Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route
The Northern Circuit route is the longest and newest of the seven established Kilimanjaro routes. It’s one of the best routes because of its great acclimatisation profile, high summit success rate, stunning views, and comparatively relaxed pace. It’s also much less crowded than the other Kilimanjaro routes. Simply put, it’s one of the best ways to experience the roof of Africa.
Learn more about the different Kilimanjaro routes in this video.
Follow Alice’s view
The Northern Circuit is definitely our favourite Kilimanjaro route along with the Lemosho route. If you have the extra time to spare, we believe that the Northern Circuit is the best route for experiencing Mount Kilimanjaro. For starters, it offers stunning scenery including the quiet, rarely visited northern slope. The Northern Circuit is the only route to show you this side of the mountain! You also get to explore more of Kilimanjaro via this slightly longer route, therreby enjoying its various environments thoroughly. We recommend choosing this Kilimanjaro climb route if you have the extra time and money available.
Highlights
✓ Good acclimatisation profile
✓ High success rate
✓ Beautiful scenery
✓ Panoramic views
✓ Varied terrain
✓ Quieter than other routes
Considerations
– Forest section is muddy in wet season
– Longer than other routes
– More expensive than other routes
– Trekkers can experience trekking fatigue
The Northern Circuit route is for climbers who have a little more time, really want to explore the mountain, and wish to avoid the crowds.
What is the scenery like on the Northern Circuit route?
The Northern Circuit route is one of the most beautiful of all seven established Kilimanjaro routes. In fact, it might be the most beautiful route of all! Along the route you have the chance to witness all of the different environments and ecosystems the mountain has to offer. Catch a glimpse of Mt Meru floating on the clouds from the Shira Plateau. Then traverse the less-visited northern flank of the mountain to enjoy fabulous vistas across vast lowlands. You end the trek at a different gate from the starting one, so there’s also no backtracking on the trail – you’re always trekking fresh trail. The Northern Circuit route provides opportunity for a truly remarkable adventure to the top of Kilimanjaro.
How hard is the Northern Circuit?
No Kilimanjaro climb is easy, but the Northern Circuit route is one of the easier climbs because of its great acclimatisation profile. It has great ‘climb high, sleep low’ opportunities, and as such is the Kilimanjaro route with the highest summit success rate. Put simply, with the right Kilimanjaro preparation anyone can climb it. (You might like to read Trekking tips for beginners.)
What is the Northern Circuit summit success rate?
The Northern Circuit is the longest Kilimanjaro route and also provides many opportunities to climb high and sleep low, both of which give it an excellent acclimatisation profile. The summit success rate of the Northern Circuit route is the highest on the mountain. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all Kilimanjaro operators for the Northern Circuit is 90%. Follow Alice has a success rate of 95% for the Northern Circuit!
How long does it take to hike the Northern Circuit route?
The Northern Circuit route can be completed in a minimum of eight days, but we recommend the nine-day itinerary. This extra day gives you more time to acclimatise. Further, climbing Kilimanjaro isn’t a race. Especially with this route, the whole idea is to take your time and soak in everything the mountain has to offer! In our experience, most people who have completed the right Kilimanjaro preparation complete the Northern Circuit route with no real problems.
How busy is the Northern Circuit route?
The Northern Circuit route is the least frequented of the Kilimanjaro routes. The route circles around the quieter northern slope to the east side of the mountain. You get to enjoy remotes slopes and seldom-used camps. It’s the perfect option if you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxed Kilimanjaro climb.
What is accommodation like on the Northern Circuit route?
The Northern Circuit route only offers camping accommodation. If you climb Kilimanjaro with Follow Alice then all of your camping equipment is provided for you: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and pillow. Further, all tents are pitched and then taken down by our dedicated mountain crew. throughout the trek.
What does the Northern Circuit route cost?
Follow Alice offers the Northern Circuit route as a nine-day group or private climb. This costs $3,185 per person (based on double occupancy). The fee includes nine days on the mountain and one day either side at our beautiful partner lodge in Moshi. For more information on inclusions and exclusions, as well as more details about the trip, head to our Kilimanjaro climb page.
“The summit is worth every tough step it takes, and it’s completely breathtaking to be the highest person on the African continent for a little while.” Stephen Hemmings
9-day Northern Circuit itinerary
The trek starts at Londorossi Gate. You climb to the summit and then descend to Mweka Gate.
| Day | Start | Altitude (m) | Altitude (ft) | Finish | Altitude (m) | Altitude (ft) | Time (hr) | Distance (km) | Distance (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lemosho Gate | 2,100 | 7,742 | Mti Mkubwa | 2,895 | 9,498 | 3-4 | 6 | 4 |
| 2 | Mti Mkubwa | 2,895 | 9,498 | Shira 1 Camp | 3,505 | 11,500 | 5-6 | 8 | 5 |
| 3 | Shira 1 Camp | 3,505 | 11,500 | Shira 2 Camp | 3,810 | 12,500 | 3-4 | 7 | 4 |
| 4 | Shira 2 Camp | 3,810 | 12,500 | Moir Hut | 4,206 | 13,800 | 3-4 | 7 | 4 |
| 5 | Moir Hut | 4,206 | 13,800 | Pofu Camp | 4,033 | 13,231 | 5-7 | 12 | 7 |
| 6 | Pofu Camp | 4,033 | 13,231 | Third Cave | 3,870 | 12,700 | 5-7 | 8 | 5 |
| 7 | Third Cave | 3,870 | 12,700 | Kibo Hut | 4,750 | 15,600 | 4-5 | 5 | 3 |
| 8 | Kibo Hut | 4,750 | 15,600 | Uhuru Peak | 5,895 | 19,341 | 6-8 | 6 | 4 |
| Uhuru Peak | 5,895 | 19,341 | Mweka Camp | 3,068 | 10,065 | 4-6 | 12 | 7 | |
| 9 | Mweka Camp | 3,068 | 10,065 | Mweka Gate | 1,640 | 5,380 | 3-4 | 10 | 6 |
Northern Circuit elevation in profile
The graphs below show the elevation of the Northern Circuit route in profile – first in metres, then in feet. This gives you a good idea of how the climb proceeds day by day and landmark by landmark.
Northern Circuit itinerary
When trekking the Northern Circuit you approach the summit of Kilimanjaro from the west. Before the climbing can begin, you leave Moshi and take a four-hour drive to Londorossi Gate. You sign into Kilimanjaro National Park, then drive to Lemosho Gate.
From Lemosho Gate, you follow the same first couple of days as the Lemosho route, which involves trekking through beautiful rainforest to Shira Ridge.
From Shira Ridge, you cross the open terrain of Shira Plateau. From here you head in an easterly direction towards Moir Camp, which is nestled behind a ridge near the famous Lava Tower. You then head around the northern approach route via Pofu Camp and join up with the Rongai route at Third Cave.
Next, you ascend to Kibo Hut, where the route joins with that of the Marangu route. From here you make your summit attempt.
You then descend back down the mountain via the Mweka route on the south side of the mountain.
The Northern Circuit is the best Kilimanjaro route for acclimatisation because of its longer climb.
Day 1: Lemosho Gate to Mkubwa Camp
Today you drive to Londorossi Park Gate, where you’re recorded in the Kilimanjaro National Park records. You then start the trek from Lemosho Gate, hiking through mountain rainforest for three to four hours to reach Mkubwa Camp, where you stay the night.
Day 2: Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Today you trek through the last of the rainforest, before entering moorland terrain. The trail leads towards Shira Plateau and Shira Camp 1, where you stay the night. All in all today’s hike takes about five to six hours.
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Today you make your way across the Shira Plateau to Shira Camp 2 on a trek that lasts just three to four hours. Temperatures start to change rather dramatically at this point of the trek, with the nights sometimes plummeting below freezing.
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut
On this day you can expect a lengthy trek of five to seven hours through the high alpine desert. You climb to Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth rock formation. You then head back down Moir Camp. This is an important acclimatisation day.
Day 5: Moir Hut to Pofu Camp
Today you hike for five to seven hours. The trek The trek begins with a steep incline as you journey around Kibo’s north face. You then walk through the alpine desert to reach Pofu Camp, where you spend the night.
Day 6: Pofu Camp to Third Cave
Much like the past couple of days, the journey today is lengthy but can be very rewarding. Buffaloes are sometimes spotted here. You cross valleys on this trek of five to seven hours and end at Third Cave, where you stay the night.
Day 7: Third Cave to Kibo Hut
Today you undertake a steady climb over the Saddle, a stretch of barren land connecting the two peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The terrain is pretty inhospitable, being high-altitude desert. You climb for four to five hours to arrive at School Hut, where you get some rest before the big day!
Day 8: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Today is summit day! It’s all been leading to this, so it’s time to dig deep and use all of your determination to reach the top. Picture yourself standing on the roof of Africa and enjoying those unparalleled views!
Part 1 | Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
Your guide wakes you up around midnight to begin your trek to the summit! The route ascends northwest into the dark night. In about six hours you reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,685 m (18,651 ft) above sea level. Having enjoyed the sunrise, you continue for an hour or so on a snow-covered trail to reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) above sea level. You’re now standing at the very top of Africa having achieved a truly remarkable feat!
Part 2 | Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
After reaching the summit, you descend to Mweka Camp at 3,110 m (10,204 ft) above sea level. Here you spend your final night on the mountain after having hiked for about 12 to 15 hours today!
Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Today you do the last bit of hiking down to the foot of the mountain, where your driver meets you. Time for high-fives and a celebratory drink!
The 7 Kilimanjaro routes
- Lemosho Route
The Lemosho is the most beautiful Kilimanjaro route. - Machame Route
The Machame is the most popular Kilimanjaro route. - Marangu Route
The Marangu route offers hut accommodation. - Rongai Route
The Rongai is the only route that approaches from the north. - Shira Route
The Shira route approaches from the western side of Kilimanjaro. - Northern Circuit Route
The Northern Circuit is the newest and longest Kilimanjaro route. - Umbwe Route
The Umbwe is the shortest, steepest and hardest route.
Keen to explore more of Tanzania?
If you want to add a little adventure onto the end of your Kilimanjaro climb, we recommend going on a Tanzania safari – you won’t find a better African safari! Or hop over the border into Uganda to trek with mountain gorillas. Alternatively, if you’ve limited time and budget, why not do one or two extra activities in the Kilimanjaro region like visit a Maasai village or a coffee farm?
