Northern Circuit

The Northern Circuit starts like the Lemosho Route, with registration at Londorossi Gate, a walk through the western forest and a crossing of the Shira Plateau. After Lava Tower, instead of joining the busy southern traverse, it turns north and circles Kibo's northern slopes via Moir Hut, Buffalo Camp and Third Cave to School Hut. From there the summit push reaches the crater rim at Gilman's Point and continues to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). You descend the southern side to Mweka Gate.

It suits climbers whose priority is reaching the top safely and who value quiet, and anyone who wants to see the mountain from almost every side.

The honest trade-off: it is the longest and usually the most expensive route, with more nights in cold, high camps. Nine days in a tent is a lot for some people.

What is the Northern Circuit like day by day?

On a nine-day climb most days are four to six hours, with a very long summit day. Altitudes are approximate; the northern camps in particular are quoted differently by different sources.

1. Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp (approx. 2,780 m). Registration, a drive to the Lemosho trailhead, then a short forest walk.
2. Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp (approx. 3,505 m). Out of the forest onto the western Shira Plateau.
3. Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp (approx. 3,850 m). An easy plateau crossing.
4. Shira 2 to Moir Hut Camp (approx. 4,200 m) via Lava Tower (approx. 4,630 m). Up high for lunch, then north to a quiet camp in a rocky valley.
5. Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp (approx. 4,020 m). The start of the northern traverse, with wide views north.
6. Buffalo Camp to Third Cave (approx. 3,870 m). Rolling terrain round the northern slopes towards Mawenzi.
7. Third Cave to School Hut (approx. 4,750 m). A steady climb onto the Saddle side of Kibo. Early dinner, early bed.
8. Summit night, then descent to Mweka Camp (approx. 3,100 m). Up to Gilman's Point on the crater rim, round to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), then down the southern side via Stella Point and Barafu.
9. Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate. Down through the forest.

Why does the Northern Circuit have the best acclimatisation?

It gives your body the most time. Eight days of climbing before the exit day, a gradual start through Mti Mkubwa and the Shira camps, a climb-high-sleep-low day via Lava Tower, and then three nights hovering between about 3,870 m and 4,200 m while you traverse the north side. By the time you reach School Hut you have spent more nights above 3,500 m than on any other standard route.

That matters because rate of ascent is the most important risk factor for altitude illness, as a 2026 review in The BMJ based on Wilderness Medical Society guidance puts it. In a cohort of 1,237 Kilimanjaro hikers (Croughs et al., 2022), each extra day on the mountain independently predicted summit success.

It is not risk-free. The Shira 1 day and the move up to School Hut (approx. 4,750 m) both gain more than 500 m of sleeping altitude, and School Hut is a cold, high place to spend the night before summit day. Altitude illness can still happen to anyone. Read our altitude sickness guide.

How busy is the Northern Circuit?

It is the quietest route on the mountain for most of the climb. The first two days share the western approach with Lemosho climbers, and Shira 2 and Lava Tower are busy. From Moir Hut onwards, though, you are on the northern slopes where few groups go, and camps can feel almost private.

You rejoin the crowds only at the very end: near the crater rim on summit morning and on the descent through Barafu and Mweka, which every southern route uses.

Season changes the picture less than on Machame, but it still matters. TANAPA lists the dry seasons as late June to September and December to early March, when every route is busier, and the long rains as March to May. Because the northern slopes are typically drier than the south, the Northern Circuit is a reasonable option in shoulder months. See our best time to climb guide.

How hard is the Northern Circuit?

The walking on most days is moderate, but the length makes it challenging overall. Nine days of camping, several nights around 4,000 m where it is often below freezing, and a summit night from School Hut add up. There is no Barranco Wall scramble, and the northern traverse is mostly rolling rather than steep.

Summit night from School Hut climbs about 930 m to Gilman's Point and roughly 1,150 m to Uhuru Peak, then you descend the southern side, which is a long day on tired legs. The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) says adults of normal health and fitness should be able to reach the top without specialist equipment; stamina and patience are what this route tests. See our training guide and packing list for cold-night kit.

What will you see on the Northern Circuit?

More of the mountain than on any other route. UNESCO describes Kilimanjaro's three volcanic peaks (Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira) and five vegetation zones, from the lower slopes through montane forest, heath and moorland and alpine desert to the summit. The Northern Circuit passes through all of them and sees all three peaks.

The western forest and Shira Plateau come first; TANAPA describes Shira as the oldest peak, collapsed to form a plateau of outstanding scenic beauty. The northern slopes are drier and emptier, with views across the plains towards the Kenyan border. Mawenzi's spires rise ahead as you approach Third Cave and School Hut.

Who should choose another route?

• If you have seven days or fewer, choose Machame or Rongai.
• If budget is tight, the extra days of park fees, crew and food make this the priciest standard route; an eight-day Lemosho gets you much of the benefit.
• If you hate camping, nine nights of tents will feel long; Marangu has huts.

Compare them on the route comparison page or use the route finder.

Sources

• Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) — Kilimanjaro National Park brochure (PDF)
• Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) — Tanzania National Parks general brochure, Kilimanjaro National Park pages (PDF)
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Kilimanjaro National Park
• The BMJ (PMC) — Prevention of altitude illness in adults: preparing people for travel to high altitude (2026)
• Journal of Travel Medicine (Croughs et al., 2022) — Incidence and predictors of severe altitude illness symptoms in Mt. Kilimanjaro hikers: a prospective cohort study

Checked 2026-09-25.

The Northern Circuit usually takes nine days, sometimes eight. It is the longest standard route on the mountain, which is why it gives the most time to acclimatise.

If you can afford the time and cost, it offers the best acclimatisation profile, the quietest trails and the widest range of scenery on Kilimanjaro. If budget or time is limited, an eight-day Lemosho is a close second.

Climbers register at Londorossi Gate on the western side, start walking from the Lemosho trailhead, circle the northern slopes and descend the southern side to Mweka Gate.

No. The Northern Circuit leaves the southern traverse at Lava Tower and heads north, so it avoids the Barranco Wall. The summit is reached via Gilman's Point on the crater rim instead.

The daily walking is mostly moderate, but the length, extra cold nights and a summit night from School Hut (approx. 4,750 m) make it demanding overall. Many climbers find the extra time makes summit night feel more manageable.