10 DAYS NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMBING

ITINERARY

Day 0: Touchdown in Tanzania
You will be met by your guide, who will give you a briefing on your forthcoming trip and check your equipment to make sure you have all the appropriate mountain gear, when you are picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and taken to your hotel in Moshi town. On this day, the missing equipment can be rented. No meals are included.

DAY 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa
Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 6 km | 4 miles
Habitat: Rain Forest
After early breakfast in the Moshi hotel and a day’s hike Guide briefing, you will be driving 3-4 hours to the Kilimanjaro national park’s Londorosi gate for entry registration formalities. After registration and lunch pack you drive 45 minutes to the trailhead to commence your hiking through the rainforest to the Mti Mkubwa Camp.

DAY 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 8 km | 5 miles
Habitat: Health
We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

DAY 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 7 km | 4 miles
Habitat: Health
We explore the Shira Plateau. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. The heath zone displays abundant wildflowers and unique Senecio trees.

DAY 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Moir Hut
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Distance: 7 km | 4 miles
Lava Tower to Moir Hut
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,580 ft
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Distance: 7 km | 4 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 5: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
Elevation: 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 12 km | 7 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We trek out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers great views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.

DAY 6: Buffalo Camp to Third Cave
Elevation: 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 8 km | 5 miles
Habitat: Health
As we head up Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly sparse. This route is rarely travelled and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. We trek through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave.

DAY 7: Third Cave to School Hut
Elevation: 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue on to our camp, School Hut. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

DAY 8: School Hut Camp to Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp
School Hut to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,600 ft to 19,341 ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 7 km | 4 miles
Habitat: Glacial and all preceding

Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 18,865 ft
Hiking Time: 1 hour
Distance: 1 km | 0.6 miles
Habitat: Glacial and all preceding
We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 7.00 am on a switchback trail through loose volcanic screen to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point. You rest here for a short time before you continue on to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. After celebrating with few summit photos we begin our descent into Kibo Crater to camp for the night.

DAY 9: Crater Camp to Millennium Camp
Elevation: 18,865 ft to 10,065 ft
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: 12 km | 7 miles
Habitat: Arctic
You wake up early to hike to the Crater Rim in time to see the sunrise. From the rim, you descend down to the Millennium campsite. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose gravel down to the Millennium Camp. Later in the evening, you will enjoy your dinner on the mountain and a well –earned sleep.

DAY 10:Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 12 km | 7 miles
Habitat: Rain Forest
Your final day in the on the trek! Departing after breakfast, you descend a further 1,300 metres to the Mweka Park Gate to pick up your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. From there you will transfer to your hotel for a well-earned shower and celebration.

PRICE PER PERSON $

At Shalom Trekking Adventure, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality climbs at competitive prices. Our pricing ensures that we cover all park fees, provide fair wages to our staff, supply ample food, and offer proper equipment—all while delivering exceptional service to our clients. As true adventurers at heart, we are committed to making the experience of climbing Kilimanjaro accessible and affordable. We believe that achieving extraordinary feats shouldn’t come at an extraordinary cost.

Detailed Price Explanation

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