9 Days Northern Circuit Route – Kilimanjaro Trek

Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi (800m/2,625ft)

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Transfer to Moshi town
• Briefing with your trekking company
• Overnight in a hotel in Moshi

Day 2: Moshi to Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m/8,700ft)

• Drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate (2,100m/6,890ft)
• Complete park formalities at the gate
• Start trekking through the lush rainforest
• Reach Mti Mkubwa Camp for overnight

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp (3,505m/11,499ft)

• Continue trekking through the rainforest
• Reach the heather moorland zone
• Ascend to Shira 1 Camp located on the Shira Plateau
• Spectacular views of Mount Meru and the Shira Ridge
• Overnight at Shira 1 Camp

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp (3,840m/12,598ft)

• Trek across the Shira Plateau
• Ascend towards Lava Tower (4,630m/15,190ft) for acclimatization
• Descend to Shira 2 Camp
• Views of the rugged terrain and expansive landscapes
• Overnight at Shira 2 Camp

Day 5: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut (4,200m/13,780ft)

• Ascend through alpine desert terrain
• Cross the vast expanse of the high desert
• Reach Moir Hut, located in a desolate but stunning setting
• Excellent acclimatization gains
• Overnight at Moir Hut

Day 6: Moir Hut to Pofu Camp (4,000m/13,123ft)

• Trek through the lunar-like landscape of the high desert
• Traverse the slopes of Lent Hills
• Descend into a valley to reach Pofu Camp
• Spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and surrounding landscape
• Overnight at Pofu Camp

Day 7: Pofu Camp to Third Cave Camp (3,870m/12,696ft)

• Continue trekking through the alpine desert
• Descend into the Great Barranco Valley
• Climb the Barranco Wall, a challenging but rewarding section
• Reach Third Cave Camp situated in the Karanga Valley
• Overnight at Third Cave Camp

Day 8: Third Cave Camp to School Hut (4,800m/15,748ft)

• Ascend through rocky terrain towards School Hut
• Pass through the desolate landscape of the alpine desert
• Final acclimatization push before the summit
• Reach School Hut, the last camp before the summit attempt
• Prepare for the summit bid
• Overnight at School Hut

Day 9: School Hut to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)

• Begin summit attempt around midnight
• Trek through the darkness under starlight
• Reach Gilman’s Point (5,681m/18,638ft) at the edge of the crater rim by dawn
• Continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa
• Descend back to School Hut for a short rest and meal
• Continue descending to Mweka Camp through alpine desert and moorland
• Celebration and reflection on the summit achievement
• Overnight at Mweka Camp

Day 10: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,640m/5,380ft) to Moshi

• Descend through the rainforest
• Reach Mweka Gate, where you’ll sign out and receive certificates
• Transfer back to Moshi
• Celebration dinner and overnight in a hotel in Moshi