9 Days Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route and 3 Days Safari

DAY 1: ARRIVE AT KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. If you arrive early, we’ll carry out your climb briefing and gear check today. Otherwise, this will happen the following morning. Moshi is a popular gateway town for Kilimanjaro climbs, offering comfort and last-minute prep before tackling the Northern Circuit Route.

Meal Plan: Breakfast only
Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort
Room Plan: Double Occupancy

DAY 2: LEMOSHO GATE TO MTI MKUBWA

After breakfast, drive from Moshi to Lemosho Gate (2,100m), passing through the scenic West Kilimanjaro countryside. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch while your gear is weighed and permits are processed. Begin your trek through lush rainforest on a quiet 7 km trail to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m).

The 9 Days Northern Circuit Route begins with peaceful scenery and rich biodiversity — ideal for acclimatization and wildlife sightings such as colobus monkeys and exotic birds.

Elevation: 2,100m to 2,650m
Distance: 7 km
Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Mti Mkubwa
Room Plan: Double Occupancy

DAY 3: MTI MKUBWA TO SHIRA ONE CAMP

Today’s trek takes you from Mti Mkubwa to Shira One Camp (3,610m), covering 7 km through forest and into open moorland. The landscape transforms dramatically as you ascend, giving way to heather and volcanic rock formations.

This steady climb provides a perfect acclimatization pace. As part of the western approach, this trail is less traveled and offers panoramic views over Shira Ridge — making it a photographer’s favorite on the Northern Circuit.

Elevation: 2,650m to 3,610m
Distance: 7 km
Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Shira One
Room Plan: Double Occupancy

DAY 4: SHIRA ONE CAMP TO SHIRA TWO CAMP

Hike across the expansive Shira Plateau to Shira Two Camp (3,850m). This 10 km stretch is relatively flat, taking about 4.5 hours. You’ll experience wide alpine landscapes, distant views of Kibo Peak, and fresh air at higher elevation.

The Shira Plateau is one of Kilimanjaro’s geological highlights. This section of the route supports safe altitude gain while offering some of the best views of the mountain’s glaciers and ridgelines.

Elevation: 3,610m to 3,850m
Distance: 10 km
Time: 4.5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Shira Two
Room Plan: Double Occupancy

DAY 5: SHIRA TWO CAMP TO MOIR HUT VIA LAVA TOWER

Ascend toward Lava Tower (4,600m), a famous volcanic rock formation, where you’ll stop for a hot lunch. Afterward, descend to Moir Hut (4,200m) for overnight rest at a peaceful, remote campsite.

This “climb high, sleep low” day is key to Kilimanjaro acclimatization. It’s also a highlight of the 9-day route due to the geological features, altitude exposure, and solitude of Moir Valley.

Elevation: 3,850m → 4,600m → 4,200m
Distance: 11 km
Time: 7–8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Moir Hut
Room Plan: Double Occupancy

DAY 6: MOIR HUT TO BUFFALO CAMP (POFU)

Depart Moir Hut, cross alpine ridges, and enjoy panoramic views over the Shira Plateau and Kenya plains before arriving at Buffalo Camp (4,020m), also known as Pofu.

This day reinforces Kilimanjaro’s reputation as one of the most scenic climbs in Africa. The remote northern side is untouched by mass trekking traffic, making this route the most peaceful option on the mountain.

Elevation: 4,200m to 4,020m
Distance: 12 km
Time: 6–7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Buffalo Camp
Room Plan: Double Occupancy

DAY 7: BUFFALO CAMP TO THIRD CAVE CAMP

Trek from Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp (3,800m), traversing quiet, dry terrain along the upper slopes of Kilimanjaro. The landscape here is raw and unspoiled.

Because it’s a relatively short day, it gives your body time to recover and conserve strength before summit night. This day is essential in maintaining the Northern Circuit’s excellent summit success rate.

Elevation: 4,020m to 3,800m
Distance: 7 km
Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Heath
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Third Cave
Room Plan: Double Occupancy

DAY 8: THIRD CAVE CAMP TO KIBO HUT

Hike to Kibo Hut (4,720m), located at the base of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cone. This trek crosses the alpine desert “Saddle,” an eerie, flat landscape between Mawenzi and Kibo.

You’ll arrive early to rest and eat before the summit attempt. This position allows the ideal launch point for climbers tackling the Roof of Africa via the Northern Circuit.

Elevation: 3,800m to 4,720m
Distance: 10 km
Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Kibo Hut
Room Plan: Double Occupancy

DAY 9: KIBO HUT TO UHURU PEAK TO HIGH CAMP (MILLENNIUM CAMP)

Your summit push begins just after midnight. Trek under starlight to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. After celebrating, descend carefully to High Camp (3,950m), also known as Millennium Camp.

Summiting Kilimanjaro is life-changing. Thanks to the longer acclimatization period, the 9-day route gives you the highest chance of standing proudly on Uhuru Peak.

Elevation: 4,720m → 5,895m → 3,950m
Distance: 15 km
Time: 13–15 hours
Habitat: Arctic to Moorland
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at High Camp
Room Plan: Double Occupancy

DAY 10: HIGH CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

Descend from High Camp through rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,640m). At the gate, you’ll sign out and receive your summit certificate. Then transfer to your hotel for a shower, lunch, celebration, and tipping ceremony with your mountain crew.

This final trek is a mix of reflection, relief, and reward. The lush rainforest is the perfect farewell to Africa’s greatest adventure.

Elevation: 3,950m to 1,640m
Distance: 13.5 km
Time: 6–7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort
Room Plan: Double Occupancy

DAY 11: LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK 

Lake Manyara is a beautiful little park that is famous for its tree-climbing lions, elephants, and large troops of baboons. The park is home to an amazing variety of birds and animals considering its small size. A short visit to this serene park will greatly diversify your safari experience as the lush green jungle habitat is in stark contrast to the other parks you will visit during your safari, Later in the evening, we will drive to Karatu overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation:  Eileen’s Tree Inn or a similar lodge in Karatu.

Room plan: Double Occupancy 

DAY 12: NGORONGORO CRATER 

Very early morning we drive down the Ngorongoro Crater walls to the Crater floor where we will spend the better part of the day doing game drives in this 8th wonder of the world also referred to as the Eden of Africa. Here we will get the chance to spot the animals with a little luck you can spot the Big 5 that is; Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, and Rhinos, in a single day’s game drive.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation:  Eileen’s Tree Inn or a similar lodge in Karatu.

Room plan: Double Occupancy

DAY 13: TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK THEN DRIVE BACK TO MOSHI

After breakfast, we will drive to Tarangire National Park then we will register at the gate and continue with game drives for the rest of the day as we explore the African wilderness for the last day of our safari. This park is famous for its large populations of elephants and its gigantic age-old baobabs, but it has much more to offer in terms of many animals and birds that are resident to this park. We expect to see lions, cheetahs, warthogs, gazelles, dik-diks, the rare long-necked gerenuks, and many more and in the late afternoon, we will head to Moshi for overnight and this will be the end of the safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch. 

DAY 14: DEPARTURE DAY

We will transfer you from the hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where you will fly back home.if you will have more time you can extend to Zanzibar, but additional cost will be required.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

WHAT INCLUDE ON TREKKING

• 2 ways transfer to and from Kilimanjaro airport.
• Tanzania 18% VAT on tourism activities and park fees.
• The Adequate and appropriate number of guides, porters, and cooks for your Trek.
• Government taxes.
• All park fees, camping fees, rescue fees, and team fees.
• Transfers to and from the route gate(s) (2 transfers).
• Sleeping mattress pad(s), dining tent(s), sleeping tent(s), and crew‟s equipment–Dining tent and sleeping tent for Kilimanjaro trek.
• 2 nights in a hotel in Moshi on a Bed & Breakfast basis and Double Occupancy (1 night before trekking & 1 night after trekking).
• 3 full fresh meals daily. We provide fresh food on the mountain in plentiful and well prepared by skilled professional cooker (we also
  consider your choice of food that you would prefer -Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian). Menu especially designed for climbers.
• Hot drinks on the mountain and Hot water for washing will be provided every day on the mountain.
• 3-4 liters of mineral (per Climber) provided daily during the climb.
• Portable toilets for the trek with the tent for Kilimanjaro trek.
• Emergency evacuation covers with Kilimanjaro SAR helicopter but the climber must have insurance which cover up to 6000 meters above the sea level.
• Carbon Offset.
• Hotel accommodation includes storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes.
• Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team).
• Chief guide carries a Pulse Ox meter, used to take blood-oxygen level readings of clients twice a day.
• Forest fee.
• Fair Treatment of  our Mountain Crew.
• Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summit aid).
• Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only).
• Salaries for the mountain support crew, as per required by MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND NATURAL RESOURCES and KPAP.
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain.
• Porter to carry your duffel bag, with a maximum weight of 15kg / 32 lbs, from one camp to the next camp.
• Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt.

WHAT NOT INCLUDED ON TREKKING

• Visa fee (50 US$ /100 US$ for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival).
• Tips.
• Drinks and beverages in Hotel.
• Personal hiking/trekking gear – you could rent some of the gear in Tanzania.
• Sleeping bag.
• Snacks, personal medicine, and water purifying tablets.
• Meals and drinks not specified.
  

   

   

WHAT INCLUDE ON SAFARI

• 3 days/2 nights  safari.
• Transport and wildlife drives in modified 4 x 4 Land Cruiser with photographic roof hatch.
• All meal per itinerary .
• 2 nights accommodation in a Safari lodge during the safari
• 1 night at hotel in Moshi after Safari on bed and breakfast.
• Services of a professional English speaking safari guide.
• All wildlife reserve entry fees All game drives as mentioned in the itinerary.
• 03 x 1.5 mineral water per person/day during game drives.
• Value Added Tax by Tanzania Revenue Authority.
• Carbon offsetting.

WHAT NOT INCLUDED ON SAFARI

• International Flights Any domestic connection flights on arrival or departure.
• All items of a personal nature Gratuities for safari guide and lodge staff (please tip separately).
• Travel insurance if needed. Visa fee (50 US$ /100 US$ for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival).
• Drinks and beverages in lodges Tip for the Driver, whereby the recommended tip for Safari Driver/Guide is $50 per day per car.
• Hot Air Balloon Safari at Tarangire National Park, including concession fees which cost $599

 COST OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES

• Sleeping bag rental, Mountain Hardware Lamina, synthetic -30F, per trip $50.
• Extra porter(Personal porter), for excess gear, costs $30 per day.
• Trekking poles rental, telescopic, cost $20 per trip.
• Single Supplement(Single Mountain Tent and Single Room) for the trekking only  cost $250 per person.
• Single Supplement(Single Safari Lodge  and Single Room) for the safari only  cost $450 per person.
• Extra night at the hotel in Moshi costs $90 for Double Occupancy, $70 for single occupancy  on the bed and breakfast basis.

TIPPING RECOMMENDATION

• Guide – $15 to $20 per day.
• Assistant Guide – $10 to $15 per day.
• Cook – $10 to $15 per day.
• Porters – $5 to $8 per day per porter.
•  Safari Driver/Guide is $30–$50 per day per car

PRICE

• Price is the US  $5260 per person  sharing when 2 people and above travel together.

ETHICAL KILIMANJARO CLIMBS
We are doing ethical climbs and responsible Trekking; we believe the tourism the industry has an obligation and a great opportunity to protect the world‟s natural
habitats, cultural heritage sites, and communities. We actively promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
We are not doing cheap Climb, cheap climb means we are doing tourism while exploiting our Porters who are the ones who make Kilimanjaro trek possible for the vast majority of climbers, and who do all the heavy lifting. Fair and ethical treatment of our porters (crew) is one of the important priorities of Eco-Africa Climbing when we do climb. We are proud to be a Partner of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP). Please contact ([email protected]) to confirm this.
KPAP raises public awareness regarding the proper treatment of porters on Kilimanjaro and assists climbing companies with implementing procedures that
ensure fair and ethical treatment of their porters. Every of our climb is audited by KPAP to ensure crewmembers are provided proper salaries, tips procedure, food, equipment and sleeping conditions.