The best 9 days Kilimanjaro climbing via Northern circuit route package

The best 9 days Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit route

The 9-day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit route is a longer and more gradual ascent than other popular routes providing greater acclimatization time and a higher chance of summiting at 5,985 meters. The 9-day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit route is 96 kilometers (60 miles) with an average daily distance of 10.6 kilometers (6.6 miles). The route has a high summit success rate, with around 95% of trekkers reaching the summit due to the longer acclimatization time provided by the gradual ascent. The Northern Circuit route also has the added benefit of being less crowded than other routes, with stunning panoramic views of Kilimanjaro and its surrounding landscapes.

Best 9 days Kilimanjaro climbing via Northern Circuit route price

The best price for the best 9-day Kilimanjaro Northern circuit route is from $2,850 to $4,750 per climber which enables climbers to summit at 5,895 meters, the highest peak in Africa. These prices vary 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 are paid in US dollars, British pounds, Euros, or Tanzania shillings.

The best success rate for 9 days Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit route

The best success rate for the 9-day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit route is 90% to 95% when climbers properly acclimatize and prepare for altitude and conditions. The success rate for the 9-day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit route varies depending on several factors such as the weather, the physical fitness and experience of the climbers, and the quality of the guiding services. However, in general, the success rate for this route is higher than the more popular routes like the Marangu and Machame routes.

The best full detailed itinerary for the 9-day Kilimanjaro climbing 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 Shira 2 Camp (3,850m) | 3-4 hours | 7 km; Day 4: Shira 2 Camp (3,850m) to Moir hut (4,200 meters) | 5-7 hours | 14 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 Millennium Camp (3790m) |6-8 hours ascent and then 4–6-hour descent | 16.5 km; Day 9: Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka gate (1630m) | 3-4 hours | 10 km.

Day 1: Moshi – Londorosi Gate (2,100m) to Mti Mkubwa camp (2,820m)

 • Distance: 6 km

 • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 • Accommodation: Mti mkubwa Camp

 • Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast you will be picked up at the lodge and taken to the Londorossi Gate at the height of 2,250 m. After the necessary registration has been completed, a bumpy drive will take you into the dense rainforest, from where your adventure commences. The moderately steep track makes its way through an unspoilt natural forest to the Big Tree Camp (2,780 m). You will be accompanied by an armed ranger for the first 2 days of your trek as wild game can be found in the area. You will spend the night in tents at Big Tree Camp.

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

 • Distance: 8 km/ 5miles

 • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 • Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp

 • Habitat: Health

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 Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)

 • Distance: 7 km/4 miles

 • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

 • Habitat: Heath

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 • Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp

On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2. Nine-day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. At Shira Camp 2 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 4: Shira 2 Camp (3,850m) to Moir hut (4,200 meters)

 • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

 • Distance: 14 km

 • Habitat: Apline

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

 • Distance: 12 km/7 miles

 • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

 • Habitat: Alpine Desert

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 • Accommodation: Buffalo Camp

You climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (4,375 m). After admiring the views, you return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. Here the trail passes through a field of rock slabs that clink as they are walked on. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Buffalo Camp (4,020 m). At the camp, there is a huge feeling of space as the Kenyan plains stretch out far below to the north.

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

 • Distance: 8 km/5 miles

 • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 • Accommodation: Third Cave Camp

 • Habitat: Heath

From Buffalo Camp, you climb to the top of ‘Buffalo Ridge’ and cross numerous ridges and gullies. The trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp (3,800 m).

Day 7: Third Cave (3,800m) to School Hut (4,800m)

 • Distance: 5 km/3 miles

 • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

 • Habitat: Alpine Desert

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

On a relatively easy path, today’s walk takes you over the so called “saddle”. This piece of rock is actually a lava-flow formed when Mount Kilimanjaro erupted. It has now solidified and connects two of Mount Kilimanjaro’s three peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo. You will arrive at the School Hut in about 4.5 to 5 hours and go to bed straight after dinner as the summit calls for an early start, at approximately 11 p.m.

Day 8: School Hut (4,800m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Millennium Camp (3790m)

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

 • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4–6-hour descent

 • Habitat: Arctic

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

You will be awoken around 11:30 pm with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first check-point is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking to reach Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain.
Note: some tour operators return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.

Day 9: Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka gate (1630m)

 • Distance Covered: 10 km

 • Time to be used: 3-4 hrs

 • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

 • Habitat: Rain Forest

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.