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Trekking Mt Kilimanjaro - Kilimanjaro - Remote Northern Circuit, Tanzania
Trekking Mt Kilimanjaro  | Peter Brooke
Blue skies overhead as we arrive at Stella Point in Tanzania - Kilimanjaro - Remote Northern Circuit, Tanzania
Blue skies overhead as we arrive at Stella Point in Tanzania  | Heike Krumm
Trekking towards our Moir Hut campsite - Kilimanjaro - Remote Northern Circuit, Tanzania
Trekking towards our Moir Hut campsite  | Heike Krumm

Kilimanjaro - Remote Northern Circuit

Summit the highest mountain in Africa on the full moon

Tanzania
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 5 reviews

11 Days from

$4690 USD

Trip Code: TNC
View dates to Book
Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement Hotels Only
$140 USD
Single Supplement Tent Only
$280 USD
Single Supplement
$430 USD
Duration
  • 11 Days
Activities
  • 9 day trek
Style
  • Classic Adventures  
Accommodation
  • 8 nights camping
  • 2 nights hotel
Meals
  • 10 Dinners
  • 9 Lunches
  • 10 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
6 / 10

Moderate to Challenging

Carbon Footprint  

37kg of CO2-e PP per day

(372kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • Full moon summit - on departures aligned with the lunar calendar - for a magical summit approach
  • Trek Kilimanjaro’s longest and most remote route with 11 full days on the trail, allowing more time to acclimatise and take in the scenery
  • Traverse the quiet northern flanks of the mountain and experience a side of Kilimanjaro few others see, with vast views across the Kenyan plains

Overview

The Remote Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro’s longest and quietest route, ideal for experienced trekkers who want more time to acclimatise, fewer crowds, and a deeper connection with nature. With nine days on the trail, it offers high success rates of summit, while tracing a near complete circuit of the mountain from west to east.

Starting on the less travelled western side, you’ll cross the Shira Plateau, then veer off the busier southern routes to traverse Kilimanjaro’s remote northern flanks. Here, the trail feels wild and untouched, with views deep into Kenya.

With most departures timed with the full moon, the approach of Uhuru Peak (5895m/19,341ft) from the east makes for an unforgettable climbing experience.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Today is an arrival day. If you choose to fly into Kilimanjaro Airport we recommend a private transfer to Arusha where the rest of the day is at your leisure. (With prior arrangement, airport pick up and private transfers to the hotel are available from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), or simply make your own way by taxi. Note that taxis are scarce after about 18:00hrs. We stay at Moivaro Coffee Plantation which has spacious rooms, a pool, and restaurant. This afternoon at 16:30, you will meet the rest of the group and your guide for a trip briefing.

Meals: D

After completing the necessary registration formalities, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho Gate roadhead. The last section of the road is of poor quality and difficult to drive after rain, sometimes we start walking a kilometre or two below the roadhead. We often have our lunch at the roadhead before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. We camp at Lemosho Big Tree Camp (2,650 m); [2-3 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the centre of the plateau at “Shira One” (3,550 m). [6-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut (3,840 m). This campsite has stunning views, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau. The views from here of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. [5-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

In the morning we follow the main trail up to Lava Tower, and for those feeling strong there is a possibility to climb up to the ruined hut at Arrow Glacier around 4,800m. We then continue from Lava Tower to reach our campsite at Moir Hut (4,200m). [5-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Little Lent hill at 4,375 metres. After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. Here the trail passes through a field of rock slabs that clink as they are walked on. The final section of today's walk undulates until reaching the location of Buffalo Camp (4,150m). At the camp there is a huge feeling of space as the Kenyan plains stretch out far below to the north. [4-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

From Buffalo Camp we climb up to the top of 'Buffalo Ridge' and drop down the other side to reach Pofu, nearby the is a small spring and some vegetation. The trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp (3,900m). [5-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

There is a steady ascent to reach The Saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut Campsite (4,700m) in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day. [4-5 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about midnight so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. On selected Non-Exclusive departure dates each month, the climb will be particularly beautiful as we ascend in the light of the Full Moon. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Gilmans Point (5,685 m) in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. The trail leads west along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descends down through Barafu Camp to reach Millenium Camp (3,800 m). [11-15 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

A sustained descent on a well constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m). Here we sign out from the national park before walking on for a further 15 minutes through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village where our vehicle awaits. The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalizingly close! [4-6 hours walking] Overnight: Moivaro Coffee Plantation

Meals: B,L,D

In Arusha, after breakfast at your hotel, the trip arrangements end.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

17 scheduled departures between 21 Aug 2026 and 3 Feb 2028.

  • Departs 21 Aug 2026 – ends 31 Aug 2026 (11 days)
  • Departs 5 Sep 2026 – ends 15 Sep 2026 (11 days)
  • Departs 19 Sep 2026 – ends 29 Sep 2026 (11 days)
  • Departs 19 Oct 2026 – ends 29 Oct 2026 (11 days)
  • Departs 17 Dec 2026 – ends 27 Dec 2026 (11 days)
  • Departs 24 Dec 2026 – ends 3 Jan 2027 (11 days)
  • … and 11 more departures.
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners
  • Park entrance fees approx. US$1251
  • Private vehicle transport between Arusha and Mt Kilimanjaro
  • Accommodation in 3 star hotel in Arusha
  • All group camping and catering equipment on the Kilimanjaro climb (sleeping bags and mats are not provided)
  • Experienced mountain guides, cook and camp crew
  • Porters to carry personal equipment
  • Emergency oxygen

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Visa
  • Arrival or departure transfers in Arusha
  • Sleeping bags and mats
  • Aerated and alcoholic drinks.
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Tips
Climbing Safely On Kilimanjaro - What To Look For
Climbing Safely On Kilimanjaro - What To Look For
Kilimanjaro Treks - What To Look For In A Quality Trek

Reviews (5)

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Trip exceeded expectations!

Huge challenge… but we got to the top!

Stunning scenery, great crew to support us… we were so lucky with Saimon & Eric (our main guides), Robert our cook (who fed us so well with a huge amount of great food) and our team of Porters and assistants. Northern route proved a wise choice, no issues with acclimatisation…and no crowds after the first couple of camps.

Would definitely recommend.

Christopher|VIC, Australia
28 Oct 2025
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Don't attempt this trip unless you know exactly what you're getting yourself into. And be aware that no matter how fit you are, altitude sickness can still strike you down. That's why you MUST use a reputable company like World Expeditions for a trek like this. My husband became ill on Day 3. Our trek leader was able to release a guide and a porter to get him back to Arusha and to hospital. I succumbed to a chest infection 5 days later and couldn't summit. Again, I was issued with a guide to get me safely to the next camp. Each of the 5 people in our group who did climb to the summit had a guide to ensure nothing went wrong. This was not the case for other tourists who attempted the climb. I heard stories of people wandering about alone at the top- disoriented and lost. Some groups didn't provide emergency oxygen. That meant their clients had to be dragged down the mountain, often barely unconscious.

Any travel company can be good when things go to plan. What's important is how they respond when things go wrong. And what they do to minimize the risk. World Expeditions could not have been more professional. If you're determined to climb Kilimanjaro, these are the guys you want to do it with.

Fiona McKenzie|Eastlakes, NSW Australia
4 Oct 2024
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The Northern Circuit was a fantastic trip which I chose primarily as it gave me plenty of time to acclimatise. The service and food were awesome and the staff amazing. I successfully summited which was a bonus, and overall I would thoroughly recommend this trip!

D. Schmidt|Lambton, NSW
5 Mar 2019
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I was very impressed with your policy of using a company that employs women. Out of the 12 support staff 4 were women (3 porters and 1 cook). It is not 6 which would have been half but it was a good start. Out of all the groups doing the trek my group had the most women and I only saw one other group that had 1 woman in the support staff. All the groups were overwhelmingly male porters, cooks, guides. Well done on this policy and keep up the good work.

C. Hogan|Australian Capital Territory
23 Aug 2017
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I had the most amazing trip. The team were great, everyone was very helpful. My thanks to the 2nd guide Meke, without his encouragement and patience I would not have summitted, our cook Musa cooked the best meals & I've never tasted anything like his soups, in all the treks I have done with World Expeditions.

M Richards|NSW Australia

Responsible Travel

Extra trip info

Camping beneath the snow capped peak of Kilimanjaro | Chris Buykx

Camping on Kilimanjaro

Breakfast and dinner are served in our communal mess tent with folding chairs, tables and a solar light. This tent is also available for communal use in the afternoon and evening. We supply a private toilet tent on all camping routes as we have found that the long drop toilets maintained by the national park are of a sub-standard quality.

Camp with stunning views of Kibo | Natalie Tambolash

Camping on Kilimanjaro

Our camping equipment is of proven quality and specifically designed for use on Kilimanjaro. We provide quality Vango mountain tents on a twin share basis, however they are rated as 3 person tents which allows plenty of personal space and ample luggage storage area in the two porches. A limited number of these tents are available as single tents at a supplementary charge (reserve in advance). You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and mat (or hire locally – reserve in advance).

Trekking group starting our adventure at Londorossi National Park gate | Heike Krumm

Climbing Kilimanjaro requires a series of permits and national park fees set by the Tanzanian government. These costs apply to every climber and are included in your trek price when travelling with a licensed operator.

Fees typically include conservation fees charged per person per day inside Kilimanjaro National Park, camping or hut accommodation fees depending on the route, and mandatory rescue fees that support the park’s mountain safety services.

Additional summit or crater fees may apply on certain routes.

Because these fees are charged daily, the total permit cost increases with the number of days spent on the mountain. Longer routes therefore cost more to operate, but they also allow for better acclimatisation and a higher chance of reaching the summit.

All Kilimanjaro climbs must be arranged through a licensed operator and accompanied by registered mountain guides.This system ensures climbers are supported by trained staff and that park regulations, safety standards and porter welfare rules are followed on the mountain.

  • We've been providing active and immersive adventures since 1975, setting the standard for responsible trekking.
  • Trek with one of the first companies to implement a formal Porter Welfare Policy on Kilimanjaro, including proper meals, gear, fair pay and medical care.
  • Be supported by highly trained local guides, certified in wilderness first aid and experienced in high altitude trekking.

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