Overview
Northern Circuit route is one of our preferred routes due to its low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate.
This route starts off from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate.
From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the lush rainforest to Shira Plateau.
Northern Circuit joins the Rongai route at Third Cave Camp and then follows that route through the northern circuit and descending at Mweka Gate.
Itinerary
Day : 1 Londorossi Gate to Big Tree Camp
Elevation: 2,385 M – 2,780M
Distance: 7 Km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Big Tree camp
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat: Rain Forest
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through an undisturbed forest that winds to the first camp site.
Day : 2 Big Tree Camp to Shira Camp 1
Elevation: 2,780M - 3,500M
Distance: 8.5 Km
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Accommodation: Shira Camp 1
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat: Heath
We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
Day : 3 Shira Camp 1 to Moir Camp
Elevation: 3,500M - 4,175M
Distance: 10 Km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Moir Camp
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat: Moorland
Today we have the chance to view the Northern ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. The terrain during our steady climb will change from the moorland of the Shira Plateau to the broad upland desert beneath the Lent Hills with great panoramic views. Our camp is close to Moir Hut (4175m). In the afternoon we do an acclimatization walk to the lower part of the Lent Hills group, to an altitude of 4300m.
Day : 4 Moir Camp to Pofu Camp
Elevation: 4,175M - 4,030 M
Distance: 12 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Pofu Camp
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We walk heading North to Moir Valley, we climb out of this to the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375m before striking eastwards around the Northern Circuit Trail and Finish our day at Pofu Camp.
Day : 5 Pofu Camp to Third Cave Camp
Elevation: 4,030M - 3,900 M
Distance: 8 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Third Cave Camp
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat: Heath
The day starts with a climb up heading east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
Day : 6 Third Cave Camp to School Hut
Elevation: 3,900 M - 4,750 M
Distance: 15 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: School Hut
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin a day with a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. We then continue walking southwest up to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, and headlamps before going to bed.
Day : 7 School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,800 M - 5,895 M – 3,950M
Distance: 6km ascent and 10.5km descent
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent and 4-6 hour descent
Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat: Rainforest
We start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking.
Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Day : 8 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3,950M - 1,640M
Distance: 10 Km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Habitat: Rain Forest
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi.
Included
- Pick-Up And Drop-Off From Airport
- Meet And Greet Service
- 2 Nights BB Hotel in Moshi
- 7 Nights FB in Camping
- All Park Fees l
- All Meals On The Hike
- Hiking And Safety Equipment
- Personal Gear Rentals
- Mountain Guide And Porters
- Transportation
Excluded
- Airline Tickets
- Visa Fee
- Lunch And Dinner At The Hotel (Before And After The Ascent)
- Tips For The Mountain Crew
- Rental Gear
- Alcholic Drinks and snacks
- Travel Insurance
- Medical (Medications, Vaccines, Tests)