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Kilimanjaro Tours
8 or 10 Days
$ 2,470
The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro’s newest and longest officially recognised route, opened in 2012 specifically to relieve pressure on the mountain’s busier southern paths. Starting like Lemosho, via the remote Londorossi Gate and across the Shira Plateau, the Northern Circuit then breaks away to loop around the mountain’s quiet, rarely-visited northern slopes, close to the Kenyan border, before curving back to approach the summit from a different angle than any other route.
This extended, near-360-degree circumnavigation gives climbers by far the best built-in acclimatisation on the mountain, and correspondingly the highest summit success rate of any established route. It’s also, by a wide margin, the quietest high-altitude experience Kilimanjaro has to offer, crossing terrain that most climbers on the more popular routes never see. The Northern Circuit is available as an 8-day or 10-day climb, with the longer option adding further time to fully explore this remote side of the mountain.
Your climb begins with a road transfer to the remote Londorossi Gate (2,100m) on Kilimanjaro's western side. From here, like the Lemosho Route, the trail enters genuinely untouched montane rainforest, considerably quieter than the busier southern approaches used by most other routes.
After roughly 3–4 hours of gentle hiking, you'll reach Mti Mkubwa, or “Big Tree Camp,” named for the impressive old-growth trees surrounding the site. This is where the Northern Circuit's path begins its long divergence from the more heavily used routes, setting the tone for the quieter days ahead.
A forest camp shared with Lemosho climbers on Day 1.
Today's hike leaves the forest behind and climbs onto the edge of the Shira Plateau, with the vegetation transitioning to moorland as you gain altitude. The views open up considerably as the trail crosses the plateau's western rim.
After around 5 hours, you'll arrive at Shira 1 Camp, set on the vast, otherworldly Shira Plateau — the flattened remains of an ancient volcanic cone, now covered in alpine desert vegetation with sweeping views in most directions.
The first camp on the vast, high-altitude Shira Plateau.
Today the Northern Circuit begins to distinguish itself from Lemosho and Machame, breaking away from the more commonly travelled path toward Lava Tower and instead curving north toward Moir Hut, a small, little-used camp tucked beneath the Lent Hills.
Many itineraries include a short acclimatisation walk up the Lent Hills themselves from here, adding valuable extra altitude exposure before the main circuit begins in earnest. The quiet of this camp, far from any other route on the mountain, is a genuine highlight for those seeking solitude.
A small, rarely-visited camp beneath the Lent Hills.
The trail continues its loop around Kilimanjaro's northern slopes, crossing genuinely remote terrain that few climbers ever experience. Wildlife sightings, including the buffalo tracks that give this camp its name, are more common here than almost anywhere else on the mountain.
This stretch of the circuit offers some of Kilimanjaro's most dramatic, least-photographed views, with the summit's northern glaciers visible from angles unavailable on any other route.
Remote northern-slope camp, named for the wildlife tracks often seen nearby.
Continuing the circuit eastward, the trail begins curving back toward the mountain's approach routes, crossing increasingly rocky, high-altitude terrain. The remoteness of this stretch means genuinely quiet, uncrowded hiking even during the busiest months on the mountain's southern trails.
Third Cave Camp offers a comfortable stop before the final push toward the higher camps, with sweeping views back across the northern circuit you've just completed.
A quiet stop on the eastward stretch of the circuit.
Today's hike brings you to School Hut, positioned on the mountain's northern approach to the summit, distinct from the Barafu-based approach used by Machame, Umbwe, and Lemosho. This is one of the closer camps to the summit itself, shortening summit night compared to some other routes.
The rest of the day is spent resting and preparing for the climb ahead, with an early dinner and an attempt at a few hours' sleep before an unusually early wake-up call.
The final camp before summit night, on the mountain's quieter northern approach.
Summit night begins around midnight, with a steady ascent by headlamp toward the crater rim, typically reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa, around sunrise — among the most memorable moments of the entire climb.
After time at the summit for photos and a moment to take in what you've achieved, you'll descend all the way down to Mweka Camp for the night. It's a long day — often 12 to 15 hours of combined ascent and descent — but arriving into the thicker air and forest of Mweka Camp brings genuine, welcome relief.
Back into the forest zone, the final overnight stop on the descent.
Your final morning is a comparatively gentle descent back through the forest zone to Mweka Gate, typically taking 3–4 hours. This is also when successful summiteers receive their official Kilimanjaro summit certificates, presented at the gate by park authorities.
From Mweka Gate, you'll be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a well-earned shower and rest, bringing your Northern Circuit climb to a close.
This is a fully supported camping climb: a professional guide leads the group, assistant guides accompany slower climbers where needed, and a full porter team carries tents, food, and equipment ahead of you each day, setting up camp before you arrive. Given the Northern Circuit’s length and remoteness, a larger support team than shorter routes is typical, ensuring comfort across the extended days on the mountain’s quieter northern slopes. Summit night, from School Hut to Uhuru Peak, typically begins around midnight and takes 6–8 hours to ascend, with a further descent all the way to Mweka Camp the same day. A full kit list is provided on booking; rental gear (down jackets, sleeping bags, trekking poles) can be arranged in Moshi or Arusha at an additional cost if needed.
Rates are per person and vary by group size and route duration. Prices are net and exclude agent commission.
We offer the following transfer options
Standard transfer service from the international airport to the town of Moshi, ensuring a smooth arrival for your mountain trek or safari.
Reliable departure transfer taking you from your hotel in Moshi directly to the airport terminal for your onward flight.
Direct road transfer connecting the safari hub of Arusha to the gateway town of Moshi, perfect for transitioning between regional destinations.
Convenient transfer service from Moshi back to Arusha, ideal for travelers heading out to safari circuits or city exploration.
Get your per-person cost for the Northern Circuit, based on your preferred duration and group size. Rates are net and exclude agent commission.