Included:

• • Experienced & qualified English-speaking guides
  • Porters
  • 11-day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit trek (9 days on the mountain)
  • 2 nights at Lindrin Lodge in Moshi, including breakfasts and dinners
  • 8 nights camping with the following included:
  • High-quality four-season sleeping bag
  • High-quality four-season tent
  • Sleeping mat included
  • All meals on the mountain, plus snacks, hot drinks, and purified drinking water
  • Experienced mountain cook
  • Pre-trip preparation & organization:
  • In-depth pre-climb safety briefing
  • Pre-climb Zoom consultation
  • Dedicated trip manager and in-depth preparation documents
  • Transport to and from trailheads
  • Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fee
  • Daily wash water (‘washy washy’)
  • Private toilet tent (1 per 8 climbers)
  • Medical equipment including pulse oximeter and emergency oxygen
  • Organisation of any required rental equipment
  • Climb certificate

Add-ons (can be arranged, leave a note at checkout if interested):

• • Airport transfers — pricing shown at checkout
  • Single occupancy room and/or single tent — pricing shown at checkout
  • Safari extension
  • Private toilet tent upgrade
  • Extra porter
  • Gear rental

Not included:

• • Flights to Tanzania
  • Tanzanian visa
  • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  • Guide & mountain crew gratuities — optional

The Northern Circuit is the longest and newest of the seven Kilimanjaro routes, covering roughly 90 km (56 miles)—about 25 km longer than any other route on the mountain. 

You will spend 9 days on the mountain, giving your body ample time to adapt to the altitude safely, which is why the Northern Circuit is widely regarded as one of the best routes for that reason.

One thing worth noting: the Northern Circuit does not take you up the Barranco Wall. The Wall sits on Kilimanjaro’s southern slope, while the Northern Circuit crosses the northern slope entirely—making it a great option if you’re fearful of heights.

Beyond acclimatisation, it has a lot going for it:

• • Relaxed pace with less rushing and more time to adjust
  • Away from the crowds even during peak seasons
  • Stunning, varied scenery: lush rainforest, the Shira Plateau, the remote Northern Wilderness, and glacier views from multiple angles
  • A quieter, more pristine environment with opportunities to spot unique wildlife

Bottom line: If you want the best acclimatization, breathtaking scenery, fewer crowds, and prefer to avoid exposed scrambles like the Barranco Wall, the Northern Circuit is an excellent choice.

To join this Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit trek, great fitness is required. This is a non-technical climb, but you’ll be trekking for several hours a day on steep, uneven terrain at high altitude—culminating in a 6 to 8-hour midnight summit push to 5,895 m (19,341 ft).

The full route covers approximately 90 km (56 mi) over nine days on the mountain.

Your guides recommend training for 2 to 3 months before the trip, focusing on cardio (hiking, running, cycling), leg strength, and regular long hikes with elevation gain while carrying a daypack. Endurance and consistency are key.

Discover more Mount Kilimanjaro tours here!

Yes, porters are fully included in the price. Your guides are committed to ethical travel and hold KPAP certification—meaning every porter is treated and paid fairly, with working conditions that meet the highest standards on the mountain.

Your guides provide a high-quality four-season sleeping bag, tent, and sleeping mat. Here’s what you’ll need to bring:

Equipment:

• • Trekking poles
  • Backpack (35–50 litres)
  • Waterproof backpack rain cover
  • Dry bags
  • Duffel bag (65–100 litres) for porters to carry
  • Hydration pack (water bladder)
  • Water bottle(s)
  • Headlamp with spare batteries (essential for summit night)
  • Sunglasses and SPF sunscreen
  • Camera—optional (but very recommended)

Clothing:

Kilimanjaro takes you through five distinct climate zones, from tropical rainforest to arctic summit. Layering is essential.

• • Sturdy, broken-in hiking boots (waterproof)
  • Lightweight camp shoes or sandals
  • Waterproof, windproof jacket and trousers
  • Warm mid-layer (fleece or down jacket)
  • Thermal base layers (top and bottom)
  • Hiking trousers and shorts
  • Moisture-wicking t-shirts
  • Warm hat and balaclava
  • Neck gaiter
  • Waterproof gloves and liner gloves
  • Hiking socks (several pairs)
  • Gaiters—recommended for summit night

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Group sizes and pricing

• • For this Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit trek, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 2:1.
  • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is 14 participants. Solo climbs can be arranged—contact us for pricing.
  • Solo travelers are welcome to join, but securing a single occupancy room & tent for themselves is mandatory—you’ll be able to add it to your booking at checkout.

Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit treks can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors older than 12 may be permitted to join the Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Yes, absolutely—there are more departure dates available than what’s listed here.

The best times to climb are during the dry seasons: January to early March, and June to October, when you can expect clearer skies, more stable weather, and better trail conditions. The wetter months (April–May and November) are possible but less predictable and more strenuous.

Reach out to us directly and we’ll find something that works. Whether you’d love to join an existing group, have your own group, or are looking to go solo, we’ll do our best to arrange what suits you best.

The price for this Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit tour is based on twin-share rooms & tents, but a single occupancy room for the 2 hotel nights and a single tent can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

Solo travelers are welcome to join, but securing a single occupancy room & tent for themselves is mandatory—you’ll be able to add it to your booking at checkout.

The starting point of your Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit trek is Moshi, Tanzania. Most climbers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is approximately 45 minutes from Moshi by road.

We can arrange airport transfers for you, you’ll be able to add it to your booking at checkout. If you opt for this, you’ll be met at the airport on arrival. Otherwise, the exact lodge address will be shared after booking.

Your guides highly recommend arriving a day or two early to rest and acclimatize before the climb begins.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.