9 Day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

The Northern Circuit Route is the longest route on Kilimanjaro. Durinf nine day trip initially ascending Lemosho route on the western side of the mountain up onto the Shira Plateau. Before reaching the Lava Tower.Heading north and circumnavigating the main summit. Clockwise direction and joining up with the Rongai route. Summit start from climbed eastern side of the mountain. Descent is straight down via the southern Mweka route.

Also known as the Grand Traverse or the 360 Route and offers the complete Kilimanjaro experience. All the habitats and the views of the mountain from all sides. The longer journey has excellent acclimatisation and stunning scenery with views across the southern flanks. Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route. Western forests, the northern plains to the Kenyan border and the arid eastern slopes. The paths are comparatively quiet and less used.

Northern Circuit Route | Ultimate Kilimanjaro

Also the altitude gain each day is less than on other routes. Gentle gradient until reaching Kikelewa. Third Caves camp, therefore over nine days the likelihood of altitude sickness is significantly less. Yet the overall length of the route is 96 kilometres, not much more than the other routes. An alternate route which summits directly up the northern slopes from School Hut is about 79 kilometres.

Being more expensive, the Northern Circuit is the least visited but in many respects it’s the best option for climbing Kilimanjaro without the crowds.

Duration: 9 Day Northern Circuit route Kilimanjaro

Difficulty: lowest difficulty level on all the Kilimanjaro Routes.
Scenery: Amazing scenery
Traffic: Low

Success Rate: highest Success Rate which is 98% and approaches from south of Kilimanjaro

Distance: 88km or 53 miles

Number of Climber Per Year: More than 50,000

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Additional information

activity	11 Activities
durations	9 Days

Northern Circuit route 9 Days Itinerary, Prices & Dates

The Northern Circuit route is the newest route up Mount Kilimanjaro and arguably the best. That’s because the a combination of all of the best elements of the other routes, rolled into one fantastic hike. If you’re looking for beautiful scenery, plenty of solitude, a healthy challenge, and the potential to spot wildlife, this is definitely the route for you.

The Northern Circuit route follows the same route as Lemosho route for the first few days, but rather than sticking to the south side of Kibo, it turns to the little-used northern trails instead.

Day 0: Arrive in Arusha – Tanzania

After your flight landing on Kilimanjaro International Airport you will meet our transfer guide to the hotel we book for your overnight ready for rest preparing for next day trekking. You will meet our experience mountain guides give you some information and check if you have all essential equipments. After that conntinous relaxing at your hotel. BDB is included

Day 1. Arusha to Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa /Forest Camp

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. Climbing elevation 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft, 4 miles, approx. 3-4 hours. 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..