Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route
The Ultimate 360° Grand Traverse – Peak Acclimatization & Solitude
About the Northern Circuit Route
The Northern Circuit Route is widely recognized as the newest, longest, and most spectacular path up Mount Kilimanjaro. Circling almost the entirety of the mountain's northern slopes, this route offers a full 360-degree panorama of Kibo Peak, the Shira Plateau, and the vast Kenyan plains below.
Key Highlights of the Northern Circuit
- Highest Success Rate: Because it spans 8 to 9 days, it offers unmatched acclimatization, yielding a summit success rate exceeding 95%.
- Ultimate Solitude: Bypasses the heavily congested southern trails to traverse untouched, quiet wilderness along the northern slopes.
- Complete 360-Degree Views: Ascends via the west, circles north, climbs east to the summit, and descends south via Mweka.
- Diverse Ecosystems: Experiences rainforest, heather, moorland, high-altitude alpine desert, and permanent arctic glaciers.
Route Profile & Specifications
| Starting Point | Lemosho Gate (2,100m / 6,890ft) |
|---|---|
| Ending Point | Mweka Gate (1,640m / 5,380ft) |
| Recommended Duration | 8 or 9 Days (9 Days provides the ultimate safety margin) |
| Total Trekking Distance | Approximately 98 km (61 miles) |
| Accommodation Type | High-Altitude Tent Camping |
| Difficulty Rating | Moderate to Challenging (Mainly due to duration and endurance) |
Detailed Route Overview
Your adventure begins at Lemosho Gate on the western slopes, winding through pristine rainforest before ascending onto the famous Shira Plateau. While most trekkers turn south toward Barranco Wall, Northern Circuit climbers break off northward across the quiet, rarely trodden high-altitude plains.
The trail traverses high alpine desert camps—including Moir Hut, Buffalo Camp, and Third Cave—keeping your elevation relatively steady while allowing your body to adapt effortlessly to thin air.
From School Hut (4,800m), climbers begin their final midnight ascent up steep scree paths to Gilman’s Point (5,685m) or Stella Point (5,756m), continuing along the crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m). The trek concludes with a scenic descent down the lush Mweka Route.
Northern Circuit Options
9-Days Northern Circuit
$2,350 / person
The gold standard trek. Maximum acclimatization and highest summit success rate.
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8-Days Northern Circuit
$1,950 / person
A slightly faster variation of the 360-degree traverse for experienced hikers.
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