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Northern Circuit Route
The longest route, circling the quiet northern slopes: the best acclimatisation and summit success of any route, and views over Kenya.
Days8–9
Distance90 km
DifficultyChallenging
SleepingCamping
CrowdsQuiet
About the route
The Northern Circuit starts on the Lemosho trail and crosses the Shira Plateau, then turns north below Kibo to circle the mountain's remote northern slopes, which very few climbers see. It is the longest route on Kilimanjaro and has the highest summit success rate of all, because the slow, gradual circuit gives your body the most time to adjust.
After Lava Tower the trail heads to Moir Hut and traverses the northern flanks past Pofu and Third Cave camps, with wide views over the Amboseli plains of Kenya. The summit attempt starts from School Hut, and the descent is by the Mweka trail on the southern side.
Good for: anyone with nine days who wants the quietest trail and the best possible chance of the summit.
Highlights
- Highest summit success of any route
- Remote northern slopes few climbers see
- Views over the plains of Kenya
- Nine days for a slow, gradual climb
Map
Map of the Northern Circuit Route
Press a camp on the map or in the list below to see its altitude.
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Trail lines and camps: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Altitudes from park signposts where available.
Altitude profile
Day by day
The Northern Circuit Route in 9 days
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Day1
Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp
After the drive to Lemosho Gate (2,100 m), a short walk through old-growth forest to the first camp.
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Day2
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Through giant heather over the Shira Ridge and onto the plateau.
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Day3
Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
A gentle walk across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral.
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Day4
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower and Moir Hut
You climb to the Lava Tower (4,630 m) for acclimatisation, then turn north, away from the crowds, to Moir Hut in a sheltered valley below the Kibo cliffs.
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Day5
Moir Hut to Pofu Camp
A long traverse of the northern slopes over ridges and valleys, past Buffalo Camp, with views over the plains of Kenya.
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Day6
Pofu Camp to Third Cave Camp
The traverse continues east across the northern slopes, with Mawenzi coming into view.
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Day7
Third Cave Camp to School Hut
A steady climb up the saddle to School Hut, the high camp, with an early dinner and rest before the summit.
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Day8
Summit day: Uhuru Peak, then down to Mweka Camp
You climb by headtorch to Gilman's Point on the crater rim and follow the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) around sunrise, then descend the south side to Mweka Camp.
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Day9
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
A last walk down through the rainforest, often with colobus monkeys in the trees, to Mweka Gate, where you sign out and collect your summit certificate before the drive back to Moshi or Arusha.
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