The Northern Circuit Route 8 & 9 Days

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

• Elevation: 2,100 m (6,890 ft) to 2,750 m (9,022 ft)
• Distance: ~6 km (3.7 miles)
• Duration: 3–4 hours

Welcome to the wild north side, champ! We kick things off at Londorossi Gate, where you’ll check in with your Discount Treks crew and dive into the lush rainforest. This 3-4 hour stroll to Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,750 meters is your warm-up—think towering trees, monkey calls, and a cozy tent waiting to kickstart your Kilimanjaro saga.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

• Elevation: 2,750 m (9,022 ft) to 3,600 m (11,811 ft)
• Distance: ~8 km (5 miles)
• Duration: 5–6 hours

Say goodbye to the forest as you climb into the moorland zone, where the views explode wide open. This 5-6 hour trek to Shira 1 Camp at 3,600 meters dishes out your first big taste of Kilimanjaro’s majesty, with Kibo Peak teasing you in the distance. Crash here under a sky that’ll make you feel like the adventure’s just begun.

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

• Elevation: 3,600 m (11,811 ft) to 3,850 m (12,631 ft)
• Distance: ~6 km (3.7 miles)
• Duration: 3–4 hours

Day three’s a chill cruise across the Shira Plateau, a 3-4 hour jaunt to Shira 2 Camp at 3,850 meters. The landscape’s wide and wild, with epic vistas stretching out like a postcard you can’t stop staring at. It’s a short day to ease you into the altitude—perfect for soaking in the vibes and prepping for the northern haul.

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut

• Elevation: 3,850 m (12,631 ft) to 4,200 m (13,780 ft)
• Distance: ~10 km (6.2 miles)
• Duration: 5–7 hours

Now we’re swinging north! This 5-7 hour trek to Moir Hut at 4,200 meters takes you off the beaten path, skirting the mountain’s wilder side through rugged moorland. The views of Kibo’s northern face are unreal, and the solitude’s a bonus—just you, me, and the mountain. Rest up here; we’re building altitude and grit.

Day 5: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

• Elevation: 4,200 m (13,780 ft) to 4,020 m (13,189 ft)
• Distance: ~12 km (7.5 miles)
• Duration: 5–7 hours

Day five’s a 5-7 hour rollercoaster through the northern circuit’s untamed beauty, dropping slightly to Buffalo Camp at 4,020 meters. You’ll weave through alpine desert and rocky trails, with the mountain’s vastness hitting you from every angle. It’s remote, it’s raw, and it’s yours—crash here and feel the summit calling.

Day 6: Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

• Elevation: 4,020 m (13,189 ft) to 3,900 m (12,795 ft)
• Distance: ~8 km (5 miles)
• Duration: 4–6 hours

We’re looping the north side now, trekking 4-6 hours to Third Cave Camp at 3,900 meters. The trail dips and rolls through stark terrain, giving your body a breather while keeping the acclimatization game strong. This 8 km stretch is all about pacing—pole pole, my friend—and soaking in the quiet majesty of this less-traveled route.

Day 7: Third Cave Camp to School Hut

• Elevation: 3,900 m (12,795 ft) to 4,750 m (15,584 ft)
• Distance: ~5 km (3.1 miles)
• Duration: 4–5 hours

It’s summit prep day! This 4-5 hour climb to School Hut at 4,750 meters ramps up the altitude, setting you up just below Kibo’s peak. The landscape’s barren and bold, with the summit teasing you closer than ever. Rest early, fuel up, and get psyched—midnight’s when we make our move for the top!

Day 8: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

• Elevation: 4,750 m (15,584 ft) to 5,895 m (19,341 ft) to 3,100 m (10,171 ft)
• Distance: ~22 km (13.7 miles)
• Duration: 11–14 hours (6–8 hours ascent, 5–6 hours descent)

Summit day’s here—let’s roll! We launch at midnight from School Hut, grinding up 6-8 hours to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters, catching the sunrise over Africa’s rooftop. After epic pics and a victory cheer, we bomb down to Mweka Camp at 3,100 meters in one long, 11-14 hour haul. It’s a beast, but you’ll crash in camp buzzing with summit glory!

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

• Elevation: 2,100 m (6,890 ft) to 2,750 m (9,022 ft)
• Distance: ~6 km (3.7 miles)
• Duration: 3–4 hours

Here we go, summit seeker! We start at Londorossi Gate, diving into the rainforest for a 3-4 hour trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,750 meters. The trail’s alive with wildlife and dripping with green—your first taste of the Northern Circuit’s wild charm. Settle in, soak it up, and get ready for the epic ride ahead.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

• Elevation: 2,750 m (9,022 ft) to 3,600 m (11,811 ft)
• Distance: ~8 km (5 miles)
• Duration: 5–6 hours

Wave bye to the trees as you climb 5-6 hours into the moorland zone, landing at Shira 1 Camp at 3,600 meters. The views crack open wide, with Kibo Peak flexing in the distance like it’s daring you to come closer. This stretch sets the tone for the northern adventure—big, bold, and begging to be conquered.

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

• Elevation: 3,600 m (11,811 ft) to 3,850 m (12,631 ft)
• Distance: ~6 km (3.7 miles)
• Duration: 3–4 hours

Day three’s a breezy 3-4 hour hop across the Shira Plateau to Shira 2 Camp at 3,850 meters. The landscape’s a stunner—wide-open and wild, with Kilimanjaro’s northern face stealing the show. It’s a short day to keep you fresh and acclimating, soaking in the vibes before we swing deeper into the circuit.

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut

• Elevation: 3,850 m (12,631 ft) to 4,200 m (13,780 ft)
• Distance: ~10 km (6.2 miles)
• Duration: 5–7 hours

We’re veering north now, trekking 5-7 hours to Moir Hut at 4,200 meters through rugged moorland that feels like Kilimanjaro’s secret backyard. The views of Kibo’s northern slopes are unreal, and the solitude’s pure gold. This stretch builds your altitude game—rest up here and feel the summit buzz growing.

Day 5: Moir Hut – Acclimatization Day

• Elevation: 4,200 m (13,780 ft) – no significant change
• Distance: Optional hike (~4-6 km / 2.5-3.7 miles round trip)
• Duration: Rest day, optional 2–3 hours trekking

Here’s your ace in the hole—an acclimatization day at Moir Hut! Chill at 4,200 meters, letting your body sync with the altitude, or join me for an optional 2-3 hour hike to stretch your legs and scope the northern wilds. This extra day’s your ticket to summit success, wrapped in a high-altitude chill session.

Day 6: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

• Elevation: 4,200 m (13,780 ft) to 4,020 m (13,189 ft)
• Distance: ~12 km (7.5 miles)
• Duration: 5–7 hours

Day six is a 5-7 hour trek through the northern circuit’s untamed heart, dipping to Buffalo Camp at 4,020 meters. The trail’s a wild mix of alpine desert and rocky paths, with Kilimanjaro’s vastness hitting you from every side. It’s remote, raw, and totally yours—crash here and let the summit fever build.

Day 7: Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

• Elevation: 4,020 m (13,189 ft) to 3,900 m (12,795 ft)
• Distance: ~8 km (5 miles)
• Duration: 4–6 hours

We’re circling the north side, trekking 4-6 hours to Third Cave Camp at 3,900 meters. The trail weaves through stark terrain, giving your body a gentle break while keeping the acclimatization on point. This 8 km stretch is all about pacing—slow and steady wins the race—and soaking in the northern route’s quiet, rugged charm.

Day 8: Third Cave Camp to School Hut

• Elevation: 3,900 m (12,795 ft) to 4,750 m (15,584 ft)
• Distance: ~5 km (3.1 miles)
• Duration: 4–5 hours

Summit’s in sight! This 4-5 hour climb to School Hut at 4,750 meters cranks up the altitude, parking you just below Kibo’s peak. The landscape’s barren and bold, with the summit daring you to make your move. Rest early, chow down, and get pumped—midnight’s when we storm the top!

Day 9: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

• Elevation: 4,750 m (15,584 ft) to 5,895 m (19,341 ft) to 3,100 m (10,171 ft)
• Distance: ~22 km (13.7 miles)
• Duration: 11–14 hours (6–8 hours ascent, 5–6 hours descent)

It’s go time, legend! We blast off at midnight from School Hut, powering up 6-8 hours to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters, nailing the sunrise over Africa’s crown. After summit selfies and a victory roar, we drop down to Mweka Camp at 3,100 meters in one epic 11-14 hour push. It’s a grind, but you’ll hit the sack buzzing with top-of-the-world vibes!