Northern Circuit 9 Days

Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100m), where we complete park registration and meet our mountain crew. The trek starts through the pristine Lemosho Glades, a beautiful montane forest teeming with wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and a variety of bird species including the turaco with its distinctive crimson wings.

The trail is gentle as we ascend through the verdant rainforest, with giant ferns and towering trees creating a canopy overhead. Your guides will point out interesting flora and fauna along the way. After approximately 3-4 hours of hiking, we reach Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750m), meaning "Big Tree" in Swahili, named after the massive fig trees in the area. This relatively short first day allows for a gentle introduction to the mountain.

After breakfast, we leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone, characterized by giant heather and lobelias. The trail becomes steeper as we ascend through rolling hills. This day offers your first views of the spectacular Shira Plateau and Kibo Peak in the distance. The landscape transforms dramatically as we gain altitude, with the dense forest giving way to open moorland.

We cross several streams and enjoy lunch with panoramic views of the plateau below. The trail continues across the Shira Ridge before descending slightly to Shira 1 Camp (3,505m), located on the western edge of the Shira Plateau. This camp offers stunning sunset views over the plateau and Mount Meru in the distance. The evening is spent acclimatizing and preparing for the days ahead.

Today is a relatively gentle day designed for acclimatization as we traverse the spectacular Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world. The route takes us across the plateau with minimal elevation gain, allowing your body to adjust to the altitude. The landscape is otherworldly, with volcanic rock formations and scattered giant groundsels creating a surreal environment.

We pass the Shira Cathedral, a dramatic rocky outcrop offering excellent photo opportunities. The views of Kibo's Western Breach are particularly impressive from this vantage point. After a leisurely hike of 3-4 hours, we arrive at Shira 2 Camp (3,840m), located in the center of the plateau. This is a crucial acclimatization day, and we recommend taking an optional acclimatization hike to higher altitude in the afternoon before returning to camp for dinner.

Today is one of the most important days for acclimatization, following the "climb high, sleep low" principle. We leave the Shira Plateau and head east toward the iconic Lava Tower (4,630m), a dramatic 100-meter high volcanic rock formation. The trail takes us through the alpine desert zone, with its stark, moon-like landscape of volcanic rock and scree.

The ascent to Lava Tower is challenging as we reach over 4,600 meters, and you may start feeling the effects of altitude. We stop for lunch at the base of the tower, where our guides will conduct health checks and ensure everyone is coping well. After lunch, we descend to Barranco Camp (3,960m), losing approximately 670 meters. This descent is crucial for acclimatization and helps prepare your body for the summit push. We arrive at Barranco Camp with spectacular views of the imposing Barranco Wall that we'll tackle tomorrow.

Today's highlight is conquering the famous Barranco Wall, often called the "Breakfast Wall" as we tackle it right after breakfast. This 257-meter high rock face requires some scrambling, but it's not as intimidating as it looks. Our experienced guides will be with you every step of the way, helping you navigate the rocky sections. The sense of achievement when you reach the top is incredible, and the views of the Kibo summit and the glaciers are breathtaking.

After the wall, we traverse several ridges with ups and downs through the alpine desert landscape. The trail offers spectacular views of the southern glaciers and the Kibo crater rim. We pass through the Karanga Valley, the last water point on this route, before a final steep ascent to Karanga Camp (4,035m). This shorter day allows for rest and further acclimatization before the summit push. The afternoon is spent relaxing and mentally preparing for the challenging days ahead.

Today we make our way to Barafu Camp (4,640m), the base camp for our summit attempt. The trail is steep and demanding as we gain altitude, crossing the barren alpine desert landscape. The terrain becomes increasingly rocky and sparse, with only lichens and mosses surviving in this harsh environment. The air is noticeably thinner, and you'll need to maintain a slow, steady pace.

We arrive at Barafu Camp in the early afternoon to maximize rest time before the midnight summit push. Barafu means "ice" in Swahili, and the camp sits on a rocky, exposed ridge with stunning views of Mawenzi Peak. After an early dinner, we try to get some sleep. Your guides will wake you around 11 PM for a hot drink and final preparations before beginning the ascent to Uhuru Peak. This is a crucial rest period, so try to relax and conserve energy.

Summit day begins at midnight. You'll start the climb in darkness, guided by headlamps, with the goal of reaching the summit at sunrise. The initial ascent is steep and challenging, following a rocky trail that zigzags up the mountain. We make our way to Stella Point (5,739m) on the crater rim, which takes 5-7 hours of slow, steady climbing. This is the most mentally and physically demanding part of the entire trek, but your guides will provide constant encouragement and support.

After a brief rest at Stella Point to watch the spectacular sunrise over the glaciers, we continue along the crater rim for approximately 1-2 hours to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the Roof of Africa. The feeling of standing at the highest point on the continent is indescribable – you've made it! We take photos at the famous summit sign and soak in the incredible views of the crater, glaciers, and the vast African plains below.

After celebrating at the summit, we begin the long descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest and lunch. The descent is steep and hard on the knees, so trekking poles are highly recommended. We then continue down to Mweka Camp (3,080m) for the night, descending through the alpine desert and moorland zones. The total descent is approximately 2,800 meters, making this a very long but rewarding day. Dinner and a well-earned rest await at Mweka Camp.

Your final day on the mountain is a descent through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,640m). After breakfast and a celebratory song from your mountain crew, we begin the trek down. The trail can be slippery, especially after rain, so trekking poles are helpful. As we descend, the air becomes noticeably warmer and richer in oxygen, and you'll start to feel your energy returning.

At Mweka Gate, you'll sign out with the park authorities and receive your well-deserved summit certificate – green for reaching Stella Point and gold for reaching Uhuru Peak. This certificate is a testament to your determination, endurance, and the incredible journey you've completed. A vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a hot shower, celebratory meal, and well-earned rest. Congratulations – you are now part of the elite group who have conquered Kilimanjaro!