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Mt. Kilimanjaro: 10 days
NORTH CIRCUIT ROUTE
The Northeast Circuit route is the newest of the Kilimanjaro trekking routes.
Around this magnificent mountain, on this route, you will enjoy quiet and rarely visited northern slopes.
And given that it's the longest route, you'll have much more time to acclimatize. This is a significant advantage that gives the northern route the highest success rate.
The route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, the first two days being spent trekking through rainforest to the Shira Ridge before crossing the Shira Plateau.
The route then heads north and clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp and School Hut, before reaching the summit from the east.
The descent is via the Mweka road.
NORTHERN CIRCUIT Route: 10 days
You will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to Ambassador Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
1st day: LONDOROSSI GATE - MTI MKUBWA
Depart Arusha for Londorossi Gate, where we will complete entry formalities. From there, a one-hour forest trail will take us to the Lemosho clearing. After lunch, we will walk along a forest road to the Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) camp.
2nd day: MTI MKUBWA AT CAMP SHIRA 1
We will follow a path that leaves the forest to enter an area of savannah and giant heather moorland.
We climb through picturesque hills, crossing several streams to reach the Shira Ridge.
Before descending to Shira 1 Camp, the view of Kibo from the plateau is spectacular.
Day 3: FROM SHIRA CAMP 1 TO SHIRA CAMP 2
We'll drive through dense rainforest to the trailhead, then hike to the overnight camp. Be on the lookout for rare black and white colobus monkeys swinging in the canopy.
Day 4: SHIRA 2 CAMP AT MOIR HUT
Today we follow an easy trail to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching Moir Hut in the alpine zone.
For better acclimatization, we can walk on the heights around the camp.
The views are superb. Lunch will be served at Fisher's Camp. The afternoon will be spent acclimatizing in the Lent Hills, with a summit at 4,700m.
Day 5: FROM MOIR HUT TO BUFFALO CAMP
We undertake a moderately steep climb out of the Moir Valley. You will have the opportunity to take a short detour to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375m before returning to the North Circuit trail.
From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 m).
The trek offers superb views of the plains north of Kilimanjaro, stretching to the Kenya-Tanzania border.
You will arrive at Buffalo Camp in the afternoon, where you will have lunch and time to rest after a long day of hiking.
Day 6: BUFFALO CAMP - THIRD CAVE
We climb the Buffalo Ridge and descend to Porfu Camp where lunch will be served. This route is rarely traveled and we will appreciate its wild aspect.
We walk through isolated valleys on the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave in the afternoon
Day 7: FROM THE THIRD CAVE TO THE SCHOOL SHELTER
Today we make a steady ascent above the saddle nestled between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
The trail continues southwest toward School Hut, where you'll be served an early dinner. Afterward, you'll want to get some sleep, as you'll be awakened before midnight to begin the climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Don't forget to pack all your gear, including warm clothes, thermoses, a snack, a headlamp, and a camera, before going to bed.
8th day: SCHOOL HUT - UHURU PEAK - MILLENIUM CAMP
You will be woken up around midnight and served hot tea and cookies.
After refreshment, you will begin the steep climb up the slopes of Kibo, under cover of night.
The first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break and then climb steeply to Gilman's Point (5,681m).
Take time to appreciate the incredible view of Mawenzi Peak, before starting the last 2 hours of trekking to Uhuru Peak.
The slope flattens out as we head west around the crater. Arriving at the summit at dawn, we'll stay briefly so you can take as many photos as possible of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers.
We will then retrace our steps around Stella Point, where we will turn south and descend the slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp.
After a short break, we descend to Millennium Camp for our last night on the mountain.
In total, you'll be walking for 14 to 16 hours on day eight, so it's important to pace yourself, stay hydrated, and keep your blood sugar levels high.
Day 9: FROM MILLENNIUM CAMP TO MWEKA CAMP
Today, the trail descends steeply through the lush Mweka Rainforest. The route follows the crest of a wide ridge separating two river valleys until it meets a road that takes us for the last 40 minutes to Mweka Camp.
10th day: MWEKA CAMP - MWEKA GAT
After breakfast, we will descend to the Mweka gate and successful hikers will receive their summit certificate (gold for Uhuru Peak and green for Stella Point) from the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park authorities.
A vehicle will be waiting for you at the entrance to take you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.