The Ultimate 10-day Northern Circuit Route Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour in 2025/2026

The Ultimate 10-day Kilimanjaro climbing via Northern Circuit route is a trek covering a distance of approximately 98 kilometers with an average daily trekking time of 5-7 hours, allowing ample time for acclimatization. The success rate for reaching the summit at 5,895 meters is high, at around 96%, due to the extended length of the trek and the gradual ascent. The route passes through a variety of ecological zones, including rainforest, heath, and alpine desert, and offers stunning panoramic views of the rarely visited northern slopes of Kilimanjaro. Along the way, trekkers can spot a variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, and monkeys making the 10-day Kilimanjaro tour a rewarding adventure that offers an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

Best 10 days Kilimanjaro climbing via Northern Circuit route price

The best price for the best 10-day Kilimanjaro Northern circuit route tour ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 per climber which enables hikers to reach at 5,895 meters, the highest peak in Africa. This price varies depending on the accommodations before and after the climb, luxury climbing services, or budget climbing services, and the number of people joining the tour and is paid in US dollars, British pounds, Euros, and Tanzania shillings.

The best success rate for 10 days Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit route

The success rate for the best 10-day Kilimanjaro Northern circuit route tour is 96% reaching 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) Mount Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. This Kilimanjaro higher summit success rate is due to the gradual ascent and longer itinerary of 10 days that allows better acclimatization and a good chance of successfully summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Ultimate Itinerary of 10 days Kilimanjaro climbing via Northern Circuit route

The best full detailed itinerary for the 10-day Kilimanjaro climbing tour via Northern circuit route: Day 1: Londorosi Gate (2,100m) to Mti Mkubwa camp (2,820m) | 3-4 hours | 6 km; Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820m) to Shira 1 camp (3,610m) | 5-6 hours | 8 km; Day 3: Shira 1 Camp (3,610m) to Moir hut (4,200m) | 5-7 hours | 15 km; Day 4: Mior hut (4,200m) to Lava Tower to Mior hut (4,200m) | 6-7 hours | 11 km; Day 5: Mior hut (4,200m) to Buffalo Camp (4,020m) | 5-7 hours | 12 km; Day 6: Buffalo Camp (4,020m) to Rongai Third cave Camp (3,800m) | 5-7 hours | 8 km; Day 7: Third Cave (3,800m) to School Hut (4,800m) | 4–5 hours | 15 km; Day 8: School Hut (4,800m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Crater Camp (5,790m) | 6–8 hours | 6 km; Day 9: Crater camp (5,790m) to Millennium Camp (3,790m) | 12–15 hours | 13.4 km; Day 10: Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka gate (1630m) | 6 hours | 12.1 km.

Day 1: Londorosi Gate (2100 m) to Mti Mkubwa camp (2,820 m)

 • Stretch: 6 km

 • Trekking time: 3-4 hours

 • Zone: 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 undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820m) to Shira 1 camp (3,610m)

 • Stretch: 8 km

 • Trekking time: 5-6 hours

 • Zone: Moorland

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 1 Camp (3,610m) to Moir hut (4,200m)

 • Distance: 15 km

 • Trekking time: 5-7 hours

 • Zone: Apline

Day three is a long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters. This is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low, which is good for the acclimatization process.

Day 4: Mior hut (4,200m) acclimatization to Lava Tower

 • Distance: 11 km

 • Trekking time: 6-7 hours

 • Zone: Apline

Today is another important day for acclimatization as we hike for 5 hours to an elevation above 15,000 feet. We will pass through the alpine moorland zone where plants are extremely hardy and consist of lichens, grasses, and heather, to reach Kilimanjaro’s alpine desert zone. You will have a spectacular view of the Western Breach.

Day 5: Mior hut (4,200m) to Buffalo Camp (4,020m)

 • Distance: 12 km

 • Trekking time: 5-7 hours

 • Zone: Semi desert

Day five involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters). The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking.

Day 6: Buffalo Camp (4,020m) to Rongai Third cave Camp (3,800m)

 • Distance: 8 km

 • Trekking time: 5-7 hours

 • Zone: Semi desert

Day Six starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Pofu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues 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 7: Third Cave (3,800m) to School Hut (4,800m)

 • Distance: 15km / 8 miles

 • Trekking time: 4-5 hours

 • Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

On day seven after breakfast, you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.

Day 8: School Hut (4,800m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Crater Camp (5,790m)

 • Distance: 6km

 • Trekking time: 6-8 hours

 • Zone: Glacial zone

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 7 am on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point. We rest here for a short time before we continue on to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. After celebrating with a few summit photos, we begin our descent into Kibo Crater to camp for the night.

Day 9: Crater camp (5790m) to Millennium Camp (3790m)

 • Distance: 13.4 km

 • Trekking time: 12-15 hours

 • Zone: Rainforest zone

We wake up early to hike to the Crater Rim in time to see the sunrise. From the rim, we descend down to the Millennium camp site. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose gravel going down to Millennium Camp. Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 10: Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka gate (1630m)

 • Distance: 12.1 km

 • Trekking time: 6 hours

 • Zone: Rainforest

The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,630 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak, then driven to your hotel in Moshi.