This route rolls up the best that all other routes have to offer. If you’re looking for beautiful scenery, plenty of solitude, a healthy challenge, and a chance to spot wildlife, this is definitely the route for you.

Highlights of Northern Circuit Route

  • REMOTENESS

    The Northern Circuit route is less traveled and offers a more isolated and wilderness experience. This remote nature also means that the route has fewer facilities, making it a more challenging and rugged experience for hikers.

  • LONGEST ROUTE

    The northern circuit is typically completed over 9 days, which is longer than the 5-8 days taken on other routes. The longer duration allows for a more leisurely pace and through the different vegetation zones along the way.

  • GRADUAL ASCENT

    This trail covers a distance of about 70-80 kilometers (43-50 miles) and over 9 days. The ascent is around 4,000 m (13,123 ft) from the starting elevation of 1,800 m (5,906 ft) to the summit of Kilimanjaro at 5,895 m (19,341 ft).

  • DIVERSE SCENERY

    The Northern Circuit route offers a different and more diverse scenery including views of the Northern and Eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro, which are less frequently seen by other routes.

  • WILDLIFE

    The Northern Circuit route passes through different vegetation zones, including the Montane Forest, the Moorland, and the Alpine Desert, providing a more diverse range of habitats for wildlife.
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5-Star Reviews for Popote

Below are some reviews specifically from clients who did Northern Circuit Route with us. See more of our fantastic testimonials on Tripadvisor and Google.

Tripadvisor ReviewsGoogle Reviews

  • "My husband and I just returned from Tanzania after completing the 8 day Northern Circuit route with Popote!! From the time I first reached out to Popote until they dropped us off to the airport after our trek, we were very well taken care of. Sabino made sure..."

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  • "Excellent guides (Florian and Raymond), good food and very friendly and supportive porters. All over all we had a fantastic time to climb mount Kilimanjaro..."

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  • "We climbed Kili with Popote in June 2019 and had the experience of a lifetime. For 3 clients, we had 2 exceptional guides, an exceptional cook, and 10 exceptional porters for a total cast & crew of 16. Our route was 9 days via the Northern Circuit, and we requested a night at Crater Camp..."

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Is Northern Circuit Route for Me?

The Northern Circuit route is a 9 day climb, which is the longest route in terms of time and distance travelled. The days spent at around 13,000 feet are great for acclimatization, resulting in the highest success rates for all routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. With a high success rate, incredible varied scenery and a very low number of visitors, the Northern Circuit route is certainly one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro. On average you can expect to hike for 6-8 hours per day, covering a distance of about 8-15 kilometers. The maximum daily vertical gain in a day is about 1,150 meters, with an average being 440 meters per day.

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The Popote Advantage

We have guided more than 10,000 climbers on Kilimanjaro since 2011. The following 4 aspects are the most important for anyone wanting to climb Kili. And we guarantee uncompromising quality for all and more.

#1 Highly Experienced Guides

Popote's guides know the ins and outs of Kilimanjaro, are trained in emergency procedures and can provide vital support in case of any unexpected situations. They also bring a wealth of knowledge about the local culture, flora, and fauna, which will make your climb even more enriching. Besides, they also play a crucial role in making the climb fun and enjoyable. It can be through singing along the way, narating anecdotes from the past, or by bringing a sense of camaraderie to your team. As as you will see, they offer every encouragement and support you will ever need.

#2 Reliable Porters

Porters carry equipment and supplies, allowing climbers to focus on the climb without carrying heavy loads. They setup your camps each day, and dismantle them when its time to move on. Without their support climbing Kilimanjaro will be next to impossible for most of us. At Popote, we value our porters highly because of the part they play in making each climb, week after week, a success.

#3 Lip-Smacking Meals

Our chefs will serve large, healthy meals to keep you happy and well-fed on your Kilimanjaro climb. You’ll have hot meals at breakfast and dinner, freshly prepared with locally-sourced ingredients. We prepare all our food to strict hygiene standards, ensuring it’s delicious and safe to eat. Our menus are designed to be nutritionally-dense, with plenty of variety to cater to the energy demands of the trek.

#4 Top Quality Equipment

We only use Mountain Hardwear’s rugged, 4-season tents, designed specifically for mountain conditions. Built to accommodate three people, we only ever have two people in a tent. These tents are manufactured to withstand high winds, heavy rain and snow cover, making them ideal for the environment on Kilimanjaro.

Northern Circuit Route Itinerary

The itinerary below describes the 8 nights/9 day Kilimanjaro climb via the Northern Circuit route. A 10 day variation that includes an overnight at Crater Camp is available as a private climb by special request.

Day 0: Arrival in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged 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. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

  • Driving distance: 55 km
  • Driving Time: 1 hour

DAY 1: LONDOROSI GATE – MTI MKUBWA CAMP

The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start points as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. 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. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. 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 MtiMkubwa Camp.

  • Distance: 8km/5miles,
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours,
  • Elevation: 7,742ft 9,498ft
  • Habitat: Rain Forest.

DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA – SHIRA ONE

Today you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).

  • Distance: 5km/3miles,
  • Hiking Time: 5-6hours,
  • Elevation: 9,498ft to 11,500ft or,
  • Habitat: Heath.

DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP ONE – SHIRA CAMP TWO

On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 via Shira rock peak. 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. Note: Trekkers on an eight-day hike will continue east up the Shira Plateau ridge and on to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) and then back down via the Northern Circuit to Moir Camp (4,200 meters).

  • Distance: 7km/4miles,
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours,
  • Elevation: 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft
  • Habitat: Heath

DAY 4: SHIRA CAMP TWO – MOIR CAMP

The trek on this is long 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.

  • Distance: 7km/4miles and 7km/4miles
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours and 2-3 hours
  • Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190ft to 13,580 ft
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

DAY 5: MOIR CAMP – BUFFALO CAMP

This day is moderately involving the 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.

  • Distance: 12km/7miles,
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours,
  • Elevation: 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

DAY 6: BUFFALO CAMP – THIRD CAVE CAMP

This day begins 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.

  • Distance: 8km/5miles,
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours,
  • Elevation: 13,200 ft to 12700 ft
  • Habitat: Heath

DAY 7: THIRD CAVE CAMP – SCHOOL HUT CAMP

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.

  • Distance: 5km/3miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Elevation:12,700 ft to 15,600 ft.
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

DAY 8: THIRD CAVE CAMP – UHURU – MILLENNIUM CAMP

You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint 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. In total you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight, so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels up.

Note: Some tour operators return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.

  • Distance: 6km/4miles and 12km/7miles
  • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 4-6 hours
  • Elevation: 15,600 ft to 19,341ft and 10,065
  • Habitat: Arctic zone

DAY 9: MILLENNIUM CAMP – MWEKA GATE

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.

  • Distance: 12km/7miles,
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours,
  • Elevation:12,434 ft – 5,380 ft
  • Vegetation: Rain forest 

Day 10 – Departure

Whether you go on a safari with us, or fly to Zanzibar or any other destination, out vehicle will be ready for your transfer at a time of your choosing.

Northern Circuit Route Prices

We do no compromise on safety and quality, so our prices are not the cheapest. However, they are also not unreasonably high like some other companies. We take a lot of pride in the value for money we provide to each and every client.

The per person prices below are based on how many people are booking the trek together.

  • 9-Day Route Price

    1 person - $3,535

    2-5 persons - $3,155

    6-10 persons - $3,095

    11+ persons - $3,039

  • 8-Day Route Price

    1 person - $2,830

    2-5 persons - $2,495

    6-10 persons - $2,440

    11+ persons - $2,390

  • The climb cost includes

    Transfers:

    • Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi
    • Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park

    Entry fees:

    • Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others). 

    Accommodation:

    • Accommodation at 3* hotel in Moshi (WeruWeru Lodge) one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay - friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool
    • Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents)

    Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition, we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.

    Meals:

    • Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike
    • All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost
    • All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water)

    Hiking and safety equipment:

    • 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
    • All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
    • If you choose extra comfort package you additionally will have walk-in tents, sleeping cots, hot water bottles for the night as well as portable toilets included
    • Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
    • GPS-tracking service
    • Complete medical kits including Diamox.

    Climbing crew:

    • Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience
    • Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)

    It goes without saying that we treat our porters, cooks and guides as well and fairly. It is an unbiased evaluation of our commitment to fair treatment of our mountain crews.

    Taxes:

    • 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Popote Africa is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.

  • The climb cost excludes

    • International flights
    • Tips (250-300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew)
    • Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others)
    • Personal gear rentals
    • Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb)
    • Portable toilets (if required - 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people)
    • Mountaineering insurance. You'll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m

FAQs for Northern Circuit Route

  • How difficult is the Northern Circuit Route?

    The 9-day Northern circuit route allows your body to acclimatize the best as you climb Kilimanjaro. Despite the longer trek duration, this route feels the easiest on the body. Needless to say that good firness levels are still required for this trek.

  • How long is the Northern Circuit Route?

    The Northern Circuit Route is 88 km or 53 miles and can be done in 8 or 9 days. The average daily altitude gain is about 440m mainly because of the much higher starting point at 2360m and the longer duration of the trek. On the summit night you will climb 1150 m from School hut to Uhuru peak.

  • What is Northern Circuit Route's summit success rate?

    The Northern Circuit is the longest route up Kilimanjaro which gives the best chance for acclimatization. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 90%. However, we have a summit success rate of over 98% for the Northern Circuit Route!

  • How is the scenery on the Northern Circuit Route?

    The main approach will take you through the rich Lemosho forest and across the Shira Plateau. Then as the climber  traverses around to the remote and rarely-visited north side of Kilimanjaro, the scenery becomes more arid and austere. It is so remote here that the shy eland are often seen as well as the occasional buffalo that come to lick minerals from the natural caves on the high slopes of Kilimanjaro.

Why choose Popote?

Read about all that make us one of the best outfitters running Klimanjaro climbs.

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