11 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Western Breach

(9 Days on the Mountain)

Tour Review

  • The Northern Circuit is still a well-kept secret
  • Newest and longest route
  • Most visually stunning trek

Northern Circuit Route 11 Days

Experience the newest route on Kilimanjaro

Be one of the first to ascend the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro by way of the new Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro route! For thousands of years, the imposing grandeur of Africa’s tallest mountain has captivated the human imagination. Now for the first time ever, Ashford Tours gives you the opportunity to experience the most recently opened route on Kilimanjaro. The incredible 11 Days Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro journey is the newest, longest, and most visually stunning trek available. The length of the climb lets you undergo gradual and complete acclimatization before reaching the summit. This unique feature gives the Northern Circuit the highest climb success rate out of all the routes up Kilimanjaro. On the way, you’ll survey spectacular scenery and glimpse untouched wildlife and wilderness. You’ll venture where few have gone before via secluded trails on this newly unlocked mountain route. The Northern Circuit is still a well-kept secret—hurry for the chance to be among its first pioneers! Check out our tour itinerary to see what to expect on your unforgettable Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro adventure:

Day Destination Activities Accommodations Meals
1 Moshi Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to hotel. Tour orientation Chanya Lodge L, D
2 Mti Mkubwa (2,750m) Transfer to Londorossi Gate for Registration (1,800m). Then to you staring point at (2350m). Start the mountain climbing Mti Mkubwa Camp BB,L, D
3 Shira Camp 1 (3,550m) Trek from mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp Shira Camp 1 BB,L, D
4 Shira Camp 2 (3,840m) Trek from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 Shira Camp 2
5 Moir Hut Camp (4,200 m) Trek to from Shira Camp 2 to Moir Hut Camp Moir Hut Camp BB,L, D
6 Buffalo Camp (4,020 m) Trek from Moir Hut Camp to Buffalo Camp Buffalo Camp BB,L, D
7 Third Cave (3,870 m) Trek from Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Third Cave BB,L, D
8 School Hut (4,800 m) Trek from Third Cave to School Hut School Hut BB,L, D
9 Mweka Camp (3,100m) Trek to Kilimanjaro Sumit (5,895m) then descend to Mweka Camp Mweka Camp BB,L, D
10 Moshi Descend Mweka Gate (1,640 m) Chanya Lodge BB,L, D
11 Departure Transfer from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport BB

Abbreviations: BB – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner, LB: Lunch Box

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi

The first day on your incredible journey up the Northern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro is filled with anticipation. You’ll receive a warm welcome at the airport by our driver who’ll take care of all your luggage and transportation to the hotel in Moshi. After settling down, you’ll come down for an orientation session with the Ashford Tours team. Our expert team leaders will guide you through all the important details of your route and offer advice for a successful trek. Your hiking gear will then be thoroughly inspected and adjusted if necessary. The rest of the day is spent getting ready for your life-changing journey.

Day 2: Moshi to Londorossi Gate (2,350m) to Mti Mkubwa (2,750m)

Walking Time: 3 hours Distance: 7 km Altitude Gain: 450m

Wake up early and invigorated for the upcoming journey to the foot of the Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro route. After eating a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you’ll leave Moshi for the Londorossi Park Gate in the West. The 3-hour drive will take you off the beaten path for a remarkable cultural experience, traversing the fascinating townscapes of Boma N’gombe among the native people of Sanya Juu. After arriving at your destination, you’ll register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities while our team assembles all your gear and supplies. Meet and get to know the rest of your support team, including our friendly chefs. Our guides will then drive you further up the mountain to the starting point of your trek. On the first leg of your journey, you’ll move through untamed wilderness brimming with ancient and exotic botanical species. Black and White Colobus Monkey peer down from the lush rainforest canopy while you catch a glimpse of larger mammals like the elephant or buffalo. Your final destination for the day is the Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750 m) where you’ll rest and recuperate.

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa (2,750m) to Shira Camp 1 (3,550m)

Walking Time: 6-7 hours Distance: 10 km Altitude Gain: 800m

Wake up on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to begin the longest and most spectacular day of trekking so far. You’ll pass through the last sections of rainforest before entering the majestic barren landscape of the Low Alpine moorland zone. Marvel at rare flora species, including enormous violet lobelias and wild vegetation. Venture across the massive Shira Plateau, the collapsed vestiges of an ancient volcanic crater. You’ll then cross over the Shira Ridge towards the slopes of Shira Camp 1 (3,600 m), where you’ll set up for the night.

Day 4: Shira Camp 1 (3,550m) to Shira Camp 2 (3,840m)

Walking Time: 3-4hours Distance: 8km Altitude Gain: 290m

After devouring a hot steaming breakfast, you’ll continue your scenic trek across the exposed moorland zone. Few visitors have frequented this section of Kilimanjaro so you’ll get to fully experience its untouched beauty. Emerging from the Shira Plateau, you’ll be greeted by a truly stunning view of the peak of Kilimanjaro before reaching Shira Camp 2 (3,810 m). The rest of the day will involve free time to explore the spectacular surrounds, including the landmark Shira Cathedral, a grand buttress of rock surrounded by pinnacle and spire formations. Your guide will also lead brief excursions to aid each person’s acclimatization process.

Day 5: Shira Camp 2 (3,840 m) to Moir Hut Camp (4,200 m)

Walking Time: 5-7 hours Distance: 14km Altitude Gain: 610m

The fifth day of the Northern Circuit Route Kilimanjaro will take you east into the High Alpine desert zone. Here the Lemosho Route connects with the popular Machame Route before you leave for a more secluded trail. You’ll get to marvel at curious desert plant species and view the iconic Shark’s Tooth volcanic rock formation on the way to Lava Tower. This part of your journey involves gradual exposure to much higher altitudes, consolidating your acclimatization process. The end of the day sees you heading towards the Moir Camp (4,200 m), situated behind the magnificent Lent Hills. There you’ll put up your feet up and enjoy a steaming hot meal.

Day 6: Moir Hut Camp (4,200 m) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 m)

Walking Time: 5 – 7 hours Distance: 12km Altitude Loss: 180m

Wake up to the refreshing mountain air in the high altitude Kilimanjaro slopes. You’ll have breakfast, gather your gear, and climb out of the Moir Valley. A short detour sees you reach the summit of Lent Hills to admire the views before rejoining the Northern Circuit trail. Journey along rolling terrain that incline and decline, taking you around the northern slopes of Kibo before reaching Buffalo Camp. Set up for the night at a stunning campsite with the spacious Kenyan plains stretching out below you.

Day 7: Buffalo Camp (4,020 m) to Third Cave (3,870 m)

Walking Time: 5 – 7 hours Distance: 8km Altitude Loss: 150m

Your Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit adventure continues with a revitalizing morning climbing up to the top of ‘Buffalo Ridge’. After stopping for lunch, you’ll continue eastwards through High and Low Alpine scenery passing increasingly sparse and rare vegetation. The day’s journey ends after circumventing the northern slopes to reach the Rongai Third Cave Camp. By this stage of the trek, you’ll be fully acclimatized to the high altitude.

Day 8: Third Cave (3,870 m) to School Hut (4,800 m)

Walking Time: 4 – 6 hours Distance: 6km Altitude Gain: 930m

This is the final leg of the trip before your last ascent up to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. The highlight of the day will be the trek up and over The Saddle, a lunar landscape that lies between the Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. You’ll then head southwest to School Hut (4,800 m) to rest in preparation for the end of your amazing journey. Your guides will thoroughly check all your gear and supplies in preparation for an early morning start.

Day 9: School Hut (4,800 m) to Mweka Camp (3,100 m)

Walking Time: 11 – 15 hours Distance: 19km Altitude Gain:1095m Altitude Loss: 2835m

Your last morning on the Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit will get off to an early start. You and your guides will travel through the darkness towards Kilimanjaro’s main crater rim at Gilman’s Point. There you’ll rest before the final push, passing spectacular ice cliffs and glaciers. You’ll arrive at the Mount Kilimanjaro summit just in time to catch the sunrise, the most spectacular of nature’s backdrops. Share the sense of exhilaration and accomplishment with your guides and support team. Soak in the beauty of the view before retracing your steps down the crater rim. Then you’ll descend on the Mweka Route towards the last stop on your journey – Mweka Camp.

Day 10: Mweka Camp (3,100 m) to Mweka Gate (1,640 m) to Moshi

Walking Time: 3 – 4 hours Distance: 10km Altitude Loss: 1420m

The last hike is a short one and will lead us to Mweka Gate. Your Ashford Tours team will proudly issue you with a Gold Summit Certificate and celebrate. Our drivers will be in the nearby village to transport you to the hotel for a hot shower, soft mattress and set of clean clothes.

Day 11: Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport

Today our driver will transfer you to the airport from where you will connect your flight back home. If you’ve chosen to continue on a safari – well, that’s a different adventure and we’ll take care of that for you!

The Tour Includes

  • Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to the hotel in Moshi
  • Transport from Moshi to Park Gates
  • Transport from Park Gates to Moshi
  • Pre & post climb accommodation in Moshi
  • Kilimanjaro National Park Conservation fees (entry fee)
  • Kilimanjaro National Park compulsory rescue fees
  • Kilimanjaro National Park hut accommodation fees
  • Kilimanjaro National Park trained certified English speaking guides
  • Kilimanjaro National Park trained certified English speaking porters
  • One Porter per person for personal Mountain luggage (maximum 15 kgs)
  • Kilimanjaro National Park trained certified cook/Chef, utensils, cutlery, crockery etc
  • All meals while on the mountain and bed and breakfast in Moshi
  • Boiled water; tea and coffee with meals
  • 1 basic first Aid kit per group

The Tour Excludes:

  • Any Domestic of International lights
  • Specialized climbing equipments such as Oxygen cylinders (available at cost)
  • Travel insurance, Visa and passport fees
  • Increases in park fees where applicable
  • Personal mountain  equipments such as sleeping bags, walking poles, mattresses, duffel bags etc (available at cost)
  • Metal water bottles, water bladders (please note no soft plastics are permitted on the Mountain)
  • Tips/gratuities for guide(s), porters & cook
  • Beverages such as Soda and Alcoholic drinks
  • Additional unscheduled transfer form park gates to Moshi.

Tour Cost

11 Days Kilimanjaro climbing – Northern Circuit

Number of Passengers in a Group 1 2 3 4 5 6-10 11+
Per person sharing rate 3385 2180 1740 1500 1475 1475 1300
Single room supplement all through 198 198 198 198 198 198 198

The cost may change if influenced by increment of park entrance fees, Government taxes

Payment Policy

– booking fee: 30% within 7 days after confirmation of the booking
– balance and full payments to be paid 25 days prior to safari starting date.
– Booking confirmed within 25 days to the tour starting date should be paid in full.

Ashford Tours is not liable for the progress of any booking incase of non-compliance of the above payment conditions. We recommend that you secure your booking with a deposit of 30% of the tour fees within 7 days of confirmation. The balance of payment is due 25 days prior to the tour starting date. Upon receipt of full payment, Ashford Tours will issue all relevant travel documents.

Cancellation Policy
If you cancel a confirmed booking, a cancellation fee will apply. A cancellation is only possible if communicated in written form. If you cancel a trip:
• At any time but over 45 days after your booking has been confirmed Ashford Tours and Travel retains 5% non-refundable deposit as administration costs on all services booked with us. We advise you to sign cancellation insurance at the time of booking which will cover cancellation fees.

  • Any monies paid will be refunded less the cost of cancellation fees levied by hotels or food expenses and administrative costs as indicated here below;
No of days to travel date Percentage forfeited of tour price
Over 45 days 5% Administration cost
25 – 45 days to arrival date 30% of tour price
24-15 days 50% of the tour price
7-14 days 70% of the tour price
Less than 6 days and no show No refunds. We retain 100% of the tour fee

• If you leave a tour for any reason after it has commenced we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services.

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