Tanzania Rewilded

Uhuru Peak at the end of the 9-day Northern Circuit
 
 
 Kilimanjaro climb · 9 days on the mountain
Shira Plateau
 
Mawenzi Tarn
 
Uhuru Peak
The slow, full circle to

Uhuru Peak

The 9-day Northern Circuit is the unhurried version of the route. Eight nights on the mountain, with an extra night below the rock spires of Mawenzi before you cross the Saddle. You stand on Uhuru Peak on Day 9.

11days
10 nights, 11 days total
9
Days on the mountain
5,895m
Uhuru Peak
Plan this climb
Day by day ↓
Download PDF ↓
 MoshiDay 1
 Shira 2Day 3
 PofuDay 5
 Mawenzi TarnDay 7
 Uhuru PeakDay 9
Climbing permit
TR · NC09
Northern Circuit via Mawenzi Tarn
 
Duration
11 days · 10 nights
9 days on the mountain, 2 nights in Moshi
Start / finish
Kilimanjaro Airport
Hotel in Moshi before and after
Summit
Uhuru Peak · 5,895 m
Summit push from Kibo Hut via Gilman’s Point
Difficulty
Moderate – challenging
Many days, but short climbs and a gentle ascent profile
Style
Private · Camping
Your own guides, cook and porters
Best months
Jan – Mar · Jun – Oct
The two dry seasons

Why takethe 9-Day Northern Circuit

This is the Northern Circuit with nothing rushed. You start in the western rainforest, cross the Shira Plateau and walk around Kibo’s empty north side. Then, instead of going straight to high camp, you climb to Mawenzi Tarn, a small lake below the jagged towers of Kilimanjaro’s second peak.

The extra night means shorter, easier days before the summit: you reach high camp in two short steps instead of one long one. If you worry about altitude, or simply want time to look around, this is the version to choose.

The climb

Eight Nights on the Mountain

Each point is where you sleep. The line dips to Third Caves, steps up to Mawenzi Tarn and Kibo Hut, and comes down in two stages after the summit. Tap a camp to see it on the profile.

FarmlandRainforestHeath & moorlandAlpine desertArctic summit1,0002,0003,0004,0005,0006,000m 12345678Uhuru Peak5,895 m910
Trail altitudeVegetation zones
  1. 01

    Moshi

    915 m · Hotel before and after the climb

    2 nights
  2. 02

    Mti Mkubwa Camp

    2,780 m · Rainforest camp

    1 night
  3. 03

    Shira Camp 2

    3,840 m · Out on the Shira Plateau

    1 night
  4. 04

    Moir Hut

    4,200 m · First night on the quiet side

    1 night
  5. 05

    Pofu Camp

    4,025 m · Northern slopes above Kenya

    1 night
  6. 06

    Third Caves Camp

    3,600 m · A lower night to rest

    1 night
  7. 07

    Mawenzi Tarn Camp

    4,315 m · Beside a lake, below Mawenzi

    1 night
  8. 08

    Kibo Hut

    4,720 m · High camp on the Saddle

    1 night
  9. 09

    Millennium Camp

    3,820 m · First night down after the summit

    1 night
Trek ≈ 92 kmHighest 5,895 mDescent Mweka route
Day by day

The Journey

✦

This is how the trip usually runs. Your guide will adjust each day around the weather, the trail and how the group is acclimatising.

Rooftops of Moshi town with Kilimanjaro's snowy top on the horizon
Moshi, with Kibo on the skyline
Day01
Kilimanjaro Airport → Moshi

Moshi, and a First Look

We meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive about an hour to Moshi. On a clear evening the mountain sits right above the town, and it is hard to believe you will be on top of it in just over a week.

At Kibo Palace Hotel your guide runs through the route, safety and altitude, and checks your gear piece by piece. Anything missing can be hired in Moshi.

Good to know

Nine days on the mountain is a long time for batteries. Bring a power bank or two, and keep them in your sleeping bag at night so the cold doesn’t drain them.

  • Transfer45 km · about 1 hr
  • OvernightKibo Palace Hotel, Moshi
  • Meals
    BreakfastLunchDinner
Big Tree Camp
Day02
Moshi → Lemosho Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp

Under the Big Trees

A drive of about an hour and a half takes you round to Lemosho Gate on the western side, where you sign in and your crew weighs the loads. The walk itself is short.

The path climbs gently through humid, mossy rainforest with tall camphor and podocarpus trees. Keep an eye out for colobus monkeys. You sleep at Mti Mkubwa, “Big Tree” camp, at 2,780 m.

  • TransferAbout 1.5 hrs to the gate
  • Trek7 km · about 5 hrs
  • Altitude2,200 → 2,780 m
  • OvernightMti Mkubwa Camp
  • Meals
    BreakfastLunchDinner
Onto the plateau
Day03
Mti Mkubwa → Shira Camp 2

Onto the Plateau

The rainforest gives way to heather and moorland within the first hour or two. You climb steadily up the Shira Ridge, then walk across the plateau to Shira Camp 2.

The Shira Plateau is the floor of an old volcano, flat and wide, with Kibo at its eastern end. It is a long climb in height today, so drink more than you think you need.

  • Trek12 km · 6–7 hrs
  • Altitude2,780 → 3,840 m
  • OvernightShira Camp 2
  • Meals
    BreakfastLunchDinner
Turning north
Day04
Shira Camp 2 → Moir Hut

Turning North

You walk east across the plateau towards Kibo. Near the Lava Tower path, the southern routes turn right; you turn left, onto the trail to Moir.

The ground becomes rocky alpine desert. Moir Hut camp lies in a sheltered valley at 4,200 m, next to an old hut. In the afternoon your guide may take you up the Lent Hills for a short walk to help you adjust.

  • Trek8 km · 4–5 hrs
  • Altitude3,840 → 4,200 m
  • OvernightMoir Hut camp
  • Meals
    BreakfastLunchDinner
The small, pointed Moir Hut in mist on a rocky slope
The old Moir Hut in the mist
Day05
Moir Hut → Buffalo Camp → Pofu Camp

The Empty North Side

A steep start out of the Moir valley, then a long traverse across Kibo’s northern slopes. The trail goes up and down over rocky ridges, past Buffalo Camp, with almost no other walkers.

On a clear day you can see far over the plains of Kenya. Pofu Camp sits at 4,025 m on open, windy ground. It gets cold fast once the sun goes.

Field note

The north side is dry, with few streams. Fill your bottles every morning and drink steadily through the day, even when you don’t feel thirsty.

  • Trek10 km · 5–7 hrs
  • Altitude4,200 → 4,025 m
  • OvernightPofu Camp
  • Meals
    BreakfastLunchDinner
Dark volcanic boulders on a bare slope, with cloud around a distant mountain
Volcanic ground on the north side
Day06
Pofu Camp → Third Caves Camp

A Gentle Lower Day

Today the trail rolls gently east, and you drop about 400 m to sleep at Third Caves, about 3,600 m. The ground is volcanic gravel and boulders, with small caves in the rock that gave the camp its name.

It is a short and easy day by design. Your body keeps adjusting while you rest. Third Caves is where the Rongai Route joins, so you may see a few other tents tonight.

  • Trek12 km · 5–7 hrs
  • Altitude4,025 → 3,600 m
  • OvernightThird Caves Camp
  • Meals
    BreakfastLunchDinner
The jagged rock peak of Mawenzi above a sea of cloud
Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s second peak
Day07
Third Caves → Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Below the Mawenzi Spires

A short, steep climb takes you up to the foot of Mawenzi, the old, broken volcano that stands east of Kibo. Its towers of dark rock look close enough to touch.

Mawenzi Tarn Camp sits in a sheltered bowl beside a small mountain lake, at 4,315 m. You arrive by lunchtime. In the afternoon a short walk up the ridge behind camp is a good way to help your body adjust.

Why this night

This is the extra night that sets this version apart. Sleeping at 4,315 m before high camp makes tomorrow, and the summit night, noticeably easier for most people.

  • Trek8 km · 3–5 hrs
  • Altitude3,600 → 4,315 m
  • OvernightMawenzi Tarn Camp
  • Meals
    BreakfastLunchDinner
A faint trail crossing bare desert towards Kibo's summit cone
The Saddle, with Kibo ahead
Day08
Mawenzi Tarn → the Saddle → Kibo Hut

Across the Saddle

You drop from Mawenzi onto the Saddle, the high, empty desert between the two peaks. The path is long and gentle, straight towards the summit cone. There is no shade and often a cold wind.

You reach Kibo Hut, at 4,720 m, by early afternoon. The rest of the day is for eating, drinking and resting. Dinner is early and you are in bed by 7 pm.

  • Trek8 km · 5–6 hrs
  • Altitude4,315 → 4,720 m
  • OvernightKibo Hut
  • Meals
    BreakfastLunchDinner
Uhuru Peak · 5,895 m
Day09
Kibo Hut → Gilman’s Point → Uhuru Peak → Millennium Camp

The Roof of Africa

Around midnight you start up the steep volcanic scree above Kibo Hut, slowly, one switchback at a time, past Hans Meyer Cave to Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,685 m.

From there you follow the rim past Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m, usually as the sun comes up over Mawenzi. Then it is down the south side, past Barafu Camp, to Millennium Camp. The descent is hard on tired legs, but every step brings thicker air.

Honest note

Even with the extra days, summit night is hard: 15 hours or more, most of it in the cold and dark. Your guides watch you closely and will turn back with you if they have to. Your safety comes first.

  • Trek17 km · 15 hrs or more
  • Altitude4,720 → 5,895 → 3,820 m
  • OvernightMillennium Camp
  • Meals
    BreakfastLunchDinner
Porters carrying loads on their heads down a trail through heather
Porters on the way down
Day10
Millennium Camp → Mweka Gate → Moshi

Back to Green

After a proper night’s sleep you walk down through giant heather and into warm, green rainforest. There is no rush today, and it shows: people talk and laugh again.

At Mweka Gate you sign out of the park and collect your summit certificate. Then it is about an hour’s drive to Kibo Palace Hotel in Moshi for a long shower, a real bed and a celebration dinner.

Good to know

The crew usually say goodbye at the gate, often with a song. We send tipping guidelines before the climb, so you can bring the right cash.

  • Trek10 km · 2–3 hrs
  • TransferAbout 1 hr to Moshi
  • OvernightKibo Palace Hotel, Moshi
  • Meals
    BreakfastLunchDinner
Kwaheri, Kili
Day11
Moshi → Kilimanjaro Airport

Home, or On to Safari

After breakfast we drive you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Many climbers carry on to a few days of safari, or rest on the beach in Zanzibar.

Where you sleep

Eight Camps, Two Hotel Nights

A comfortable hotel in Moshi at each end, and eight nights in the park’s official campsites, all the way around Kibo. Our crew carries and pitches your tent and cooks every meal.

A camp on Mount Kilimanjaro
On the mountain

Nights on the mountain: Mti Mkubwa Camp, Shira Camp 2, Moir Hut, Pofu Camp, Third Caves Camp, Mawenzi Tarn Camp, Kibo Hut, Millennium Camp.

2nights

Kibo Palace Hotel

Moshi · 915 m

A comfortable hotel in Moshi with a swimming pool, a garden, a bar and a restaurant. You stay here before the climb and after it.

PoolGardenBar
1night

Mti Mkubwa Camp

Rainforest · 2,780 m

“Big Tree” camp, under giant trees full of birds.

Rainforest
1night

Shira Camp 2

Shira Plateau · 3,840 m

Open moorland with wide views of Kibo and distant peaks.

Big views
1night

Moir Hut

Alpine desert · 4,200 m

A quiet valley camp beside an old hut, near the Lent Hills.

Few climbers
1night

Pofu Camp

Northern slopes · 4,025 m

Remote and windswept, with views north over Kenya’s plains.

Kenya views
1night

Third Caves Camp

Northern slopes · 3,600 m

Cool and open, with a lower night to rest before the climb.

Acclimatisation
1night

Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Below Mawenzi · 4,315 m

Beside a small alpine lake, under the rock spires of Mawenzi.

LakeMawenzi spires
1night

Kibo Hut

The Saddle · 4,720 m

Summit base in harsh alpine desert, between Mawenzi and Kibo.

Summit base
1night

Millennium Camp

Upper heath · 3,820 m

The first night down, where the air is already warmer and thicker.

Descent

Hotels are shown “or similar”. On the mountain you sleep in the park’s official campsites, in tents our crew carries and pitches for you.

Timing & price

When to Climb

January to March and June to October are the driest months. The northern slopes stay drier than the south for much of the year, so this route also works well in November and early June.

Climbing Kilimanjaro, month by month Highlighted: best months to climb
MonthSeasonOn the mountainClimbing
JanuaryDryWarm & clearOne of the best months. Warm days, clear summit mornings and fewer climbers than in August.Best
FebruaryDryWarm & clearVery good climbing. Clear skies, and snow on the summit is possible after a cold night.Best
MarchDry → wetWarm, some showersStill good early in the month. Showers start to build towards the end.Good
AprilLong rainsWet & cloudyThe wettest month. Muddy trails and cloud; very few climbers.Wet
MayLong rainsWet, clearing lateRain eases later in the month. Quiet trails, but expect wet days.Wet
JuneDryCold & clearThe dry season starts. Cold nights up high, and the trails get busier.Good
JulyDryCold & clearPeak season. Cold, clear and dry, with the most climbers of the year.Best
AugustDryCold & clearPeak season. Very reliable weather; book early for this month.Best
SeptemberDryMild & clearExcellent conditions. Slightly warmer and a little quieter than August.Best
OctoberDryMild & clearGood weather and quieter trails before the short rains.Best
NovemberShort rainsShowersShort afternoon showers, mostly lower down. Possible, with good rain gear.Good
DecemberShort rains → dryMixedRain clears through the month. Busy over Christmas and New Year.Good
Price per personYour groupAll yearPrivate climbAny start date
1solo climber$2,890USD per person
2–5climbers$2,890USD per person
6–10climbers$2,890USD per person
11+climbers$2,890USD per person
 Check dates →

Prices are in US dollars, per person, for a private climb with two hotel nights in Moshi. With eight nights on the mountain, four of them above 4,000 m, a warm sleeping bag matters. We send a full kit list when you book.

No surprises

What's Included

Included / 12

  • Airport transfers on arrival and departureKilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
  • 2 nights at Kibo Palace Hotel in Moshi, before and after the climbSharing a double or triple room. The first night includes breakfast; the last night includes dinner and breakfast
  • Professional mountain guides and support crew
  • Wages for guides, porters, cook and waiter
  • National park entry fees
  • Camping and hut fees, tents and foam sleeping mats
  • Cooking gear, plates and cutlery
  • Park rescue fees
  • Pulse oximeter checks and a full first aid kit
  • All meals on the mountainBreakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Boiled drinking water on the mountain
  • Park fees and lodging for the crew on the mountain

Not included / 12

  • International and domestic flights
  • Tanzania visaSee our visa guide
  • Travel insuranceRequired, and it must cover climbing to 6,000 m. See our insurance guide
  • Single room supplement at Kibo Palace Hotel
  • Tips for guides, porters, cook and waiter
  • Personal mountain gear, such as a sleeping bagSome items can be hired. Ask us for the hire price list
  • Emergency oxygenNot part of the standard package
  • Vehicle surcharge of USD 145 per carApplies to climbs that start from the Lemosho, Rongai or Shira side
  • Meals and drinks not listed in the itinerary
  • Extra hotel nights beyond the two included
  • Optional trips, such as a waterfall walk or a village visit
  • Personal expenses, such as souvenirs, laundry and phone calls
Good questions

Before You Book

The night at Mawenzi Tarn splits the climb to high camp into two short days, so you arrive at Kibo Hut better adjusted and more rested. It is also one of the most striking camps on the mountain. Read more in our altitude safety guide.

It is a lot of nights in a tent, and some of them are very cold. Most days are short, though, often 3 to 6 hours of walking, with afternoons to rest. If you like quiet and don’t mind camping, the length is a gift, not a burden.

The route is the same until Third Caves. The 8-day trip goes straight across the Saddle to Kibo Camp. This version adds a night at Mawenzi Tarn on the way up. See all options on our routes page.

A sleeping bag rated to about -15°C, a down jacket, warm gloves and a hat, thermal layers and good broken-in boots. A few spare dry socks make a big difference over nine days. We send a full kit list when you book, and our preparation guide covers training.

Add to your trip

Related Activities

Ideas that fit well with this climb. Ask us and we’ll add any of them to your plan.

After the climb

Add a safari

Rest your legs in a safari vehicle: Tarangire, the crater or the Serengeti.

Read more →
Beach

Zanzibar beach days

Finish with warm sea, white sand and Stone Town’s old streets.

Read more →
Pole pole
Kilimanjaro

Altitude & safety

How acclimatisation works and how our guides keep you safe.

Read more →
Get ready
Kilimanjaro

Preparing for the climb

Training, gear and what to expect on summit night.

Read more →
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