Mount Kilimanjaro
Northern Circuit Route
The longest route, circling Kibo's quiet northern slopes.
Photo: Christoph Strässler from Oberdorf BL, Schweiz, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Duration
- 8–9 days
- Distance
- 98 km
- Summit
- 5,895 m
- Sleeping
- Camping
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Difficulty
- Challenging
The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro's longest route: nine days that start on the Lemosho trail, then swing around the remote northern side of Kibo before summiting from the east. It has the best acclimatisation of any route.
The Northern Circuit is the newest route on Kilimanjaro and, at about 98 km, the longest. It follows the Lemosho Route from Londorossi Gate through the western forest and across the Shira Plateau. Then, where every other route turns south towards Barranco, it turns north and circles almost all the way around Kibo.
Kilimanjaro's Empty Side
From the Lava Tower the trail drops to Moir Hut (4,200 m), a little-used camp at the foot of the Lent Hills, then contours for two days across the northern slopes through Buffalo Camp and Third Cave. This side of the mountain looks out over the Kenyan plains towards Amboseli, and you can walk for hours without meeting another group.
The Best Acclimatisation on the Mountain
Because the circuit stays between 3,800 m and 4,200 m for several days before climbing to School Hut (4,750 m), your body has longer to adapt than on any other route. That is why the Northern Circuit has the highest summit success rate on Kilimanjaro. The days are long in distance but gentle in gradient.
Summit From the East
Summit night starts at School Hut, joins the Marangu and Rongai trail above Kibo Hut and reaches the crater rim at Gilman's Point before continuing to Uhuru Peak. The descent is by the Mweka Route on the south side, completing a near-full circle of the mountain.
Why Choose This Route
- Almost a full circuit of Kibo, with views in every direction
- The quiet northern slopes above the Kenyan plains
- The longest acclimatisation and the highest summit success rate
- Long, gentle days rather than steep ones
Good to Know
- Nine days on the mountain: the longest and most expensive route
- The northern camps are remote and exposed to wind
- Summit via Gilman's Point adds one and a half to two hours along the crater rim
- Camping only
Route Map
Map of the Northern Circuit Route
The trail as it runs on the ground, with every gate, camp and high point. Press a place in the list to find it on the map.
Altitude
Altitude Profile
How high you climb, and where you sleep. Dips in the line are "walk high, sleep low" days, which help your body adjust.
Day by Day
Northern Circuit Route Itinerary
This is the plan we follow on our Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route – 9 Days.
Drive from Arusha to Londorossi Gate to register, then continue to the Lemosho trailhead. The first walk winds through untouched montane rainforest, home to colobus monkeys and many birds, to the camp beneath the giant trees.
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Leave the forest for giant heather and moorland, climbing onto the rim of the Shira Plateau, with the first wide views of Kibo, the summit cone, ahead.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
An easy day across the plateau, with an optional detour to Shira Cathedral, helps your body acclimatise. On clear evenings Mount Meru floats above the clouds to the west.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
Climb to the Lava Tower for lunch, then leave the main trail and head north to Moir Hut, a little-used camp at the foot of the Lent Hills. From here the route has the mountain almost to itself.
Overnight: Moir Hut Camp
Climb out of the Moir Valley, with an optional scramble to the top of the Lent Hills, then traverse the northern slopes through alpine desert, with views across the plains to Amboseli in Kenya.
Overnight: Buffalo Camp
Continue east around the mountain over ridges and valleys of the remote northern side to Third Cave Camp, where the route meets the Rongai trail.
Overnight: Third Cave Camp
A steady climb up to the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi, then on to School Hut at the foot of the summit cone. An early dinner and rest before the summit attempt.
Overnight: School Hut
Set off around midnight up the steep switchbacks to Gilman's Point on the crater rim, then follow the rim past Stella Point to Uhuru Peak as the sun rises. After photos at the summit, descend the southern side of the mountain to Mweka Camp in the forest for a well-earned dinner and rest.
Overnight: Mweka Camp
A final walk down through the rainforest, often with colobus monkeys in the trees, to Mweka Gate. Collect your summit certificate, say goodbye to the crew and drive back to Arusha for a hot shower and a celebration dinner.
Overnight: Arusha
Good to Know
Northern Circuit Route: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Northern Circuit have the highest success rate? +
It is the longest route, and it spends several days between 3,800 m and 4,200 m before going to high camp. That extra time lets the body adapt to the altitude better than on any shorter route.
How long is the Northern Circuit? +
About 98 km, usually walked in nine days. It is the longest route on Kilimanjaro.
Is the Northern Circuit harder than Lemosho? +
No. It shares Lemosho's first days, then follows a gentler line around the north. It is longer, but the daily climbs are easier and the acclimatisation is better.
Compare
Other Routes up Mount Kilimanjaro
6–7 days
We climb this
The "Whiskey" Route
Machame Route
Kilimanjaro's most popular route: rainforest, the Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall.
- Distance
- 62 km
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Sleeping
- Camping
- Crowds
- Busy
7–8 days
We climb this
Lemosho Route
The most beautiful way up: a quiet western start across the Shira Plateau.
- Distance
- 70 km
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Sleeping
- Camping
- Crowds
- Moderate traffic
5–6 days
The "Coca-Cola" Route
Marangu Route
The only Kilimanjaro route with mountain huts instead of tents.
- Distance
- 72 km
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Sleeping
- Mountain huts
- Crowds
- Busy
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