Mapacha Classic Safaris

Kilimanjaro - Remote Northern Circuit 9 Days 8 Nights

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Northern Circuit 9 Days

$2,600 / Per Person

  • Duration

    9 Days

  • Activities

    Climbing, Hiking, Trekking

  • Group size

    No size limit

  • Location

    Kilimanjaro National Park

Overview

Climbing the highest mountain in Africa on the Northern Circuit route is a draw card for any avid trekker, but especially with a full moon summit! Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m), fondly known as Kili, being a free-standing mountain commands panoramic views of the surrounding plains. Having nine days to acclimatise and encountering limited numbers of fellow trekkers, this route is truly remote and one for the trekking enthusiast. Commencing from the western side, catch a glimpse of Mt Meru floating on the clouds from the Shira Plateau before traversing the less visited northern flanks to enjoy fabulous vistas across vast Kenyan lowlands. Then, approaching the summit from the east in the light of the full moon, experience the tremendous feeling of space generated before standing on the top of Africa. Finally, a descent to the south completes an almost-circumnavigation of the mountain. This less-visited northern route provides opportunity for a truly remarkable adventure to the top of Kilimanjaro.

Included

  • Private pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro international airport.

  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation

  • Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees 18% VAT on tour fees & services 4 Season big sleeping mountain tents Double layered Sleeping Mats

  • Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters

  • Transportation to & from the mountain gate

  • 3 meals daily while on the mountain

  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)

  • Filtered water throughout the treke

Exclude

  • Flights

  • Items of a personal nature

  • Tips to mountain crew

  • Laundry Services

  • Insurance

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Drive to Lemosho Gate, commence climb to Lemosho Big Tree Camp (2,650 m)

  • Elevation: 2,100/6,890ft at Lemosho gate to 2,650m/8,694ft at Mti Mkubwa camp
  • Walking distance: 7km/4.35 miles
  • Estimate walking time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: montane forest
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]

Day 2 To Shira One camp (3550m)

  • Elevation: 2,650m/8,694ft at Mti Mkubwa camp to 3,610m/11,844ft at Shira 1 camp
  • Walking distance: 7km/4.35 miles
  • Estimate walking time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: montane forest and moorland
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]

Day 3 To Shira Two camp (3840m)

  • Elevation: 3,850m/12,631ft at Shira 2 camp to 4,600m/15,092ft at Lava Tower to 4,200m/13,780ft at Moir camp
  • Walking distance: 14km/8.7 miles
  • Estimate walking time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland to high alpine
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]

Day 4 To Moir Hut (4200m)

  • Elevation: 4,200m/13,780ft at Moir huts camp to 4,020m/13,189ft at Buffalo camp
  • Walking distance: 12km/7.5 miles
  • Estimate walking time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: High alpine
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]

Day 5 To Buffalo Camp (4,150m)

  • Elevation: 4,020m/13,189ft at Buffalo camp to 3,800m/12,467ft at Third Cave camp
  • Walking distance: 8km/5 miles
  • Estimate walking time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: High alpine to moorland
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]

Day 6 To Third Cave Camp (3,900m)

  • Elevation: 3,800m/12,467ft at Third Cave camp to 4,800m/15,748ft at School Hut
  • Walking distance: 10km/6.2 miles
  • Estimate walking time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine desert
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]

Day 7 To School Hut Campsite (4,700m)

  • Elevation: 3,800m/12,467ft at Third Cave camp to 4,800m/15,748ft at School Hut
  • Walking distance: 10km/6.2 miles
  • Estimate walking time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine desert
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]

Day 8 Summit day (5,896 m) to Millenium Camp (3,800 m)

  • Elevation: 4,800m/15,748ft at School Hut to 5,895m/19,340ft at Uhuru, down to 3,100m/10,170ft at Mweka camp
  • Walking distance: 6km/3.7 miles up to summit; 12km/7.5 miles down to Mweka cam
  • Estimate walking time: 6-8 hours up to summit; 4-6 hours down to Mweka camp
  • Habitat: High alpine to arctic
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]

Day 9 Descend to Mweka, then to Moshi or Arusha

  • Walking distance: 10km/6.2 miles
  • Estimate walking time: 3-4 hours
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!



How Much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit 9 Days 8 Nights


No: of Days 1 Climber 2-4 Climber 5-7 Climber 8-10 Climber 11 + Climber
9 Days $3,375 $2,925 $2,700 $2,475 $2,250

Following are the recommended tips to pay on the Mountain when everything works out well as agreed:

  • 1. (Porters)Support crew - $10.00 each Support Crew per day
  • 2. Summit Porters - $20.00 per Trip
  • 3. Waiter - $12.00 per day
  • 4. Tent Crew - $12.00 per day
  • 4. Toilet Crew - $12.00 per day
  • 4. Cook - $17.00 per day
  • 3. Assistant Guide 20$ per day
  • 4. Chief Guide - $25.OO per day

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