8-Day Northern Circuit Route Trek

Drive 3 hours from Moshi to Londorossi Gate for registration formalities. Transfer by vehicle to the Lemosho trailhead and begin trekking through rainforest. Watch for Colobus monkeys and local wildlife before arriving at Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Trek out of the forest zone into giant heather and moorland. Cross the Shira Ridge to enter the Shira Plateau—a high volcanic plateau offering vistas of Kibo peak—before setting up camp at Shira 1.

Cross the Shira Plateau past Shira 2 Camp and head east toward Kibo's flanks. Traverse alpine desert terrain and join the Northern Circuit trail heading to Moir Hut, located in a sheltered valley at the foot of Lent Hills.

Climb out of Moir Valley with an optional short side-hike up Little Lent Hill (3,375m) for extra acclimatization. Continue along high ridges across Kilimanjaro's northern slopes with panoramic views into Kenya before arriving at Buffalo Camp.

Trek eastbound across valleys and alpine desert ridges along the northern face of the mountain. Arrive at Third Cave Camp (3,870m) in the early afternoon for rest and altitude adjustment.

Ascend across the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks to reach School Huts base camp (4,750m). Arrive by early afternoon for a hot lunch, rest, and early prep for the midnight summit climb.

Begin climbing around midnight, navigating scree switchbacks between Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers to reach Stella Point (5,685m). Continue along the crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m) at sunrise. Descend back to Barafu Camp for lunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp for dinner and rest.

Complete your final descent through rainforest to Mweka Gate. Receive your official summit certificates (Gold for Uhuru Peak, Green for Stella Point) and transfer back to Moshi for a warm shower and evening celebrations.