Summiting Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour: 8-Day Northern Circuit Route

The most popular routes for 8 days climbing Kilimanjaro is the Northern Circuit, known for its stunning scenery, low traffic, and high success rates. The 8 days Northern Circuit is a longer route that allows for better acclimatization, increasing your chances of reaching the summit. The 8-Day Climbing Tours via the Northern Circuit offer a comprehensive and well-paced itinerary that takes you through some of the most spectacular landscapes on the mountain.

The 8-day Kilimanjaro climbing tour via the Northern Circuit is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will push you to your limits and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you are an experienced climber looking for a new challenge or a first-timer seeking an unforgettable experience, this tour is sure to exceed your expectations.

The 8 days Northern Circuit route is one of the lesser-known and less crowded routes to the summit, offering a unique and diverse experience for climbers. The 8-day Kilimanjaro climbing tour via the Northern Circuit is a challenging yet rewarding journey that takes you through a variety of landscapes and ecosystems, ultimately leading you to the summit of Uhuru Peak.The Northern Circuit route is the longest route up Kilimanjaro, allowing for better acclimatization and increased chances of reaching the summit. The route starts on the western side of the mountain, offering stunning views of the Shira Plateau and the Lemosho Glades. As you ascend, you will pass through lush rainforests, alpine meadows, and barren lunar landscapes, experiencing the full range of Kilimanjaro's diverse ecosystems.

The best price for 8-Day Kilimanjaro climbing via Northern Circuit Route

8-Day Climbing Tours on the Northern Circuit Route tour price range from USD 1600 to USD 3200 per person, in price depending on the tour operator, level of service, and inclusions. On average, prices for a guided trek on the Northern Circuit Route. This price usually includes accommodations, meals, park fees, guide and porter services, and transportation to and from the trailhead.

8 days Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route Summit Success Rate

The 8 days Northern Circuit route on Mount Kilimanjaro summit success rate, ranging from 90% to as high as 95%. As the longest and newest route on Kilimanjaro, it typically spans 8 to 9 days to reach the summit. Its effectiveness in achieving summit goals is attributed to its extended duration and prolonged exposure to similar altitudes, facilitating better acclimatization. Beginning at the Londorossi Gate in the west, the route initially aligns with the Lemosho route for the initial two days before veering off to traverse the quieter northern slopes.

8 days Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route Tour Itinerary

The full details day-by-day tour itinerary on this 8 days Kilimanjaro Climbing via Northern Circuit Route. Day 1: Start at Londorossi Gate, trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp; Day 2: Trek to Shira Camp 1 via the Shira Plateau; Day 3: Trek to Moir Hut, passing through the high desert; Day 4: Acclimatization day at Moir Hut, optional hike to the Lent Hills; Day 5: Trek to Pofu Camp through the Northern Circuit; Day 6: Continue to Third Cave Camp; Day 7: Climb to School Hut; Day 8: Summit day! Early morning start to reach Uhuru Peak, then descend to Mweka Camp.

Day 1: Moshi – Londorossi gate to Mti mkubwa camp

 • Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft

 • 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 02 : Mti Mkubwa camp to Shira 1 camp

 • Elevation (ft): 9,498ft to 11,500ft

 • 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 to Lava Tower - Moir hut

 • Elevation: 3504M/11296ft to 4161M/1365ft

 • Distance: 9.8 km/6.1 miles

 • Hiking Time: 5-7hours

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 • Accommodation: Moir hut Camp

 • Habitat: Alpine Zone

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 4,161 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 4: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

 • Elevation: 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft

 • 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 5: Buffalo camp to Third cave camp

 • Elevation: 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft

 • 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). Buffalo Camp to Third Cave.

Day 6: Third cave camp to School hut

 •Third Cave to School Hut

 • Elevation: 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft

 • Distance: 5 km/3 miles

 • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

 • Habitat: Alpine Desert

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

On a relatively easy path, today’s leg 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 7: School hut camp to Uhuru Peak to Horombo hut

 • Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak •Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

 • Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

 • Altitude: 5895 ft to 3700 ft

 • Distance: 5 km/3 miles

 • Distance: 14 km down Altitude: 4,640 m to 5,895 m

 • Habitat: Arctic | Alpine desert

 • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

 • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

 • Habitat: Arctic

 • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.From the summit, we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep at Horombo Hut.

Day 8: Mweka camp - Mweka gate -back to Moshi

 • Altitude: 3,080 m to 1,630m

 • Distance Covered: 9.3km km down

 • Time to be used: 2 - 3 hrs

 • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

 • Habitat: Rain Forest

The final leg of your amazing adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 2 to 3 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your driver will be waiting for you. He will take you back and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to relax, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration.