Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day)

Moshi, Tanzania
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The longest and the newest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, Northern circuit is known for excellent acclimatization and breathtaking views of the Kilimanjaro northern slopes. For the present moment a very limited number of travelers have set foot on this trail, and the route is hardly ever crowded.

It is recommended to those who enjoy long trekking experiences in remote wilderness with a minimal number of other trekkers around.

It takes at least eight days to climb Kilimanjaro through Northern Circuit which is why the route boasts very high summit success rate. 9-day extended version with crater camping is also available.

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Stop At: Altezza Travel, Moshi Tanzania
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Altezza Travel representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Aishi Machame Hotel

Day 2: High-Altitude Drop Off Destination And Trekking To Shira 1 Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold another briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle (roughly 3–4 hours) to Kilimanjaro National Park's western entrance: Londorossi Gate (2,200 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group continues upwards towards their drop off point by off-road vehicles (reaching 3,500 meters). Here you can see stunning views of the Shira Plateau for the first time.

The route from your drop off point to your first high-altitude camp Shira 1 features a small gain in altitude and is not too physically challenging. Due to this, you will be able to properly begin the process of acclimatization. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents and cook dinner for you.

This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

- Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
- Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
- Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 3: Shira 1 to Shira 2 Trek

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
This day brings yet another modest altitude gain of 300 m on the way from Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp. The low physical demands of the trek will leave you with both time and energy to enjoy Kilimanjaro's flora and- when the weather is favourable- Mount Meru, which is the 5th-highest mountain on the continent.
A further acclimatisation walk towards Lava Tower will follow lunch and a 2-hour rest period. This allows you to experience a further gain of 300 m.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 4: Shira 2 to Moir Hut via Lava Tower Trek

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
The group leaves the altitude of 3,900 m at Shira Camp and heads towards Lava Tower’s 4,630 m after breakfast. This part of the route is rife with ups and downs and may bring some discomfort. You will need to spend one or two hours at higher altitude in order to properly acclimatize yourself, so the lunch break will take place at Lava Tower itself.
The afternoon part of the route climbs slightly before descending to Moir Hut Camp. Your guide may decide to bypass Lava Tower altogether, taking the porter trail instead, if any of the members of the group do not appear to have acclimatized properly. In this case the highest altitude reached will be 4,400, rather than 4,630 metres.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 5: Trekking from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
On this day you will have a rather long but at the same time easy trek. After a short steep climb out of Moir Valley you will start going around the northern slope of Kilimanjaro, and just like on the way to Lava Tower the path will be full of highs and lows, without any steep gains in altitude. This route passes close to the border with Kenya, so you will be treated to amazing views of the Tsavo and Amboseli Valleys.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 6: Trekking from Buffalo Camp to 3rd Cave Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
You will finish trekking up the northern slope of Kilimanjaro and stop for the night in 3rd Cave Camp, where the route will meet up with the traditional Rongai route. On this day the trekking will be shorter than on the day before, and by this time your body will already have become completely acclimated to an altitude of 4,000 meters, which will contribute to your general feelings of well-being.
Duration: 14 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 7: Trekking from 3rd Cave Camp to School Hut

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
On this day you will be trekking to the School Hut Summit Camp (4,750 m). The actual trekking is not very hard, so remember to just choose an appropriate pace in order to keep your strength up for the trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit. When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep well, avoid strenuous activity and drink as many fluids as you can, because that very night you will complete the trekking to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 8: Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
Safety being the primary consideration during any summiting attempt, one guide will be nominated per every two climbers. His main responsibility is the monitoring of his designated clients’ health on the trek to Uhuru Peak’s 5,895 m. The climb, which starts at School Hut’s 4,750 m around midnight, though relatively easy technically, poses a challenge due to high altitude. A walk upon the nearest glacier is an option upon successful summiting.
The group then descends to Barafu Camp for a two-hour lunch and rest break. The day ends at Millennium Camp’s 3,820 m.
Please keep in mind, that 9/10 accidents occur during descent. Mind your step to avoid potential falls, breaks and damaged toes.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 9: Return to Mweka Gate from Millennium Camp

Stop At: Aishi Machame Hotel, Machame region Nshara Village, plot 173A Moshi TZ, 0938, Tanzania
Millennium Camp sits amidst a tropical rainforest. The lower altitude and feelings of accomplishment from having reached the summit make for a good night’s rest there. Hot breakfast is followed by your final descent to the Park’s exit gate- Mweka, at 1,650 m. This final stop before your transfer to our offices to receive your accomplishment certificates presents a good opportunity to recap the adventure with your support team. Finally, you will be driven to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:


Accommodation included: Overnight in Aishi Machame Hotel

Day 10: Departure

Stop At: Aishi Machame Hotel, Machame region Nshara Village, plot 173A Moshi TZ, 0938, Tanzania
Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:

No accommodation included on this day.

Inclusions

  • 2 nights in “Aishi Machame Hotel” (before and after the hike) - double/twin room sharing, breakfast included. The hotel has cozy rooms, Internet access, hot water, a swimming pool, and a helpful staff
  • All ground transportation
  • All fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park
  • Certified Wilderness First Responder guides
  • Drinks (tea, coffee, juices, soda, etc.
  • Single accommodation available at extra charge
  • High-quality branded group equipment (dining tent, sleeping pads, table, chairs, crockery & cutlery, etc.
  • JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) pick-up and drop-off
  • Medical kits
  • Medical check-ups
  • Oxygen tanks and altimeters
  • Professional climbing crew (porters, camp masters, cooks)
  • Tented accommodation during the hike (special Kilimanjaro walk-in tents) - 2 hikers per tent.
  • Three tasty and energy-rich meals a day. The diet on the hike includes chicken, meat and fish meals garnished with rice, potato and vegetable salads, pasta, porridges, cakes, eggs, soups etc.
  • Vegetarian, gluten-free, halal and kosher meal plans are available.
  • 9x Breakfast
  • 7x Lunch
  • 8x Dinner
  • Accommodation included: 9 nights
  • Entry/Admission - Altezza Travel
  • Entry/Admission - Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Entry/Admission - Aishi Machame Hotel

Exclusions

  • Entirely subject to your satisfaction with the trip. Recommended amount - USD 200-250 per traveller.
  • Highly recommended! Should cover mountain trekking activities up to 6000 m/19685 m and helicopter evacuation
  • The costs of getting to Tanzania is not included
  • Personal equipment & gear (your hiking outfit, boots, sleeping bag, etc.) that you need for the hike. Available for hire
  • The price in the hotel includes breakfast. Average price for lunch or dinner is USD 15 per person.
  • Obtainable at JRO for USD 50 for most nationals. USD 100 for the US passport holders

Additional information

  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Ticket delivery

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Operates

See Availability

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.

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