Northern Circuit/Grand Traverse 8 Days
his is known both as the Northern Circuit and Grand Traverse Route. This route starts on the western side of the mountain and then winds around the north side before ascending up to Uhuru Peak from the east. The descent is down the Mweka Route. We look for this route to become increasingly popular with good opportunities for acclimatization and quite scenic. Right now this route is not crowded at all.
Day 1 – Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) – start point 2,360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters)
Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest
The Grand Traverse Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same starting point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi. registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephants and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Day 2 – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)
Distance: ~8km / 5 miles
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
On day two you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of the rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up on the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).
Day 3 Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Moir Camp (4,200 meters)
Distance: ~7km / 4 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2. We will continue east up the Shira Plateau ridge and on to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) and then back down to Moir Camp (4,200 meters).
Day 4: Moir Camp (4,200 meters) to Pofu Camp (4,020 meters)
Distance: ~12km / 7 miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone
Day four involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Grand Traverse Trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Pofu (Buffalo) Camp (4,020 meters). The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/ Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Pofu Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day of hiking.
Day 5 – Pofu Camp (4,020 meters) to Rongai Third C (3,800 meters)
Distance: ~8km / 5 miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone
Day five starts with a climb up the Buffalo Ridge and then continues east along the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave Camp at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well-acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
Day 6 Third Cave (3,800 meters) to School Hut (4,800 meters) or Kibo Hut
Distance: ~15km / 8 miles
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone
Day six involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking southwest up to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some sleep as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamps, and cameras before going to bed.sleep as you will be awoken before midnight to start the summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamps, and cameras before going to bed sleep as you will be awoken before midnight to start the summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamps, and cameras before going to bed.
Day 7 School Hut (4,800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then onto Millennium Camp (3,950 meters)
Distance: ~6km / 3.5 miles ascent and 10.5km / 6 mile descent
Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent
Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones
You will be awoken at midnight with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak. From here you gather all your energy and every bit of determination to reach Uhuru Peak (5895 meters). How long you stay at the summit will depend on the timing, the weather, and your physical condition. You will then head around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for their final night on the mountain. In total, you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated, and keep your blood sugar level up.
Day 8 – Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)
Day 8 – Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)
Distance: ~10km / 6.5 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate, we need to go through some record-keeping procedures with the park authorities before we return you to Moshi where you can get a hot shower, say farewell to your climb crew and tip them, receive your certificate, and celebrate! The hotel for this night is included in the climb package (B & B plan).