10 Days Northern Circuit New Moon Kilimanjaro Climbing Adventure

After registration at Londorossi Gate, your Kilimanjaro trekking adventure begins through the lush montane rainforest. The trail is surrounded by tall trees, tropical vegetation and possible sightings of blue monkeys or black-and-white colobus monkeys. You will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp at approximately 2,820 metres for your first peaceful night beneath the new moon sky.

Starting altitude: 2,100 metres
Ending altitude: 2,820 metres
Trekking time: 3–4 hours
Vegetation zone: Montane rainforest

Destination:

Londorrosi Gate To Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree)

Overnight:

Big Tree (Mti Mkubwa) Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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The trail gradually leaves the rainforest and enters the heather and moorland zone. As you climb higher, the vegetation becomes shorter and the views across the Shira Plateau begin to open. You will reach Shira 1 Camp at approximately 3,610 metres, where the dark new moon sky creates excellent conditions for stargazing.

Starting altitude: 2,820 metres
Ending altitude: 3,610 metres
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Vegetation zone: Heather and moorland

Destination:

Big Tree (Mti Mkubwa) Camp To Shira 1 Camp

Overnight:

Shira 1 Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Today’s hike crosses the wide and scenic Shira Plateau, one of the largest high-altitude plateaus in the world. The relatively gentle trail allows your body to continue adjusting to the elevation. On clear days, you can enjoy impressive views of Kibo, Mount Meru and the surrounding volcanic landscape before arriving at Shira 2 Camp.

Starting altitude: 3,610 metres
Ending altitude: 3,850 metres
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Vegetation zone: Moorland

Destination:

Shira 1 Camp To Shira 2 Camp

Overnight:

Shira 2 Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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This important acclimatization day follows the principle of climbing high and sleeping low. You will trek toward Lava Tower, reaching an altitude of approximately 4,630 metres before descending to Shira 2 Camp. The hike helps prepare your body for the higher elevations ahead while offering spectacular views of Kilimanjaro’s alpine desert.

Highest altitude: Approximately 4,630 metres
Sleeping altitude: 3,850 metres
Activity: Acclimatization hike
Vegetation zone: Moorland and alpine desert

Destination:

Acclimatization Hike Toward Lava Tower Return To Shira 2 Camp

Overnight:

Shira 2 Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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The trail leaves the busier southern section of Kilimanjaro and leads toward the remote northern slopes. You will trek through open alpine terrain to Moir Hut, a quiet campsite located beneath the Lent Hills. The isolated setting provides a beautiful New Moon experience with little artificial light and impressive views of the night sky.

Starting altitude: 3,850 metres
Ending altitude: 4,200 metres
Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Vegetation zone: Alpine desert

Destination:

Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut (Camp)

Overnight:

Moir Hut Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, you may explore the Lent Hills before continuing around Kilimanjaro’s northern circuit. The route provides unique views toward Kenya and the Amboseli plains below. You will descend slightly to Buffalo Camp, helping your body recover while maintaining the benefits of high-altitude acclimatization.

Starting altitude: 4,200 metres
Ending altitude: 4,020 metres
Hiking time: 4–6 hours
Vegetation zone: Alpine desert

Destination:

Moir Hut Camp To Buffalo Camp

Overnight:

Buffalo Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Today’s trek continues across the quiet northern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The landscape is remote, dry and rarely crowded, making this one of the most peaceful sections of the Northern Circuit. The trail includes several gradual ascents and descents before reaching Third Cave Camp at approximately 3,870 metres.

Starting altitude: 4,020 metres
Ending altitude: 3,870 metres
Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Vegetation zone: Alpine desert

Destination:

Buffalo camp To Third Cave Camp

Overnight:

Third Cave Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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You will climb steadily toward School Hut, the final base camp before the summit attempt. The landscape becomes increasingly barren as you enter Kilimanjaro’s high alpine desert. After arriving at approximately 4,800 metres, you will have an early dinner, organize your summit equipment and rest before beginning the midnight ascent.

Starting altitude: 3,870 metres
Ending altitude: 4,800 metres
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Vegetation zone: High alpine desert

Destination:

Third Cave Camp To School Hut Camp

Overnight:

School Hut Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Your summit climb begins around midnight under the dark New Moon sky. With minimal moonlight, headlamps illuminate the trail while stars fill the sky above Kilimanjaro. You will ascend slowly toward Gilman’s Point before continuing around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres.

After celebrating at the highest point in Africa, you will descend to School Hut for a short rest before continuing down to Millennium Camp or Mweka Camp. This is the longest and most demanding day of the expedition, but it is also the most rewarding.

Starting altitude: 4,800 metres
Summit altitude: 5,895 metres
Ending altitude: Approximately 3,100 metres
Total hiking time: 11–14 hours
Vegetation zones: Arctic summit zone and moorland

Destination:

School Hut Camp To Uhuru peak To Millenium (High) camp

Overnight:

Millenium Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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The final descent takes you through Kilimanjaro’s beautiful rainforest toward Mweka Gate. After completing the park departure formalities, successful climbers receive their summit certificates. You will then be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi for rest and celebration after completing the 10-day Northern Circuit New Moon Kilimanjaro climb.

Starting altitude: Approximately 3,100 metres
Ending altitude: 1,640 metres
Hiking time: Approximately 3 hours
Vegetation zone: Montane rainforest

Destination:

Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate

Overnight:

Kilimanjaro White House Hotel

  budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch

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