Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Climb
The best Kilimanjaro Climbing 11 days northern circuit
Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Climb
The best Kilimanjaro Climbing 11 days northern circuit
Overview
The best Kilimanjaro Climbing 11 days northern circuit package is designed for climbers who want a scenic, lower-traffic, and well-acclimatized route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Northern Circuit is one of Kilimanjaro's longest routes, giving trekkers more time to adjust to altitude while crossing varied landscapes from rainforest and the Shira Plateau to alpine desert and the glacial summit zone. This corrected 11-day itinerary starts at Londorossi Gate and follows the route through Mti Mkubwa, Shira Camp, Moir Camp, Buffalo Camp, Rongai Third Cave, School Hut, Uhuru Peak, Millennium Camp, and Mweka Gate. Pre-climb arrival, airport transfer, hotel stay, equipment check, and guide briefing can be arranged before the trekking itinerary begins, so the package page displays exactly 11 climbing itinerary days.
Highlights
- Corrected to show exactly 11 climbing itinerary days for The best Kilimanjaro Climbing 11 days northern circuit
- The best Kilimanjaro Climbing 11 days northern circuit route for climbers seeking strong acclimatization and high summit success potential
- Follow the longest and newest Kilimanjaro route, known for scenic beauty, lower traffic, and a more gradual ascent
- Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at 5,895 meters / 19,341 feet
- Trek from Londorossi Gate through rainforest, Shira Plateau, Moir Camp, Buffalo Camp, Rongai Third Cave, School Hut, Uhuru Peak, and Mweka Gate
- Extra acclimatization time built into the route to improve comfort and summit readiness
- Experience diverse Kilimanjaro climate zones, including rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and glacial summit landscapes
- Summit attempt from School Hut to Uhuru Peak, followed by descent to Millennium Camp
- Camping-based mountain expedition with guides, porters, cook, park fees, crew wages, meals, and drinking water included
- Suitable for solo hikers, group joining climbers, friends, and families seeking a longer Kilimanjaro route
Itinerary
Day 1
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate at 2,100 meters for Kilimanjaro National Park registration, then continue to the trailhead around 2,360 meters. Begin the Northern Circuit trek through the rainforest to Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,820 meters. Distance is approximately 5.5 km / 3 miles with 3 to 4 hours of trekking. Wildlife such as elephants or buffalo may sometimes be seen near the forest trail.
Meals: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Day 2
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp 1
Continue from Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,820 meters towards Shira Camp 1 at 3,610 meters. The trail leaves the forest and enters open savannah, heather, volcanic rock, and streams before reaching Shira Ridge and descending gently to camp. Distance is approximately 5.5 km / 3 miles with 3 to 4 hours of trekking, with excellent views of Kibo across the plateau.
Meals: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation: Shira Camp 1
Day 3
Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2
Cross the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 at 3,610 meters to Shira Camp 2 at 3,850 meters. The trek covers approximately 7 km / 4 miles and takes around 3 to 4 hours through rainforest and low alpine landscapes. At Shira Camp 2, climbers can enjoy views across the valley and towards Kilimanjaro's Western Breach, with colder temperatures expected overnight.
Meals: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation: Shira Camp 2
Day 4
Shira Camp 2 to Moir Camp via Lava Tower
Trek east from Shira Camp 2 at 3,850 meters towards Moir Camp at 4,200 meters. This longer trekking day passes through the Garden of the Senecios and the high alpine desert zone, with lunch near Lava Tower and the Shark's Tooth formation at around 4,600 meters before descending to Moir Camp. Distance is approximately 14 km / 8 miles with 5 to 7 hours of trekking. This climb-high, sleep-low profile supports acclimatization.
Meals: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation: Moir Camp
Day 5
Moir Camp to Lava Tower Acclimatization Day
Use the day for acclimatization from Moir Camp towards Lava Tower. The route reaches approximately 4,600 meters and covers around 7 km with 4 to 6 hours of hiking in alpine desert terrain. Walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach, spend time acclimatizing around Lava Tower, then return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation: Moir Camp
Day 6
Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp
Leave Moir Camp at 4,200 meters and follow the Northern Circuit trail around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp at 4,020 meters. The trek is approximately 12 km / 7 miles and takes 5 to 7 hours. Climbers may take a small detour to Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before continuing through a series of ascents and descents with wide views towards the plains near the Kenya and Tanzania border.
Meals: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation: Buffalo Camp
Day 7
Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave
Start with a climb up Buffalo Ridge before descending towards Pofu Camp, where lunch is commonly served. Continue east around Kilimanjaro's northern slopes to Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek covers approximately 8 km / 5 miles and takes 5 to 7 hours through high and low alpine zones. By this stage, climbers should be increasingly well-acclimatized.
Meals: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation: Rongai Third Cave
Day 8
Third Cave Full-Day Acclimatization
Spend the day around Rongai Third Cave at approximately 3,800 meters for acclimatization. The package content notes approximately 15 km / 8 miles of trekking with 4 to 5 hours of walking through high alpine and glacial-zone landscapes. This day helps climbers prepare for the higher elevation approach to School Hut and the summit push.
Meals: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation: Rongai Third Cave
Day 9
Third Cave to School Hut
Climb steadily over the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi, then continue to School Hut. The route rises from about 12,700 feet to 15,600 feet and covers approximately 5 km / 3 miles in 4 to 5 hours. After arrival, rest and take an early dinner in preparation for the summit attempt.
Meals: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation: School Hut
Day 10
School Hut to Uhuru Peak and Millennium Camp
Begin the summit attempt around 11:30 pm with hot tea and biscuits before climbing the slopes of Kibo in darkness. Pass Hans Meyer Cave and continue towards Gilman's Point at 5,681 meters before reaching Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters, the highest point in Africa. After summit photos and brief time at the top, descend via Stella Point and continue down towards Millennium Camp at around 3,950 meters. This is the longest and most demanding day, with approximately 6 km / 3.5 miles ascent and 10.5 km / 6 miles descent, taking around 14 to 16 hours in total.
Meals: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation: Millennium Camp
Day 11
Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate and Transfer to Moshi
Complete the final descent from Millennium Camp at approximately 3,950 meters to Mweka Gate at 1,640 meters. The route covers around 10 km / 6.5 miles and takes 3 to 4 hours through dense montane rainforest. At the gate, sign out with park authorities and receive an official certificate depending on the highest point reached. After the climb, transfer back to your hotel in Moshi, with onward departure transfer arranged as needed.
Meals: Breakfast • Lunch
Accommodation: Moshi hotel or onward departure
Inclusions
- Guide and porters
- Kilimanjaro park fees and taxes
- Gate transfers
- Crew wages
- Environment fees
- Camping accommodation during the climb
- Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners during the climb
- Drinking water during the trek
- Cook
- Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
- Transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi on arrival
Exclusions
- International and domestic flights
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Tanzania visa fees
- Personal trekking gear not included in the package
- Travel insurance and medical insurance unless added separately
- Personal expenses before, during, or after the climb
- Extra hotel nights before or after the climb unless arranged
- Optional gear rental
Booking
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- Guide and porters
- Kilimanjaro park fees and taxes
- Gate transfers
- Crew wages
- Environment fees
- Camping accommodation during the climb
- Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners during the climb
- Drinking water during the trek
- Cook
- Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
- Transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi on arrival
FAQs
What is The best Kilimanjaro Climbing 11 days northern circuit package?
It is an 11-day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit trekking package that follows the scenic, lower-traffic route from Londorossi Gate through the Shira Plateau, Moir Camp, Buffalo Camp, Rongai Third Cave, School Hut, Uhuru Peak, and down to Mweka Gate. Pre-climb arrival and briefing can be arranged before Day 1.
Why choose the 11-day Northern Circuit route for Kilimanjaro?
The Northern Circuit is the longest and one of the most scenic Kilimanjaro routes. Its extended itinerary gives climbers more acclimatization time, which can improve comfort and summit success potential.
What is the stated summit success rate for this route?
The package content states a summit success rate of 95% to 98% for the 11-day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit route, due to the longer itinerary and acclimatization time.
Is camping included on this Kilimanjaro climb?
Yes. The package states that climbers camp throughout the climb, with guide, porters, cook, meals, drinking water, park fees, crew wages, and environment fees included.
What is the starting price for The best Kilimanjaro Climbing 11 days northern circuit?
The starting price provided for this package is USD 3,200 per person. Final pricing may vary depending on travel dates, group size, gear needs, and any extra services before or after the climb.