9 Days Northern Circuit

The Lemosho Route is one of our preferred routes due to its low traffic, beautiful scenery and high summit success rate,

This route starts off from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate, From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the lush rainforest to Shira Plateau.

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 Lemosho – Northern Circuit joins the Rongai route at Third Cave Camp, Approach the summit via Gilman’s Point and then descends via the Mweka Route.

This is also one of the longest routes on the mountain, giving you maximum time to acclimatize to the altitude and thereby increasing your chances of successfully summiting, the trek can also be attempted in 9 Days.

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by a Maua Adventures representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Your guide will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

Meals
Meals not included. You have the option of having lunch and/or dinner at the hotel or a restaurant in town.

Accommodation
Accommodation is at the Lindrin Lodge or Panama Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis. Alternative accommodation of the same standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable.

*For those on a lower budget, you can request for alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.

Lemosho Glades (2385m / 7825ft) to Big Tree Camp (2780m / 9121ft)


You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate to kick off Day 1 of your 8 day adventure on Kilimanjaro – approximately 2-hour drive through farmland and plantations At the Londorossi National Park Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro, you will register for your Kilimanjaro climb. Your guide will handle the formalities. A short 15km drive takes you to the drop off point and the trail head to start your Kilimanjaro Climb. Climb steadily through the rain forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp (2780m). The trail is short and moderately steep. Porters will assist throughout the trek carrying your entire luggage, except your day pack and the mountain crew; will have already set up your tents before you arrive. You can rest and enjoy the beautiful forest surroundings in which you will camp tonight.

Distance
7km / 4.3mi

Duration
4 hours

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)

The destination today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. Start the day on a trail out of the rainforest, soon entering moorland terrain where Lobelia plants and Erica trees punctuate the landscape. Trek across this plateau of grassy moorland and heather, before climbing the northern slopes of Shira Ridge to arrive at Shira 1 Camp. Relax, put your feet up, enjoy your meal and sleep well, after gaining a fair amount of altitude today.

Distance
8.5km / 5.3mi

Duration
6-7 hrs

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Shira 1 Camp (3500m) to Moir Camp (4175m)

Today we have the chance to view the Northern ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. The terrain during our steady climb will change from the moorland of the Shira Plateau to the broad upland desert beneath the Lent Hills with great panoramic views. Look out for the giant Senecio’s before the high alpine desert zone. Our camp is close to Moir Hut (4175m). After a short rest you can go on a recommended afternoon acclimatization walk towards the top of the ridgeline. The ridgeline is in the lower part of the Lent Hills (4300m) – about 2 km away and 130 meters higher than the camp. Dinner will be served on your return to camp.

Distance
10km / 6 mi

Duration
5 – 7 hours

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Barranco Camp (3,972m / 13,031ft) to Karanga Camp (3963m / 13,002ft)

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley; from here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

Distance
5.5km / 3.4mi

Duration
5 – 6 hours

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Moir Camp (4175m) to Pofu Camp (4030m)

Today we trek north to Moir Valley – tackle the hardest part of the day at the beginning as you climb a bleak and imposing slope to the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375m. Strike eastwards around the Northern Circuit Trail, continuing up and down the undulating valleys on the northern face of Kibo, before finishing your trek day at Pofu Camp. Afternoon Acclimatization Hike recommended.

Distance
9.2km / 5.8 mi

Duration
5-7 hrs

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Pofu Camp (4030m) to Third Cave (3900m)

The day starts with a climb up heading east through the remote valleys and around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and vegetation gets increasingly sparse, but by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude and enjoying the fact there are no steep passages to tackle today. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

Distance
8km / 5mi

Duration
5-7 hours

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Third Cave (3900m) to School Hut Camp (4750m)

We begin today with a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Although you should be acclimatizing by now, make sure to drink lots of water and stick to your guide’s slow pace. You could feel the weight of altitude today as you climb steadily higher up Kilimanjaro. Take a few breaks to rest when possible and enjoy stunning views across the saddle to Mawenzi. In preparation for you summit attempt, you will be served an early dinner after arriving at School Hut, before going to bed for an attempt at some shut-eye and rest. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks and headlamp before going to bed, as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt.

Distance
4.8 km / 3 mi

Duration
4-5 hours

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis

School Hut (4750m)↑ to UHURU PEAK (5895m) ↓to Millenium Camp (3790m)

Today is “The Big Day� – the summit stage. Your guide will wake you around midnight for a hot beverage and snacks before you begin your final ascent which will be long, slow and strenuous ascent. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you should reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will pass Stella Point (5730m) to reach the highest summit on Kilimanjaro – Uhuru Peak at 5895m.
Witness the awe-inspiring views from the highest point on the African continent, take your pictures to document your achievements and revel in an unforgettable experience. Your descent to School Hut, will be fast and dusty, but a warm meal and short rest awaits you, before proceeding downwards 3-4 hours to Horombo Hut.

Distance
5.9km / 3.7mi ascent & 8.4km / 5.2 mile descent

Duration
6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

After breakfast the final day of your adventure begins, with a gentle trek down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! Our vehicles and driver will meet us at the gate to take you to your accommodation in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower, a cold swim (and a cold beer or two!) before a big evening celebration. Overnight in Moshi

Distance
12.1km / 7.5mi

Duration
4-5 hours

Meals
Breakfast & Lunch Included.

Accommodation
Accommodation is at the Lindrin Lodge or Panama Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis. Alternative accommodation of the same standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable

*For those on a lower budget, you can request for alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

*Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania

Meals
Breakfast Included.