8 Days Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

Upon arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a Tanzania Globe Tour representative will greet you and take you to your hotel. Your accommodation is prepared for a relaxing stay, offering comfortable rooms, hot showers, friendly staff, a swimming pool, and reliable internet access. In the evening, you’ll meet with our team for a detailed briefing to ensure you’re fully prepared for the adventure ahead.

Private tour packages include shared airport transfers for your group. Additional fees apply for extra individual transfers, so coordinating your group’s arrival and departure times is the best way to avoid extra costs.

In the morning, your guide and climbing support team will meet you at your hotel for a final briefing and gear check. From there, you will begin a 3–4 hour drive to Kilimanjaro National Park’s western entrance, Londorossi Gate (2,250 m / 7,380 ft).

After the quick formalities of obtaining climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, your group will continue by vehicle to the drop-off point at 3,414 m / 11,200 ft. This is where your trek truly begins—and where you’ll enjoy your first sweeping views of the Shira Plateau.

The trail from the drop-off point to your first high-altitude camp, Shira 1, features only a gentle gain in elevation, making it an excellent start for proper acclimatization. By the time you arrive, your mountain crew will have everything ready for a comfortable evening. Your tents will be pitched, chairs prepared, and hot refreshments and dinner waiting, allowing you to relax and settle into the rhythm of the mountain.

This day involves another modest altitude gain of 240 m / 787 ft as you trek from Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp. The route is not physically demanding, giving you plenty of time and energy to take in Kilimanjaro’s remarkable scenery, observe the unique high-altitude flora found only on this mountain, and, weather permitting, enjoy clear views of Mount Meru—the fifth-highest peak in Africa.

After breakfast, your group will depart Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m / 12,628 ft) and begin the ascent toward Lava Tower (4,600 m / 15,088 ft).

This section of the route is considered more challenging, and many trekkers find it physically tougher than the previous days. To support proper acclimatization and recovery, your team will take a lunch break at Lava Tower.

After resting, the group will ascend slightly higher before making a gradual descent to Moir Hut Camp, your next overnight stop.

This day features a long but gentle trek. You will begin with a short, steep climb out of Moir Valley, where you spent the night. Once you reach the top, the terrain becomes more forgiving as you traverse the northern slope of Kilimanjaro. Throughout the day, you’ll encounter gradual ascents and descents, but no major altitude gains.

As the trail follows the mountain’s northern flank, you will walk close to the border of Kenya, offering incredible panoramic views of the Tsavo and Amboseli plains stretching into the distance.

You will continue along the northern slope of Kilimanjaro and make your way to 3rd Cave Camp for the night. Here, the Northern Circuit joins the classic Rongai route. Compared to the previous day, today’s trek is shorter and less demanding. By this stage, most trekkers have fully acclimated to the 3,800 m / 12,464 f elevation, which greatly enhances comfort and overall well-being as you settle into camp for a restful evening.

On this day you will trek to School Hut Summit Camp (4,800 m / 15,744 f). The route is not particularly difficult, but maintaining a steady, comfortable pace is essential so you preserve enough energy for the final ascent to the summit. Once you arrive at camp, it is highly recommended that you rest, avoid any strenuous activity, and stay well-hydrated. Later that night, you will wake in the dark to begin your final push toward Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,336 f), the ultimate highlight of your Kilimanjaro adventure.

On summit night, your safety is our top priority. For this reason, one guide will be assigned to every two climbers. Each guide’s role is to carefully monitor your condition as you make your ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,336 ft). The climb begins at School Hut Summit Camp (4,800 m / 15,744 ft) around midnight. While the trail itself is not technically difficult, the high altitude makes the ascent feel much more demanding.

After reaching the summit, you will have the chance to walk to the nearby glaciers. From there, the group will descend to Barafu Camp for a two-hour break to rest and have lunch. You will then continue your descent to Millenium Camp (3,950 m / 12,956 ft), where you will spend the night.

Millennium Camp is located within a lush tropical rainforest. The lower elevation, combined with the satisfaction of having reached the summit, usually allows for a very restful night. After a hot breakfast, you will begin your final descent toward the park’s exit at Mweka Gate (1,640 m / 5,379 ft). This will be your last stop before heading to our office, where you will receive your summit certificates. It’s also a great moment to reflect on the journey with your mountain crew and take a final group photo. From there, you will be transferred to your hotel for a well-earned rest.

After breakfast on the final morning, you are transferred back toward Arusha and onward to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight. Your 5-day Tanzania Kilimanjaro trek — part of the Tanzania Globe Tour — concludes, leaving you with memories of varied ecosystems and the wild heart of Tanzania.