Northern Circuit Trek

ITINERARY

NORTHERN CIRCUIT GRAND TRAVERSE route ITINERARY

Day-1: Arrive Kilimanjaro  International Airport and   transfer to hotel. Overnight hotel.              

 

 Day- 2: Lemosho Glades (2200m) to Mkubwa Camp (2750m)

  Hiking time: 3-4 hours

 Hiking Distance- 7km's

 Habitat -Forest to Moorland

After breakfast, we head out on a 5 hour drive to the Londorossi Park Gate at 2200m, taking in sights of the east rift valley and animals en route. After completing park formalities, we drive for a further 11km to the Lemosho Glades at 200m. From here, we trek about 3 hours to the camp site.

 

 Day -3:  Mkubwa Camp (2750m) to Shira Camp 1 (3500m)

  Hikin g Time : 5 hours

 Trekking Distance: 4km's

 Habitat: Moorlan d shrub

After breaking camp, we begin the hike up towards Shira Camp 1 located near a stream. We head through moorland shrub taking in view of Mt Meru in the distance. 

Day-4: Shira Camp I (3,720m) - Moir Camp (4,205m) 

Elevation: 2835 metres - 3850 metres

Distance: 9 kmTrek time: 5 to 6 hours
Environment: Moorland

Today we trek across the Shira plateau in an easterly direction to Moir camp. Shira plateau is the remains of a once volcanic crater, which after Kibo's last eruption was filled with volcanic lava. We head away from the main tourist trails as we head around the flanks of Kibo. The trek is about 4-5 hours over easy terrain. Moir camp is an isolated and seldom used camp affording views over the Shira Plateau.

 Day-5: Moir Camp (4,205m) - Buffalo Camp (4,150m) 
Hiking: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorlands

Distance: 10 km's

Today we head out across the moorland and into the stark alpine desert heading up a ridge , on off the main trail along the quite and seldom used Northern Circuit Route. The trail heads across massive beds of shale. The final section of today's walk is undulating until we reach the location of Buffalo Camp (4150m). the views across the vast Kenyan plains that stretch out far below re incredible. The total trekking time is about 5 - 7 hours.

Day-6: -Buffalo Camp (4,150m) (also known as Pofu) - Kikelewa Caves (3600m) 
Elevation: 4,150m to 3,600m
Hiking time: 5hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Distance: 8 km's

From Buffalo Camp we climb up to the top of 'Buffalo Ridge' and the descend to reach Pofu, where there 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 (3600m) or Kikelewa, at 3900m. Approx 5-7 hours walking.

Day-7: Kikelewa Cave (3600m)   - Kibo Huts (4,750m) 
Elevation: 4,330m to 4,750m
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 8 km
Habitat: Alpine desert
The trekking time today is 5 - 7 hours, with a steady ascent across the wide saddle with it stark contrasts, between Mawenzi and Kibo. We will then ascend further up to Kibo to spend the night. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight.

Day-8: Kibo (4,750m) - Uhuru Peak (5,895m) - Mweka Camp (3,100m) 
Elevation: 4,750m to 5,895m to 3,100m
Distance: 24 km/14 miles
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
Habitat: Alpine Arctic to Heath Zone
A midnight wake-up call is the start of a long trek. You begin trekking at 1am up the winding path of endless switchbacks. From your camp to the rim of the crater (Gillman's Point (5,712 m) to Uhuru Peak, the trekking time is about 7 - 8 hours. Today is by far the steepest and most demanding part of the climb so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The slope is steep, with switchbacks over loose rock and scree with some boulders as you near Gilman's Point. You will stop at Hans Meyer cave on the way, the famous place where Kilimanjaro's first western climber described in his journals. Once you arrive at Gilman's Point at the edge of the crater, the trail to the summit is less demanding, and is reached after a further 1-2 hours along the snowy crater rim. After a short time at the summit, re-trace your steps back along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend down through Barafu Camp where you will have a chance to rest before heading down towards Mweka hut (3100m).The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

 

Day-9: Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour scenic hike back to the Park gate. It is recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. At Mweka gate you will have to sign your name and details in a register in order to receive you summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will meet up with your team and bus, and head back to the hotel a long over due hot shower.

 Day-10: Depart 
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight home.

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