Trekking Mt Kilimanjaro | Peter Brooke

Blue skies overhead as we arrive at Stella Point in Tanzania | Heike Krumm

Trekking towards our Moir Hut campsite | Heike Krumm

Kilimanjaro - Remote Northern Circuit

Summit the highest mountain in Africa on the full moon

Tanzania



5 reviews

11 Days from

$4690 USD

Trip Code: TNC

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Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement Hotels Only

$140 USD

Single Supplement Tent Only

$280 USD

Single Supplement

$430 USD

Duration

11 Days

Activities

9 day trek

Style

Classic Adventures

Accommodation

8 nights camping
2 nights hotel

Meals

10 Dinners
9 Lunches
10 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

6 / 10

Moderate to Challenging

Carbon Footprint

37kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(372kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Full moon summit - on departures aligned with the lunar calendar - for a magical summit approach
Trek Kilimanjaro’s longest and most remote route with 11 full days on the trail, allowing more time to acclimatise and take in the scenery
Traverse the quiet northern flanks of the mountain and experience a side of Kilimanjaro few others see, with vast views across the Kenyan plains

Overview

The Remote Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro’s longest and quietest route, ideal for experienced trekkers who want more time to acclimatise, fewer crowds, and a deeper connection with nature. With nine days on the trail, it offers high success rates of summit, while tracing a near complete circuit of the mountain from west to east.

Starting on the less travelled western side, you’ll cross the Shira Plateau, then veer off the busier southern routes to traverse Kilimanjaro’s remote northern flanks. Here, the trail feels wild and untouched, with views deep into Kenya.

With most departures timed with the full moon, the approach of Uhuru Peak (5895m/19,341ft) from the east makes for an unforgettable climbing experience.

Itinerary

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Today is an arrival day. If you choose to fly into Kilimanjaro Airport we recommend a private transfer to Arusha where the rest of the day is at your leisure. (With prior arrangement, airport pick up and private transfers to the hotel are available from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), or simply make your own way by taxi. Note that taxis are scarce after about 18:00hrs. We stay at Moivaro Coffee Plantation which has spacious rooms, a pool, and restaurant. This afternoon at 16:30, you will meet the rest of the group and your guide for a trip briefing.

Meals: D

After completing the necessary registration formalities, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho Gate roadhead. The last section of the road is of poor quality and difficult to drive after rain, sometimes we start walking a kilometre or two below the roadhead. We often have our lunch at the roadhead before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. We camp at Lemosho Big Tree Camp (2,650 m); [2-3 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the centre of the plateau at “Shira One” (3,550 m). [6-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut (3,840 m). This campsite has stunning views, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau. The views from here of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. [5-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

In the morning we follow the main trail up to Lava Tower, and for those feeling strong there is a possibility to climb up to the ruined hut at Arrow Glacier around 4,800m. We then continue from Lava Tower to reach our campsite at Moir Hut (4,200m). [5-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Little Lent hill at 4,375 metres. After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. Here the trail passes through a field of rock slabs that clink as they are walked on. The final section of today's walk undulates until reaching the location of Buffalo Camp (4,150m). At the camp there is a huge feeling of space as the Kenyan plains stretch out far below to the north. [4-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

From Buffalo Camp we climb up to the top of 'Buffalo Ridge' and drop down the other side to reach Pofu, nearby the is a small spring and some vegetation. The trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp (3,900m). [5-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

There is a steady ascent to reach The Saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut Campsite (4,700m) in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day. [4-5 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about midnight so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. On selected Non-Exclusive departure dates each month, the climb will be particularly beautiful as we ascend in the light of the Full Moon. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Gilmans Point (5,685 m) in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. The trail leads west along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descends down through Barafu Camp to reach Millenium Camp (3,800 m). [11-15 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

A sustained descent on a well constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m). Here we sign out from the national park before walking on for a further 15 minutes through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village where our vehicle awaits. The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalizingly close! [4-6 hours walking] Overnight: Moivaro Coffee Plantation

Meals: B,L,D

In Arusha, after breakfast at your hotel, the trip arrangements end.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

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What's included?

Included

10 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners
Park entrance fees approx. US$1251
Private vehicle transport between Arusha and Mt Kilimanjaro
Accommodation in 3 star hotel in Arusha
All group camping and catering equipment on the Kilimanjaro climb (sleeping bags and mats are not provided)
Experienced mountain guides, cook and camp crew
Porters to carry personal equipment
Emergency oxygen

Not included

Flights
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Visa
Arrival or departure transfers in Arusha
Sleeping bags and mats
Aerated and alcoholic drinks.
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Items of a personal nature
Tips

Adventure Highlighted Video

Climbing Safely On Kilimanjaro - What To Look For