Northern circuit Overview
This route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. It offers a chance to visit Shira Plateau (Cathedral Peak) and Shira Caldera. Lemosho Route crosses from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 Camp in a pleasant hike. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route as Machame Route through Lava Tower, Barranco, and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. The minimum days required for this route is 7 days, but eight days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and achieve the summit. Like Machame,this is a scenically spectacular and varied route. Lemosho is highly recommended, and it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephants, buffalo, eland, and lions, which come over to forage during the dry season from Longido game-controlled area.
Northern Circuit Detailed Itinerary
Elevation: 1,000 m to 1,200 m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45 Minutes
Habitat: Town
Eco Trail Expedition staff will meet and pick you up from JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi for overnight B/B.
Elevation: 1,200 m to 1,950 m to 2,850 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
We will pick you up from your hotel and transport you to the Londorosi gate for registration. After this formality, you board the vehicle and drive again to Lemosho Glade. From this point you will start the trek across undisturbed Montane forest decorated with Black and White Colobus Monkeys to the camp where dinner and overnight will take place.
Elevation(m): 2850m to 3500m
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Habitat: Moorland and heather land
This is an acclimatization trek because you will gain over 650 m by starting walking across a beautiful valley outside Shira caldera rim (3600 m). After few hours you will reach into Shira caldera. A high altitude desert, Shira is the one among the three peaks that erupted in the Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The peak ltaer collapsed and formed a crater, which eventually became filled with the lava flow from Kibo Peak. Its rim is eroded and blasted away by weather and volcanic action. Camp and overnight at 3500 m elevation at the Shira One campsite.
Elevation: 3500m to 3800m
Distance: 7km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland and rocky
This day you will trek east across the Shira plateau, visiting the cathedral peak (3850 m) for acclimatization. Reaching this peak, you will find spectacular views of Mt. Meru and Kibo Peak. We then continue trekking to Shira two camp, where we will stay for dinner and overnight
Elevation: 3800m to 4155m
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
It is a really good day whereby you will follow the trail to Lava Tower (4,542 meters). This day allows you to climb high and sleep low and is critical for acclimatization. Stronger hikes may continue to the ruined camp at Arrow Glacier (4,871 meters). Continue hiking from
Lava Tower to Moir Hut.
Elevation: 4155m to 4145m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4 hours.
Habitat: Moorland
Today you will start the hike by hiking out of the Moir Valley. Hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. Continue east through a rock field. Finally reach Buffalo Camp at the end of the day.
Elevation: 4145m to 3936m. Elevation loss: 209 m
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Today you will climb to the top of Buffalo Ridge before continuing on through the barren landscape to Third Cave Camp. Cross many gullies during this day; you will lose 209m today
Elevation: 3936 m to 4717 m.
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Begin the day by backtracking yesterday’s trail until the dry riverbed. Head west toward Kibo on a steady upward climb. By the early afternoon, reach School Hut on the eastern slopes of Kibo. The Saddle to Mawenzi lies just a few minutes from the camp. Prepare for your midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak.
Elevation: 4717m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 to 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
Due to the steep ascent at high altitude, this is the most challenging day of the ascent. Leave School Hut around midnight to begin your hike to the top of Kibo Crater. It is important to remember to snack during the ascent to keep your energy up. You will likely lose your appetite during this day and begin to feel new effects of altitude sickness. Reach Gilman’s Point on the Crater rim. Continue on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The hike to the summit is slow, and will take approximately 1.5 hours from Gilman’s Point. After reaching the summit, descend to Barafu Camp for a rest and brunch. Around 1pm, descend to Millennium Camp. Reach Millennium Camp at approximately 6pm
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast, you will descend down to Mweka Park Gate, walking across Montane Forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate, you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well-deserved celebration
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45 Minutes
Habitat: Town
Eco trail expedition staff will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or to Safari or Zanzibar if you have extension because we do organize it too
Include
- Accommodation (two nights) at hotel in Moshi.
- 9 Days park Entrance fees
- 8 night camping fees
- 9 Days rescue fees
- Forest fees.
- Crater camp extra payments.
- Food 3 meals everyday on the mountain.
- Camping equipment such as tents, tables, chairs etc.
- Salaries to all porters, Cook, Assistant Guide and Chief guide
- Transfer to Lemosho gate and return to Moshi after the climb.
- Transfer from JRO to Hotel and return
- Small company first aid kit.
- Oxygen tank supply
- Oxymeter.
Exclude
- Tip for the supporting crew.
- Personal things.
- Food and drinks at your hotel.
- Any flight.
Essential Personal Equipment Checklist for Climbing.
- One sleeping bag
- One sleeping Mat
- One pair of climbing poles/sticks
- One large Duffle bag with straps / rucksack
- One head lamp / Flashlight + Batteries
- Water bottle - 2 liters x 2 bottle or camel bag bottle
- Camera / sufficient memory/film
- Purification water Tablets / Water Pump
- One pair sunglasses
- One pair of climbing hiking boots
- One pair of tennis Shoes - to begin climb/side walks
- Socks - thin and thick pairs
- One warm trousers
- Woolen Trousers and jacket with zippers
- Water proof / wind trousers & jackets
- Warm Sweater for cold nights
- Inner slacks - long Johns & Top
- Long / short sleeve T-shirt with zippers
- Pajamas and hand towel
- Shade Sun hat or cap
- Balaclava
- Gaiters
- Mitten / Gloves - poly thermal
If it happens you do not have any among from those which have mentioned, we will help
you on getting them from the hiring stores here in Moshi with reasonable price and not
Mzungu price.