This long and remote route to the peak of Kilimanjaro will take you through beautiful forests, moorlands and heather, alpine deserts and icy landscapes. This route is dynamic and exciting, with a lot to see on your journey. People choose this route because of its beauty and remoteness. It also promises not only an enjoyable hike but a high success rate of reaching the summit!
The Route: The Northern Route takes you first along the Lomosho Route towards the Lava tower before breaking off towards Moir Camp, Buffalo Camp, Rongai Third Cave and School Hut before reaching Uhuru Peak. You will also descend via a different route, the Mweka Route.
Accommodation: On the mountain, you will be staying overnight at tented campsites. Mauly Tours can organise accommodation for you the night before and after as well as transport to and from your accommodation both days.
Hiking Time: 7 km taking 3-4 hours
Terrain: Mountain forest
The trek will start at Londorossi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate, you will meet your guide, porters, and a game ranger who will accompany you, as you might encounter elephants and buffaloes during your trek.
Your trek today will be along a little-used track known as Chamber’s Route. This track takes you through dense rainforest, seemingly untouched by man as the vegetation grows wild across the paths. You will stop for the night at your camp in the rainforest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree).
Hiking Time: 8 km taking 4-5 hours
Terrain: Mountain forest, moorland and heather
After breakfast, you start the climb cross the remaining rainforest towards the giant moorland zone. After the forest clears you will see stunning views throughout the day.
Today you will reach Shira Camp 1, the third peak of Kilimanjaro located on the Western side, and catch your first close up glimpse of Kibo.
Hiking Time: 6 km taking 3-5 hours
Terrain: Moorland and heather
This extra day for acclimatisation will be spent exploring the Shira plateau. Here you can explore the ancient collapsed Shira cone, the oldest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanoes.
You will camp for the night at Shira Camp 2 (Fischer’s Camp). Here you will have a full view of Uhuru Peak for the first time.
Hiking Time: 14 km taking 5-7 hours
Terrain: Alpine desert
Today you will trek east, passing through the “Garden of the Senecios’, where you will be surrounded by large senecio plants, before reaching the high alpine desert. The day starts with a trek up to the Lava Tower and the Sharks Tooth rock formation (4,600 m) which will be the highest point reached today.
You will have lunch at this iconic site before pressing onto joining the Northern Circuit and heading down to Moir Camp (4,200 m). Today is an important addition to your trek as it helps you acclimatise and ultimately prepare for the summit!
Hiking Time: 12 km taking 8-7 hours
Terrain: Alpine desert
Today will be a relatively strenuous stage in your journey to the summit. However, the views make it all worth it. On your journey, you will be met with vistas out across the north of Kilimanjaro all the way out to the border of Kenya.
Your day starts with a steep climb out of the Moir Valley before taking a detour to Little Lent Hill (4,375 m). After this, you will reconnect with the Northern Circuit trail and continue over a number of inclines and declines surrounding the slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,020 m).
You will arrive at camp around midday where you will have lunch and spend the rest of the day resting and preparing for tomorrow.
Hiking Time: 8 km taking 5-7 hours
Terrain: Alpine desert
Today’s hike will be short but sweet, with your body steadily adjusting to the high altitude. You will begin the day with a hike up the Buffalo Ridge and then down into Porfu Camp.
Here you will rest and have lunch. After lunch you will press on eastwards, around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave (3,800 m) where you trek will end for the day.
Hiking Time: 15 km taking 4-5 hours
Terrain: Alpine desert and glacial snow
Today is another short hike. You will start upwards over the Saddle which sits between Kibo Peak and Mawenzi Peak. You will then continue south-went towards School Hut (4,800 m).
Here you will stop for the night and enjoy an early dinner before preparing for the big day tomorrow. Be sure to rest and prepare all your gear for the journey to the peak in the morning!
Hiking Time: 6 km taking 6-8 hours
Terrain: Glacial snow, alpine desert, moorland and heather
Today is the day! You’ll awake before midnight, with hot tea, and start your final ascent. The climb will take you past the final waypoint, Hans Meyer point (5,888 m/19,318 ft) after which you will reach the summit of Uhuru Peak. You have finally done it! You have reached the highest point on in Africa at 5,895 m/19,341 ft. This achievement will be tough to top, that’s for sure.
After a moment of basking in your triumph, you will start your descent around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 m) then down past Barafu Camp before continuing onto Millennium Camp. Here you will enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and some well-earned sleep.
Hiking Time: 10 km taking 3-4 hours
Terrain: Mountain forest
In the morning you will head back to the road, an easy journey after the adventure you just had. Now it’s time to say kwaheri to your guides and porters. You will be taken to your hotel for dinner and for what will probably feel like the best shower you have ever had.
