8 Days Northern Circuit Route - Mount Kilimanjaro Climb

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a Back To Eden Adventures representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Depending on your arrival time, you will have a pre-trek briefing with your Kilimanjaro guide either this afternoon/evening or the following morning.

The day begins with a three-hour drive from Moshi to Londrossi Park Gate for registration. Once formalities are completed, you will get back into the car, pass through village communities and arrive at the trailhead at Lemosho Glades to start hiking. You will spend this day in some of the most beautiful forest found on the mountain, with wildlife sightings possible. After a short 2-3 hours you will arrive at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite. Here, like all days, you’ll have an afternoon snack and delicious hot dinner.

Leaving the forest early in the day, the trail gets steeper as it enters the grasses and wildflowers of the heath and moorland zone towards the valley. A gentle grade walk takes you across the high-altitude Shira Caldera past Shira Cave (views of Arrow glacier) and then gently downwards to Shira Hut 1 located near a stream on the Shira Plateau.

A gentle hike across the plateau within the moorland meadow takes you towards Shira 2 camp and then diverts to Moir Hut at the base of Lent Hills for the afternoon and overnight. Many walks are available on Lent Hills, making this a great day for acclimatization.

Start the day with a moderately steep hike out of the Moir Valley. Then choose to detour to the top of Little Lent Hill before returning to the main trail where you will encounter an undulating trail around the northern slopes of Kibo before reaching Buffalo Camp. You will enjoy expansive views from the northern side of the mountain, stretching across the Tanzania-Kenya border.

AThe day begins climbing up Buffalo Ridge and then down again, traversing eastward on a path infrequently traveled. Arrive just after mid-day at the campsite.

Today we encounter a steady incline up and over the saddle, the area between the two peaks of Kilimanjaro. The views of both Kibo and Mawenzi are breathtaking. Arrive by mid-day to School Hut where you will want to rest as much as possible ahead of the ascent to the summit beginning at midnight.

We avoid walking too long in the heat of the sun today by starting around midnight to begin your ascent to Uhuru Peak. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave. You will then take on switchbacks up to Gillman’s Point at 5681 m / 18,638 ft, situated on the crater rim. This section is very steep with much stone scree and is the most demanding section of the route. From Gillman’s Point, hike for another two hours up to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. You made it! Enjoy a short time on the Roof of Africa before beginning the descent.

•Trekking Time: 5-7 hours • Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi • Altitude Change: +1178 m / +3,865 ft

After a quick celebration and photos at the top, you will begin the descent by passing Stella Point and then descending on scree slope to Barafu Camp, finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a meal and well-earned rest. On the descent, you will have fabulous views of the plains and Mawenzi peak.

A gentle trek takes you down through the rainforest past the Mweka Huts campsite to the Mweka Gate, where park formalities will be completed and you will be met by our vehicles to return you to the Back To Eden Adventures office. Here you will receive your certificate of ascent courtesy of the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority, have the tipping ceremony for your mountain crew and collect any luggage you stored. Thereafter, you will be driven back to your hotel where you can treat yourself to a well-earned shower and a good night’s sleep.

Wake up and have breakfast with the team. You have options today. You can to go for a message at the hotel, sit by the pool, play golf or visit the local market before your transfer back to Kilimanjaro International for your flight home. If you have chosen one or our quality safari’s you will start the journey today.