Kilimanjaro Trek via the Northern Circuit Route

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local professional mountain guide
    • 10-day Kilimanjaro climb via the Northern Circuit Route (8 days of trekking)
    • Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
    • All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
    • Camping equipment
    • Meals as listed in the itinerary
    • Drinking water
    • Park fees
    • Camping fees
    • Rescue fee
    • Crew fees
    • All taxes/VAT
    • Transfers between the airport and hotel

  What’s not included:

  • • Climbing gear — can be rented from your guide
    • Sleeping gear — can be rented from your guide
    • Accommodations before and after the trek
    • Personal items
    • Alcoholic beverages
    • Airplane fees
    • Visa fees
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel and medical insurance — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  The Northern Circuit route is considered one of the easiest ones—compared to some other Kilimanjaro routes, its longer itinerary allows for better acclimatization. However, keep in mind that a reasonable fitness level is required as you’ll be hiking for longer periods of time every day. Summit day could last 12 to 14 hours! Apart from that, there are also some steep parts of the route with loose stones. Still, this trek does not require technical skills or mountaineering equipment such as ice axes, crampons, harnesses, and ropes. Therefore, even if you’re a first-time trekker with excellent fitness and a desire to push yourself in a mountain environment, this 10-day climbing tour in Kilimanjaro might be for you.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment and clothes you need to bring:

  • • Large backpack (70-90 L) — carried by porter
    • Day pack large enough to carry your food and a warm layer (25-45 L)
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Sleeping bag with a -10°C / 14°F comfort rating (or colder)
    • Inflatable sleeping mattress
    • Waterproof stuff sacks
    • Elasticated waterproof rucksack cover — optional
    • Sunglasses with UV-filter lenses
    • Sweat-wicking T-shirts/vests
    • Fleece (Polartec 300 grading or similar)
    • Insulated down jacket or similar
    • Down mittens or similar, and lightweight gloves for non-summit days
    • Thermal long underwear or compression tights for summit night
    • Lightweight walking trousers (avoid jeans or heavy cotton as they dry slowly)
    • Underwear (lycra shorts and/or briefs)
    • Quality hiking socks (a size too small to avoid stretching and blisters)
    • Thin liner socks (a size too small to avoid stretching and blisters)
    • Breathable lightweight waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers.
    • Waterproof hiking boots with a strong rand, good ankle and arch support, and deep tread patterns
    • Calf gaiters
    • Balaclava
    • GoreTex mountain cap or woolen hat
    • Wide brimmed sun hat

  Here’s a list of other things you need to bring:

  • • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer, sanitary products, etc.)
    • Personal first aid kit
    • Lightweight travel towel
    • Travel wipes
    • Kleenex tissues in plastic travel pouches or toilet paper
    • Mosquito repellent
    • Lip balm with UV protection and sunscreen (SPF 50)
    • Vaseline, to prevent chafing skin and heel friction blisters
    • Compeed blister pads
    • Pain killers, diarrhea tablets and any medication you normally use
    • Zinc oxide tape and small scissors
    • Loperamide (Imodium) and Dioralyte sachets or similar rehydration packs
    • High energy snacks (cereal bars, dried fruit & nuts), & energy gels for summit night
    • Watch with heart rate and GPS features to track your route for later analysis — optional
    • Head torch with spare batteries for summit night & tent admin

  Here’s a list of documents you’ll need:

  • • Passport valid for 6 months after proposed expedition return date
    • Tanzania entry visa
    • Flight tickets
    • Cash in US dollars – tipping and exchange for purchases and meals in Arusha, etc.
    • Credit card (recommended for eventualities only)
    • Travel insurance
    • Insurance covering trekking to 6,000m altitude — optional
    • Yellow fever vaccination certificate if visiting a ‘risk zone’ (such as Nairobi) for longer than 12 hours prior to entering Tanzania

  Note that your guide will carry a more comprehensive medical kit containing additional Acetazolamide, Ibuprofen, Anti-inflammatory gel, bandages, Loperamide, Amoxicillin, Oral Dexamethasone, and several other items.

  Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!

• What will the food be like?

  Your cook will serve large, healthy meals to keep you happy and well-fed. You will have fresh meals at breakfast and dinner, freshly prepared with locally-sourced ingredients. Lunch will mostly be in the form of a lunch box, depending on the day. All food is prepared to strict hygiene standards. Menus are designed to be nutritionally-dense, with plenty of variety to cater to the energy demands of the trek. Let us know if you have any dietary requirements.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1.
    • A maximum of 12 climbers can go on this tour.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
    • If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to your tour meeting point, most people fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). You and the rest of the group will be picked up by the guides at an arranged time. If you’re not joining the group at that time, you’ll need to get a taxi ride, rent a car or take a shuttle to Moshi where your guides will meet you at the arranged accommodation on Day 1.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.