Kilimanjaro — Northern Circuit, 9 Days

The Northern Circuit takes the Lemosho approach and then swings right around the rarely-walked northern slopes before summiting from the east. Nine days makes it the best-acclimatising itinerary on Kilimanjaro, and the northern traverse is empty in a way no other route is.

Highlights

• The highest summit success rate of any route
• A full traverse of the quiet northern slopes
• Views into Kenya from the far side of the mountain
• Nine days of gradual, comfortable acclimatisation

The itinerary, day by day

1. 01

   Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

   2,780 m · 3–4 hours

   The western gate, then rainforest to Big Tree Camp.

2. 02

   Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1

   3,505 m · 5–6 hours

   Out of the forest and onto the western rim of the Shira Plateau.

3. 03

   Shira 1 to Shira 2

   3,850 m · 4–5 hours

   An easy crossing of the plateau with time to walk higher in the afternoon.

4. 04

   Shira 2 to Lava Tower, down to Moir Hut

   4,200 m · 5–7 hours

   Up to 4,630 m, then north to the quiet Moir valley.

5. 05

   Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

   4,020 m · 5–7 hours

   Onto the northern circuit proper, with the plains of Kenya below.

6. 06

   Buffalo Camp to Third Cave

   3,870 m · 5–6 hours

   Around the northern slopes, still almost alone on the mountain.

7. 07

   Third Cave to School Hut

   4,800 m · 4–5 hours

   Up to the eastern base camp. Rest through the afternoon.

8. 08

   Summit day — Uhuru Peak, down to Millennium

   5,895 m · 12–14 hours

   Midnight start for Gilman's Point, the rim to Uhuru, then a long descent.

9. 09

   Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

   1,640 m · 4–5 hours

   Through moorland and rainforest to the gate.