10 Days Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro: The Grand Traverse
Experience the ultimate 10 Days Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro climb via the Northern Circuit Grand Traverse. Enjoy 360° panoramic views, quiet trails, and the highest summit success rate. Book now!
- Private Vehicle
- 3 Star Hotel
- Uhuru Peak (5,895m)
- Moshi
- All over the Year
- Eco-Tour, Hiking
- All meals during the trek
- English, Spanish, French, Chinese
- Easy to Moderate
- 2-15
- 12
- 65
Overview
The 10-Day Northern Circuit Route is the newest, longest, and most exciting itinerary on Mount Kilimanjaro. It builds upon the beautiful western approach of the Lemosho route before traversing completely around the remote, wind-swept northern slopes of the mountain. Because it spends a full 10 days on the trails, it offers an unmatched acclimatization profile, making it the safest option with a near-perfect summit success rate. If you are looking for complete wilderness immersion, diverse ecosystems, and panoramic, uncrowded views of the entire mountain, this is the ultimate Kilimanjaro experience.
Highlights
- Highest Success Rate: Spreading the trek over 10 days ensures incredible acclimatization, giving you the best chance of standing at Uhuru Peak.
- Complete Mountain Traverse: Nearly circle the entire volcanic cone of Kibo, viewing the mountain from almost every direction.
- Untouched & Quiet Trails: Escape the crowded routes and trek through the peaceful, remote northern slopes overlooking the Kenyan border.
- Premium Wilderness Camping: Fall asleep under the vast African night sky in top-tier mountain tents managed by an expert field crew.
Itinerary
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by our driver and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. You will meet your guide for a gear check and a pre-climb briefing to prepare for the trek ahead.
Activity: Trekking through the Untouched Rainforest
Distance: 6 km | Time: 3–4 Hours
Altitudes: 2,100m to 2,650m
Meals: Lunch & Dinner | Stay: Mti Mkubwa Camp
The Journey: After breakfast, you will drive to the Londorossi Gate for registration and entry formalities. The drive itself is beautiful, taking you up the western slopes. Your trek begins on a scenic, undisturbed trail through the dense montane rainforest. This zone is rich with wildlife; keep your eyes peeled for bright bird species and large Colobus monkeys. You will overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp), tucked safely inside the forest canopy.
Activity: Ascent into the Moorland Zone
Distance: 8 km | Time: 5–6 Hours
Altitudes: 2,650m to 3,610m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Stay: Shira 1 Camp
The Journey: Today the trail steepens as you leave the rainforest and climb out into the giant heather and moorland zones. You will cross several ridges and valley streams before stepping onto the massive Shira Ridge. The landscape opens up into a vast, rolling volcanic plateau where you will get your first incredible, unhindered views of Kibo Peak across the plains. Your camp sits on the western edge of the plateau.
Activity: Crossing the Shira Plateau
Distance: 7 km | Time: 3–4 Hours
Altitudes: 3,610m to 3,850m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Stay: Shira 2 Camp
The Journey: A gentle, steady day designed to ease your body into the elevation. You will hike directly across the historic Shira Plateau—one of the highest plateaus on earth. The terrain features low alpine shrubs, unique lobelia plants, and ancient lava formations. You will reach Shira 2 Camp in time for a hot lunch. The afternoon is spent resting, offering great photo opportunities of Kibo's western glaciers.
Activity: Trekking to the Base of Kibo
Distance: 10 km | Time: 5–7 Hours
Altitudes: 3,850m to 4,200m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Stay: Moir Hut
The Journey: The trail heads east toward Kibo, entering the stark, rocky Alpine Desert zone. You will climb steadily up toward the main trail before branching off to the north toward Moir Hut, a secluded and rarely visited camp nestled in a rugged volcanic valley at the base of the Lent Hills. This detour provides fantastic high-altitude acclimatization, and you can take a short walk up the nearby ridges in the afternoon.
Activity: Entering the Northern Circuit
Distance: 12 km | Time: 5–7 Hours
Altitudes: 4,200m to 4,020m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Stay: Buffalo Camp
The Journey: Today you officially begin the Northern Circuit traverse. You will climb out of the Moir Valley and trek around the northern slopes of Kibo Peak. The landscape here is wild, desolate, and incredibly peaceful, with wide-open views reaching all the way out to the plains of Kenya. The trail goes up and down over volcanic ridges, allowing you to walk high and sleep low. You will reach Buffalo Camp (also known as Pofu Camp) for dinner.
Activity: Trekking the Remote Northern Slopes
Distance: 8 km | Time: 5–7 Hours
Altitudes: 4,020m to 3,800m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Stay: Third Cave
The Journey: You continue your journey around the quiet northern face of the mountain. As you hike, the massive bulk of Kibo towers directly above you to your right, showing a completely different and uncrowded perspective of the peak. The valleys here are dry, rocky, and feel completely untouched by the modern world. The day ends with a gentle descent into the Third Cave Camp, where you will join the path coming up from the Rongai Route.
Activity: Steady Climb into the Alpine Desert
Distance: 5 km | Time: 4–5 Hours
Altitudes: 3,800m to 4,800m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Stay: School Hut
The Journey: A short but steep uphill march that crosses back into the deep Alpine Desert. You will climb steadily up the ridge between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, heading toward the high-altitude base camp at School Hut. The air is thin, so you will move at a very disciplined "pole pole" pace. You will arrive at School Hut by early afternoon, giving you plenty of hours to eat a warm dinner, adjust your gear, and get maximum sleep before midnight.
Activity: The Summit Push & Majestic Crater Overnight
Distance: 6 km | Time: 6–8 Hours
Altitudes: 4,800m to 5,895m (Sleep at 5,750m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Stay: Crater Camp
The Experience: An extraordinary day! Unlike other routes that force you to immediately drop all the way down after the peak, this premium 10-day itinerary takes you up past Gillman’s Point (5,685m) straight to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)—the Roof of Africa during the daytime. After celebrating at the summit, you will make a short descent into the volcanic crater floor to spend the night at Crater Camp (5,750m). This rare experience allows you to sleep alongside towering, ancient blue ice walls and explore the ash pit in total silence. (Note: Sleeping at this altitude requires excellent fitness and health, which the prior 7 days of trekking have fully prepared you for).
Activity: Long Descent through Alpine Desert and Moorland
Distance: 14 km | Time: 7–9 Hours
Altitudes: 5,750m down to 3,100m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Stay: Mweka Camp
The Journey: Wake up inside the spectacular volcanic crater surrounded by towering glaciers. After a warm breakfast, you will leave the crater and begin a long, steady descent down the southern face of the mountain via the Barafu trail. The air gets richer and warmer with every hour. You will take a lunch break at Barafu Hut, then continue your descent into the moorland zone, finishing a long but highly rewarding day at Mweka Camp.
- Activity: Final Forest Descent & Farewell Celebration
- Distance: 10 km | Time: 3–4 Hours
- Altitudes: 3,100m to 1,640m
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
- The Journey: Your final morning on Mount Kilimanjaro opens with a lively celebration, tipping ceremony, and traditional songs performed by your incredible mountain crew. You will complete a relaxed, gentle walk down through the beautiful green rainforest to the Mweka Gate. Here, you will sign out of the national park registry and proudly collect your official gold certificates for reaching Uhuru Peak. Your safari vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel for a long-awaited hot shower and a massive celebration!
Departure Day: Farewell Tanzania
After a well-deserved rest and breakfast at your hotel, our driver will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight home or your next safari destination.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Airport Transfers: Private pick-up and drop-off services at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
- Certified Guides: Professional, English-speaking mountain guides (Wilderness First Responder certified).
- Porter Support: Dedicated, large support team of porters to transport gear, heavy equipment, and camp setups.
- Camping Equipment: Premium 4-season mountain tents, thick foam mattresses, large mess tents, tables, and chairs.
- All Park Fees: National Park conservation entry permits, public camping fees, crater camping fees, and mandatory rescue fees.
- Meals: Fresh, high-calorie, nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) cooked daily on the trails by our private chef.
The Cost Excludes
- Hotel Accommodation: (Unless pre-booked before and after the climb).
- Gear Rental: Personal clothing layers, high-altitude sleeping bags, trekking poles, etc.
- Tips: Gratuities for guides, porters, and cooks (highly expected as part of Tanzanian mountain culture).
- Personal Items: International flights, Tanzania entry visa, and comprehensive international travel/medical insurance.
All About Your Trek
Route & Terrain: The 10-Day Northern Circuit is a grand traverse. You climb up the western face via Londorossi/Shira, loop completely around the north face, and descend through the Mweka route on the south. The terrain is exceptionally diverse, shifting from muddy rainforest roots and rocky moorland valleys to open, moon-like high deserts and massive volcanic ice fields.
Duration & Pace: Spreading the trek over 10 days makes it a very steady, safe, and enjoyable experience. Moving at a very slow and controlled pace (“pole pole”) is vital, allowing your red blood cells to naturally multiply to comfortably handle the low barometric pressures at high altitudes.
Accommodation & Facilities: This is a pure wilderness camping route, including a rare night spent inside the volcanic crater. You will sleep on comfortable foam mattresses inside top-tier weather-proof tents. A large mess tent is set up every single day for hot dining. Since there is no electricity on the trails, bringing a reliable, high-capacity power bank is highly recommended.
Best Time to Visit: January through March and June through October are the absolute peak dry months. The Northern Circuit is also an excellent option during the edge of the rainy seasons, as the northern slopes sit in a natural rain shadow, staying much drier than the southern faces of Kilimanjaro.
Preparation & Packing Tips: Excellent aerobic and leg endurance training (hiking with a weighted pack, stair climbing, or distance running) is highly encouraged. Pack high-energy treats like chocolates, energy gels, or dried nuts to keep your calorie intake high during the summit pushes when high elevation might reduce your standard appetite.
Health & Safety: Your safety is our number one operational goal. Our guides check your physical health twice a day using pulse oximeters to closely monitor your heart rate and blood oxygen levels. The exceptional 10-day acclimatization profile, combined with the slow ascent, makes this route the absolute safest path on Kilimanjaro with an unmatched success rate.
