9-Day Northern Circuit Route - Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking
Short Overview
Experience the Northern Circuit Route 9 Days Climb, Kilimanjaro’s longest and most scenic trek with the highest summit success rates. Circle the mountain through remote wilderness, enjoying 360° views and excellent acclimatization before reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m). Trek with expert guides, enjoy diverse landscapes, and stay in full-service camping with all meals included. Perfect for climbers seeking the ultimate Kilimanjaro adventure.
Lemosho Route Photo
Detailed Full Itineray
Pick up from the hotel, drive to Lemosho Gate, where the national park authorities will register you. A moderately steep path leads to the Big Tree Camp (2780 m).Keep an eye out for monkeys and interesting birds along the way. The tents will already be set up, and hot tea and washing water will be waiting.
We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
We explore the Shira Plateau. It is a gentle walk east on the moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. The heath zone displays abundant wildflowers and unique Senecio trees.
Hiking time: 5-7 hours, Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers, Habitat: moorland
The spectacular camp we are visiting today is located beneath the Northern Ice Fields of Kilimanjaro.It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent opportunity for acclimatization. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth
Hiking time: 7 hours, Distance: Approximately 7 kilometers, Habitat: Semi-desert
From Moir Hut, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction that leads to the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction shifts to the Southeast towards the Lava Tower, also known as the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an elevation of 16,000 feet. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and spend the night. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is significant for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
This is a short hiking day meant for acclimatization. After an early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimidating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. You will spend the night at Karanga Camp (3950m) and enjoy dinner and washing at the site.
After breakfast, you will begin your ascent. The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters, as there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4,550 m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice,” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks, so hikers need to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served, allowing hikers to rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will provide you with a detailed briefing on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest, and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers consider this the most mentally and physically demanding part of the climb.
In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will have the opportunity to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and savoring tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours.
At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have dinner, wash up, and rest soundly at camp.
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion.
Hikers who reach Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates, and hikers who reach Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers).
You will be served a hot lunch, then you will drive back to Moshi for long-overdue showers and more celebrations. Accommodation: The Maridadi Hotel.
What is Included and Excluded in the Package
Included in the Package
Professional Mountain Crew: English-speaking guides, porters, & cooks
Park Fees: Entrance, camping/hut fees, and permits
Based Fallboard Food during the climb
Drinking water and oxygen for emergencies
Hotel in Moshi (before and after the climb)
Airport transfers
Camping Equipment: Tents, sleeping bags & mattresses
Transport: To & from park gates
Safety Gear: Oxygen cylinder & first aid kit
VAT (Value Added Tax)
Excluded in the Package
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Tips for guides, porters & cooks
- Personal trekking gear (trekking poles, gloves, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (laundry, drinks, snacks, etc.)
Climbing
9 Days, 1 National Parks
Accommodation
8 Nights
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
What our customers say
EXCELLENT
Based on 20 reviews
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Lynn KittyCatVerified
Splendid 12-Day Kenya-Tanzania Safari Trip I had a 12-day Kenya-Tanzania private safari trip with MJ Safaris & Adventure from Aug 23 to Sept 3rd, 2026, and they were incredible. I found the tour on SafariBookings.com. Among all the operators that I contacted, Jackson was the quickest to respond, and he remained very responsive in all our following communications. A driving safari involves lots of rough roads, but MJ managed the logistics of this trip perfectly. The transit at the Namanga border was smooth and seamless. My Tanzanian driver was already waiting for me when my Kenyan guide dropped me off, and guided me through the passport control. The choice of lodges and camps was fantastic too. In particular, staying at the Canopy Migration Camp and Canopy Wilderness Camp in the Serengeti placed me right in the heart of the wilderness. The wildlife viewing was top-tier. My driver-guides, Roman in Kenya and Nelly in Tanzania, were professional, highly dedicated, and very experienced at tracking wildlife. They worked very long hours to give me the best possible safari experience. With their expertise, I saw enormous amount of game, including the wilderbeast river crossing, over 70 lions, several leopards, multiple cheetahs, both black and white rhinos, and many water birds. I even saw a honey badger on the last day! Thank you for an unforgettable trip!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
ying mVerified
unforgettable 5 days safari tour Our game drives exceeded all expectations! We saw almost every animal featured in The Lion King—minus the monkey (Rafiki), which our guide explained isn’t found in Tanzania. Witnessing the Great Migration was absolutely magnificent, and our group of five had an unforgettable time. The luxury tents perfectly blended rustic charm with modern comfort. I especially loved our hotel in Moshi and only wish we could have stayed there longer!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Sonny CVerified
Excellent, affordable and experienced 7 day Lemosho Route Mt Kilimanjaro I recently fulfilled a dream by climbing Mt Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho route. I booked for a 7 day trek and every part of the journey was seamless, from the entire booking process right through to my arrival, the trek and my departure. Some of the best prices you can find compared to others, however I don’t understand where they could possibly have cut corners as the whole experience was perfect. Save your money from booking with the bigger operators and contact these guys. They are KPAP certified, have excellent guides, porters, chefs, and management/bookings team. The hotel included for before and after is perfect. The entire trek was amazing, with my highly experienced guide Juma making it easy to get through each day and make it to the summit and down with no problems. The food was delicious and beyond enough portions wise. The porters were friendly and extremely hard working and my tent etc. was large, warm and comfortable. Would recommend these guys to anyone looking to travel to Tanzania for Mt Kilimanjaro, other hikes or safaris. You have my gratitude and praise !! Asante sanaPosted on Tripadvisor![]()
Phillip MVerified
Very professional guides for Meru hike We are so pleased we booked with MJ Safaris and Adventure. They picked us up from the airport 2 days before our hike so we stayed an extra night at the hotel that they chose. The Maridadi hotel has great food, great rooms and a lovely clean pool. They met us the next day for our briefing and to give us our duffle bags with included sleeping bags. All the support staff were amazing, Silvano, Nicholas, Kelvin and Benjamin plus the porters who have a tough job. The food they provided was really good, nice flavours and more than enough to give you energy, they couldn't do more for you. The mountain huts were basic but comfortable and we had a 4 person bunk room for the two of us and we want to thank them for looking after us so well. The hike was amazing, as per other tour operators, it included Little Meru on day 2 in the afternoon which is well worth doing. The summit day we set off at half past midnight and got to the summit to see the sunrise over Kilimanjaro, this was beyond expectations. the summit day is tough but well worth the effort for an amazing experience and stunning scenery not to mention the sense of achievement as this is not a small mountain! You should feel confident booking with MJ Safaris as they delivered in all aspects better than we imagined and were actually better value than most and at the end of the day everyone is on the same route and same accommodation.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Евгений УVerified
It was an amazing African adventure I contacted MJ Safaris & Adventure for organizing a enough long tour of Africa. Initially, I was planning only safaris and jungle treks in Uganda and Tanzania for 2 weeks, but while discussing the trip details, my "appetite" grew, and i decided to add a climbing to Kilimanjaro summit and the final tour duration became 21 days. It was my first time visiting mainland Africa, so I spent a long time choosing a tour company for organising this adventure for me, trusted my intuition, and was absolutely right. From my inquiry, to the subsequent discussion of details, to the organization, the guides, and all the little details along the way, everything was top-notch; I was absolutely delighted. It's been two weeks since I returned from the trip, and I already miss the unique African vibe, the breathtaking landscapes, and the very friendly and helpful people. It was a wonderful adventure and I will definitely repeat it again. Thank you to the entire MJ Safaris & Adventure team for such unforgettable experiences and emotions. Plus, I want to add that for me, as a very passionate photographer, this trip was a real gold mine - I brought back thousands of wonderful pictures, and I plan to organize my own photo exhibition.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Nicole BVerified
Simply amazing We had an absolutely incredible safari experience, and so much of that was thanks to our guide, Gift Dastan. From the moment we met him, his knowledge, professionalism, and passion for wildlife were obvious. He worked tirelessly to make sure we saw as much as possible, and thanks to his expertise, we had unforgettable sightings of lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and so much more. He seemed to know exactly where to be and when, giving us opportunities to witness amazing animal behavior that we will never forget. What truly set Gift apart was how kind, patient, and personable he was. He answered all of our questions, shared fascinating information about the animals, the area and his life before being a guide. He made every game drive both educational and exciting. We always felt safe, comfortable, and well cared for. This trip was a dream come true for us, and Gift played a huge role in making it such a special experience. If you are lucky enough to have him as your guide, you are in for an amazing adventure. Thank you, Gift, for memories that will last a lifetime. Five stars isn’t enough!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Matty GVerified
Time in Tanzania Well Spent Sorted everything out for me and my friend. Hiking Kilimanjaro, week long safari, hotels, food, travel, everything! Such a good service!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Ned wVerified
Saw everything Had a great time, food was good and saw all the animas in 4 beautiful national parks.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Susanne SVerified
Exceptional 12-Days Kenya & Tanzania Safari Experience with MJ Safaris & Adventures My partner and I just completed an absolutely phenomenal 12-day safari through Kenya and Tanzania with MJ Safaris & Adventures, and I'm still in awe of the incredible experience we had. Booking with them was remarkably easy and efficient, with clear communication every step of the way. Our safari guide, Deo, was nothing short of extraordinary—his passion for wildlife, deep knowledge of animal behavior, and keen tracking skills made every game drive an adventure filled with remarkable sightings and educational insights. Deo's warm personality, patience with our endless questions, and ability to position us perfectly for photographs made him feel more like a friend than a guide by the end of our journey. He shared fascinating stories about conservation efforts, local traditions, and the ecosystems we explored, bringing the landscapes of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Masai Mara to life in ways we never imagined. The accommodations throughout our safari were exceptional, each offering unique charm and outstanding hospitality. At Lake Masek Tented Camp near the Crater, the staff welcomed us with genuine warmth and provided attentive service that made us feel like VIPs—they remembered our preferences, surprised us with special touches, and shared local knowledge that enriched our stay. The Canopy Tented Camp in the Serengeti was absolutely magical, with staff who went above and beyond to ensure our comfort while we were immersed in the heart of the wilderness, and their evening campfire gatherings created a wonderful sense of community among guests. At Osero Camp in the Masai Mara, we were blown away by the staff's professionalism and kindness, making our final days of the safari truly memorable with their personalized attention and the stunning location overlooking the plains where wildlife frequently wandered near camp. The food throughout our entire 12-day journey deserves special mention—every single meal was a delightful culinary experience that exceeded our expectations for safari dining. We enjoyed hearty breakfasts before dawn game drives, featuring fresh fruits, eggs cooked to order, cereals, pastries, and excellent Kenyan coffee that fueled our early mornings. The packed lunches Deo brought on full-day excursions were far from ordinary fresh sandwiches, salads, fruit, and snacks kept us energized while watching wildlife. Dinners at each camp were the highlight of our evenings, with multi-course meals that beautifully blended international cuisine with local East African flavors, including delicious grilled meats, fresh vegetables, flavorful stews, and creative desserts. The chefs accommodated our dietary preferences without hesitation, and the presentation and quality of every meal rivaled fine dining restaurants back home. Between meals, the camps always had snacks, beverages, and freshly baked treats available, ensuring we never went hungry. As Americans traveling to Africa for the first time, we were thoroughly impressed by the hygiene standards, food safety, and culinary creativity at every stop. MJ Safaris & Adventures clearly partners with top-quality camps that understand the importance of excellent food in creating a memorable safari experience. From witnessing wilds and spotting all of the Big Five to the cultural experiences, breathtaking sunsets, and the incredible people we met along the way, this safari was truly the trip of a lifetime. Thank you to Deo and the wonderful for making our dream safari absolutely perfect! Hope to see again! Sussie.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Ryan MVerified
Excellent service from start to finish Excellent service from start to finish and The best hotel in Moshi. Highly recommended for Tours climbing Kilimanjaro
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions for Kilimanjaro Climbing
No technical climbing skills required, just physical fitness and determination.
Kilimanjaro is a non-technical trek requiring no ropes or special equipment. Good physical conditioning and mental preparation are essential for success.
Machame or Lemosho routes offer good acclimatization and high success rates.
These routes provide gradual altitude gain, scenic diversity, and adequate time for body adjustment, making them ideal for first-time climbers.
Good cardiovascular fitness and regular hiking experience are highly recommended.
Train with cardio exercises, hill walking, and long hikes carrying a backpack for several months before your climb attempt.
Quality hiking boots, warm layers, sleeping bag, and rain gear essential.
Comprehensive gear list includes insulated clothing, waterproof jacket, headlamp, trekking poles, and personal items for mountain conditions.
Rapid ascent to high altitude reduces oxygen, causing headaches and nausea.
Proper acclimatization, hydration, slow climbing pace, and listening to your guide help prevent serious altitude-related health issues.
Overall success rates vary 60-85% depending on route and preparation. Longer routes like Lemosho and Northern Circuit offer higher success rates due to better acclimatization schedules and gradual ascent.
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