Affordable Kilimanjaro Climb 8 Days Northern Route
Kilimanjaro Climb 8 Days Northern Route for US$2390/Person Based on 2-3 Persons Booking
The Northern Circuit is the newest and longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It begins in the West at the Londorossi Gate and follows the same path as the Lemosho route for the first two days. After crossing the Shira plateau the path veers north near Lava Tower, following the longer Northern Circuit instead of the more popular Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley The route circles around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain. The Northern Circuit is longer than the other trails on Kilimanjaro, taking a minimum of eight or nine days to complete. The eight day trek skips the additional acclimatization day that is usually spent at Shira Camp 2 and continues straight on to Moir Camp
Trek Itinerary
DAY O: Arrival Day in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to BnB Hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp)
Elevation: 2,100m/6,890ft to 2,785m/9,140ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Londorossi Gate (about 2–3 hours) for registration. Continue to the trailhead at Lemosho Gate, where you’ll begin your trek through the lush rainforest. You may encounter Colobus monkeys and rich birdlife before reaching Mti Mkubwa Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 2,785m/9,140ft to 3,500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
You’ll climb steeply out of the forest and enter the heather and moorland zone, with wide views of the Shira Ridge. The trail leads to the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world. Camp overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 3,500m/11,500ft to 3,850m/12,630ft
Distance: 7km/4mi
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today is a short but important acclimatization day. You’ll cross the Shira Plateau toward Shira 2 Camp, enjoying magnificent views of Kibo Peak and Mount Meru. The afternoon can be used for rest or short acclimatization hikes nearby.
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Moir Hut
Elevation: 3,850m/12,630ft to 4,600m/15,090ft (Lava Tower) then down to 4,200m/13,780ft
Distance: 14km/8.5mi
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today offers a valuable acclimatization opportunity. You’ll ascend to Lava Tower (4,600m), where you’ll stop for lunch before descending to Moir Hut Camp. This “climb high, sleep low” strategy helps your body adjust to the altitude.
Day 5: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
Elevation: 4,200m/13,780ft to 4,020m/13,190ft
Distance: 12km/7.5mi
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert / Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Begin with a short climb to the Lent Hills for panoramic views of the plains below. Continue on a gentle trail across the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro — an area rarely visited by other climbers — before arriving at Buffalo Camp for dinner and rest.
Day 6: Buffalo Camp to School Hut Camp
Elevation: 4,020m/13,190ft to 4,800m/15,750ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek eastward through alpine terrain, gradually ascending toward School Hut, the base for your summit push. Enjoy an early dinner and plenty of rest before your midnight start to the summit.
Day 7: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,800m/15,750ft to 5,895m/19,340ft (Uhuru Peak)
Descent to: 3,100m/10,170ft
Distance: 6km/4mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 6–8 hours up / 5–6 hours down
Habitat: Arctic Zone / Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Begin your summit attempt just after midnight, climbing steeply to Gilman’s Point (5,685m) and continuing along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating your achievement, descend to Barafu Camp for lunch and continue down to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
Elevation: 3,100m/10,170ft to 1,640m/5,380ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, continue your descent through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificates. A vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to BnB Hotel in Moshi town for a well-deserved rest and celebration.
DAY 0: Hotel to Airport
After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans or take a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.
What’s included:
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Transfers, 2-Way
All park entrance, camping and rescue fees
All meals, boiled and filtered drinking water while on the mountain.
Warm water for washing to be provided every morning and evening.
Oxygen Cylinder – only for emergency
English Speaking Guides (Wilderness First Responder certified), cook and porters
Staff salaries and fees
Transport to/from national park gates
First aid kit and pulse oximeter
Emergency telephone between the guides and our office in Moshi town
3 delicious meals daily on the mountain
3 litres of bottled drinking water to be provided on the first day your hike, on the mountain porters will fetch water from the streams to be boiled and filtered for you
2 nights lodging at BnB Hotel in Moshi town
Breakfast at BnB Hotel in Moshi town
What’s excluded:
Sleeping bags
Gratuities
Soda/alcohol unless otherwise noted
Health insurance
Visa fees
International airfare
Laundry
Meals not noted on the itinerary
Email/WhatsApp
info@affordablekilimanjaro.com
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Affordable Kilimanjaro Company,
2nd Floor - Kibo Tower Complex,
Behind Stanbic Bank - Moshi Branch,
Rindi Lane Street/Boma Road,
Moshi CBD, Area Code: 0830,
Moshi Town, Tanzania.