10 DAY NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE WITH CRATER CAMPING: KILIMANJARO TREKKING

📌 Northern Circuit 10-Day Crater Expedition Overview

The 10-Day Northern Circuit Route with Crater Camping is the pinnacle Mount Kilimanjaro adventure. Adding a rare overnight stay inside the summit crater near the magnificent Furtwängler Glacier at 5,790 meters (18,800 ft), this itinerary delivers unmatched acclimatization profiles and unprecedented access to the summit zone. Traversed across the wild northern flanks, climbers enjoy maximum safety, low trail traffic, and a sunrise hike from the Crater floor to Uhuru Peak.

Route Summary

● Approach: West via Londorossi Gate, traversing the Shira Plateau and northern slopes before ascending to Crater Camp.
● Highlights: Lemosho Rainforest, Shira Caldera, Lava Tower, Northern Alpine Desert, Crater Camp, Furtwängler Glacier, Uhuru Peak.
● Unique Feature: Overnight camping inside Kilimanjaro’s volcanic crater floor next to ancient glaciers.
● Acclimatization: Superior 10-day altitude progression yielding optimal safety and summit success exceeding 98%.
● Arrival: Seamless transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi for gear check and safety briefing.

Detailed Trekking Itinerary

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Arrival Day

You will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. Meet your lead guide for a detailed briefing, medical check, and equipment inspection. Any specialized cold-weather mountain gear can be rented today.
Meals: No Meals Included.

Day 1: Drive to Londorossi Gate – Hike to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp

Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi | Trekking Time: 3–4 hours | Elevation: Londorossi Gate (2,100 m) → Mti Mkubwa (2,820 m / 9,250 ft)
Drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate for registration formalities before driving to Lemosho Glades trailhead. Trek through lush, moss-draped montane rainforest home to Colobus monkeys and lush flora to reach Big Tree Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude Acclimatization Tip:
● Abstain from alcohol and excess caffeine.
● Drink at least 4–5 liters of water daily in small, frequent sips.
● Take Diamox as recommended by your physician.
● Report any altitude symptoms immediately to your mountain guide.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Distance: 8 km / 5 mi | Trekking Time: 5–6 hours | Elevation: Mti Mkubwa (2,820 m) → Shira 1 Camp (3,500 m / 11,480 ft)
Ascend out of the rainforest canopy into the giant heather and moorland zone. Cross the Shira Ridge to enter the vast Shira Plateau, pitching camp with breathtaking vistas of Kibo Peak.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Distance: 7 km / 4.3 mi | Trekking Time: 3–4 hours | Elevation: Shira 1 (3,500 m) → Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m / 12,630 ft)
Enjoy a steady, gradual hike east across the high-altitude Shira Plateau caldera. Explore geological volcanic formations and unique flora such as Giant Lobelias before resting at Shira 2 Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower → Moir Hut Camp

Distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi | Trekking Time: 7–8 hours | High Point: Lava Tower (4,630 m) - Camp: Moir Hut (4,200 m / 13,780 ft)
Climb toward the massive Lava Tower (4,630 m) for essential "climb high, sleep low" acclimatization. After lunch near the tower, veer north away from the crowded southern circuit to the quiet, rocky basin of Moir Hut.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Moir Hut Camp to Buffalo Camp (Pofu)

Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi | Trekking Time: 5–7 hours | Elevation: Moir Hut (4,200 m) → Buffalo Camp (4,020 m / 13,188 ft)
Trek out of Moir Valley across the remote alpine deserts of the northern slope. Experience wide-open wilderness views overlooking the Kenyan plains before camping at Buffalo Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

Distance: 8 km / 5 mi | Trekking Time: 5–6 hours | Elevation: Buffalo Camp (4,020 m) → Third Cave Camp (3,870 m / 12,696 ft)
Contour around the northern face of Kibo through sparse alpine vegetation and high valleys. Arrive at Third Cave Camp for a relaxing afternoon that reinforces bodily acclimatization.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Third Cave Camp to School Hut

Distance: 5 km / 3 mi | Trekking Time: 4–5 hours | Elevation: Third Cave (3,870 m) → School Hut (4,800 m / 15,748 ft)
Steadily ascend across the high-altitude Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Reach School Hut in early afternoon for dinner and early rest to prepare for tomorrow's climb up to the Crater Rim.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: School Hut to Crater Camp (Overnight in the Crater)

Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi | Trekking Time: 6–7 hours | Elevation: School Hut (4,800 m) → Crater Camp (5,790 m / 18,996 ft)
Ascend scree slopes up to Gilman's Point (5,681 m) on the crater rim. Instead of rushing to the summit, trek inward down to the spectacular Crater Camp floor. Explore the towering ice cliffs of the Furtwängler Glacier and the active Ash Pit. Experience an extraordinary night under the stars on top of Africa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Crater Camp to Uhuru Peak → Descend to Mweka Camp

Distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi | Trekking Time: 8–10 hours | High Point: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Camp: Mweka Camp (3,100 m / 10,170 ft)
Enjoy a short, serene morning climb from Crater Camp to stand on Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,341 ft) at sunrise, avoiding midnight crowds. Take photos at the summit before making a long, rewarding descent past Barafu to Mweka Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate → Return to Moshi

Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi | Trekking Time: 3–4 hours | Elevation: Mweka Camp (3,100 m) → Mweka Gate (1,640 m / 5,380 ft)
Descend through lush mountain rainforest to Mweka Gate. Collect official summit certificates, sing celebrations with the mountain crew, and transfer back to your Moshi hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 11: Onward Travel / Departure

Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for departure flights, or continue on an exciting Wildlife Safari or Zanzibar beach getaway.
Meals: Breakfast Included

Short Summary

Day 1: Drive to Londorossi Gate – Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi | Trekking Time: 3–4 hours | Elevation: Londorossi Gate (2,100 m) → Mti Mkubwa (2,820 m)

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Distance: 8 km / 5 mi | Trekking Time: 5–6 hours | Elevation: Mti Mkubwa (2,820 m) → Shira 1 Camp (3,500 m)

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Distance: 7 km / 4.3 mi | Trekking Time: 3–4 hours | Elevation: Shira 1 (3,500 m) → Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m)

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower → Moir Hut Camp

Distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi | Trekking Time: 7–8 hours | High Point: Lava Tower (4,630 m) → Moir Hut (4,200 m)

Day 5: Moir Hut Camp to Buffalo Camp (Pofu)

Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi | Trekking Time: 5–7 hours | Elevation: Moir Hut (4,200 m) → Buffalo Camp (4,020 m)

Day 6: Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

Distance: 8 km / 5 mi | Trekking Time: 5–6 hours | Elevation: Buffalo Camp (4,020 m) → Third Cave Camp (3,870 m)

Day 7: Third Cave Camp to School Hut

Distance: 5 km / 3 mi | Trekking Time: 4–5 hours | Elevation: Third Cave (3,870 m) → School Hut (4,800 m)

Day 8: School Hut to Crater Camp

Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi | Trekking Time: 6–7 hours | Elevation: School Hut (4,800 m) → Crater Camp (5,790 m)

Day 9: Crater Camp to Uhuru Peak → Descend to Mweka Camp

Distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi | Trekking Time: 8–10 hours | High Point: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Mweka Camp (3,100 m)

Day 10: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate → Return to Moshi

Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi | Trekking Time: 3–4 hours | Elevation: Mweka Camp (3,100 m) → Mweka Gate (1,640 m)

Day 11: Onward Travel / Departure

Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or proceed to Safari or Zanzibar getaway.

What is Included

Kilimanjaro National Park entry fees, camping fees, and rescue fees
Professional, certified, English-speaking mountain guides
Dedicated support team of mountain porters and professional cook
All high-quality camping equipment (mountain tents, sleeping mats, mess tent, chairs)
3 full fresh meals daily on the mountain (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Purified and boiled drinking water provided throughout the trek
Airport pick-up and drop-off transfers (JRO)
Round-trip ground transport from Moshi to the park gates
Pulse oximeter daily health checks & emergency oxygen tanks
Official Mount Kilimanjaro summit certificate

What is Excluded

International and domestic flights
Tanzania Entry Visa fees ($50 to $100 depending on nationality)
Personal trekking gear (sleeping bags, warm clothing, hiking boots, trekking poles)
Tips/gratuities for guides, porters, and cooks (recommended standard rate)
Travel & medical insurance (covering high-altitude trekking up to 6,000m)
Hotel accommodation in Moshi before and after the trek (can be arranged upon request)
Meals and drinks in Moshi town outside of the mountain trek
Personal expenses (laundry, soft drinks, alcohol, souvenirs)
Portable chemical toilet rental (available as an optional add-on)