Overview
The Northern Circuit follows Lemosho onto the Shira Plateau, then swings around the remote northern slopes that few climbers see. At 9 days it has the gentlest altitude profile and the highest summit success of any route.
Who it suits
Northern Circuit is best for
- Climbers who want the best possible summit odds
- Travellers who dislike crowds
- Anyone with time for a longer adventure
Altitude profile
How the climb builds, day by day
- Stage
- Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa
- Camp
- Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Sleeping altitude
- 2,650 m
- Highest point
- 2,650 m
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
Altitudes are indicative and confirmed per route by your guide.
Itinerary
Day-by-day plan
Day 1Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa
- Sleep 2,650 m
- High point 2,650 m
- 3–4 hours
- 6 km
Rainforest walk to the first camp.
Day 2Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1
- Sleep 3,610 m
- High point 3,610 m
- 5–6 hours
- 8 km
Climb onto the Shira Plateau.
Day 3Shira 1 to Moir Hut
- Sleep 4,200 m
- High point 4,200 m
- 5–7 hours
- 14 km
Cross the plateau and turn north.
Day 4Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
- Sleep 4,020 m
- High point 4,300 m
- 5–7 hours
- 12 km
Begin the northern traverse with views to Kenya.
Day 5Buffalo to Third Cave
- Sleep 3,870 m
- High point 4,020 m
- 5–6 hours
- 8 km
Easy contouring on quiet northern slopes.
Day 6Third Cave to School Hut
- Sleep 4,750 m
- High point 4,750 m
- 4–5 hours
- 5 km
Climb to high camp on the saddle.
Day 7Summit day
- Sleep 3,820 m
- High point 5,895 m
- 12–15 hours
- 16 km
Ascend via Gillman's Point to Uhuru Peak and descend south.
Day 8Millennium to Mweka Camp
- Sleep 3,100 m
- High point 3,820 m
- 3–4 hours
- 7 km
A short, easy descent day.
Day 9Mweka Gate
- Sleep 1,640 m
- High point 3,100 m
- 3–4 hours
- 10 km
Walk out and celebrate.
Group departures
Join a group on this route
Northern Circuit · 9 days
$3,150
Reserve · $200 deposit for Northern Circuit · 9 daysNorthern Circuit · 9 days
$3,150
Reserve · $200 deposit for Northern Circuit · 9 daysThe price
What's included
Included
- Park, camping and rescue fees
- Licensed lead guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- All meals on the mountain and filtered drinking water
- Four-season tents, sleeping mats and a mess tent
- Oxygen, pulse oximeter checks twice a day and first-aid kit
- Two nights at a hotel in Moshi or Arusha
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance with high-altitude cover
- Tips for the mountain crew (guideline provided)
- Personal gear and sleeping bag (rental available)
- Drinks and meals in town not listed
Questions
Frequently asked
How hard is the Northern Circuit?
No technical climbing is needed. You walk 4–7 hours most days; summit night is the hardest at 12–16 hours. A steady pace and good acclimatisation matter more than raw fitness.
Is 9 days enough to acclimatise?
Longer itineraries give your body more time to adjust and have clearly higher summit rates. Your advisor can add an extra acclimatisation day if you want more margin.
What happens if someone feels unwell?
Guides check oxygen saturation and pulse twice a day. Every group carries bottled oxygen and a stretcher, and anyone showing serious altitude symptoms descends with a guide straight away.
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