This trek takes the less-trodden Northern Circuit route, the longest route up the mountain, the only one circling around the northern side. With a chance to see wildlife, you will be avoiding the crowds and enjoying some of the most pristine scenery on Kilimanjaro. As with other routes, the terrain changes as you ascend the mountain, passing through thick forest, moorland and scree en route to the highest point of the crater, Uhuru Peak.
All Pristine Trails guides have extensive climbing experience, each trekking at least 20 times per year over many years.
Lead guides are all Wilderness First Responder certified, the highest level of Western industry first aid training available to mountain guides, making them exceedingly skilled in handling emergencies, with a focus on treating and preventing acute mountain sickness caused by the increase in altitude as you hike to the summit. During each low season, we invest in re-certification and extra training in additional health, safety and group management principles.
Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel is one of the first truly 4-star boutique hotels in Moshi which provides great ambience and facilities. Located 4 km from the town of Moshi, 45 km from Kilimanjaro National Park and 40 km from the Kilimanjaro International Airport, Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel is ideally located for all those who visit Moshi town for adventure seeking or for business travel.
Meals: Breakfast
Once you arrive at the trailhead at Lemosho Glades, you will begin hiking. You will spend this day in some of the most beautiful forest found on the mountain, with wildlife sightings possible. After a short 2-3 hours you will arrive at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite. Here, like all days, you’ll have an afternoon snack and delicious hot dinner.
Trekking Time: 2-3 hours | Distance: 5 km / 3.1 mi | Altitude Change: +396 m / +1,299 ft
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Leaving the forest early in the day, the trail gets steeper as it enters the grasses and wildflowers of the heath and moorland zone towards the valley. A gentle grade walk takes you across the high-altitude Shira Caldera past Shira Cave (views of Arrow glacier) and then gently downwards to Shira Hut 1 located near a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours | Distance: 7 km / 4.3 mi | Altitude Change: +719 m / +2,359 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A gentle hike across the plateau within the moorland meadow takes you towards Shira 2 camp and then diverts to Moir Hut at the base of Lent Hills for the afternoon and overnight. Many walks are available on Lent Hills, making this a great day for acclimatization.
Trekking Time: 5-7 hours | Distance: 11 km / 6.8 mi | Altitude Change: +657 m / +2,155 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start the day with a moderately steep hike out of the Moir Valley. Then choose to detour to the top of Little Lent Hill before returning to the main trail where you will encounter an undulating trail around the northern slopes of Kibo before reaching Buffalo Camp. You will enjoy expansive views from the northern side of the mountain, stretching across the Tanzania-Kenya border.
Trekking Time: 5-7 hours | Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi | Altitude Change: -141 m / -463 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day begins climbing up Buffalo Ridge and then down again, traversing eastward on a path infrequently traveled. Arrive just after mid-day at the campsite.
Trekking Time: 5-7 hours | Distance: 8 km / 5 mi | Altitude Change: -84 m / -276 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we encounter a steady incline up and over the saddle, the area between the two peaks of Kilimanjaro. The views of both Kibo and Mawenzi are breathtaking. Arrive by mid-day to School Hut where you will want to rest as much as possible ahead of the ascent to the summit beginning at midnight.
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours | Distance: 5 km / 3.1 mi | Altitude Change: +781 m / +2,562 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We avoid walking too long in the heat of the sun today by starting around midnight, walking steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. You will be climbing scree for 5 to 6 hours but you gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. You should be on the crater rim at Stella Point as the first rays of the sun emerge. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround you and the views to Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walk takes you to your goal, the summit of Uhuru, the highest point in Africa. You made it!
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours | Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi | Altitude Change: +1178 m / +3,865 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a quick celebration and photos at the top, you will begin the descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope back to Barafu Camp for breakfast and a short rest before finally heading down to Mweka Hut for a well-earned rest. On the descent, you will have fabulous views of the plains and Mawenzi peak.
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours | Distance: 11.5 km / 7.1 mi | Altitude Change: -2789 m / -9,151 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A gentle trek takes you down through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate, where park formalities will be completed and you will be met by our vehicles to return you to the Pristine Trails office.
Trekking Time: 2-4 hours | Distance: 9 km / 5.6 mi | Altitude Change: -1473 m / -4,832 ft
Meals: Breakfast
Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel is one of the first truly 4-star boutique hotels in Moshi which provides great ambience and facilities. Located 4 km from the town of Moshi, 45 km from Kilimanjaro National Park and 40 km from the Kilimanjaro International Airport, Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel is ideally located for all those who visit Moshi town for adventure seeking or for business travel.
Meals: Breakfast
Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania 
