Kilimanjaro Climbing Tours via 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.
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.
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.
4,630 m to 4,200 m
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.
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.
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.
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.
5,895 m to 3,820 m
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.
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.
Prices for Northern Circuit
Our classic adventures are what the majority of climbers are looking for. The combination of great comfort and high safety standards makes our classic Kilimanjaro hikes enjoyable and memorable. This is the most popular option among our clients.
This climbing package includes everything that a climber may need for the hike - our experienced mountain crews, high-quality group equipment, nutritionist-designed meals. Our safety protocols, though, are the same for all our hiking adventures - only the guides with Wilderness First Responder certification are assigned to lead a party. Other safety measures include a supply of oxygen cylinders, complete medical kits and compulsory medical check-ups (two per day).
The progress of each trekking party is tracked with GPS device. You may share the link with your family and friends, who will be able to monitor your progress in a real-time mode.
Before and after the adventure you will stay in a good hotel with caring staff, hot water, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool.
8-day climb + 2 days in a hotel
|
1 pax | 2 pax | 3 pax | 4 pax | 5 pax | 6 pax | 7 pax | 8+ pax | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Northern Circuit
|
$4 343 | $3 394 | $3 033 | $2 930 | $2 867 | $2 778 | $2 729 | $2 668 | Compare prices |
Transfers:
- Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi;
- Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
Entry fees:
- Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
Accommodation:
- Accommodation at 3* hotel (Aishi Machame Hotel or Brubru Lodge) one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay - friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool;
- Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents);
Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition, we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.
Meals:
- Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
- All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
- All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
Hiking and safety equipment:
- 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
- All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
- GPS-tracking service;
- Complete medical kits.
Climbing crew:
- Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
- Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
We are proud to be the members of KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project). It is an unbiased evaluation of our commitment to fair treatment of our mountain crews. Of all operators Altezza is paying the highest wages to the porters, guides, cooks and other Kilimanjaro teammates. You may read more about our Kilimanjaro crews here.
Taxes:
- 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Altezza Travel is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.
- International flights;
- Tips (250-300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew);
- Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
- Personal gear rentals;
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
- Portable toilets (if required - 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people);
- Mountaineering insurance. You'll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m.
Our premium Kilimanjaro adventures include extra features such as spacious walk-in tents, advanced meal plan on the hike, portable toilet, camping cots, satellite phone to stay in touch with your family and friends and some other upgrades on Kilimanjaro. It is the highest quality service a luxury-focused climber can get here!
Safety protocols for the premium adventures include mandatory Wilderness First Responder Certification of all our guides, oxygen cylinders, medical kits and compulsory medical check-ups (two per day).
Before and after your trip you will be staying in a 5* hotel in Arusha (breakfast and dinner included).
8-day climb + 2 days in a hotel
|
1 pax | 2 pax | 3 pax | 4 pax | 5 pax | 6 pax | 7 pax | 8+ pax | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Northern Circuit
|
$8 843 | $6 042 | $5 370 | $5 253 | $5 088 | $4 975 | $4 715 | $4 587 | Compare prices |
Transfers:
- Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation;
- Return transfer from accommodation to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
Accommodation:
- Accommodation at 5* Legendary Lodge (Arusha) one night before and one night after the expedition. Legendary Lodge is the ultimate premium retreat with the highest service standards to be found in northern Tanzania;
- Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (spacious, custom-designed, 4-season walk-in tents).
Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. Single occupancy is available upon request.
Park Fees:
- All park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
Meals:
- Breakfast and dinner at the hotel before and after the climb, including soft drinks from the minibar in your room;
- All meals on the hike. Our premium Kilimanjaro packages feature enhanced meals with a wider variety of cheeses, nuts, desserts, snacks, yoghurts, local and imported fresh fruit and berries. We guarantee top-notch catering in camping conditions. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
- All drinks on the hike (juices, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water);
- Bottled water for the whole climb.
Hiking and Safety Equipment:
- 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
- Camping cots;
- All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
- Sleeping bag Mountain Hardwear Lamina (Comfort -29°C/-20F);
- Portable toilet;
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
- GPS-tracking service;
- Complete medical kits;
- Satellite phone (20 min credit included, 3 USD per every extra min);
- Complete medical kits.
Climbing Crew:
- Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
- Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
We are proud to be the members of KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project). It is an unbiased evaluation of our commitment to fair treatment of our mountain crews. Of all operators Altezza is paying the highest wages to the porters, guides, cooks and other Kilimanjaro teammates. You may read more about our Kilimanjaro crews here.
Taxes:
- 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Altezza Travel is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.
- International flights;
- Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
- Personal gear rentals;
- Tips (450–600 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew);
- Mountaineering insurance. You'll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m.