Kilimanjaro Remote Northern Route with African Safari (Optional)

Quick Facts

Feb 01-11, 2025 11-16 Days (ask for custom trips)

Option A - USD 4130 + 5% GST | Option B - USD 2650 + 5% GST

Highest Altitude: 4750M

Difficulty:

Group Size: 8-16 persons

Mount Kilimanjaro is situated in the Northern part of Tanzania, in Kilimanjaro National Park. It covers an area of 100 kilometers long and 65 kilometers wide.The mountain is a dormant volcano which is comprised of three volcanic cones, Shira, Kibo (on which Uhuru summit stands) and Mawenzi.Kibo is classified as dormant but not extinct. The last major eruption from Kibo occurred 360,000 years ago. The last volcanic activity happened 200 years ago and resulted in today’s ash pit (visible from Uhuru Peak). Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free standing mountain in the world. By free-standing, or non-massif, we mean it is not part of a mountain range.

The summit on Mount Kilimanjaro is called Uhuru Peak and stands at 5,895m or 19,341 feet. To put this in perspective, Mount Everest, stands at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) – just over 2,950 meters higher.But here’s an interesting Kilimanjaro Fact: Both Everest Base Camp – South and North – are below the summit of Kilimanjaro; however, most climbers take upwards of 8-10 days to reach EBC.On Kilimanjaro trekkers on fast routes reach the summit within 4-5 days. The rapid ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro makes it a difficult and rather dangerous mountain to hike due to the risks of Altitude Sickness.

Why the Remote Northern Route: This is a longer, more remote route on Kilimanjaro, with fine panoramas northwards to Mount Kenya. Enjoy captivating views on Africa’s highest mountain. This trek allows for optimum acclimatisation time for the summit itself – become one of a handful of travellers to experience Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit’s scenery and serenity. As the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro makes up one of the Seven Summits (i.e. highest mountains on each of the seven continents). The Northern Circuit is longer than the other trails on Kilimanjaro making it a nine day trek. The additional time on the mountain means that success rates for Northern Circuit trekkers are relatively high. The eight day trek skips the additional acclimatization day that is usually spent at Shira Camp 2 and continues straight on to Moir Camp, via Lava Tower. The itinerary we follow below is for a nine day trek, using the Mweka Route for descent.This less-visited northern route provides opportunity for a truly remarkable adventure to the top of Kilimanjaro.

Approx. 35,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro every year. The chances of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro is highly dependent on the number of days taken to trek the mountain.The more days, the higher the probability of success as your body has more time to adapt and acclimatize.Here are the success rate figures as published by the Kilimanjaro National Park. These numbers are admittedly quite old and success rates are most likely higher as route configurations have improved and the number of people taking 5 day treks has plateaued.

• All climbers, all routes 45%
• All climbers, all 5 day routes 27%
• All climbers, all 6 day routes 44%
• All climbers, all 7 days routes 64%
• All climbers, all 8 day routes 85%

Download Preparation Guide

DAYS 1-5

Option A: Remote Northern Route

Day 1: Arrive JRO Airport, transfer to Moshi (815 m / 2675 ft) 45 km/1 hr

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International (JRO) Airport you will be met by our local representative and transferred to the Hotel in Moshi. Group Hotel would be simple yet spotlessly clean, offering good food and would have areas where guests can relax before or after their climbs. In the evening we will have an exhaustive briefing on all the aspects of the climb.

Overnight at Springlands Hotel or similar on Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 2: Moshi (915 m/3,000 ft) to Londorossi Gate (2,250 m/7,380 ft) to Lemosho Glades (2,000 m/6,560 ft) to Mkubwa Camp (2,750 m/9,020 ft) 5km ; 4-5 hrs

Drive from Moshi or Arusha to the Londorossi Park Gate. From here follow a forest track in a 4WD vehiclefor 11 km/7 mi (45 minutes) to Lemosho Glades and a possible campsite. From the Glades, walk for 3 hours along beautiful forest trails to the MtiMkubwa (big tree) campsite.

Dinner and overnight at Campsite. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Mkubwa Camp (2,750 m/9,020 ft) to Shira Camp 1 (3,500 m/11,485 ft) 8 km ; 6-7 hrs

The trail gradually steepens, enters the giant heather moorland zone, then crosses the Shira Ridge at 3,600 m/11,810 ft. and drops gently to Shira Camp 1 located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

Dinner and overnight at Campsite. (B,L,D)

Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari

Day 4: Shira Camp 1 – Moir Hut Camp (13,800 ft. / 4,130 m) 10 km ; 6-7 hrs

Trek across the Shira plateau, east toward Kibo’s glacier peak. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth, averaging 12,500 feet. We immediately veer away from the tourist trails toward the northeast edge of the Plateau to reach Moir Camp. The trek is about 4-5 hours over easy terrain. Moir camp is an isolated and seldom used camp affording views over the Shira Plateau.