Trust Tours & Safaris
9-Day Kilimanjaro Climb – Northern Circuit Route

9-Day Climb · mid-range

9-Day Kilimanjaro Climb – Northern Circuit Route

From

$2,497

per person

Per person, sharing, group of 2+.

The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro's longest and quietest route, circling the mountain's remote northern slopes with the highest summit success rate of any route thanks to nine days of acclimatization.

Best months to climb: Jan · Feb · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Route profile

9 days · 84 km

Day 1 · Mti Mkubwa Camp2,780 m
  1. 1

    Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp

    Drive to Londorossi Gate on the remote western side, then trek through dense montane rainforest — watch for colobus monkeys — to the first camp at the forest's edge.

    2,780 m3–4 hours6 km

    Lunch, dinner · Mti Mkubwa Camp (tents)

  2. 2

    Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

    Leave the forest for open heath and moorland, climbing onto the Shira Ridge with the first big views of Kibo ahead.

    3,505 m5–6 hours8 km

    Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Shira 1 Camp (tents)

  3. 3

    Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp

    A gentle day crossing the high Shira Plateau — one of the world's largest calderas — for acclimatization, with Kibo growing on the horizon.

    3,810 m4–5 hours7 km

    Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Shira 2 Camp (tents)

  4. 4

    Shira 2 to Moir Hut via Lava Tower

    Climb high to Lava Tower (4,630 m) for lunch, then descend to the quiet Moir Hut camp below the Lent Hills — classic 'climb high, sleep low' acclimatization.

    4,200 m6–7 hours11 km

    Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Moir Hut Camp (tents)

  5. 5

    Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

    Begin the Northern Circuit proper, traversing onto the remote, rarely-walked northern slopes of Kibo. Big, quiet views toward Kenya open up.

    4,020 m5–7 hours12 km

    Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Buffalo Camp (tents)

  6. 6

    Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave

    Continue the circuit around the northern side to Third Cave, gaining gentle altitude on solitary trails far from the crowds of the southern routes.

    3,800 m5–6 hours8 km

    Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Third Cave Camp (tents)

  7. 7

    Third Cave to School Hut

    A steady climb to summit base camp at School Hut. Early dinner and rest — the summit push starts around midnight.

    4,750 m4–5 hours5 km

    Breakfast, lunch, dinner · School Hut (tents)

  8. 8

    Summit Day — Uhuru Peak, descend to Mweka

    Depart ~midnight by headlamp. Reach Gilman's Point on the crater rim, then the final stretch to Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m — the roof of Africa — at sunrise. Long descent to Mweka Camp.

    5,895 m11–15 hours17 km

    Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Mweka Camp (tents)

  9. 9

    Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

    Final descent through the rainforest. Certificate ceremony at the gate, then transfer back to your Moshi/Arusha hotel for a long shower and a cold Kilimanjaro beer.

    1,640 m3–4 hours10 km

    Breakfast · —

What's included

  • ✓All Kilimanjaro National Park fees, camping fees and rescue fees
  • ✓Licensed English-speaking mountain guides, porters and cook
  • ✓4-season mountain tents, sleeping mats, mess tent with table & chairs
  • ✓All meals on the mountain + drinking water
  • ✓Airport/hotel transfers, pre-climb briefing and gear check
  • ✓Emergency oxygen and pulse-oximeter checks twice daily

Not included

  • ✕International flights and visa
  • ✕Tips for the mountain crew (budget $250–350 total)
  • ✕Personal trekking gear (rental available in Moshi)
  • ✕Travel insurance (required — must cover trekking to 6,000 m)

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Ask Ombeni directly on WhatsApp.

At nine days it gives your body the most time to acclimatize of any Kilimanjaro route, and the northern traverse adds extra 'climb high, sleep low' days. That's why it has the highest reported summit success rate. (Confirm Trust Tours' own number with Ombeni.)

No technical climbing is required, but it is the longest route, so you need to be comfortable hiking 5–7 hours a day for over a week. The gentle daily gradients and extra rest days actually make summit night easier than on shorter routes.

The dry seasons: January–early March and June–October. July–September has the most stable weather and clearest summit views, and pairs perfectly with Great Migration safaris.

Because this is a longer climb with a larger crew, plan roughly $300–350 per climber for the whole team, handed over at the tipping ceremony on the final day. We'll give you a clear per-role breakdown at your briefing.

Yes — most of our climbers add a 3–5 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari afterwards. We handle everything as one trip with one price.

Read before you go

Free, no-fluff guides from the people who run the trips.

All guides →
Kilimanjaro · 6 min read

How Long Does It Take to Climb Kilimanjaro?

Five to nine days — and why the longer routes reach the summit far more often.

Read guide →Kilimanjaro · 12 min read

Climbing Kilimanjaro: The Complete Guide

Everything that actually decides whether you stand on the Roof of Africa — routes, days, fitness, altitude, cost and timing — in one honest read.

Read guide →Kilimanjaro · 9 min read

Which Kilimanjaro Route Is Best?

Machame, Lemosho, Marangu or the Northern Circuit? An honest comparison of acclimatization, scenery, crowds and cost — and who each one suits.

Read guide →

Ready to climb?

Plan your 9-Day Northern Circuit with Ombeni

Per person, sharing, group of 2+.

Get a free itinerary on WhatsApp

From

$2,497

per person

Plan on WhatsApp