Northern Circuit Route with Crater Overnight 9 Days Hike

Day 1 Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp

After breakfast and briefing, drive to Lemosho Park Gate. From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft

Distance: 6km/4mi

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

On day two you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, passing at shira camp one and ending at Shira Camp two.

Distance:14km / 9miles

Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3 Shira 2 Camp to Moir Camp

Day four is a long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters (see map above). This is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low, which is good for the acclimatisation process.

Distance: 14km / 8 miles

Trekking time: 5-7 hours

Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4 Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp

Day five involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters).The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day of hiking.

Distance: 12km / 7 miles

Trekking time: 5-7 hours

Zone: High alpine zone

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5 Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave

Day six starts with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Porfu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatised to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

Distance: 8km / 5 miles

Trekking time: 5-7 hours

Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6 Third Cave to School Hut

Day seven involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp and camera before going to bed.

Distance: 15km / 8 miles

Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 7 School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp

You will awake before dawn to start your summit attempt, meandering up the switch backs to Gilman’s Point before hiking around the edge of the caldera to Uhuru Peak – The Roof of Africa! After pictures are taken and the views enjoyed, you will head to Crater Camp inside the volcano.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 8 Crater Camp to Millennium Camp

In the morning after early breakfast, we begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope passing Barafu camp for a short break before heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance: 13.4km / 8.3miles

Approx. time: 11 – 13 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 9 Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).

Elevation: 3950m/12,959ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest

Meals: Breakfast