The Northern Circuit is the longest, most remote, and highest-success route on Kilimanjaro. It circles nearly the entire mountain before ascending from the north, passing through landscapes that most climbers never see: the remote northern slopes, the Crater Camp, and the full traverse of the summit plateau.
With a 95% summit success rate — the highest of any route — it is the right choice if time is not a constraint.
Why the Northern Circuit works
Nine days on the mountain gives your body an extraordinary amount of time to acclimatise. The route gains altitude gradually, traverses rather than climbs directly, and reaches the summit late in the itinerary when your body is fully adapted. The northern slopes are almost completely deserted — you may go entire days without seeing another climbing group.
This is the route that Kilimanjaro veterans, high-altitude guides, and people who have tried other routes and failed at altitude consistently choose for their second attempt.
The route day by day
Day 1 — Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp (2,800 m)
Lemosho approach through the western forest.
Day 2 — Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp (3,500 m)
Heather zone and Shira ridge.
Day 3 — Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp (3,840 m)
Full plateau crossing. Acclimatisation walk to Cathedral Point.
Day 4 — Shira 2 to Third Cave Camp (3,800 m)
The route diverges from Lemosho here, heading north around the mountain rather than south to Lava Tower. The northern face is remote and dramatic.
Day 5 — Third Cave to School Hut Camp (4,700 m)
Altitude gain through the northern moorland. School Hut is exposed and cold. Some climbers experience the first significant altitude effects here.
Day 6 — School Hut to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330 m)
Descend for acclimatisation. The tarn below Mawenzi Peak is one of Kilimanjaro's finest camp locations.
Day 7 — Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut (4,720 m)
The saddle crossing. A long, cold, open traverse.
Day 8 — Kibo Hut to Crater Camp (5,790 m) via Uhuru Peak
For those extending to ten days, Crater Camp inside the Kibo crater is one of the most extraordinary places to sleep on the continent. Cold, alien, and unforgettable.
Day 9 — Summit and descent to Mweka Camp (3,100 m)
Summit from Uhuru Peak, long descent to Mweka.
Day 10 — Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Walk out. Certificates.