TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Best ascending route
- Best acclimatisation conditions
- Spectacular views of the landscape
- Experience a variety of treks, temperatures and views
Overview
Start and end in Arusha! Lemosho route trek adventure tour – Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit (Lemosho) Trekking Tour, you have a 10 day trip package taking you through Kilimanjaro National Park.
Northern Circuit route has a midnight summit ascent from Kibo Hut camp. It’s great for those who want the advantages of all Lemosho routes – more remote/less crowded/very beautiful first half of the climb – but don’t want the steepness/scrambling of the Western Breach option, or the crowds of Southern Circuit option, and prefer not to sleep at the high altitudes of Crater Camp.
This route’s gentle, slow ascent allows the body enough time to acclimatise to the high altitude, however, the actual distance hiked is significantly longer than Lemosho – Western Breach or Lemosho – Southern Circuit routes, since you will traverse the entire northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro (the less visited and drier side). You will walk through the Shira plateau, a world heritage site.
Amazing views can be experienced from the second day of the hike onwards. On clear days, climbers can see as far as the Ngorongoro highlands and catch glimpses of Mt. Meru. Then, as you get to the northern side, views are into Kenya. Eventually, you join Rongai and Marangu routes so the trail gets busier the closer you get to the summit.
Tour Itinerary
Our driver will pick you up at the airport and proceed to the hotel. Orientation for your trek will take place shortly after you arrive and your guides will provide comprehensive information that will assist you in reaching the summit. Your trekking gear will be checked before you leave.
From your lodge, we will make our way to the Londorosi gate on the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro (a few hours drive from Arusha). We will begin our hike at the Lemosho trailhead.
After a picnic lunch, we will hike for about 4 hours to the forest camp. In the forest, exotic moss and flowers delight the eye while bird calls entertain the ear. You may see Black and White Colobus monkeys as well as signs of the elephants that travel in this area. We will overnight at Forest Camp.
As we leave the Montane Forest and enter the Hagia zone, our views open and we will catch our first views of the Kibo peak. This is a good acclimatisation hike, as we go up and down several ridges along the way to our highest point of the day at 11,500’ before descending to camp. Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
We will traverse the Heath Zone of the Shira Plateau and begin climbing the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Along the way, we will enjoy a picnic lunch at Scott Fisher’ memorial camp (the well-known Mt. Everest guide). We will continue on to the upper heath zone and Moir camp. Depending on the weather, acclimatisation hikes can be arranged in the late afternoon.
Hike about 4-7 hours, depending on stops along the way. You have quite a ridge to climb up as you depart Moir camp, so it’s best to start out very slowly until you crest the ridge. This is a great acclimatisation day.
Continue your traverse around the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, with expansive views, as you find your way to Third Cave Camp.
We get into our highest elevation camp today. Try to get to bed early for some rest before you start your night-time summit ascent (usually starting around midnight) to Gilman’s Point, through Stella Point, and for the final push up to the summit.
Summit day. We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft – 5,896m) around 11:00 PM or midnight the night prior. The goal for you – and numerous other climbers – is to reach the peak right at sunrise. In reality, due to differences in hiking speed, energy, and altitude acclimatisation, there is a several hour spans where most climbers reach the summit.
Using headlamps (bring extra lithium batteries, which last much better in cold dark conditions!) you will ascend 6-7 hours to Gilman’s point, traverse the Crater Rim to Stella Point and then up another 1-2 hours to Uhuru Peak, the summit.
After a summit celebration and photo, descend to Barafu camp for lunch and then to Mweka camp to sleep overnight. By advance request we can sleep at Millenium camp instead; this is at ~12,000’ so less decent today but means more descent tomorrow.
We make the final descent to the trailhead today, about 3-5 hours descending time. where all successful climbers will receive their summit certificates then have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro and heading back to your hotel in Arusha for a shower and some rest. Landside adventure and Safaris Ltd vehicle will be waiting to for you at the gate.
There are no activities planned today, so feel free to depart at any time. Or why not continue the adventure by exploring our amazing wildlife safaris or visit Zanzibar island beach for relaxation.
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