The Northern Circuit route is both the newest as well as the longest route up to the peak. Some companies have already started to nickname it the 360 route or the Grand Traverse. The long journey allows for great acclimatisation leading to high success rates. Only a small number of climbers choose the Northern circuit route owing to the additional days needed to complete it. It starts from the same point as the Lemosho route and offers similarly scenic views. Camping is the only available accommodation option on the Northern Circuit.The Northern Circuit is definitely our favourite Kilimanjaro route along with the Lemosho route. If you have the extra time to spare, we believe that the Northern Circuit is the best route for experiencing Mount Kilimanjaro. For starters, it offers stunning scenery including the quiet, rarely visited northern slope.The Northern Circuit is the only route to show you this side of the mountain! You also get to explore more of Kilimanjaro via this slightly longer route, thereby enjoying its various environments thoroughly.
The Northern Circuit is the longest Kilimanjaro route and also provides many opportunities to climb high and sleep low, both of which give it an excellent acclimatisation profile. The summit success rate of the Northern Circuit route is the highest on the mountain. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all Kilimanjaro operators for the Northern Circuit is 90%. Emnel Adventure has a success rate of 95% for the Northern Circuit!
Before the climbing can begin, you will leave Moshi and take a 4 hour drive to Londorossi Gate
From there, you will follow the same first couple of days as the Lemosho route, trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge, before crossing the Shira Plateau.
From here you head in an easterly direction towards Moir’s camp, which is nestled behind a ridge near the famous Lava tower.
You then head around the northern approach route via Pofu camp and join up with the Rongai route at Third Caves.
Today you drive to Londorossi Park Gate, where you’re recorded in the Kilimanjaro National Park records. You then start the trek, hiking through mountain rainforest for three to four hours to reach Mkubwa Camp, where you stay the night.
Today you trek through the last of the rainforest, before entering moorland terrain. The trail leads towards Shira Plateau and Shira Camp 1, where you stay the night. All in all today’s hike takes about five to six hours.
Today you make your way across the Shira Plateau to Shira Camp 2 on a trek that lasts just three to four hours. Temperatures start to change rather dramatically at this point of the trek, with the nights sometimes plummeting below freezing.
On this day you can expect a lengthy trek of five to seven hours through the high alpine desert. You climb to Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth rock formation. You then head back down Moir Camp. This is an important acclimatisation day.
Today you hike for five to seven hours. The trek The trek begins with a steep incline as you journey around Kibo’s north face. You then walk through the alpine desert to reach Pofu Camp, where you spend the night.
Much like the past couple of days, the journey today is lengthy but can be very rewarding. Buffaloes are sometimes spotted here. You cross valleys on this trek of five to seven hours and end at Third Cave, where you stay the night.
Today you undertake a steady climb over the Saddle, a stretch of barren land connecting the two peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The terrain is pretty inhospitable, being high-altitude desert. You climb for four to five hours to arrive at School Hut, where you get some rest before the big day!
Today is summit day! It’s all been leading to this, so it’s time to dig deep and use all of your determination to reach the top. Picture yourself standing on the roof of Africa and enjoying those unparalleled views!Your guide wakes you up around midnight to begin your trek to the summit! The route ascends northwest into the dark night. In about six hours you reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,685 m (18,651 ft) above sea level. Having enjoyed the sunrise, you continue for an hour or so on a snow-covered trail to reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) above sea level. You’re now standing at the very top of Africa having achieved a truly remarkable feat!After reaching the summit, you descend to Mweka Camp at 3,110 m (10,204 ft) above sea level. Here you spend your final night on the mountain after having hiked for about 12 to 15 hours today!
Today you do the last bit of hiking down to the foot of the mountain, where your driver meets you. Time for high-fives and a celebratory drink!
My first safari experience in Tanzania was made extra special by the professional and dedicated services offered by Emnel adventures. They were highly knowledgeable Emnel adventures!
I went on a 3-day safari to Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro with my husband and it was absolutely incredible! Throughout the trip we felt so well Emnel Adventures safari!
We went on a 3-days safari with Emnel Adventures and it was just perfect ! We visited some of the best parcs nearby. Our guide gave us many explanations Raf & Léa.
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