Northern Circuit
The 8-day Northern Circuit starts at Londorossi Gate and finishes at Mweka Gate. It covers about 80 km (50 mi), reaches Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) via Gilman's Point, and costs $2,300 per person.
The longest and quietest way up. It follows Lemosho across the Shira Plateau, then circles the remote northern slopes of Kibo, with views into Kenya, before a sunrise summit via Gilman's Point. [NEEDS JOSEPH'S OK]
Key facts
- Duration
- 8 days
- 7 nights on the mountain
- Total distance
- 80 km
- 50 mi, the daily distances added up
- Highest point
- 5,895 m
- 19,340 ft, Uhuru Peak
- Summit via
- Gilman's Point
- Sleeping in
- Tents
- Price per person
- $2,300
8-day Northern Circuit
$2,300
per person
Prices can change for larger groups. Message me for your final price.
Book on WhatsAppOff the mountain I reply within a couple of hours. I'm on the mountain a lot, though, and on a climb I may only have signal once a day or every few days.
Is the Northern Circuit for you?
Choose it if you want quiet trails and the most days to acclimatise: the more days, the better your chance of reaching the summit. Be ready for a very long summit day: around 12–15 hours from School Hut to Uhuru Peak and down to Millennium Camp. The nights on the north side are also colder, so bring a warm sleeping bag. [NEEDS JOSEPH'S OK]
What does the price include?
- Park fees
- All meals on the mountain
- Crew wages
- Sleeping tents
- Sleeping mattress
- Dining tent with table and chairs
- Transport from your hotel to the gate and back
Not included: Tips for your crew, travel insurance, gear (you can rent it from me), hotel nights before and after the climb, and any transport other than to and from the start and finish gates, such as airport transfers.
How high does the Northern Circuit climb?
| Day | Stage | Start | Highest point | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp | 2,360 m | 2,780 m | |
| 2 | Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp | 2,780 m | 3,500 m | |
| 3 | Shira 1 Camp to Moir Camp | 3,500 m | 4,200 m | |
| 4 | Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp | 4,200 m | 4,375 m | 4,020 m |
| 5 | Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave | 4,020 m | 3,870 m | |
| 6 | Third Cave to School Hut | 3,870 m | 4,800 m | |
| 7 | School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp | 4,800 m | 5,895 m | 3,820 m |
| 8 | Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate to your hotel | 3,820 m | 1,640 m |
[ROUTE MAP: Londorossi Gate, Mti Mkubwa Camp, Shira 1 Camp, Moir Camp, Buffalo Camp, Rongai Third Cave, Third Cave, School Hut, Uhuru Peak, Millennium Camp, Mweka Gate]
What happens each day on the 8-day Northern Circuit?
Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast and a briefing, we drive about 3 hours to Londorossi Gate. From there a forest track, only passable by 4WD, leads to Lemosho Glades. We walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa ("big tree") camp.
- Altitude
- 2,360 to 2,780 m
- 7,740 to 9,120 ft
- Distance
- 6 km / 4 mi
- Hiking time
- 2–3 hours
- Habitat
- Montane forest
- Meals
- Lunch, dinner
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
The trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland. After crossing several streams we go over the Shira Ridge, then gently down to Shira 1 camp beside a stream on the Shira Plateau.
- Altitude
- 2,780 to 3,500 m
- 9,120 to 11,500 ft
- Distance
- 8 km / 5 mi
- Hiking time
- 4–5 hours
- Habitat
- Moorland
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Moir Camp
A gentle hike across the plateau brings us to Shira 2. We then head east through the "Garden of the Senecios" into the high alpine desert, join the Northern Circuit and descend to Moir Camp.
- Altitude
- 3,500 to 4,200 m
- 11,500 to 13,780 ft
- Distance
- 14 km / 9 mi
- Hiking time
- 6–8 hours
- Habitat
- Moorland to alpine desert
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp
A moderately steep climb takes us out of the Moir Valley, with an optional hike up Little Lent Hill (4,375 m). The trail then rises and falls around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp.
- Altitude
- 4,200 to 4,020 m
- 13,780 to 13,188 ft
- Highest point on the way
- 4,375 m
- Distance
- 12 km / 7 mi
- Hiking time
- 5–6 hours
- Habitat
- High alpine
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave
We climb Buffalo Ridge and drop down to Porfu Camp, where we usually stop for lunch. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to Rongai Third Cave, arriving mid-afternoon. By now you should feel well acclimatised.
- Altitude
- 4,020 to 3,870 m
- 13,188 to 12,700 ft
- Distance
- 8 km / 5 mi
- Hiking time
- 5–7 hours
- Habitat
- High alpine
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Third Cave to School Hut
A steady climb up and over the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi, then south-west to School Hut. After an early dinner, get some sleep: we wake you before midnight for the summit.
Before bed, prepare your warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp and camera.
- Altitude
- 3,870 to 4,800 m
- 12,700 to 15,748 ft
- Distance
- 5 km / 3 mi
- Hiking time
- 4–5 hours
- Habitat
- Alpine desert
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Summit day
Day 7: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp
We wake you around 11:30 pm with hot tea and biscuits, and climb the steep slopes of Kibo in the dark, with a short break at Hans Meyer Cave. After 5–6 hours we reach Gilman's Point (5,685 m) on the crater rim, as dawn breaks over Mawenzi.
From there it is about 2 more hours around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. The slope flattens, and you should arrive at or just after sunrise. Our stay is short, so take your photos of the views and glaciers.
We return via Stella Point (5,756 m) and descend the scree to Barafu Camp (4,673 m) for a break, then continue down to Millennium Camp for the last night. The way down takes 5–7 hours, so expect 12–15 hours on your feet in total, more for slower groups. Pace yourself, drink and keep eating.
Joseph (right) with a climber at the Uhuru Peak summit sign, 5,895 m. - Altitude
- 4,800 to 5,895 to 3,820 m
- 15,748 to 19,340 to 12,530 ft
- Distance
- 6 km up, 11 km down
- Hiking time
- 12–15 hours in total
- Habitat
- Scree and ice-capped summit
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate to your hotel
We descend to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate. Lower down it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and poles help. Shorts and a T-shirt are usually enough, but keep rain gear and a warm layer handy.
A vehicle waits at the gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi, about 60 minutes.
- Altitude
- 3,820 to 1,640 m
- 12,530 to 5,380 ft
- Distance
- 10 km / 6 mi
- Hiking time
- 3–4 hours
- Habitat
- Forest
- Meals
- Breakfast