Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro’s newest route. Being the longest way to Uhuru Peak makes it the least frequented. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the rainforest on the western slopes of Shira Plateau and passes through the northern part of the Kilimanjaro massif to end up on the eastern slope. Northern Circuit is also the only route that makes an arc of 270° allowing you to see different aspects of the Kibo Volcano This makes climbing Kilimanjaro on the Northern Circuit Route highly popular amongst photographers. Moreover, the longer duration of this trek makes for better acclimatization and an easier climb to Uhuru Peak.
The minimum of this route is 9 days.
After orientation and a thorough kit check, we will register at Londorossi Gate (please ensure that you send us your passport number and date of birth before the climb starts.) From the gate, it is a short drive to the Lemosho Glades, where we begin our trek through the rainforest to camp 1 at Big Tree
Approaching Kilimanjaro from the west, this is an exciting wilderness route, which allows us to avoid the over-crowding common on the main eastern and southern climb routes. Our trek today will take us along a little-used track starting at the Lemosho Glades. In places the vegetation is so undisturbed by humans that it grows right across the narrow track. Flora and fauna are richer here than on other, more trodden routes through the rainforest.
The day begins with a tough trek involving a height gain of over 600m, taking us to a lunch stop in a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 3,050m. After lunch we head up a long ridge before dropping down into the Shira Caldera – a high altitude desert plateau rarely visited by man.
Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones. It is filled with lava flow from Kibo, its rim eroded and blasted away by weather and volcanic action.
Today you can expect to get your first views of Kibo – the dramatic summit cone of Kilimanjaro. Camp at Shira One (3,600m).
Departing camp after a leisurely breakfast, we trek three hours east across Shira Plateau, via Simba Camp (3,720m), to our camp on the eastern slopes of Shira. The camp is located at Shira Huts (3,895m), an hour’s walk from Simba.
Optional and recommended early morning start for those wanting to try the acclimatizing trek to Shira Cathedral (3,860m). The views from the top of this ridge are very special (though those with vertigo should take care!) Allow 4-5 hours for the full-day trek via Shira Cathedral.
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Moir Hut. We now continue down to the Moir Hut.
We climb out of the Moir Valley and make a short detour to reach the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 metres.
After admiring the views, we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. Here the trail passes through a field of rock slabs that clink as they’re walked on. The final section of today’s walk undulates until you reach Buffalo Camp (4,150m). This remote, little-used campsite enjoys a marvellous location on the edge of the ridge, overlooking the Kenyan plains that extend northwards into the horizon.
From Buffalo Camp we climb up to the top of ‘Buffalo Ridge’, dropping down on the other side to reach Pofu. Nearby there is a small spring and some vegetation.
The trail continues eastwards through a landscape of increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp (3,930m).
From Third Cave Camp, we make a steady ascent to reach the Saddle, a beautiful lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue up to School Hut Campsite (4,800m), aiming to arrive by early afternoon.
The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for tonight’s attempt on the summit.
We start our ascent by torchlight at about midnight so that we can be up on the crater’s rim by sunrise.
The meandering trail over loose volcanic scree is steep and tough in places, but taking it at a slow and steady pace we can expect to reach Gilman’s Point (5,685m) in about five or six hours. Time-allowing, we can rest here for a short time while enjoying the view of the sun rising over Mawenzi.
From Gilman’s, the trail leads west along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy much of the summit area. Take the time to rest your bones and savour the view from the summit, before beginning the long descent.
To Spend a night at Crater is an option please contact us for more details.
A short descent brings you to Crater Camp, set in soft sands near the famed Furtwangler Glacier. Crater camp is not a route in it’s own right but a challenging extension which in principle can be added to any route. It involves sleeping overnight in the bowl of the crater. An amazing experience enjoyed by only a few of the most adventurous climbers.If you stay in the Crater, then tomorrow morning, you will hike across the crater floor to Stella Point and continue downwards as follows…
We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend down through Barafu Camp to reach Millennium Camp, or Mweka High Camp, at 3,800m. Relax, get some rest, and congratulate yourself on a hard day’s trekking – you’ve done it!
Walk down across the Alpine moorland and through the forested foothills to Mweka Gate (1,650m) for a picnic lunch, presentation of certificates and group photos.
This is a long walk-off lasting 5 to 6 hours, and perhaps even longer if there is rain on the route.
As the southern flank tends to receive more rain, it is quite likely that you will encounter wet and very muddy conditions in the rainforest section on this last day. Please be prepared for this and do not expect an easy jaunt back to the gate! Nevertheless, the route is very beautiful and well worth the effort.
After lunch, we drive approx.. 30 minutes to your Hotel, where a hot shower, dinner & rest await!
Solo Trekker | 2-4 people | 5-7 People | 8-10 People | 11-Above People |
---|---|---|---|---|
$ 2700 | $ 2650 | $ 2550 | $ 2500 | $ 2450 |
All prices quoted are per person in USD (US Dollars) and are subject to availability and expire on the 31st December 2018. Please contact us for a quote for travel in 2019 and beyond.
Trekking to the highest mountain in Africa.
Two night hotel accommodation in Moshi at Mountain Inn Lindrin Lodge or Parkview Inn.
Locations: Tanzania/Kilimanjaro
Activities: Mountain Trekking
Please confirm your trip in advance to propagate your special offer!
Please note: we provide tents and Mattress free for our clients.
Climbing gear are available on hire.
The hiking boot is from $20 we also have -18 and -20degree/season sleeping bag and the price is only USD$20. The price for each equipment it will cover the trip!
Please be free to ask any question and we will be very happy to work with you in organizing your tour.
Peter was an excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable guide. I did the 6 day Machame tour with comfort and ease - thanks to Peter's reminders to go slow and his team's hard work to ensure camp was ready upon our arrival. Peter had great leadership qualities and clearly seems to know how to deal with diverse clients.
Peter Kinyaiya is an excellent guide. He lead our group of porters and trekkers up the Machame route. Every one of us made it to Uhuru Peak the summit of Kilimanjaro. Peter was always ready with a helping hand or encouraging words.
It was an awesome trekking trip. My friends and I took Machame Route. I was very impressed with the beauty of various vegetation and flora as well as the breathtaking scenes over the whole mountain massif. Although I could not summit the Uhuru Peak because of my stomach problem but all of my friends accomplished with their big smiles. Thank...
My friends and I were on the week of Kilimanjaro Marathon, some of our group run full marthon and myself half. This race is a great race. We started our jorney on that afternoon when we have finshed the run. With the excellent care and support from Twende Group, my friend and I reached the Uhuru Peak exactly the time of sunrise. What amazing view, we experience. This would be one of our impressive our memory. Safari on the last day, we met closely with all Big Five.Thank You !!! Twede Africa Team.
Machame Route We enjoyed every meter of this tour. Only the summit night was very hard. But Peter and Richi motivated us again and again and pole pole we reached the Stella Point. Here we experienced the most beautiful sunrise of our life. The last part of way up to Uhuru Peak was just fantastic. Walk through the snow, gaze at the giant glaciers and see the destination in front. We were so happy! Thanks to Peter from Twende Africa Tours and his whole team. They have made it possible for us to realize our dream.
Peter was an excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable guide. I did the 6 day Machame tour with comfort.
VIEW MOREPeter Kinyaiya is an excellent guide. He lead our group of porters and trekkers up the Machame.
VIEW MOREIt was an awesome trekking trip. My friends and I took Machame Route. I was very impressed with the beauty.
VIEW MOREMy friends and I were on the week of Kilimanjaro Marathon, some of our group run full marthon.
VIEW MOREMachame Route We enjoyed every meter of this tour. Only the summit night was very hard.
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