9 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing via Northern Circuit Route
The longest standard route to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit. Gradual ascent from the west, remote northern traverse, School Hut summit approach and Mweka descent with excellent acclimatization profile.
9 Days Northern Circuit Route
The 9 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing via Northern Circuit Route is the longest standard route to Mount Kilimanjaro's summit and is designed around a gradual ascent from the western side of the mountain, a traverse across the remote northern slopes, and a summit approach from the eastern side. The route starts at Londorossi Gate, crosses the Shira Plateau, continues through Moir Hut, Pofu/Buffalo Camp and Third Cave, then climbs to School Hut before the final ascent to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres. The descent follows the southern side of Kilimanjaro through the Mweka route.
Unlike routes that move directly from the western or southern slopes toward the summit, the 9 Days Northern Circuit Route makes a wide circuit around Kibo. Much of the route's distinctive character comes from the northern traverse, where the trail crosses quieter high-altitude terrain before reconnecting with the eastern approach to the summit.
Route Facts
| Route detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Route | Northern Circuit Route |
| Duration | 9 days |
| Mountain | Mount Kilimanjaro |
| Summit | Uhuru Peak – 5,895 m |
| Starting point | Londorossi Gate |
| Western approach | Mti Mkubwa and Shira Plateau |
| Northern section | Moir Hut, Pofu/Buffalo Camp, Third Cave |
| Summit base | School Hut |
| Summit approach | School Hut → Uhuru Peak |
| Descent | Mweka Route |
| Final exit | Mweka Gate |
| Main habitats | Rainforest, heath/moorland, alpine desert, arctic summit zone |
| Route character | Long, gradual, remote and high-altitude |
| Camping | Mountain camps along the route |
Published route schedules differ slightly in the names and placement of camps, particularly around Shira and the northern traverse. A common nine-day version uses Mti Mkubwa, Shira 1, Shira 2, Moir Hut, Pofu/Buffalo, Third Cave, School Hut, the summit, and Mweka.
What Is the 9 Days Northern Circuit Route?
The 9 Days Northern Circuit Route is a circular approach to Mount Kilimanjaro that begins on the western side of the mountain and travels around the relatively remote northern slopes before reaching the summit from the east.
The route shares its opening section with the western approach used by the Lemosho route. After entering through the rainforest and reaching the Shira Plateau, the trail moves toward the northern side of Kibo instead of continuing directly toward the southern mountain routes.
The northern traverse passes through high-altitude landscapes around Moir Hut, Pofu or Buffalo Camp, and Third Cave. These sections are generally quieter than the heavily used southern approaches and provide views across the northern side of Kilimanjaro toward Kenya.
The route eventually turns toward the eastern side of Kibo and climbs to School Hut, from where the summit attempt begins. After reaching Uhuru Peak, the descent crosses the southern side of the mountain before ending at Mweka Gate.
In simple terms, the route follows this pattern:
Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa → Shira → Moir Hut → Northern Circuit → Third Cave → School Hut → Uhuru Peak → Mweka → Mweka Gate
9 Days Northern Circuit Route Map and Direction
The Northern Circuit is different from most Kilimanjaro routes because it does not simply climb toward the summit from one side.
Its general direction is:
West → Shira Plateau → North → East → Summit → South
The western section provides the rainforest and Shira Plateau approach. The trail then turns north toward the remote side of Kibo before eventually moving east toward School Hut. After the summit, the route descends south through the Mweka trail.
This broad circuit allows the trek to experience several different sides of Mount Kilimanjaro rather than following the same approach throughout the climb.
9 Days Northern Circuit Route Itinerary
Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Starting elevation: approximately 2,360 m
Mti Mkubwa elevation: approximately 2,780–2,900 m
Distance: approximately 6 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane rainforest
The 9 Days Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro.
After registration and preparation at the park gate, the trail enters the montane rainforest. The first section is relatively short compared with the longer days later in the route, allowing the body to begin adjusting to the elevation gradually.
The trail passes through dense vegetation, with tall trees, moss, ferns and other rainforest plants surrounding the path. Wildlife sightings are possible, although the main focus of this day is establishing a comfortable walking rhythm rather than covering a large distance.
The first overnight stop is Mti Mkubwa, also known as Big Tree Camp.
The elevation gain on this first day is moderate, making it an important introduction to the mountain environment.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Starting elevation: approximately 2,800–2,900 m
Shira 1 elevation: approximately 3,500 m
Distance: approximately 8 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Heath and moorland
The trail leaves the rainforest and gradually enters the heath and moorland zone.
As the vegetation becomes shorter and more open, views of the surrounding mountain landscape begin to appear. The trail continues toward the Shira Plateau, one of the major geographical features of the Northern Circuit.
The increase in elevation becomes more noticeable on this day. Walking slowly and maintaining a steady pace becomes increasingly important as the route moves above 3,000 metres.
The day ends at Shira 1 Camp, where the landscape is considerably more open than the forest experienced on Day 1.
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Starting elevation: approximately 3,500 m
Shira 2 elevation: approximately 3,800–3,900 m
Distance: approximately 7 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Day 3 is comparatively short and gives the body more time to adapt before the route moves deeper into the high-altitude environment.
The trail crosses the broad Shira Plateau, with views toward Kibo and the surrounding volcanic landscape. Depending on the exact route schedule, some itineraries combine the Shira section differently, but the purpose remains the same: gaining elevation progressively while allowing additional time at altitude.
Shira is particularly important in the Northern Circuit because it marks the transition from the western approach into the high-altitude section of the route.
The night is spent around Shira 2 Camp before continuing toward Moir Hut.
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower Area and Moir Hut
Starting elevation: approximately 3,800 m
High point: approximately 4,600 m around Lava Tower
Moir Hut elevation: approximately 4,200 m
Distance: approximately 10–12 km depending on the route variation
Hiking time: approximately 6–7 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
This is one of the most important acclimatization days on the 9 Days Northern Circuit Route.
The trail gradually climbs across the high-altitude Shira landscape toward the Lava Tower area, reaching an elevation of roughly 4,600 metres before descending toward Moir Hut.
The important feature is the change in sleeping elevation.
Rather than continuing upward to sleep at the highest point reached during the day, the route descends to Moir Hut, located at approximately 4,200 metres. This creates a useful climb-high, sleep-lower pattern within the itinerary.
The landscape is now much more exposed. Trees have disappeared, vegetation is sparse and volcanic rocks dominate the terrain.
Moir Hut is located near the Lent Hills, providing an opportunity for additional acclimatization depending on the route schedule and conditions.
Day 5: Moir Hut to Pofu or Buffalo Camp
Starting elevation: approximately 4,200 m
Northern traverse: approximately 4,000–4,700 m
Distance: approximately 10–12 km
Hiking time: 5–8 hours depending on the camp and route variation
Habitat: Alpine desert and high-altitude terrain
This is where the Northern Circuit becomes distinctly different from the more commonly used southern approaches.
From Moir Hut, the trail turns around the northern side of Kibo.
The terrain consists of rocky ridges, valleys and open high-altitude slopes. The northern side is more remote and generally has less foot traffic than the major southern routes.
The trail may pass through or near the Lent Hills before continuing toward Pofu Camp or Buffalo Camp, depending on the route schedule.
Views extend across the northern side of Kilimanjaro toward the plains and, under clear conditions, toward Kenya.
This section is not technically difficult in the sense of requiring rock climbing or ropes, but the altitude and length of the walking day make it physically demanding.
Day 6: Pofu or Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp
Starting elevation: approximately 4,000 m
Third Cave elevation: approximately 3,800–4,000 m
Distance: approximately 8 km
Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: High moorland and alpine terrain
The trail continues eastward around the northern slopes of Kibo.
The terrain rises and falls across a series of valleys and ridges rather than following one continuous uphill climb. This means that although the final camp can be lower than the previous camp, the day can still involve considerable walking.
Third Cave Camp is located on the northeastern side of the mountain and represents an important transition point.
From here, the route begins turning toward the eastern summit approach.
The landscape is increasingly barren, with very little vegetation compared with the rainforest encountered during the first day.
Day 7: Third Cave Camp to School Hut
Starting elevation: approximately 3,800–4,000 m
School Hut elevation: approximately 4,750–4,800 m
Distance: approximately 5 km
Hiking time: 4–6 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
The trail leaves Third Cave and begins the steady climb toward the Saddle, the broad high-altitude area between Kibo and Mawenzi.
From the Saddle, the route continues toward School Hut, the final overnight camp before the summit attempt.
The environment at this elevation is extremely sparse. Vegetation is limited and the landscape is dominated by volcanic rock, loose gravel and open slopes.
The objective is not to rush.
After reaching School Hut, the remaining part of the day is normally used for eating, hydrating, organizing summit equipment and resting before the overnight summit attempt.
School Hut sits at roughly 4,750–4,800 metres, so spending the night here is itself a significant high-altitude experience.
Day 8: School Hut to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp
School Hut: approximately 4,750–4,800 m
Uhuru Peak: 5,895 m
Mweka Camp: approximately 3,000–3,100 m
Summit ascent: approximately 6 km
Summit descent: approximately 12 km depending on the route variation
Total hiking: commonly 10–14+ hours
Habitat: Alpine desert and arctic summit zone
Day 8 is the longest and most demanding section of the 9 Days Northern Circuit Route.
The summit attempt normally begins around midnight or in the early hours of the morning. The reason for starting at this time is to reach the crater rim around sunrise and continue toward Uhuru Peak during the early part of the day.
The trail climbs over loose volcanic scree toward Gilman's Point, located at approximately 5,681 metres on the crater rim.
From there, the trail continues around the crater rim toward Stella Point and finally to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, the highest point in Africa.
The summit section is physically demanding because of the combination of altitude, cold, darkness, steep terrain and accumulated fatigue.
After reaching Uhuru Peak, the route begins a long descent toward the southern side of the mountain. The descent eventually reaches Mweka Camp, where the night is spent at a much lower elevation.
The large drop in elevation after the summit is important because descending allows the body to move away from the extreme altitude of the summit zone.
Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Mweka Camp: approximately 3,000–3,100 m
Mweka Gate: approximately 1,600–1,700 m
Distance: approximately 9–10 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane rainforest
The final day leaves Mweka Camp and descends through the rainforest.
The environment changes rapidly as the trail loses elevation. Alpine vegetation gives way to thicker forest, eventually returning to the lower mountain ecosystem.
The trail ends at Mweka Gate, where the descent from Mount Kilimanjaro is completed.
The entire 9-day route therefore forms a broad circuit around Kibo before exiting from a different side of the mountain from where it began.
What’s Included & What’s Not
Everything you need to know so there are no surprises on the mountain.
Included in Your Package
- Private transfer Moshi ↔ Londorossi Gate / Mweka Gate
- 2 nights hotel in Moshi (before & after climb)
- All Kilimanjaro National Park fees & camping fees
- Mountain rescue & emergency fees
- Professional English-speaking mountain guide
- Assistant guides (group size dependent)
- Experienced mountain porters & cook
- High-quality 4-season mountain tents
- Sleeping mats + dining tent with tables & chairs
- Portable toilet + toilet tent
- 3 fresh meals per day + hot drinks
- Clean drinking water throughout the trek
- Daily luggage carrying by porters
- First-aid kit & daily altitude health checks
- Safety briefing + summit certificate
Not Included
- International & domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel / medical / evacuation insurance
- Personal trekking gear & clothing
- Sleeping bag & trekking poles (rental available)
- Tips for guides, porters & mountain crew
- Personal drinks, alcohol & soft drinks
- Laundry, phone calls & internet
- Extra hotel nights outside the package
- Meals outside the agreed itinerary
- Private toilet upgrade (optional)
- Any service not listed under “Included”
