Kilimanjaro Remote Northern Route with African Safari (Optional)

Quick Facts

Feb 03-13, 2024 | Sept 21- Oct 01, 2024 | 11-16 Days (ask for custom trips)

Option A - USD 3950 + 5% GST | Option B - USD 2480 + 5% GST

Highest Altitude: 4750M

Difficulty: ChallengingOur most demanding trips include climbing at high elevations in excess of 5000 meters, in remote and extreme conditions with no access to roads; trips to remote, extreme wilderness; mountaineering trips, and demanding whitewater trips with Class IV-V rapids.

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%

Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari
Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari

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
Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari
Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari
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.

Dinner & Overnight at Campsite. (B,L,D)

  • Day 5: Moir Hut Camp – Buffalo PofuCamp (13,200 ft. / 4,025 m) 12 km ; 7-8 hrs

Begin the morning trek heading out of the moorland and into the stark alpine desert, on a steep ridge off the main trail, and begin our venture on the Northern Circuit Route. The total trekking time is about 5 – 7 hours. From the Pofu Campsite you will enjoy a magnificent view into Kenya’s wild lands to the north.

Dinner & Overnight at Campsite. (B,L,D)

DAYS 6-11

  • Day 6: Buffalo Camp – Kikelewa Caves Camp (11,800 ft. 3600 m) ; 15 km ; 8-10 hrs

Proceed onward through valleys and over ridges through the alpine desert and moorland, continuing our circuit to the east, enjoying a vast mountain wilderness to ourselves. Trekking time today is 5 – 7 hours.

Dinner & Overnight at Campsite. (B,L,D)

  • Day 7: Kikelewa Caves Camp – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (14,160 ft./ 4,315 m) ; 4 km ; 4 hrs

Trek 3-5 hours steadily upward to reach a placid mountain tarn (lake) at the foot of the majestically rising steep ridges of Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro second highest volcano. The camp here is nestled along the tarn in a protected alcove with magnificent views towards the steeply rising rocks of Mawenzi.

Dinner & Overnight at Campsite. (B,L,D)

Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari
Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari
Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari
Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari
  • Day 8: Mawenzi Tarn Camp – Outward Bound Camp (15,585 ft./ 4,750 m) 7.5 km ; 7 hrs

The trekking time today is 5 – 7 hours, though a relatively easy hike across the wide saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The trek takes you across the massive saddle- the crossing is impressive and the landscape spectacularly stark. The temperatures turn cold as you near the foot of Kibo, reaching Outward Bound Camp after 5-7 hours of trekking. Prepare all your gear for the day ahead, and turn in early to rest. A resupply of fresh food and supplies will reach camp on this afternoon.

Dinner & Overnight at Campsite. (B,L,D)

  • Day 9: Outward Bound Camp – Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft./ 5,895m) – Millennium Camp (12,770 ft./ 3,870 m) 12 km ; 10-12 hrs

A midnight wake-up call is the start of a long trek. You begin trekking at 1am up the winding path of endless switchbacks. It is a steep and demanding climb and we will be walking slowly in the light of our headlamps on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s point (5,685m), a convenient point to rest for a short time and enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. From your camp to the rim of the crater (Gillman’s Point (18,750ft. / 5,712 m)) to Uhuru Peak, the trekking time is about 7 – 8 hours. You will stop at Hans Meyer cave on the way, the famous place where Kilimanjaro first western climber described in his journals. Once you arrive at Gilman’s Point at the edge of the crater, the trail to the summit is less demanding, and is reached after a further 1½-2 hours along the snowy crater rim (depending on the season). After a short time at the summit, retrace your steps back to Gilman’s Point, then summon your strength again for further descent to Millenium Camp for the night.

Dinner & Overnight at Campsite. (B,L,D)

  • Day 10: Millenium Camp – Mweka Gate (6,000 ft. /1,830 m) 13 km ; 6 hrs

Descend straight to the gate (6 hours), where you’ll have lunch and will be awarded climbing certificates. Drive an hour back to town for that long awaited shower!

Overnight at hotel; bed and breakfast.

  • Day 11: After breakfast transfer to the JRO airport to board the flight back home. (45 km/1 hr)

Check out time is 10:00am,

(B)Or commence Option B for Safari – see below

DAYS 11-16

Option B: 6 day Post Climb Safari in Northern Tanzania
  • Day 1 (for those who are only doing the Safari) / Day 11 for extension program

Arrive at the JRO airport, pick up and transfer to the Group Hotel in Moshi.

Overnight Hotel in Moshi on Bed and Breakfast basis.

  • Day 2/ Day 12 for extension program

Drive from Moshi to Lake Manyara National Park, which takes about 3 hours. After having a picnic lunch in Manyara, you start a late afternoon game drive, which is the best time to view animals in this park. When you approach it from the East, the Great Rift Valley escarpment looms on the horizon, forming an impressive backdrop to the lake. In the tall trees of the groundwater forest, monkeys leap from branch to branch, on the escarpment elephants stand in the shade of a baobab. Other animals frequently seen are zebras, impalas, monkeys, giraffes, buffalos, hippos, and others. We finally reach the Highview Hotel outside Karatu in the evening.

Overnight Highview Hotel, (B,L,D)

Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari
Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari
Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari
Kilimanjaro Trek & African Safari
  • Day 3/ Day 13 for extension program

The drive to Serengeti National Park via Olduvai Gorge takes 3 to 4 hours. Olduvai Gorge is an archaeological site located in the Eastern Serengeti plains, in which early human fossils were first discovered. It has an amazing landscape that resulted from the same tectonic forces that created the Great Rift Valley millions of years ago. Then in the late evening, drive to and overnight at either the Serengeti Wildebeest Camp or similar.

Overnight Camp, (B, L, D)

  • Day 4/ Day 14 for extension program

After breakfast, venture into the Serengeti’s wilderness corners for a full day of game viewing in the park. With a picnic lunch beside you, take your leisure while exploring this world heritage site, where earth’s largest concentration of plain game still roams free! In the late evening, go to either the Serengeti Wildebeest Camp or similar for rest, dinner, and overnight.

Overnight Camp, (B,L,D)

  • Day 5/ Day 15 for extension program

After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro Crater for a half day game drive inside the crater. This is the best place in Tanzania to see black rhino as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent black-maned males. There are lots of colorful flamingos and a variety of water birds. Other game that you can see includes leopard, cheetah, hyena, other members of the antelope family, and small mammals. In the late afternoon, drive to the HighviewHotel .

Overnight at Highview Hotel, (B,L,D)

  • Day 6/ Day 16 for extension program

Transfer to the JRO airport for the flight back home.

Check out time is 10:00am, (B)

Option A

Inclusions:

  • Twin share accommodation for 2 nights at a hotel in Moshi on bed & breakfast basis.
  • Twin share accommodation in 3-man tents with foam sleeping pads for 6 nights on the mountain.
  • All meals on the mountain starting from lunch on day 02 till lunch on day 08.
  • National park fees, VAT, camping fees
  • Portable toilet tents and a PAC (portable altitude chamber)
  • Full board camping arrangements on the mountain with a large mess tent, tables & stools
  • Aquaterra trip leader assisted by certified, experienced, english-speaking guides
  • Porters’ salaries
  • Rescue fees (required by the national park)
Exclusions:
  • Sleeping bag
  • Personal climbing equipment
  • Items of personal clothing
  • Lunches and dinners at the hotel in moshi as indicated
  • Air fares, visas, insurance, airport taxes, laundry, phone calls, alcohol, cigarettes, drinks, souvenirs and other expenses of a personal nature.
  • Tips for guides, cooks & porters
  • Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control
Option B

Inclusions:

  • Accommodation and full board during safari
  • All park fees
  • Transportation with driver-guide during safari (all vehicles are 4×4 with viewing roofs)
  • Ngorongoro Crater car supplement fee
  • Lake Manyara supplement fee
  • Cost includes the 1 night at the hotel in Moshi on bed & breakfast basis
  • Transfer to/from airport to Moshi (approx. USD 50)
Exclusions:
  • Tips for your driver-guide during safari
  • Bottled water & meals as indicated
  • Air fares, visas, airport taxes, insurance, laundry, phone calls, alcohol, cigarettes, drinks, souvenirs and other personal expenses

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