9 Days Northern Circuit Route

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania (Arusha)

Morning/Afternoon:

• Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport: Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to a hotel in Arusha for overnight accommodation.
• Rest & Briefing: After checking in, you will rest and take part in a pre-climb briefing. The briefing will cover the itinerary, what to expect on the trek, your gear, and the essential climbing information.

Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Arusha.

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

Morning:

• Transfer to Lemosho Gate: After breakfast, you will drive from Arusha to the Lemosho Gate (about 2.5 hours).
• Registration at the Gate: Upon arrival, you’ll register for the climb and start your adventure.
• Trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp: You will begin your trek through lush rainforest. The path is gradual, giving you a gentle start to the climb as you ascend through the tropical forest, where you might spot some wildlife.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp: This first night’s camp is nestled in the forest, providing a peaceful spot to rest.

Distance: 7 km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp.

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

Morning:

• Trek to Shira 1 Camp: After breakfast, you’ll continue your ascent through the montane forest. You’ll gradually transition into the moorland zone, characterized by expansive views and high-altitude landscapes. The hike is relatively steady, and you’ll start noticing the altitude difference.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Shira 1 Camp: The Shira Plateau offers vast, open views of Kilimanjaro, making for a stunning setting for the night.

Distance: 8 km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Overnight: Shira 1 Camp.

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

Morning:

• Trek to Shira 2 Camp: The morning’s trek will take you through the Shira Plateau. The terrain is mostly flat to gently sloping, and you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area and the looming summit of Kilimanjaro.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Shira 2 Camp: This camp is located on the edge of the plateau and offers incredible views of the mountain. It’s an excellent place for acclimatization.

Distance: 7 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Shira 2 Camp.

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

Morning:

• Climb to Lava Tower: After breakfast, you’ll head towards Lava Tower, a famous volcanic rock formation. The climb is gradual and provides excellent views of the entire mountain.

Afternoon:

• Descend to Barranco Camp: After reaching Lava Tower, you will descend to Barranco Camp. This descent helps with acclimatization, as you will sleep at a lower altitude than you reached earlier.

Distance: 10 km
Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Overnight: Barranco Camp.

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

Morning:

• Climb Barranco Wall: This is one of the most iconic parts of the Northern Circuit – the Barranco Wall. It’s a short but steep section where you’ll scramble over rocks and get great views of the surrounding valleys and ridges.

Afternoon:

• Continue to Karanga Camp: After conquering Barranco Wall, you’ll continue trekking through the Karanga Valley and ascend to Karanga Camp. The valley’s stunning scenery will make the trek even more enjoyable.

Distance: 5 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Karanga Camp.

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

Morning:

• Trek to Barafu Camp: You’ll begin your day with a steady ascent to Barafu Camp, which sits at the base of the summit. The terrain becomes more rocky and barren, and you’ll get excellent views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Barafu Camp: Barafu is the final camp before your summit attempt. Here, you’ll rest, have dinner, and get a good night’s sleep before the big climb.

Distance: 7 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Barafu Camp (prepare for summit day).

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

Midnight (Early Morning):

• Summit Attempt: The final push to Uhuru Peak begins around midnight from Barafu Camp. This is a long and challenging ascent that takes you through scree slopes and ice fields. The summit attempt will take several hours, and the thin air will make it difficult to breathe, but the incredible reward of reaching the top makes it worth the effort.

Early Morning:

• Reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m): After several hours of climbing, you’ll finally reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. You’ll have a few minutes to celebrate and take photos before heading back down.

Morning:

• Descend to Mweka Camp: After summiting, you’ll descend to Mweka Camp through the Mweka Route. The descent will take several hours, but the lower altitude will make it easier to breathe.

Distance: 12 km ascent, 13 km descent
Trekking time: 7-8 hours ascent, 5-6 hours descent

Overnight: Mweka Camp.

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

Morning:

• Final Descent: After breakfast, you’ll descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, where the trek ends. You’ll pass through the rainforest once again and enjoy the lush vegetation.

Afternoon:

• Mweka Gate: At the gate, you’ll receive your summit certificate (green for reaching Barafu Camp, gold for reaching Uhuru Peak).
• Return to Arusha: Afterward, you’ll be transferred back to Arusha for a celebration dinner and rest, or transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure.

Distance: 10 km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours

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