Northern Circuit

– Newest route traversing all of the Northern Slopes on a circum navigation of the mountain

 – Spectacular western approach crossing the remote Shira Plateau with fantastic views of the dramatic Shira Cathedral.

 – Offers good acclimatisation even though it starts at a higher altitude than other routes.

 – The longest route on Kilimanjaro

DETAILED ITINERARY:

DAY 1: LONDOROSSI GATE TO MTI MKUBWA

Elevation (m): 2360m to 2895m,

Distance: 6 km,

Time: 3-4 hours.

Habitat: Montane Forest.

Drive from the Hotel to Londorossi Park Gate for registration. Our porters prepare and pack the supplies and luggage before we start our ascent along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite at 2895m. We will stay here overnight.

DAY 2:MTI MKUBWA TO SHIRA 1

Elevation: 2895m to 3500m,

Distance: 8 km,

Time: 5-6 hours.

Habitat: Moorland

Our journey continues eastwards across Shira Plateau and Shira Cathedral. We will cross moorland meadow to reach Shira 1 camp for dinner and overnight camping at 3810m. By now we will be able to see, in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers.

DAY 3: SHIRA 1 TO SHIRA 2

Altitude: 3500m to3810m,

Distance: 7 km,

Time: 3-4 hours.

Habitat: Moorland

Today we walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here, especially when the afternoon mists roll in. From our camp near Shira Hut, we take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Meru.

DAY 4:SHIRA 2 TO MOIR HUT

Elevation: 3810m -4200m,

Distance: 14 km,

Time: 6-7 hours.

Habitat:Semi desert.

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 5: MOIR HUT TO POFU CAMP

Elevation: 4200m to 4000m,

Distance:12 km,

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours.

Habitat: Semi desert.

We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (15,400 ft). 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 6: POFU CAMP TO THIRD CAVE

Elevation: 4020m to 3960m,

Distance: 7 km,

Hiking Time: 6 hours.

Habitat: Semi desert.

From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleysas the trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.

DAY 7: THIRD CAVE TO SCHOOL HUT

Elevation: 3960m to 4790m,

Distance: 6 km,

Time: 5 hours.

Habitat: Alpine desert.

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 reachSchool Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.

DAY 8: SCHOOL HUT TO UHURU PEAK TO MWEKA

Elevation: 4790 to 5895m to 3100m,

Distance: 18 km,

Time: 10-14 hours.

Habitat: Stone scree and moorland.

We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 a.m on a switch back 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 MwekaCamp.

DAY 9: MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

Elevation: 3100m to 1800m,

Distance: 10 km,

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours,

Habitat: Montane Forest.

A sustained descent on a well-constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Mweka.