9 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Northern Circuit Route

Day 1: Arrival in Moshi

Arrive in Moshi, Tanzania, and transfer to your hotel. You’ll meet with your guide for a briefing on the trek and equipment check. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and prepare for the trek, ensuring you’re well-rested before starting the adventure.

Day 2: Moshi to Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to the Londorossi Gate, which takes about 3-4 hours. Upon arrival, you’ll complete the necessary park formalities before starting your trek. The trail begins in a forested area, where you’ll hike for about 3-4 hours, gaining altitude and enjoying the lush rainforest environment. You’ll arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m) for your first night of camping.

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp (3,610m)

On Day 3, you’ll ascend to Shira 1 Camp at 3,610 meters, which is a 5-6 hour trek. As you leave the forest behind, the landscape changes to heath and moorland, offering stunning views of the mountain. The trek is gradual, allowing you to properly acclimatize as you make your way to the camp.

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)

Today’s trek is a shorter 3-4 hours, as you hike to Shira 2 Camp at 3,850 meters. The landscape becomes more barren, with rocky terrain and expansive views of the surrounding areas. This allows you more time to acclimatize to the increasing altitude. Shira 2 Camp is one of the best campsites for panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day 5: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950m)

On Day 5, you’ll continue your trek, which takes you around the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro. The trek to Barranco Camp (3,950m) is about 6-7 hours, passing through the beautiful alpine desert and providing remarkable views of the glaciers. Once you reach Barranco, you’ll see the famous Barranco Wall looming ahead, which you will tackle the next day.

Day 6: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (4,035m)

Day 6 is a shorter but challenging day, with a 4-5 hour trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp at 4,035 meters. You’ll navigate the Barranco Wall, a steep section that requires some scrambling. After reaching the top, you’ll enjoy a relatively easy trek through the Karanga Valley, with great views of the glaciers and the summit.

Day 7: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

The trek today takes about 4-5 hours as you make your way from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp at 4,640 meters, the final camp before the summit. The trail becomes more rugged as you near the summit area, and the altitude starts to take a toll. After reaching Barafu Camp, you’ll rest, have an early dinner, and prepare for the summit attempt, which will begin later in the night.

Day 8: Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Descent to Mweka Camp (3,080m)

Your summit day begins around midnight, when you’ll start the ascent from Barafu Camp towards Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. This part of the trek is strenuous and can take 7-9 hours. The ascent is steep and challenging, and you’ll reach the summit in the early morning. Once you reach Uhuru Peak, take in the incredible views and celebrate the achievement before starting your descent. Afterward, you’ll descend to Mweka Camp (3,080m) for an overnight rest.

Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,640m)

On the final day, you’ll descend from Mweka Camp to the Mweka Gate, which takes about 4-5 hours. Once you reach the gate, you’ll complete the park formalities and receive your summit certificate. Afterward, you’ll be transferred back to Moshi to relax and enjoy your achievement.