8 Days Kilimanjaro Package – Northern Circuit
This route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. It offers a chance to visit Shira Plateau (Cathedral peak) and Shira Caldera. Lemosho Route crosses from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 Camp, in a pleasant hike. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route as Machame Route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. The minimum days required for this route is 7 days, but eight days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and achieve the summit. Like Machame,this is a scenically spectacular and varied route. Lemosho is highly recommended and it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during the dry season from the Longido game controlled area.
Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
KilimanjaroTravels.com driver will meet and pick you up from JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi for overnight B/B.
Day 2: Moshi to Londorosi gate to Big tree campsite.
Elevation: 1,200 m to 1,950 m to 2,850 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
We will pick you up from your hotel, and transport you to Londorosi gate for registration. After this formality, you board the vehicle and drive again to Lemosho glade. From this point you will start the trek across undisturbed Montane forest decorated with Black and White Colobus Monkey to the camp where dinner and overnight will take place.
Day 3: Big tree campsite to Shira one campsite
Elevation(m): 2850m to 3500m
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Habitat: Moorland and heather land
This is an acclimatization trek because you will gain over 650m by starting walking across a beautiful valley outside Shira caldera rim (3600m). After a few hours you will reach into Shira caldera. A high altitude desert, Shira is the one among the three peaks which erupted in the Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The peak later collapsed and formed a crater which eventually became filled with the lava flow from Kibo peak. Its rim is eroded and blasted away by weather and volcanic action. Camp and overnight at 3500m elevation at the Shira one campsite.
Day 4: Shira two campsite to Moir campsite
Elevation: 3500m to 4155m
Distance: 11km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
It is a really good day whereby you will follow the trail to Shira two campsite the Lava Tower (4,542 meters). This day allows you to climb high and sleep low and is critical for acclimatization. Stronger hikes may continue to the ruined camp at Arrow Glacier (4,871 meters). Continue hiking from Lava Tower to Moir Hut.
Day 5: Moir campsite to Buffalo campsite
Elevation: 4155m to 4145m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4 hours.
Habitat: Moorland.
Today you will start the hike by hiking out of the Moir Valley. Hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. Continue east through a rock field. Finally reach Buffalo Camp at the end of the day.
Day 6: Buffalo Campsite to Third cave Campsite
Elevation: 4145m to 3936m. Elevation loss 209m
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Today you will climb to the top of Buffalo Ridge before continuing on through the barren landscape to Third Cave Camp. Cross many gullies during this day you will loss 209m today.
Day 7: Third cave Campsite to School Hut Campsite
Elevation: 3936m to 4717m.
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Begin the day by backtracking yesterday’s trail until the dry riverbed. Head west toward Kibo on a steady upward climb. By the early afternoon, reach School Hut on the eastern slopes of Kibo. The Saddle to Mawenzi lies just a few minutes from the camp. Prepare for your midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak.
Day 8: School Hut Camp/ Uhuru Peak/ Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4717m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 – 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
Due to the steep ascent at high altitude, this is the most challenging day of the ascent. Leave School Hut around midnight to begin your hike to the top of Kibo Crater. It is important to remember to snack during the ascent to keep your energy up. You will likely lose your appetite during this day and begin to feel new effects of altitude sickness. Reach Gilman’s Point on the Crater rim. Continue on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The hike to the summit is slow, and will take approximately 1.5 hours from Gilman’s Point. After reaching the summit, descend to Barafu Camp for a rest and brunch. Around 1pm, descend to Millennium Camp. Reach Millennium Camp at approximately 6pm.
Day 9: Mweka campsite to Mweka gate
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.
Day 10: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
KilimanjaroTravels.com driver will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or to Safari or Zanzibar if you have arranged extensions with us.
Included on the climb
- Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the standard hotel in Moshi
- Park fees, camp fee, rescue fees
- Transfers to/from the mountain gates.
- Expert guides, cook, assistant guides, and porters.
- Three meals a day during the climb.
- Bottled water on the first day of the climb boiled and filtered on the mountain.
- Entry fees, Camping fees, rescue fees and crew fees.
- Mountains 4 Season sleeping tents double occupancy.
- Sleeping mattress, foam, 1.5 inches thick.
- Mess tent, table, chairs and lanterns.
- Oxygen tank in case of emergency.
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent.
- Crew salaries (Guides, cook and porters).
Excluded on the climb
- Airfare.
- Single supplement tent or hotel rooms and extra hotel nights in Moshi
- Beverages and food at hotel.
- Personal trekking gear.
- Laundry Services.
- A doctor for the group.
- Emergency evacuation helicopter services
- Tips for porters, guides, cook and assistant guides.
INCLUDED IN YOUR SAFARI PACKAGE:
- Accommodation sharing twin/double in lodges / tented camps.
- All meals at lodges and tented camps.
- Experienced English / French speaking guide.
- Toyota Landcruiser 4×4 Safari vehicle with pop up roof, 6 window seats, power adapters, and refrigerator.
- Drinking water.
- All park entry fees.
EXCLUDED IN YOUR SAFARI PACKAGE:
- International Flights.
- Visa.
- Medications.
- Medical / Travel Insurance.
- Optional activities such as Hot Air Balloon Rides, Canoeing etc.
- Single room supplement in lodges / tented camps.
- Alcoholic and soft drinks.
- Tipping (we recommend $30 per car per day).
Tipping Recommendation
- Head Guide $20 to $25 per day from the group.
- Assistants Guide $15 to 20 per day from the group
- Cook $15 to 20 per day from the group.
- Tent crew, Kitchen porter and Toilet porter $10 to $12 per day from the group.
- Normal porter $6 to 10 per day
Note: You are responsible for bringing the required, recommended and optional personal gear and equipment listed below. Be very selective in what you take with you, our porters are limited to carry 15kg of your personal belongings. Communal equipment such as tents, food utensils et cetera is provided.
Required and recommended items.
- 1 x walking poles
- 1 x sleeping bag
- 1 x duffle bag
- 1 x waterproof jacket, breathable with hood
- 1 x insulated jacket, synthetic or down
- 1 x sleeping pad/mattress
- 1 x soft jacket, fleece or soft-shell
- 2 x long sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
- 1 x short sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
- 1 x waterproof pants, breathable (side-zipper recommended)
- 2 x hiking pants (convertible to short recommended)
- 1 x fleece pants
- 1 x short (optional)
- 1 x long underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
- 3 x underwear, briefs moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
- 2 x sport bra (women) head wear
- 1 x brimmed hat, for sun protection
- 1 x knit hat for warmth
- 1 x balaclava, for face coverage (optional)
- 1 x Bandana (optional) hand wear
- 1 x gloves, warm (waterproof recommended)
- 1 x gloves liners, synthetic, worn under gloves for added warmth (optional)
- 1 x hiking boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces
- 1 x Gym shoes to wear at camp (optional)
- 3 x socks, thick, wool or synthetic
- 3 x socks liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (option)
- 1 x gaiters, waterproof (option)
- 1 x sun glasses or goggles
- 1 x backpack cover, waterproof (optional)
- 1 x poncho, during rain season (optional)
- 1 x water bottle (Nalgene, 32oz (recommended)
- 1 x water bladder, camelback type (recommended)
- 1 x towel, light weight, quick-dry (optional)
- 1 x pee bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (recommended)
- 1 x sleeping bag liner, for added warmth (optional)
- 1 x head lamp
- 1 x daypack, for you to carry your personal gear.
Rent your climbing equipment.
Climbing equipment can be rented on your arrival and payable in USD – cash only.
| Item | Price per item per trip |
| 1 x walking poles | $20.00 |
| 1 x sleeping bag | $50.00 |
| 1 x duffle bag | $20.00 |
| 1 x waterproof jacket, breathable with hood | $20.00 |
| 1 x insulated jacket, synthetic or down | $20.00 |
| 1 x sleeping pad/mattress | $20.00 |
| 1 x soft jacket, fleece or soft-shell | $20.00 |
| 2 x long sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric | $10.00 |
| 1 x short sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric | $10.00 |
| 1 x waterproof pants, breathable (side-zipper recommended) | $15.00 |
| 2 x hiking pants (convertible to short recommended) | $20.00 |
| 1 x fleece pants | $20.00 |
| 1 x short (optional) | $20.00 |
| 1 x long underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended) | $20.00 |
| 3 x underwear, briefs moisture-wicking fabric recommended) | $20.00 |
| 2 x sport bra (women) head wear | $5.00 |
| 1 x brimmed hat, for sun protection | $10.00 |
| 1 x knit hat for warmth | $10.00 |
| 1 x balaclava, for face coverage (optional) | $10.00 |
| 1 x Bandana (optional) hand wear | $10.00 |
| 1 x gloves, warm (waterproof recommended) | $10.00 |
| 1 x gloves liners, synthetic, worn under gloves for added warmth (optional) | $10.00 |
| 1 x hiking boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces | $40.00 |
| 1 x Gym shoes to wear at camp (optional) | $40.00 |
| 3 x socks, thick, wool or synthetic | N/A |
| 3 x socks liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (option) | N/A |
| 1 x gaiters, waterproof (option) | $10.00 |
| 1 x sun glasses or goggles | $20.00 |
| 1 x backpack cover, waterproof (optional) | $20.00 |
| 1 x poncho, during rain season (optional) | $20.00 |
| 1 x water bottle (Nalgene, 32oz (recommended) | N/A |
| 1 x water bladder, camelback type (recommended) | N/A |
| 1 x towel, light weight, quick-dry (optional) | N/A |
| 1 x pee bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (recommended) | $20.00 |
| 1 x sleeping bag liner, for added warmth (optional) | $30.00 |
| 1 x head lamp | $20.00 |
| 1 x daypack, for you to carry your personal gear | $30.00 |
Prices are per person per trip – all in $USD
| Number of Clients | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 | $520 |
| 2-4 | $2,350 |
| 5-7 | $2,236 |
| 8+ | $2,217 |
Accommodation: overnight stays at campsites in Hilleberg | Vaude, 4 season, 2 person tents.
Accommodation in Moshi: Ameg lodge / Pink flamingo / Chanya lodge / Sal salinero hotel
Ascent & descent: different, ascent via Lemosho route, and descent via Mweka route.
Length: this route can be trekked within a minimum of 7 days in total, however an additional day for acclimatisation ishighly recommended.
Price: high-range (higher priced compared to other routes due to length of trek and transfer and transport costs to the start point of the trail). Please contact us for price quote.
Success rate: high due to length of trek and acclimatisation.
Acclimatisation: very good
Level: intermediate – high
People traffic: very low
Note: You are responsible for bringing the required, recommended and optional personal gear and equipment listed below. Be very selective in what you take with you, our porters are limited to carry 15kg of your personal belongings. Communal equipment such as tents, food utensils et cetera is provided.
Required and recommended items.
- 1 x walking poles
- 1 x sleeping bag
- 1 x duffle bag
- 1 x waterproof jacket, breathable with hood
- 1 x insulated jacket, synthetic or down
- 1 x sleeping pad/mattress
- 1 x soft jacket, fleece or soft-shell
- 2 x long sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
- 1 x short sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
- 1 x waterproof pants, breathable (side-zipper recommended)
- 2 x hiking pants (convertible to short recommended)
- 1 x fleece pants
- 1 x short (optional)
- 1 x long underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
- 3 x underwear, briefs moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
- 2 x sport bra (women) head wear
- 1 x brimmed hat, for sun protection
- 1 x knit hat for warmth
- 1 x balaclava, for face coverage (optional)
- 1 x Bandana (optional) hand wear
- 1 x gloves, warm (waterproof recommended)
- 1 x gloves liners, synthetic, worn under gloves for added warmth (optional)
- 1 x hiking boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces
- 1 x Gym shoes to wear at camp (optional)
- 3 x socks, thick, wool or synthetic
- 3 x socks liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (option)
- 1 x gaiters, waterproof (option)
- 1 x sun glasses or goggles
- 1 x backpack cover, waterproof (optional)
- 1 x poncho, during rain season (optional)
- 1 x water bottle (Nalgene, 32oz (recommended)
- 1 x water bladder, camelback type (recommended)
- 1 x towel, light weight, quick-dry (optional)
- 1 x pee bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (recommended)
- 1 x sleeping bag liner, for added warmth (optional)
- 1 x head lamp
- 1 x daypack, for you to carry your personal gear.
Rent your climbing equipment.
Climbing equipment can be rented on your arrival and payable in USD – cash only.
| Item | Price per item per trip |
| 1 x walking poles | $20.00 |
| 1 x sleeping bag | $50.00 |
| 1 x duffle bag | $20.00 |
| 1 x waterproof jacket, breathable with hood | $20.00 |
| 1 x insulated jacket, synthetic or down | $20.00 |
| 1 x sleeping pad/mattress | $20.00 |
| 1 x soft jacket, fleece or soft-shell | $20.00 |
| 2 x long sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric | $10.00 |
| 1 x short sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric | $10.00 |
| 1 x waterproof pants, breathable (side-zipper recommended) | $15.00 |
| 2 x hiking pants (convertible to short recommended) | $20.00 |
| 1 x fleece pants | $20.00 |
| 1 x short (optional) | $20.00 |
| 1 x long underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended) | $20.00 |
| 3 x underwear, briefs moisture-wicking fabric recommended) | $20.00 |
| 2 x sport bra (women) head wear | $5.00 |
| 1 x brimmed hat, for sun protection | $10.00 |
| 1 x knit hat for warmth | $10.00 |
| 1 x balaclava, for face coverage (optional) | $10.00 |
| 1 x Bandana (optional) hand wear | $10.00 |
| 1 x gloves, warm (waterproof recommended) | $10.00 |
| 1 x gloves liners, synthetic, worn under gloves for added warmth (optional) | $10.00 |
| 1 x hiking boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces | $40.00 |
| 1 x Gym shoes to wear at camp (optional) | $40.00 |
| 3 x socks, thick, wool or synthetic | N/A |
| 3 x socks liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (option) | N/A |
| 1 x gaiters, waterproof (option) | $10.00 |
| 1 x sun glasses or goggles | $20.00 |
| 1 x backpack cover, waterproof (optional) | $20.00 |
| 1 x poncho, during rain season (optional) | $20.00 |
| 1 x water bottle (Nalgene, 32oz (recommended) | N/A |
| 1 x water bladder, camelback type (recommended) | N/A |
| 1 x towel, light weight, quick-dry (optional) | N/A |
| 1 x pee bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (recommended) | $20.00 |
| 1 x sleeping bag liner, for added warmth (optional) | $30.00 |
| 1 x head lamp | $20.00 |
| 1 x daypack, for you to carry your personal gear | $30.00 |
