9 Days Northern Circuit Climbing

From: $2,470

(0 review)

Inquiry

Duration

9 Days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

10 people

Languages

English

About this tour

Tour Overview

The Northern Circuit route is one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360 degrees of beautiful scenery including the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes. As the longest route on Kilimanjaro, the Northern Circuit also has the most acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate. Thus, the Northern Circuit route is highly recommended. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge, before crossing the Shira Plateau. The route then heads north and circles clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp to School Hut, before summiting from the east. Descend is made via the Mweka route. Topi Adventure we offers the Northern Circuit as a nine day group climb or private climb. A 10 day variation that includes an overnight at Crater Camp is available as a private climb by special request. Crater Camp is a unique place. At 18,865 feet above sea level, it is the highest campsite on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is located just 475 feet below the summit. We offer the opportunity to stay at Crater Camp on the Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes.

This option will add one day to the standard itineraries making them the 9 Lemosho Crater Route and 10 days Northern Crater Route. We leave for the summit during daylight hours and stay at Crater Camp after the summit for better acclimatization. On all other Kilimanjaro routes, only the guides and clients summit while the rest of the mountain crew remains at high camp (i.e. Barafu). Using Crater Camp requires significantly more effort on our part as the entire mountain crew, along with all of the expedition equipment, has to ascend 4,000 feet higher than they normally would. Therefore, there is considerable added cost to do a Crater Camp route. From Crater Camp, one can take an optional one hour hike to Reusch Crater, or simply explore the areas around Furtwangler Glacier. Reusch Crater is a magnificent sight. It is almost perfectly circular and the ash pit measures 400 feet (120 m) deep and 1,300 feet (400 m) wide. This is rarely seen by tourists. The video below puts the size of the ash pit and crater into perspective.

Included/Excluded

Airport Pickup and Drop – Off
2 Nights’ accommodation in Moshi is included
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel.
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
Quality, waterproof, four seasons private mountain sleeping tents
Sleeping Mattress
All meals while on the mountain
Quality mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean purified drinking water
Kilimanjaro National Park Entrance fees
All Government taxes and levies including 18% VAT
Community Development Fund & Conservation Fund

Drinks at your hotel before and after the climb.
Travel insurance
Flights
Laundry (Available at the hotel)
Personal items and toiletries
Tips for guides, porters and cook

Itinerary

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 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.

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 few hours you will reach into Shira caldera. A high altitude desert, Shira is the one among the three peaks which erupted in Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The peak ltaer 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some gifts shop before heading to the airport. Meals: Breakfast Included

Durations

Multi day

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

Airport transfers are not included in the price of this tour, however you can book for an arrival transfer in advance. Our representative will be at the airport to greet you. To arrange this please contact our customer service team once you have a confirmed booking.

You are expected to carry your own day pack, with only things which should be able to sustain you until you reach the next camp at the end of the day. You do not need to carry your personal backpack/ duffel pack - It will be carried by our porters.

No worries about that - this is a common concern. It is much better for your body if you proceed slowly and guides will permanently remind you about this (“pole-pole” - which means “slowly slowly”). By walking slowly, your body will much better acclimatize to high altitude.

There is plenty of time allocated each day for the treks, even for those who like to go very slowly.

Some climbers may fall short of reaching the summit, but not at the expense of their overall experience. Even for those who never reached the top, the experience of the wonders of Kilimanjaro is very rewarding.

If one or more members of the group decide they cannot continue, or if a guide deems it unsafe for an individual (or a group) to continue, they are escorted to the most convenient campsite or Hut.

Our guides intimately know the network of shortcuts to escort climbers to safety, and they are trained to act quickly and calmly under any circumstance.

On the Marangu Route, there are simple basic Huts. The first 2 Huts sleep four people each and the last Hut is a dome-style with bunk beds.

On all the other routes, you will sleep in 3 dome-style Tents, two people each. The Tents are modern and have an outer flysheet and large vestibules keep equipment from the elements. They are set up, broken down and carried- along with everything else- by our porters.

There are public toilets set up at every campsite, but portable toilets are available upon request at the cost of $ 100 per group for the whole tour. Hot water is provided for each person every morning but No showers during trek

There will be dining tents with chairs and tables where all meals will be served. Before any meal, we will provide soap and hot water for washing your hands.

For each trek on the Mount a dedicated cook will be part of the logistical team. They are professional chefs and have the ability to prepare different kinds of dishes. Please see a sample page for Dietary Menu.

You shouldn't worry- You are in safe hands. Our guides are professionally trained to handle all sorts of distress and respond quickly and accordingly. They all have Wilderness First Aid Responder qualification and they will all time bring you to safety. They will directly call for an emergency evacuation if the situation worsens.

The tours are scheduled to start in Moshi, departing on Daily basis. However, circumstances like clients’ arrival time, activities to be done and client’s preference could affect the program. Our company is flexible for such arrangements and adjustments. Normally the program starts around 7:30 AM

The tours are scheduled to End in Moshi. You may also wish to be dropped outside Moshi at an extra cost depending on the place of drop off. However, our travel specialists will need to know your specific drop-off point prior to the hike to get aligned with the program

See Group Booking Discount

The price per person for group expeditions are fixed based on a group size. However, we have optional arrangements for individual private and tailor-made preferences best suited for you, your family and friends.

Number of Clients	Price Per Person
Solo Traveler	$ 2,805
2 to 4 Pax	$ 2,470
5 to 7 Pax	$ 2,405
8 to 10 Pax	$ 2,265
11 to 13 Pax	$ 2,070
14 and above	$ 1,997

What customers have to say about what we do

    
 
 
        
   Kevin B 
 2023-09-12
 
 
 Verified Great hike with a great team
Emanuel and his team were amazing from start to finish. He took the time to help us plan the route and walk us through all the preparations. On the mountain, the Topi guides and porters were experienced, friendly, and a joy to climb with. I can't speak more highly of this team and everyone considering climbing Kilimanjaro should work with Topi Adventures.
  
 
       
   Kyle 
 2023-09-12
 
 
 Verified A true mountaintop experience
Look no further - you have found your next adventure. Kilimanjaro is an incredible, but challenging endeavor. In order to get the most out of it, you're going to need the right team. I could give no higher recommendation than to consider Topi for your choice. Emmanuel and his team were incredibly organized and made sure that we were not only safe, but well taken care of the whole way. I was blown away by the attention and care each and every one of the thirty (!!) crew members took for our group of six climbers. Topi takes every detail into account so that you can focus on experiencing everything the mountain has to offer, which is indescribable.
  
 
       
   Kim B 
 2023-08-26
 
 
 Verified The perfect day in Arusha
Today I enjoyed a wonderful tour of Arusha with my local guide Nickson. We went to multiple markets and I especially loved the food and spice markets. Also toured the cultural museum which was really special. Nickson is very knowledgeable explaining local customs, history.
  
 
       
   Laura S 
 2023-07-21
 
 
 Verified Nice Way to Spend the Day in Arusha
Park was full of baboons! We also saw giraffes, flamingos, warthogs. The walking safari to a waterfall was nice. The game drive was enjoyable.
  
 
       
   Scenic31190382571 
 2023-03-01
 
 
 Verified What a memorable experience - thank you!
Thank you to the whole Topi Tours crew for an unforgettable memorable experience. Everything was absolutely well organized and taken care of. Hope to see you all very soon again.
  
 
       
   jim 
 2023-02-18
 
 
 Verified Topi adventures... brilliant
I would highly recommend Topi adventures and Safari based in Moshi at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Emanuel, John, and the rest of the team were highly professional in the caring of our safety and wellbeing, so friendly and approachable, they made climbing Kilimanjaro an absolute pleasure... we are hoping to go back next year and embark on a Safari with this great company...Thanks
  
 
       
   Patrick C 
 2022-10-10
 
 
 Verified Amazing trek, great team!
My wife and I did the seven day Machame route with Topi Adventure - we could not be happier with our choice! Emmanuel got us all settled before the hike, ensured we were prepared with all necessary items, and John and the team gave us a great experience on the mountain. The food was great, the service was above and beyond, and we truly had a wonderful experience - including making it up to the peak before sunrise! We will happily recommend Topi to all of our friends / family that are looking for a Tanzanian adventure!
  
 
       
   Wilfred Thompson 
 2022-09-13
 
 
 Verified World-class Kili climb and the best deal possible
Embarked in the 6-day trip up the Marangu route to Uhuru peak. Topi Adventures were extremely helpful in sorting accommodation and travel whilst I was in Kilimanjaro. Emanuel, the owner, was very pleasant, as were all the porters and guides. My guide John was the true star, however. The pace set was perfect, and his knowledge of the nature surrounding us was spectacular. All my needs were catered for, and I honestly felt I was better looked after than the other more established and well-known organisations also taking people up Kilimanjaro. Without question the best deal you can get when it comes to climbing Kili, but also a company which values porters and guides much better than mainstream and foreign companies. I cannot recommend Topi high enough, and I hope they see the future success they deserve.
  
 
       
   Martin P 
 2022-07-10
 
 
 Verified Great experience
This is a great 1st time experience . It was rainy and cold but fun we had . Our guy is wonderful I had a small problem coming down with my leg and he helped Be all the way . Would definitely recommend this tour company
  
 
       
   Srikant 
 2022-01-01
 
 
 Verified Best Guide/Operator for Mount Kilimanjaro climb
Topi Adventure is the best tour operator one can rely upon to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It's owner Emanuel is very polite, humble, well mannered and supportive person. All his crew members are very much experienced and well trained. They will leave no stone unturned to provide you with the best possible facilities and food up on the mountain. Each and every minute thing is very well taken care of by them and additionally, they also click beautiful pictures of you☺️. The guide, cook, porters, helpers everyone are well cultured and disciplined guys. You can blindly trust them on the mountain and they will not let you down. I personally liked the cook, Emanuel provided me with. Each and every meal prepared by him was absolutely mouthwatering and finger licking, which in return provided me with extra strength for my climb. Also, before and after the climb, one will be provided with the best hotel stay there is in Moshi, that too for no extra charges ;) Hence I strongly recommended everyone who is reading this post to blindly trust this review and plan your trip with Topi Adventure. Further, for any other questions or clarifications you can contact me on srikant.seerapu896@gmail.com. Just in case you need any additional information for your climb.
  
 
  
  
 
 
   Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 28 reviews