Kilimanjaro Budget Climb 8 Days Northern Route

Kilimanjaro Budget Climb 8 Days Northern Route for US$2370/Person Based on 2-3 Persons Booking

The Northern Circuit is the newest and longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It begins in the West at the Londorossi Gate and follows the same path as the Lemosho route for the first two days. After crossing the Shira plateau the path veers north near Lava Tower, following the longer Northern Circuit instead of the more popular Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley. The route circles around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain. The Northern Circuit is longer than the other trails on Kilimanjaro, taking a minimum of eight or nine days to complete.

Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast

02: Londorosi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp
The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start points as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach MtiMkubwa Camp.
Distance covered: 8km / 5miles
Approx. time taken: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

03: Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)
Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.
Distance covered: 5km / 3mi
Approx. time taken: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

04: Shira Camp One – Moir Camp
Today we will cross the Shira plateau and traverse to north side around the mount instead of following the south circuit like other route starting from west. The walk is quiet and low traffic from here as the rough is just separated from normal Lemosho route. Distance covered: 5km / 3mi
Approx. time taken: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

05: Moir Camp – Buffalo Camp
This day is moderately involving the steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 meters).The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking. Distance covered: 12km / 7mi
Approx. time taken: 5-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 06: Buffalo Camp – Third Cave Camp
This day begins with a climb up the Buffalo ridge and down into Pofu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 5-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 07: Third Cave Camp – Skull Hut Camp
This day involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut, you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp and camera before going to bed.
Distance covered: 5km / 3mi
Approx. time taken: 4 - 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 08: Third Cave Camp – Uhuru – Millennium Camp
You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking to reach Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain. In total you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight, so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels up.
Note: Some tour operators return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route depends on our client’s choice. Distance covered: 6km / 4mi and 12km/7mi
Approx. time taken: 6-8hours and 4-6hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 09: Millennium Camp – Mweka Gate
The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. It is customary to give your guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel at Panama Garden resort Distance covered: 12km / 7miles
Approx. time taken: 5-7 hours
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast

Day 10: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

What’s included:

• Kilimanjaro International Aport (JRO) Transfers, 2-Way

• All park entrance, camping and rescue fees

• All meals, boiled and filtered drinking water while on the mountain.

• Warm water for washing to be provided every morning and evening.

• Oxygen Cylinder – only for emergency

• English Speaking Guides (Wilderness First Responder certified), cook and porters

• Staff salaries and fees

• Transport to/from national park gates

• First aid kit and pulse oximeter

• Emergency telephone between the guides and our office in Moshi town

• 3 delicious meals daily on the mountain

• 3 litres of bottled drinking water to be provided on the first day your hike, on the mountain porters will fetch water from the streams to be boiled and filtered for you

• 1 nights lodging at BnB Hotel in Moshi town

What’s excluded:

• Prices do not include sleeping bags

• Gratuities

• Soda/alcohol unless otherwise noted

• Health insurance

• Visa fees

• International airfare

• Laundry

• Meals not noted on the itinerary