Kilimanjaro climb · Private crew
Kilimanjaro: Northern Circuit, 8 Days
The longest way round: from the west across the Shira Plateau and right round the quiet northern slopes, with plenty of time to acclimatise. A private climb with your own crew.
- 8 days
- Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- Private guide and crew
From$3,268per climber, group of six
Climb overview
Your climb at a glance
- Length8 days on the mountain
- SummitUhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- DifficultyModerate
- DistanceAbout 88 km
- Starts and endsLondorossi Gate → Mweka Gate
- SleepingTents pitched by your crew
- Best monthsJan – Mar, Jun – Oct
- The quietest route on the mountain: few other climbers on the northern slopes.
- Long and gradual, which gives a good chance of reaching the summit.
- Views north over Kenya and of every side of Kibo.
- Private guide and porter crew throughout.
Where you walk
Route map
Your route, camp by camp
- 1Start Londorossi GateDay 1 · start · 2,100 m
- 2Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) CampDay 1 · Night 1 · 2,825 m
- 3Shira 1 CampDay 2 · Night 2 · 3,500 m
- 4Moir HutDay 3 · Night 3 · 4,200 m
- 5Buffalo CampDay 4 · Night 4 · 4,020 m
- 6Third Cave CampDay 5 · Night 5 · 3,870 m
- 7School HutDay 6 · Night 6 · 4,750 m
- 8Gilman's PointDay 7 · crater rim · 5,685 m
- 9Uhuru PeakDay 7 · summit · 5,895 m
- 10Mweka CampDay 7 · Night 7 · 3,100 m
- 11End Mweka GateDay 8 · finish · 1,640 m
Approximate route between camps.
Itinerary
Day by day
Register at Londorossi Gate, drive to the trailhead and walk through thick rainforest to Mti Mkubwa. Around 3–4 hours of walking.
TonightMti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp (2,825m)Full boardClimb out of the forest into heath and moorland and reach the western edge of the Shira Plateau. Around 5–6 hours of walking.
TonightShira 1 Camp (3,500m)Full boardCross the Shira Plateau and climb gently to Moir Hut, a quiet camp below the Lent Hills. Around 5–7 hours of walking.
TonightMoir Hut (4,200m)Full boardClimb out of the Moir Valley and start round the northern slopes, with views far into Kenya, to Buffalo Camp. Around 5–7 hours of walking.
TonightBuffalo Camp (4,020m)Full boardContinue east around the mountain across ridges and valleys to Third Cave Camp. Around 5–6 hours of walking.
TonightThird Cave Camp (3,870m)Full boardClimb up to School Hut, the base camp for the summit. Rest, eat early and sleep a few hours before the summit night. Around 4–5 hours of walking.
TonightSchool Hut (4,750m)Full boardLeave around midnight and climb to Gilman's Point (5,685 m) on the crater rim, then along the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Descend on the southern side to Mweka Camp. Around 12–14 hours of walking.
TonightMweka Camp (3,100m)Full boardWalk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, collect your summit certificate and transfer back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Around 3–4 hours of walking.
Want an extra acclimatisation day or a safari after the climb? Ask us to adjust it
Where you sleep
Camps on this climb
Mountain camp · 2,825m
Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 3,500m
Shira 1 Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 4,200m
Moir Hut
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 4,020m
Buffalo Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 3,870m
Third Cave Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 4,750m
School Hut
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 3,100m
Mweka Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 night
On every climb: a head guide, a cook, a waiter, a toilet porter and four porters per climber.
What it costs
Climb pricing
| Climb | 1 climber | 2 climbers | 3 climbers | 4 climbers | 5 climbers | 6+ climbersBest value | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private climb, full crew | $5,094 | $3,959 | $3,577 | $3,419 | $3,375 | $3,268 | Get quote |
- Per climber. Crew size depends on group size, so the price per person falls as more of you climb together.
- Deposit to confirm: 20% for camping safaris, 40% for lodge safaris.
The fine print
What the price covers
Included
- Your own guide and porter crew for the full climb
- Park entry & camping fees
- Tents, sleeping mats and camp meals throughout the trek
- Transfers between your hotel and the gates
- Summit certificate on completion
Not included
- International & domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Sleeping bag & personal trekking gear
- Tips for your guide and porter crew
- Travel & medical/evacuation insurance
Tipping your crew Tipping guide
- Head guideUS$20–25 per day
- Assistant guideUS$15–20 per day
- CookUS$15–20 per day
- Assistant cookUS$10–15 per day
- PorterUS$10–15 per day
In pictures
Photo gallery
Good to know
Questions about this climb
Do I need climbing experience?
No. It is a long walk at altitude, with no scrambling. Good fitness and a steady pace matter more.
Which route should I choose?
Lemosho for the best acclimatisation and a quieter start. Machame for great scenery in fewer days. Marangu if you prefer huts to tents.
When is the best time to climb?
January to March and June to October are the driest months on the mountain.
What if I feel ill at altitude?
Your guide checks your oxygen and pulse every evening. If symptoms get worse, you descend with a member of the crew; going down is the treatment.
Is a sleeping bag included?
No. Bring a four-season bag, or ask us to rent one in Moshi.
How much should we tip the crew?
Roughly US$20–25 a day for the head guide and US$10–15 a day per porter. The full table is on our tipping page.
Before you go
What to pack
Mountain packing listSleeping and warmth
- Four-season sleeping bag (rated −10 °C or lower)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Insulated down jacket for summit night
- Warm hat, gloves and buff
On your feet
- Broken-in waterproof hiking boots
- Trekking poles
Gear
- Head torch with spare batteries
- 2–3 litres of water capacity
- Daypack of about 30 litres
Sun and health
- Sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
- Personal medication
- Hand sanitiser
Guest reviews
Travellers on travelling with Makini
5.0Excellent · 105+ reviews
The communication with the company was very good, and we were in good hands from the minute we arrived… we got a lot of value for the money.
Saudat N. TripAdvisor The communication with Lucas via WhatsApp was always very friendly, direct and immediate… our tour guide Aboh was very familiar with all animals and plants.
Godfrey M. TripAdvisor Great value local Tanzanian operator that provided an unforgettable safari experience.
Damas F. TripAdvisor
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Make this climb your own
Tell us your dates and how many are climbing. We’ll send the plan back with your price, and add a safari or Zanzibar if you’d like.