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Third cave camp to Kibo camp

Journey across the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 3-5 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 8km
  • Start Altitude: 3935m
  • End Altitude: 4700m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 4700m
  • Altitude gain: 765m
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Kibo Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka camp

Around mid-night start for the summit to Gilman’s Point (5681m) and then continue to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Descend Barafu Camp for a short break and later continue to Millennium Camp or Mweka Camp for overnight.

  • Approx driving distance: None
  • Approximate trekking time: 14-18 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 21km
  • Start Altitude: 4700m
  • End Altitude: 3080m
  • Highest Altitude reached: 5895m
  • Altitude gain / loss: +1195m / -2815m
  • Meals included: Pre-climb snack, brunch and dinner

Day 10 - Mweka camp to Mweka gate to a Moshi based lodge

Today is the final day on the mountain; enjoy your breakfast before descending to Mweka gate passing through forest zone. Upon arrival at the gate complete park formalities and tipping ceremony with your support team. Our driver will then transfer you to Moshi.

  • Approx driving distance: 0.5-1 hours
  • Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
  • Approximate trekking distance: 10km
  • Start Altitude: 3080m
  • End Altitude: 1680m (park gates)
  • Highest Altitude reached: 3080m
  • Altitude loss: 1400m
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11 - End of our services after check-out.

After check-out our services end or you can include extra activities, a safari, beach extension or a airport transfer.

  • Check out time: 10:00am
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Oh no! - This might be a little too long for this route

Although a 10 day trek is possible, we usually recommend the 9 day Northern circuit option as the best possible trek on Kilimanjaro with a great acclimatisation profile. 10 days may be too long to spend on the mountain and does not necessarily increase chances of summiting. We can still prepare a custom itinerary if you wan't this many days on Africa's highest mountain.

Northern circuit route

Minimum days: 8 days on trek
Maximum days: 10 days on trek
We recommend: 9 days on trek & 2 nights at a lodge
Level: Intermediate
Overnights: Tents
Price range: High
Ascent / Descent: Londrossi / Mweka
Acclimatisation & success: High
Circuit: Northern circuit
Traffic: Low

We are often asked which is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro on or which has the best scenery or the best acclimatisation. The Northern circuit is the answer to all of these questions and more. This is relatively new route introduced as a variation to the Lemosho / southern circuit approach and is commonly referred to as Kilimanjaro 360 as it practically covers the entire mountain.

This route is a camping based route and always includes a portable toilet as some of the remote camps on the Northern slopes do not have public facilities. This means the price is usually higher than other routes however also means it is one of the quietest.

The Northern circuit starts from the west and follows the same path as the Lemosho route for the first couple days. From here you divert towards the Northern Icefields and circle the mountain clockwise till the remote northern slops. Your journey continues clockwise and eventually joins the Rongai route on the North east / East to summit via Kibo / Gilmans point and finally descend via Mweka.

We recommend a minimum of 9 days via this route to offer the best acclimatisation profile and maximise your chances of reaching the summit and enjoying the huge variety of scenery offered.

 

Location

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Did you know this tour is externally monitored?

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Standard packages usually include:

  • 1 Night accommodation at a base lodge on BB basis before trek
  • 1 Night accommodation at a base lodge on BB basis after trek
  • All National Park conservation, park entry, hut, ranger and rescue fees for itinerary
  • Trained, certified and experienced English speaking mountain guide/s
  • Mountain porters (1 x porter carrying personal mountain luggage of 12kg for Meru per 1 person)
  • Chef/cook, waiter porter and eating utensils
  • Meals indicated on the itineraries [B = breakfast, L = Hot lunch or packed lunch, D = dinner]
  • 1 x transfer from a Moshi or Arusha based lodge to park gates; per group
  • 1 x transfer back to a Moshi or Arusha based lodge to park gates; per group
  • Boiled drinking water on trek (from 1st hut on-wards)
  • Basic first aid kit per group
  • 1 pulse oximeter per group for twice daily health checks with guide

Optional extras and comfort upgrades:

  • Supplemental oxygen or emergency oxygen cylinders
  • Comfort upgrades such as a personal porters for extra luggage, summit porters etc.
  • Airport or other transfers
  • Additional transfers from park gates to lodges
  • Domestic flights
  • Extra nights’ accommodation at a lodge
  • Personal mountain equipment such as sleeping bags, walking poles, duffel bags etc.

Our standard packaged usually exclude:

  • Tips / gratuities
  • Beverages such as soft drinks, alcohol etc.
  • International flights
  • High altitude trekking insurance (visit recommended provider)
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Water on first day of trek
  • Metal & hard plastic water bottles, water bladders etc. (note: soft plastics are not permitted on the mountain)
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When to visit


These recommendations are based on weather predictions and trends.

Excellent time

January, February, July to October, December

Good time

March, June, November

Mixed time

April, May

Why choose us?

Here are some of the top reasons thousands have chosen Shah Tours.

35+ years experience

We are not just saying it, we have decades of experience with many guides having worked with us for years and years creating memories since 1984.

Family owned

Currently on the third generation of the 'Shah' in Shah Tours, we have always been family owned bringing the experience and passion of many generations.

Responsible

We are part of multiple organisations to ensure our standards are high. Some of our tours are also externally monitored to ensure fair and independent monitoring.

Superior guides

Most of our guides have worked with us for many years and have plenty of training, skill and real world experience to offer a superb and friendly experience in multiple languages.

Safe and Reliable

Policies for safety and operations ensure our tours are enjoyable and safe. Some companies still operate without licenses and cut corners, we are not one of them!

Happy clients

Although we have never counted exactly, we can safely say that many tens of 1000's have travelled with us and left happy. We continually improve based on feedback.

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