Northern Circuit

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Altezza Travel representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

PLEASE NOTE:Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.

In the morning, your guide and climbing support team will meet you at your hotel for a final briefing. Then you will drive for approximately 3-4 hrs to Kilimanjaro National Park's western entrance, Londorossi Gate (2,200m/7218f).

After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, your group will continue in vehicles to the drop-off point (3,500 meters / 11482 feet). Here you will see stunning views of the Shira Plateau for the first time.

The route from your drop-off point to your first high-altitude camp (Shira 1) features a small gain in altitude and is not very physically challenging. Thanks to this, you will be able to begin the process of acclimatization properly. By the time you reach the camp, the climbing team will have prepared everything needed for you to have a relaxing evening; the tents will be pitched, chairs set up, refreshments and a full dinner will be waiting for you.

PLEASE NOTE:This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

• Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine;
• Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently);
• Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip to discuss potential allergies.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your breathing pattern at night, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and experience a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Elevation

3,500 m to 3,505 m

Hiking time

1 hour

Distance

4 km

Difficulty

Low

Habitat

Meadows

This day brings yet another modest altitude gain of 240m/787f as you trek from Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp. The low physical demands of the trek will leave you with both time and energy to enjoy Kilimanjaro's incredible views, magnificent flora endemic to the mountain, and, if the weather is favorable, views of Mount Meru, which is the 5th highest mountain on the continent.

PLEASE NOTE:After lunch, you will enjoy a 2-hour rest. Then you are encouraged to take an acclimatization hike toward Lava Tower, which allows you to gain another 260 meters (853 feet) in altitude, helping you to further adjust to the elevation gain.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation: 

Shira 2 Camp (3,850m/12631f)

Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,110 m/13484f)

Hiking distance: 

2 km (1.2mi)

Hiking time: 

1–2 hours

Elevation

3,505 m to 3,900 m

Hiking time

3-4 hours

Distance

7 km

Difficulty

Low

Habitat

Moorland

After breakfast, your group will depart Shira 2 Camp (3,850m/12631f) and hike to Lava Tower (4,630 m/15190f).

This route offers a challenge for climbers, and many find this day more physically difficult than previous days. Therefore, your team will enjoy a lunch break at Lava Tower.

After lunch and a rest, your group will climb slightly higher and then descend to Moir Hut Camp.

Your guide may decide to bypass Lava Tower altogether, taking the porter trail instead, if any of the members of the group do not appear to have acclimatized properly. In this case, the highest altitude reached will be 4,400m/14435f rather than 4,630m/15190f.

Elevation

3,900 m to 4,630 m
4,630 m to 4,200 m

Hiking time

5-7 hours

Distance

14 km

Difficulty

Medium

Habitat

Moorland

On this day you will have a rather long, but easy trek. Climbing out of Moir Valley (where you camped for the night) is a steep, but short climb, and then the rest of the day you will hike around the northern slope of Kilimanjaro. Most of the day will have up-hill and down-hill climbs, but there are no steep altitude gains.

This route passes close to the border with Kenya, so you will be treated to amazing views of the Tsavo and Amboseli valleys.

Elevation

4,200 m to 4,020 m

Hiking time

5-7 hours

Distance

12 km

Difficulty

Medium

Habitat

Moorland

You will finish trekking up the northern slope of Kilimanjaro and stop for the night in 3rd Cave Camp, where the route will meet up with the classic Rongai route. On this day, trekking is shorter than on the day before, and by this time your body should have already become completely acclimated to the altitude of 4,000 meters / 13123 feet, which will contribute to your general well-being.

Elevation

4,020 m to 3,870 m

Hiking time

4-6 hours

Distance

8 km

Difficulty

Low

Habitat

Moorland

On this day you will be trekking to the School Hut Summit Camp (4,800m/15748f). The trekking itself is not very hard, but it is good to remember to choose an appropriate pace in order to keep your strength up for the final push to Kilimanjaro's summit. When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep early, avoid strenuous activity, and drink as much water as you can. This night you will be waking in the dark and completing the final trek up to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19340f) for the climax of your adventure on Kilimanjaro.

Elevation

3,870 m to 4,750 m

Hiking time

4-5 hours

Distance

5 km

Difficulty

Medium

Habitat

Alpine desert

On the summit night, your safety is our number-one concern; therefore, we will assign one guide for every two climbers. The responsibility of a guide is to watch the climber's health as they summit Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19340f). The climb starts at School Hut Summit Camp(4,800m/15748f) around midnight, Technically, it is an easy climb, but because of the high altitude, it will feel more strenuous.

Upon successful summiting, you can walk to the nearest glaciers. The group then descends to Barafu Camp for a two-hour lunch and rest break. You will then continue to descend to Millennium Camp (3,950m/12959f) where you will spend the night.

PLEASE NOTE:Please keep in mind that 9/10 accidents occur during descent. Mind your step to avoid potential falls, injuries, and damaged toes.

Elevation

3,750 m to 5,895 m
5,895 m to 3,820 m

Hiking time

10-13 hours

Distance

16 km

Difficulty

High

Habitat

Arctic

Millennium Camp sits amidst a tropical rainforest. The lower altitude and feelings of accomplishment from having reached the summit make for a good night’s rest. Hot breakfast is followed by your final descent to the park’s exit gate: Mweka Gate (1,640m/5380f). This is the final stop before you are taken to our office to receive your summit certificates. It also provides a good opportunity to recap the adventure with your support team and take a final team photo. Finally, you will be taken to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Elevation

3,820 m to 1,650 m

Hiking time

4-5 hours

Distance

12 km

Difficulty

Low

Habitat

Rainforest

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

PLEASE NOTE:Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.