Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro: 10-Day Expedition to Uhuru Peak via the Long Route

Moshi•challenging

Difficulty

challenging

Duration

9–10 days

Fitness Level

Should have strong cardiovascular fitness and experience with multi-day hikes; regular stair or hill training with a loaded pack recommended.

Overview

Take the long road around Kibo: the Northern Circuit stretches ten days across rainforest, moorland and scree to Uhuru Peak. This route maximizes acclimatization and panoramic views—ideal if you want higher summit odds and quieter camps.

Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro: 10-Day Expedition to Uhuru Peak via the Long Route

Bus Tour

Walking Tour

Sightseeing Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You step off the dusty shuttle in Moshi before dawn, the town still rubbing sleep from its eyes. A driver with a sign waits; beyond him the mountain hangs like a rumor—its upper flanks obscured by cloud, its lower slopes already busy with teams packing rucksacks and borrowing gaiters. The first day’s drive to Londorossi Gate feels like a soft exhale: rainforest closes in, chirps crowd the trail and the earth smells of damp moss. The Northern Circuit begins here, but it’s the slow reveal—plateau, scree, crater rim—that defines it.

Adventure Photos

Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro: 10-Day Expedition to Uhuru Peak via the Long Route photo 1

Adventure Tips

Acclimatize with patience

This route’s extra days are your best tool—move slowly, drink often, and try short afternoon walks to help adapt.

Summit night strategy

Pack an insulated water bottle, multiple warm layers and a reliable headlamp—the summit push starts around midnight and gets extremely cold.

Footwear and traction

Sturdy, well-broken-in waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support handle the mixed terrain from mud to scree; gaiters help keep volcanic dust out.

Porter tipping etiquette

Tip guides and porters at the end of the trek; budget around 10–15% of the tour price or a set per-person amount depending on service and group size.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Blue monkey (diademed monkey)
Colobus monkey

History

Kilimanjaro has cultural significance for the Chagga people and was first summited in the late 19th century; its volcanic origins shaped the Shira caldera and Kibo’s summit cone.

Conservation

Kilimanjaro National Park manages permits and limits; stick to trails, pack out waste where required, and support operators who follow porter welfare and leave-no-trace practices.