The Ultimate 11 Days Northern Circuit Route Climbing Kilimanjaro for 2025/2026

The Ultimate 11 Days Northern Circuit Route Climbing Kilimanjaro for 2025/2026 is a lifetime adventure that takes you to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free standing mountain in the world at a height of 19,341 feet (5,895 meters), it is one of the stratovolcanoes in the world and 7 wonders of Africa. This 11 days Kilimanjaro climbing is done using the Northern circuit route that requires a higher level of fitness and is more expensive due to its longer duration.

The Northern Circuit Route Kilimanjaro is the longest Kilimanjaro hiking route that leads to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. This route is longer than other Kilimanjaro climbing routes but offers a more gradual ascent and a higher chance of success due to the longer acclimatization period. This is the less crowded route that requires a higher level of fitness and is more expensive due to its longer hiking duration, it is known for its scenic beauty and diverse landscapes, including lush rainforests, alpine deserts, and glaciers. The Northern circuit route Kilimanjaro also offers a higher chance of spotting wildlife such as monkeys and birds.

The best 11 Days Northern Circuit Route Climbing Kilimanjaro 2025/2026 affordable price ranges from $2,000 to $9,000 per person per trip depending on the accommodations before and after the climb, luxury climbing services, or budget climbing services. The 11 days Northern circuit route Kilimanjaro climbing fees are paid in US dollars, British pounds, euros, and Tanzania shillings.

The 11 Days Northern Circuit Route Climbing Kilimanjaro tour has the highest success rate for summiting Kilimanjaro about 95-98% because of its longest acclimatization period, which lowers the danger of altitude sickness and raises success rates. The longer itinerary of the 11-day Kilimanjaro Northern circuit route increases its summit success rate as climbers get enough time for acclimatization during the tour.

The best full detailed itinerary for the best 11 days Kilimanjaro climbing via Northern circuit route: Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania; Day 2: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp; Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp; Day 4: Shira 1 camp to Shira 2 Camp; Day 5: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Camp; Day 6: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp; Day 7: Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave; Day 8: Rongai 3rd Cave to School Hut; Day 9: School Hut to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Millennium Camp; Day 10: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate; Day 11: Depart Tanzania.

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.

Day 2: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

 • Stretch: 5.5km / 3 miles

 • Trekking time: 3-4 hours

 • Zone: Rainforest

The Northern circuit route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

 • Distance: 5.5km / 3 miles

 • Trekking time: 3-4 hours

 • Zone: Rainforest

 • Full Board at Shira One Camp

We continue on the trail leading out of the 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. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Day 4: Shira 1 camp to Shira 2 Camp

 • Distance: 7km / 4 miles

 • Trekking time: 3-4 hours

 • Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

Trek across the Shira Plateau from Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp. At Shira 2 Camp it is worth trekking a little higher up the plateau to enjoy the stunning view across the valley below and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero.

Day 5: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Camp

 • Distance: 14km / 8 miles

 • Trekking time: 5-7 hours

 • Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone

This 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 (see map above). 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 6: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp

 • Distance: 12km / 7 miles

 • Trekking time: 5-7 hours

 • Zone: High alpine zone

Day six 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 7: Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave

 • Distance: 8km / 5 miles

 • Trekking time: 5-7 hours

 • Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone

The day 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 8: Rongai 3rd Cave to School Hut

 • Distance: 15km / 8 miles

 • Trekking time: 4-5 hours

 • Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

This day involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west 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, headlamp and camera before going to bed.

Day 9: School Hut to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Millennium Camp

 • Distance: 6km / 3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km / 6-mile descent

 • Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4–6-hour descent

 • Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging piece of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see in a life time (weather permitting).

From Stella Point you may encounter snow all the way on your 1 hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa faster hikers will see the sunrise. From the summit we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka camp site stopping at Barafu for lunch.

Day 10: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

 • Distance: 10km / 6.5 miles

 • Trekking time: 3-4 hours

 • Zone: Rainforest zone

The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 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. It is customary to give your guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 11: Depart Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.Meals: Breakfast Included.

11 Days Northern Circuit Route Climbing Kilimanjaro for 2025/2026 (Monthly)