9 Days Kilimanjaro Climb – Northern Circuit Route

After breakfast, you will continue trekking through the rainforest zone as you ascend toward Shira 1 Camp at 3,610m. The trail winds through alpine moorland, and you’ll start to see expansive views of the mountain’s glaciers. The hike will take around 4–5 hours, with a break for lunch along the way. Once you reach Shira 1 Camp, enjoy a hot dinner and rest before the next day’s climb.

Today’s hike will take you across the beautiful Shira Plateau as you slowly gain altitude. The trail is gradual, offering incredible views of the glaciers on the summit. After a 4–5-hour trek, you’ll arrive at Shira 2 Camp at 3,850m. Here, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved picnic lunch before spending a relaxing afternoon. Dinner will be served at camp, with the stunning Shira Plateau as the backdrop.

Today you’ll trek across the Shira Plateau and head towards Barranco Camp. The trek will take approximately 5–6 hours and includes the famous Barranco Wall, a steep climb that provides sweeping views of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers and valleys. Once at Barranco Camp, enjoy a hearty lunch and unwind before dinner.

After a fulfilling breakfast, you’ll begin your day by tackling Barranco Wall. It’s a challenging section of the trek, but the views make it worthwhile. Once at the top, you’ll descend into the Karanga Valley. The trail becomes gentler as you make your way to Karanga Camp after about 4–5 hours of hiking. Enjoy a picnic lunch and take in the stunning surroundings before a satisfying dinner.

This day’s trek takes you through increasingly barren alpine desert to Barafu Camp at 4,673m. The route offers expansive views of the southern glaciers and the surrounding valleys. After 4–5 hours of trekking, you’ll settle in at camp and enjoy a light lunch before resting for the summit push. A warm dinner will be served, and you'll get an early night in preparation for the summit climb.

Your summit attempt begins in the early morning, around midnight. After a light meal and hot drinks, you’ll begin the ascent to Gilman’s Point. The climb is tough, but the reward is amazing – you’ll be walking on glaciers as the sun rises. After reaching Gilman’s Point, continue along the rim to the summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After taking photos and celebrating your achievement, descend to Barafu Camp for a brief brunch. Then, continue your descent to Mweka Camp for a celebratory dinner and a good night’s rest.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll complete the descent from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate. This final portion of the trek offers lush rainforest landscapes, and you may spot wildlife like monkeys and colorful birds. Upon reaching the gate, you’ll receive your summit certificate. Afterward, you’ll drive back to Moshi, where you can celebrate your achievement with a lunch at a local restaurant.

Take the day to rest and relax after the climb, or choose to leave for your next destination. If you're planning to stay longer, we can arrange additional activities in Moshi or Arusha before your flight back home.