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The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro’s newest official route, opened in 2012, and its longest — a full loop around the mountain’s rarely-seen northern side before joining the Southern Circuit for the final summit push. That extra time on the mountain gives it the highest average summit success rate of any standard route, alongside a level of solitude no other path can match.
9 Days
95%
Moderate
$ 2,191
The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro’s newest official route, opened in 2012, and its longest — a full loop around the mountain’s rarely-seen northern side before joining the Southern Circuit for the final summit push. That extra time on the mountain gives it the highest average summit success rate of any standard route, alongside a level of solitude no other path can match.
It shares its starting point with Lemosho at Londorossi Gate, crossing the Shira Plateau before circling east around the quiet northern slopes — territory almost no other climbers ever see — and finishing via Barafu Camp and the same southern descent used by Machame and Lemosho.
As the longest path on Kilimanjaro (typically 9 days), it offers unmatched altitude adaptation, delivering the highest summit success rates on the entire mountain.
The only itinerary that traverses the remote, northern slopes of Kibo, allowing you to experience nearly every perspective, valley, and climate zone the mountain has to offer.
By skirting along the rarely visited northern slopes, you escape the main trekking crowds completely, sharing the quiet alpine desert with raw, pristine nature.
Perfect for dedicated trekkers who want to maximize their time on the mountain, sleep above the clouds, and turn their climb into a deeply rewarding multi-day expedition.
After arriving in Moshi and completing your pre-climb briefing the previous evening, a private Komteshane vehicle transfers you to Londorossi Gate for registration. From here, the trail winds through lush montane rainforest — look for black-and-white colobus monkeys in the canopy — to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp.
A steady climb out of the forest onto the vast Shira Plateau, one of the largest calderas in the world. The landscape opens into rolling moorland, with your first real views of Kibo's summit cone from Shira 1 Camp.
A short, gentle crossing of the Shira Plateau to Shira 2 Camp, giving your body valuable time to acclimatize before the route turns north into quieter territory almost no other climbers see.
The route now branches away from the crowds, crossing barren alpine desert toward Moir Hut, tucked beneath the Lent Hills. Many groups take a short optional side walk up the Lent Hills for sweeping views before settling into camp.
A remote, quiet traverse across the northern slopes, with expansive views toward Kenya on clear days. This stretch of the mountain is used almost exclusively by Northern Circuit climbers, giving a genuine sense of wilderness solitude.
Continuing the circuit east, the trail rounds the northern flank of Kibo toward Third Cave, with dramatic views of Mawenzi's jagged peak opening up as you approach the mountain's eastern side.
The Northern Circuit now joins the Southern Circuit's final approach, crossing to Barafu High Base Camp. With so much acclimatization already banked, this is one of the more comfortable arrivals at Barafu of any route on the mountain.
Woken at midnight, you'll climb steep, loose scree in sub-zero temperatures toward Stella Point (5,756m), timed to arrive as the sun breaks the horizon, before the final ridge walk to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the roof of Africa. With eight days of acclimatization behind you, this is statistically your best-prepared summit attempt on the mountain. Celebrate, then descend to Mweka Camp.
A final, steady descent through misty rainforest down to Mweka Gate, where you'll share a celebratory tipping ceremony with your Komteshane crew and receive your summit certificate. A private transfer returns you to your hotel in Moshi for a well-earned hot shower and rest.
Permits and Fees (The Largest Expense)
Kilimanjaro National Park Conservation Fees: Daily entry fees for the duration of your trek.
Camping Fees: Fees for utilizing the designated campsites along the Northern Circuit (Mti Mkubwa, Shira 1, Shira 2, Moir Hut, Buffalo/Pofu Camp, Third Cave, Barafu, Mweka).
Rescue Fees: Mandatory national park fees for emergency rescue coordination.
Government Taxes: Standard Tanzanian VAT (18%) is usually baked into the package price.
The Mountain Crew & Logistics
Professional Guides: Licensed, English-speaking head guides and assistant guides (trained in wilderness first aid and altitude sickness management).
Porters: A dedicated team to carry all communal gear, food, and your personal duffel bag (usually restricted to 15 kg / 33 lbs).
Mountain Cook(s): A professional chef who prepares hot meals daily.
Transport: Ground transportation from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Gate (shared with the Lemosho route) and the return trip from Mweka Gate.
Food & Accommodation
Meals on the Mountain: Three hot, high-calorie meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner), plus hot drinks and snacks.
Water: Safe, purified, or boiled drinking water provided daily at the camps.
Pre- and Post-Climb Hotel: Typically, 2 nights of hotel accommodation (one night before the climb with a briefing, and one night after the climb) in Moshi or Arusha.
Group Camping Equipment: Premium 4-season sleeping tents (usually shared on a double-occupancy basis), a large mess/dining tent with tables and chairs, and cooking gear.
Private Toilet Tent: Many mid-to-high-end operators now include a private portable chemical toilet tent for the group, though budget operators might charge extra for this.
Safety Equipment
Pulse Oximeters: Used daily by guides to check your blood oxygen saturation and heart rate.
Emergency Oxygen: Bottled oxygen for medical emergencies (used for descent, not to help you climb).
First Aid Kit: Standard medical supplies carried by the head guide.
Crew Tips (Mandatory Industry Standard)
Tipping: Tips for the guides, cooks, and porters are culturally mandatory and not included in the upfront booking fee. You should budget roughly $250 to $350 USD total per climber for the tipping kitty, depending on group size and trek length.
Personal Gear & Clothing
Climbing Gear: Your personal clothing layers (thermal base layers, down jacket, waterproof shell, hiking pants), broken-in trekking boots, headlamps, and trekking poles.
Sleeping Gear: A high-quality, cold-weather sleeping bag (comfort rated down to at least $-10^\circ\text{C}$ / $14^\circ\text{F}$) and sometimes thick insulated sleeping pads (basic foam pads are often provided, but upgrades are not).
Note: Most of this gear can be rented locally in Moshi or Arusha if you don’t want to buy it.
Travel & Legal Expenses
Flights: International flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
Tanzanian Tourist Visa: $50 USD for most nationalities ($100 USD for US citizens).
Travel/Medical Insurance: You must purchase insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters and emergency medical evacuation.
Personal Expenses & Upgrades
Single Supplements: If you want your own hotel room or a private tent on the mountain without a roommate, you will pay an extra fee.
Personal Medication: Altitude medication (like Diamox), painkillers, personal blister kits, and snacks (like energy bars or gels).
Pre/Post-Climb Meals: Lunches and dinners in town before and after the trek are usually on your own.
Alcohol & Soft Drinks: Any beverages purchased at the hotel or at the park gates.
