Northen circuit route 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing Overview
This 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing is one of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a unique and scenic trek around the northern slopes of the mountain. It is a longer and more remote route, taking approximately 9–11 days to complete and covering a distance of approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles).
The Northern Circuit Route is considered one of the most scenic routes on Kilimanjaro and also has a high summit success rate, with approximately 90% of trekkers successfully reaching the summit. The longer duration of the trek allows for better acclimatization, and the route is less crowded than some of the more popular routes. Overall, it is a challenging and rewarding trek for those seeking a unique Kilimanjaro experience.
The best 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing success rate on Kilimanjaro climbing
The best successful Kilimanjaro summit rate up to 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) of the 9 days Northern Circuit route is from 95% to 98%.This highest successful summit rate of the 9-day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit route is due to the best itinerary the allows ample acclimatization time for climbers, enabling them to adapt to higher altitude and hence increasing their summit success rates.
This 9 days Kilimanjaro Lemosho route package is favorable to solo hikers, group joining hikers, friends, and families with children.
Departure / Return Location
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Departure Time
Please arrive at least 2 hours before flight.
Northen Circuit route cost/price for 2027
The best and most affordable price for the 9 days Kilimanjaro climbing via Northen Circuit route is from $1,200 to $3500 per climber that enables you to successful summit at 5,895 meters Mount Kilimanjaro and descending back. This price vary depending on accommodations before and after the climb, number of people in a group, and climbing services offered. The 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing price and costs are paid in USD Dollars, Pounds, Euros, and in Tanzania Shillings.
Northen Circuit route tour itinerary from Arusha or Moshi 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
A full detailled 9 days Kilimanjaro climbing tour day by day itinerary: 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) – start point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters); 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp;9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
Day 3: Shira 1 to Shira 2; 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
Day 4 : Shira 2 to Moir Hut Camp;9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
Day 5: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp/Pofu Camp;9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
Day 6: Buffalo Camp / Pofu to Third Cave;9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
Day 7: Third Cave to School Hut Camp;9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
Day 8: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp; Day 9: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate
Day 01:Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) – start point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
7,742 ft to 9,498 ft, 4 miles, approx. 3-4 hours After breakfast in your hotel you will be given an overall briefing from your guide.
At 9am you will be met by our staff, who will drive you several hours to the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro and to the Londrossi Gate, where our guides and porters will prepare and pack the equipment and supplies Once at the gate you will be given a packed lunch and after registration with the Kilimanjaro Park office, we will drive for another 45mins to Lemosho Glades where your trek will begin with ascending into the rainforest.
You will ascend for approx. 3 hours in dense rain forest which could be very wet and muddy so be ready with your gaiters and trekking poles. During the trek we will have a break and you can enjoy the rest your packed lunch.
We will reach the Mti Mkubwa Camp also known as ‘Big Tree’ Camp in late afternoon. After arrival, you will be taken to your camp and tent which has already been set up by the porters who ran ahead, where you will be greeted with boiled drinking water and hot washing water.
Once you have freshened up and settled in, a hot dinner will be served in the mess-tent.
Day 02:Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp, 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
9,498 ft to 11,500 ft, 5 miles, approx. 5-6 hours From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through a podocarpus and juniper forest and then break out on to a zone of heather and lichen-draped volcanic rock and the Shira Plateau, which used to be Kilimanjaro’s third peak before it collapsed.
Lunch is taken on the trail and you arrive in camp mid-afternoon. The view of Kibo (the peak of Kilimanjaro) is breathtaking from this vantage point. Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
Day 03:Shira 1 to Shira 2, 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
11,500 ft to 12,500 ft, 4 miles, 3-4 hours After breakfast you will continue on your hike across and up the Shira plateau to Shira Camp 2 at 3,850 meters. Here you will join trekkers from the Machame Route whilst enjoying stunning view across the valley below and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero.
Day 04:Shira 2 to Moir Hut Camp, 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
D12,500 ft to 13,580 ft (Lava Tower), down to 15,190 ft, 8 miles, 5-7 hours We leave the forest behind now and a gentle grade walk takes you across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.
Day 05:Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp/Pofu Camp, 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
13,580 ft to 13,200 ft, 7 miles, 5-7 hours We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (15,400ft). After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail.The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.
Day 06:Buffalo Camp / Pofu to Third Cave, 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
13,200 ft to 12,700 ft, 5 miles, 5-7 hours From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.
Day 07:Third Cave to School Hut Camp, 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
12,700 ft to 15,600 ft, 3 miles, 4-5 hours There is a steady ascent to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.
Day 08:School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp, 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
15,600 ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065, 4 miles ascent, 7 miles descent, 6-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 a.m on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. We then head on to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend down through Barafu Camp to reach Mweka Camp
Day 09:Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate, 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
10,065 ft to 5,380 ft, 6 miles, 3-4 hours Once again you will be woken for your final celebratory breakfast where our team will thank and congratulate you in their unique, special way! We will then set off for the final 3 hour scenic descent to Mweka Gate. After lunch you will dropped off at the hotel where you can relax under a long, well deserved hot shower.
Included, 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
- Park fees
- Camp fees
- Rescue fees
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
Not Included, 9-days Kilimanjaro climbing
- Both National and International flights
- Medical insurance
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature