The Northern Circuit Route Kilimanjaro is the longest, most remote, and highest-success-rate path on the mountain. At nine days, it completes a near-full circumnavigation of the Kibo cone — beginning like Lemosho from the western Londorossi Gate (2,100 m), crossing the Shira Plateau, then turning north to traverse the rarely visited northern slopes before the final summit push to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). It is the recommended route for anyone who has the time and wants the best possible chance of summiting.
ROUTE OVERVIEW
The Northern Circuit begins identically to Lemosho: Londorossi Gate (2,100 m), through the
western rainforest to the Shira Plateau. Days one to three follow the Lemosho path across the
plateau, with wildlife — elephant and buffalo — possible in the lower forest sections. At Shira
Camp (3,840 m), the routes diverge.
Instead of turning south toward Barranco as Lemosho does, the Northern Circuit heads north to
Moir Hut (4,200 m) and then east along the remote northern slopes. This is the section that
earns the route its name — a long, wild traverse across terrain that 90% of Kilimanjaro climbers
never see. The landscape shifts from moorland through alpine desert to open volcanic rock with
views across to Kenya and Mount Meru.
The northern traverse eventually connects with the Rongai Route path near Third Cave, then
continues to School Hut or Kibo Hut for the summit push. Summit night follows the northeastern
crater rim approach to Gilman’s Point (5,685 m) and the rim walk to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Some
itineraries use a daytime summit approach for improved visibility.
Descent follows the Mweka Route to Moshi, completing the full 9-day circuit. The Northern
Circuit is the most expensive Kilimanjaro route due to its length and remote logistics — but the
combination of maximum acclimatisation time, unparalleled views, and genuine wilderness is
considered unmatched on the mountain.
ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS
- Highest documented summit success rate of any Kilimanjaro route — typically 90%+ on the 9-day itinerary
- Near-full circumnavigation of Kibo: western, northern, and eastern aspects all traversed before southern descent
- Remote northern slopes are the quietest terrain on the entire mountain — hours can pass without encountering another group
- Shira Plateau crossing shared with Lemosho — one of the finest high-altitude plateau landscapes in Africa
- 360-degree views of Kilimanjaro, Mawenzi, the Kenyan plains, and Mount Meru across the full traverse
- Nine days of acclimatisation — the longest time on the mountain of any route, directly translating to physiological adaptation
- Barranco Wall and southern circuit included — combining the best features of every Kilimanjaro route in a single expedition
