THE NORTHERN CIRCUIT
WHY THIS ITINERARY?
A different take on Kilimanjaro. While this route misses some of the dramatic geological features of the standard routes such as Machame and Lemosho, it does head way off the beaten track and has a charm all of its own. For those that want the most remote trip, this is it.
DESCRIPTION
Starting on the Western side of Kilimanjaro at the Lemosho trail head, this route is one of the least used and heads up around the Kibo Massif in an clockwise direct, skirting around to School Hut for a summit attempt from there.
HIGHLIGHTS
Kilimanjaro! afro montane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, rarely visited northern region of Kilimanjaro, Kibo and hopefully the summit! Easy descent.
DAY 1 KILIMANJARO - FOREST
From Arusha we set out in vehicles to the starting point of the Lemosho trail. Here you meet the rest of your crew and set of at a leisurely pace into Afro montane forest. Lunch is taken on trail and camp is reached mid afternoon.
Overnight Forest Camp (Alt 2,860m,9,383ft.
DAY 2 KILIMANJARO - SHIRA 1
From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through Podocarpus and Juniper forest and break out of the forest on to the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. Lunch is taken on trail and you arrive in camp mid afternoon.
Overnight Shira 1 Camp(Alt 3,560m,11,680ft.
DAY 3 KILIMANJARO- MOIR
After a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain, today is a short day and you arrive in Moir camp in time for lunch. A good day for acclimatization with the option of an afternoon walk with your guides.
Overnight Moir Camp ( Alt 4,100m,13,451ft .
DAY 4 KILIMANJARO - POFU
The route today diverges from the traditional western routes and head north and then east around the Kibo Massif. Here, for the time being at least, there are relatively few other groups. You hike through the alpine desert skirting the edge of the heath zone to Pofu camp. Most groups arrive for lunch and then take an afternoon acclimatization hike.
Overnight Pofu camp ( Alt 4,025m,13,205ft.
DAY 5 KILIMANJARO - CAVE 3
From Pofu you hike a ridge and continue around the Kibo massif to Cave 3 skirting the edge of the heath zone. Once at Cave 3 there is time to rest and a short acclimatization walk in the late afternoon.
Overnight Cave 3(Alt3,915m,12,844ft)
DAY 6 KILIMANJARO - SCHOOL HUT
From Cave 3 you continue around the north and eastern flanks of Kibo and arrive into School Hut in time to check through your gear for the summit bid. After an early dinner you retire for some sleep. Dinner and overnight at the School Hut (Alt 4,750m,15,584ft .
DAY 7 KILIMANJARO - SUMMIT - HOROMBO
Rising early normally before midnight you start out from School hut towards the peak. At night time the scree sections are normally much firmer and the night time start enables the best chance of a clear summits attempt. It takes around 6 hours to reach Gilman’s point and then a further 11/2 to 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak alt 5945m,19341ft- the highest free standing point in the world and the highest point in Africa. You then descend the same route before a short stop at Kibo hut for a food refuel and rest. By the evening you descend back down to Horombo hut for dinner and overnight. Overnight Horombo Hut (Alt 3,706m,12,159ft.
DAY 8 KILIMANJARO - MARANGU GATE - END
The final descent takes you back through the heath zone and forest to the Marangu gate -Alt1,970m. Here you are met by drivers and transferred back to your hotel for a well deserved shower and celebratory dinner.