8 Days Northern Circuit Route

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania (Arusha)

Morning/Afternoon:

• Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport: Arrive in Tanzania and meet your guide.
• Transfer to Arusha: You’ll be transferred to your hotel in Arusha (about 1.5 hours from the airport).
• Rest & Briefing: Relax and rest after your long flight. You’ll have a pre-climb briefing with your guide about the trek, packing, and what to expect on the mountain.

Overnight: Stay at a comfortable hotel in Arusha.

Day 2: Arusha to Lemosho Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)

Morning:

• Transfer to Lemosho Gate: After breakfast, you’ll drive to Lemosho Gate (about a 2.5-hour drive from Arusha). Here, you’ll complete registration and park formalities.
• Start Trekking: Begin your trek through the rainforest zone along a well-maintained path. Expect to see lush vegetation, tropical birds, and monkeys.

Afternoon:

• Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp: The trek is moderate with an altitude gain of about 600 meters. You will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp, a peaceful and quiet site.

Distance: 7 km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Overnight: Stay at Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp (3,550m)

Morning:

• Trek to Shira 1 Camp: After breakfast, you will continue your climb through the montane forest and into the moorland zone. You’ll have amazing views of Kilimanjaro’s majestic peak as you ascend. The trail is more open, and the vegetation begins to change.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Shira 1 Camp: The camp is located on the Shira Plateau, offering stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Distance: 8 km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Overnight: Stay at Shira 1 Camp.

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)

Morning:

• Trek to Shira 2 Camp: This day is shorter but will help with acclimatization. You will climb up to Shira 2 Camp, passing through the moorland and enjoying fantastic views of the mountain. You may also take a short acclimatization hike in the afternoon to help your body adjust to the altitude.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Shira 2 Camp: This camp is located just beneath the Shira Plateau, offering great views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s western side.

Distance: 7 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Stay at Shira 2 Camp.

Day 5: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower (4,630m) to Barranco Camp (3,960m)

Morning:

• Trek to Lava Tower: You’ll hike up to the Lava Tower, an incredible volcanic formation that sits at an altitude of 4,630m. The hike to Lava Tower is relatively challenging but essential for acclimatization.

Afternoon:

• Descend to Barranco Camp: After reaching Lava Tower, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp for the night. This is an important acclimatization strategy to help your body adjust to the altitude.

Distance: 10 km
Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Overnight: Stay at Barranco Camp.

Day 6: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (3,995m)

Morning:

• Barranco Wall: Begin your trek with a challenging section known as the Barranco Wall, a steep ridge that offers fantastic views of the surrounding valleys and the summit. It’s a rocky scramble, but it’s not too technical and should be manageable with good fitness.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Karanga Camp: After climbing the Barranco Wall, you will descend into the Karanga Valley and head up to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter trekking day, allowing for more rest and acclimatization.

Distance: 5 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Stay at Karanga Camp.

Day 7: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

Morning:

• Trek to Barafu Camp: After breakfast, you will continue your ascent through the Karanga Valley and gain altitude as you head to Barafu Camp, the base camp for your summit attempt. The terrain will change, and you’ll notice the air becoming thinner as you climb higher.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Barafu Camp: Once at Barafu Camp, rest, eat, and prepare for the upcoming summit attempt. You will sleep early tonight because your summit attempt starts in the middle of the night.

Distance: 7 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Stay at Barafu Camp.

Day 8: Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and Descent to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Midnight (Early Morning):

• Summit Attempt: After a light meal, you will begin the summit trek around midnight. This is the hardest part of the climb, as you will hike through the night to reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Morning:

• Uhuru Peak (5,895m): After a strenuous climb, you will finally reach the summit at Uhuru Peak, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the glaciers and surrounding landscapes.

Descent to Mweka Camp: After spending some time at the summit and celebrating your achievement, you will begin your descent back down to Mweka Camp. The descent is long, but it’s easier as you descend to lower altitudes.

Afternoon/Evening:

• Arrive at Mweka Camp: After your summit attempt, you will rest at Mweka Camp for the night.

Distance: 12 km ascent, 13 km descent
Trekking time: 6-7 hours ascent, 5-6 hours descent

Overnight: Stay at Mweka Camp.

Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,640m) and Drive to Arusha

Morning:

• Final Descent: After breakfast, you’ll descend to Mweka Gate through the lush rainforest. This is the final part of the trek and takes a few hours.

Afternoon:

• Mweka Gate: At the gate, you’ll receive your certificates (green for reaching Barafu Camp, gold for reaching Uhuru Peak). Then, you’ll be transferred back to Arusha.

Evening:

• Arrival in Arusha: You’ll return to your hotel in Arusha, where you can relax, celebrate, and reflect on your achievement.

Overnight: Stay at your hotel in Arusha or transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure.