Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit with Crater Camp

Day 1

Arrival in Tanzania and transfer to Arusha

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your representative will meet you and arrange the transfer to your hotel in Arusha. After checking in, take time to rest and recover from your journey before meeting your mountain guide for a detailed briefing. The guide will review the route, inspect your equipment, discuss altitude-related symptoms and explain the importance of hydration, nutrition, a steady walking pace and honest communication throughout the climb.

Overnight:

Hotel in Arusha

Meals:

Hotel breakfast if specified

Day 2

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

After breakfast, drive to Londorossi Gate on Kilimanjaro’s western side and complete park registration. Begin trekking through the lush montane rainforest, where tall trees, ferns, moss-covered branches and changing forest sounds introduce you to the mountain environment. Your guide will set a comfortable pace while the support crew transports the agreed camping equipment, food and luggage.

The forest trail may be muddy or slippery following rainfall, so good hiking boots and waterproof clothing are important. This first day introduces you to the expedition gradually, allowing you to settle into the walking rhythm before the longer high-altitude stages.

Overnight:

Mti Mkubwa Camp (tents)

Meals:

Lunch and dinner

Day 3

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Continue climbing from the forest into the heath and moorland zones, where the vegetation becomes more open and the mountain begins to reveal its expansive volcanic landscape. As the trail gains elevation, you may enjoy views toward the Shira Plateau and the summit cone of Kibo when the weather is clear. Your guide will encourage a slow pace and regular breaks to help the group manage the increasing altitude.

After reaching Shira 1 Camp, enjoy a prepared meal and time to rest. The open plateau can be cold and windy, particularly in the evening, so keep warm layers, gloves and waterproof protection readily available.

Overnight:

Shira 1 Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4

Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Today, cross the open Shira Plateau from Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp. Rather than diverting directly from Shira 1 to Moir Hut, the expedition spends a night at Shira 2, allowing you to experience the plateau and build more time into the early acclimatization schedule.

The walk offers expansive views of Kilimanjaro’s upper slopes and, when visibility allows, Mount Meru and the surrounding landscape. Depending on weather, timing and the guide’s assessment, an optional short acclimatization walk may be possible before returning to camp. Any additional walk must remain within the group’s capabilities and the approved route plan.

Overnight:

Shira 2 Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5

Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut

Leave Shira 2 Camp and continue toward the remote Moir Hut area, where the landscape becomes more rugged, open and volcanic. The route moves away from the busier plateau section toward the northern side of the mountain, with broad views across the high-altitude terrain. Your guide will manage the walking pace carefully as you approach elevations where physical effort can feel considerably harder than it would at lower levels.

The day is an important transition between the Shira Plateau and the Northern Circuit’s remote northern traverse. On arrival, enjoy a warm meal, rest and prepare for the additional acclimatization time planned before the higher stages.

Overnight:

Moir Hut area (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6

Acclimatization day at Moir Hut

This additional day is included to provide more time for altitude adjustment before proceeding farther around the mountain. Rather than simply covering more distance, the day focuses on rest, hydration, nutrition and a controlled optional acclimatization walk if the guide considers it suitable. Any walk to a higher point and return must be determined by the guide based on weather, symptoms, the group’s condition and the approved route.

Extra time at altitude can support acclimatization, but it does not remove the risk of altitude illness or guarantee summit success. Climbers should immediately report symptoms such as persistent headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual fatigue, breathlessness at rest or difficulty walking normally. Serious symptoms require prompt professional assessment and may require descent rather than further ascent.

Overnight:

Moir Hut area (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7

Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

Continue along the Northern Circuit toward Buffalo Camp, traversing the mountain’s quieter northern slopes. The route passes through high-altitude terrain with sparse vegetation, volcanic features and far-reaching views toward the plains of Kenya when the weather is clear. Undulating ground and the altitude can make the walking demanding, so maintaining a slow, steady pace is essential.

On arrival at Buffalo Camp, the crew will prepare camp and meals while you rest and organize your clothing for the next stage. Your guide will continue to monitor the group’s condition and may adjust the plan if weather or altitude symptoms make further ascent inadvisable.

Overnight:

Buffalo Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8

Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

Today’s trek continues around Kilimanjaro’s northern side toward Third Cave Camp. The landscape is open and rugged, with changing views of the upper mountain and the surrounding high-altitude wilderness. Although the route may involve less steep climbing than some other sections, the elevation and accumulated exertion can still make the day tiring.

Your guide will encourage regular hydration, eating at scheduled intervals and reporting any unusual symptoms. At camp, enjoy a meal prepared by the mountain cook and rest before moving toward the high camps used for the summit approach.

Overnight:

Third Cave Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9

Third Cave Camp to School Hut

Leave Third Cave Camp and ascend toward School Hut, the high camp used for the summit approach on this itinerary. The trail crosses increasingly exposed terrain as you move into the alpine desert, where temperatures can fall sharply and wind can make conditions challenging. The guide will maintain a conservative pace and assess whether the group is fit to continue to the planned camp.

After arrival, rest, eat and prepare your summit clothing, headlamp, gloves, water and other essential equipment. Your guide will explain the summit schedule, the planned route and the circumstances in which the team may need to delay or abandon the ascent. Reaching this high camp is a significant step, but it does not mean that every climber will be able to safely attempt the summit.

Overnight:

School Hut or designated high camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and an early dinner

Day 10

Summit attempt at Uhuru Peak and overnight at Crater Camp

Begin the summit attempt at the time determined by your guide and current conditions. The ascent toward the crater rim and Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 metres, is physically demanding because the air contains much less available oxygen than at sea level, and cold, wind, darkness and steep terrain can make progress slow. The team will use a measured pace and regular assessments, and any climber showing concerning symptoms may be required to stop ascending and descend.

If conditions and your physical condition allow, reaching Uhuru Peak is an extraordinary achievement and a chance to appreciate the summit landscape of Africa’s highest mountain. The proposed continuation to Crater Camp, at approximately 5,790 metres, is an exceptional high-altitude undertaking and must only take place if specifically authorized and judged safe by the responsible guide team and relevant authorities. The overnight is not guaranteed: weather, symptoms, park restrictions or the guide’s safety assessment may require an alternative descent plan.

Overnight:

Crater Camp (tents), only if approved

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11

Descend from Crater Camp toward Millennium Camp

After the high-altitude overnight, follow the guide’s instructions for the descent from the crater area toward the designated lower camp, which may be Millennium Camp or another camp selected under the approved itinerary. The descent can still be physically demanding, especially after the summit effort and an overnight at extreme altitude. Your guide will assess your condition before departure and determine whether the planned descent is appropriate or whether a different response is necessary.

The priority is to lose altitude safely, maintain suitable hydration and nutrition, and avoid pushing through symptoms that could indicate altitude illness. The route and timing may change according to weather, trail conditions, the group’s condition and park instructions.

Overnight:

Millennium Camp or designated lower camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12

Descend to Mweka Gate and transfer to Arusha

Continue descending through the mountain’s changing vegetation toward Mweka Gate, where the team will complete the required park exit procedures. Climbers who qualify under the park’s certification rules may receive their summit certificates. Your driver will then transfer you to the hotel in Arusha, where you can shower, rest and celebrate the conclusion of the mountain expedition.

The descent can be tiring even after the summit day, so continue to follow your guide’s instructions and use suitable footwear. Once back at the hotel, take time to recover before your onward flight or any additional travel arrangements.

Overnight:

Hotel in Arusha

Meals:

Breakfast

Day 13

Departure from Tanzania

Enjoy breakfast before your scheduled transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, if airport transport is included in your confirmed package. If you wish to extend your stay, Trust Tours & Safaris can arrange an additional wildlife safari in Tarangire, Ngorongoro or Serengeti, or a relaxing beach holiday in Zanzibar. These extensions are optional and will be quoted separately unless included in writing in your booking.

Meals:

Breakfast