9 DAYS NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE

The Northern Route, also known as the Londorossi Route, is one of the less crowded and more remote routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers a beautiful and varied landscape. 

Day 0

Arrival

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet a dreamscape Travel representative, and transfer you to Moshi town

where you will spend the first night at the hotel.

Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 41 km)

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 1

Londorossi Gate (2,250m/7,380ft) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750m/9,022ft)

Activity: Your Kilimanjaro journey begins with a drive to Londorossi Gate for park formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Distance: Approximately 6km
• Elevation Gain: 500m (1,640ft)
• Habitat: Rainforest
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 2

Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750m/9,022ft) to Shira 1 Camp (3,505m/11,500ft)

Activity: Today's hike involves ascending through the rainforest and into the heath zone. You'll get your first glimpses of Kilimanjaro and enjoy the stunning views of the Shira Plateau.

• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Distance: Approximately 8km 
• Elevation Gain: 755m (2,478ft)
• Habitat: Rainforest, Moorland
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3

Shira 1 Camp (3,505m/11,500ft) to Shira 2 Camp (3,840m/12,598ft)

Activity: You'll continue your ascent across the Shira Plateau, which offers wide-open vistas of the surrounding landscape and the Western Breach of Kilimanjaro.

• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Distance: Approximately 10km
• Elevation Gain: 335m (1,098ft)
• Habitat: Moorland
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 4

Shira 2 Camp (3,840m/12,598ft) to Lava Tower (4,630m/15,190ft) to Moir Hut (4,200m/13,780ft)

Activity: This day includes a steep ascent to Lava Tower, a volcanic formation. This provides excellent acclimatization. Then, you'll descend to Moir Hut.

• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Distance: Approximately 8km
• Elevation Gain: 790m (2,592ft) to Lava Tower, then descent to 4,200m (13,780ft)
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Accommodation: Moir Hut/ Camping 
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 5

Moir Hut (4,200m/13,780ft) to Buffalo Camp (4,020m/13,190ft)

Activity: You'll hike through the rugged terrain of the Lent Hills and the Karanga Valley, offering stunning views of the Northern Circuit.

• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Distance: Approximately 10km
• Elevation Loss: 180m (591ft)
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6

Buffalo Camp (4,020m/13,190ft) to Rongai Third Cave (3,800m/12,467ft)

Activity: The trail continues through the alpine desert as you make your way to Rongai Third Cave.

• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Distance: Approximately 9km 
• Elevation Loss: 220m (722ft)
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 7

Rongai Third Cave (3,800m/12,467ft) to School Hut (4,750m/15,584ft)

Activity: You'll make your way to School Hut, your base for the summit attempt. The landscape becomes more barren as you gain elevation.

• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Distance: Approximately 8km 
• Elevation Gain: 950m (3,117ft)
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Accommodation: School Hut / Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 8

School Hut (4,750m/15,584ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,171ft)

Activity: Summit Day! An early start (midnight) takes you to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Descend to Mweka Camp for the night.

• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours to the summit, then 4-6 hours descent
• Distance: Approximately 6km to the summit, 12km descent
• Elevation Gain: 1,145m (3,756ft) ascent, 2,795m (9,170ft) descent
• Habitat: Arctic (summit), Moorland (Mweka Camp)
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 9

Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,171ft) to Mweka Gate (1,640m/5,380ft)

Activity: Your final descent takes you through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you'll receive your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. Transfer to your hotel.

• Transport: Private transfer (0.5 hour, 17 km)
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Distance: Approximately 10km 
• Elevation Loss: 1,460m (4,790ft)
• Habitat: Rainforest
• Accommodation: Hotel

Departure

After a much-needed nights rest, we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.

• Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 41 km)
• Meals included: Breakfast

Trekking Cost:

• 1Pax: $2,350 pp
• 2Pax: $2,290 pp
• 3Pax: $2,215 pp
• 4Pax: $2,170 pp 
• 5Pax: $2,125 pp
• 6Pax: $2,080 pp 
• 7Pax & Above: $2,030 pp

NOTE: Additional day on mountain costs extra of $300/person

Price includes:

• Transportation from & to Kilimanjaro international airport
• Transportation to & from the mountain gate
• Camping and kitchen facilities
• Wages of professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
• Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees, crew fees and all government tax
• Warm water for washing every day
• English speaking mountain guide and assistant.
• All meals while on the mountain
• First Aid Kit includes Oxygen Kit
• 2 nights at the hotel (accommodations); one before and after the trek

Price excludes:

• Tips
• Tanzania Visa on arrival
• Any private expenses
• Personal gear rentals
• Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Optional tours (short safari after your climb etc.)
• Local and international flights
• A doctor for the group