All routes
9 days98 km · Strenuous95% summit rate
Northern Circuit
The Grand Tour
West side of the mountain
Overview
The Northern Circuit follows the western Lemosho approach onto Shira, then traces the seldom-walked northern slopes for two full days before swinging back round to the summit. With nine days on the mountain and acclimatisation built into almost every leg, summit success is consistently the highest of any route.
Why this route?
- Climbers who can spare the extra days
- First-time high-altitude trekkers wanting the safest profile
- Photographers — every face of the mountain in one trip
Highlights
- Quietest trail on Kilimanjaro after the Shira Plateau
- Two full days on the rarely-walked northern slopes
- Summit from the east via Gilman's Point
Acclimatisation profile
Where you sleep each night. Summit altitude shown for reference at the top.
Day 12,780 m
Mti Mkubwa
Day 23,505 m
Shira 1
Day 34,200 m
Moir Hut
Day 44,020 m
Buffalo Camp
Day 53,870 m
Third Cave
Day 64,750 m
School Hut
Day 73,100 m
Mweka Camp
Summit
5,895 m
Day-by-day itinerary
Camps on the route
| Camp | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mti Mkubwa | 2,780 m | — |
| Shira 1 Camp | 3,505 m | — |
| Shira 2 Camp | 3,845 m | — |
| Moir Hut | 4,200 m | — |
| Buffalo Camp | 4,020 m | — |
| Third Cave | 3,870 m | — |
| School Hut | 4,750 m | Summit base |
| Mweka Camp | 3,100 m | — |