As soon as you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), the set guidance and instructions will be adhered to. After getting through customs and getting your luggage, you will be escorted to a driver. His task is to make sure you arrive safely each transfer at the hotel. It is a short shift, nothing more and nothing less. Based on our practice, every arrival day is devoted exclusively to a seamless transition and restful overnight. You will be ready and attired for a long drive to a hotel booked in Arusha. From our schedule, no other activities are on the calendar. This is to guarantee an uninterrupted check-in for your room. You will be able to unwind and start your recuperation, which is especially important after long international flights.

Activities: Airport reception, direct private transfer to Arusha.
Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha.
Meals: Dinner.

This is a very important step since it is the day of meticulous planning and reviewing the briefings. Breakfast is served at the hotel, and at that time, the lead Kilimanjaro guide will meet the client and conduct a briefing. It would cover all the aspects of the trip – taking care of altitude, altitude sickness precautions, safety measures for every day of the trek, planning every day of the trek, health and stability at higher altitudes, and a thorough study of the Northern Circuit. After the briefing, every guide conducts a briefing with individual climbers to check the gear, and every pack with equipment that is used for such a long trek is thoroughly examined. After all, it is part of the day’s work. The rest of the time, you are free to do what you like. Polite and professional behavior like this is necessary for the trek to be satisfactory, after all.

Activities: In-depth trek briefing, full equipment check, and relaxation.
Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

After breakfast, you start the trek with a 3 to 4-hour drive from Arusha to the Londorossi Gate. After registration, you take the short transfer over to the start of the Lemosho Trail head, which is the start of your 8-day trek. The Lemosho route’s first day is a gentle hike through the almost untouched rainforest. It is a beautifully scenic walk, although the way is quite muddy due to the Primula Kilimanjaro and the many different species of flora, nicknamed the Flower Cathedrals of Kilimanjaro. Plus, you could even spot some of the playful monkeys that call the lower rainforest their home; you would be lucky to spot the black and white colobus monkeys. After around 3 to 4 hours of walking, you will reach the first camp, Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree), for the evening.

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours.
Distance: 6 km / 4 miles.
Zone: Rainforest.
Accommodation: Tents at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today’s trek will take you to your next site, which in this case is Shira 1 Camp. Along the way, you will encounter streams that you will cross. You will notice the trail will steepen as you descend and head out of the forest. The Shira Ridge will be the next site you will be reaching. As you further descend, Shira 1 Camp will be in your sight. The camp is stationed at the western end of the Shira Plateau, where you may enjoy the marvelous view of Kibo.

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours.
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles.
Zone: Rainforest / Moorland.
Accommodation: Tents at Shira 1 Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

On the 5th day, you will trek east across the Shira Plateau. This part of the trek is on flat ground, so you will be able to acclimatize while taking in the beauty of the ancient caldera. After, you will bypass a turn-off point on the Machame route, which will take you north while the rest continue onto the main route. A steady, but still hard climb will take you toward Moir Hut, which is a rarely used camp that sits at the base of a lava flow. This spot has amazing views that are very rugged.

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours.
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles.
Zone: Moorland.
Accommodation: Tents at Moir Hut.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today marks the true beginning of your journey around the northern slopes. The day starts with a climb out of the Moir Valley. You have the option of a short but steep detour to the summit of Lent Hills (4,375m) for acclimatization and panoramic views. The main trail then turns east and traverses a series of rolling hills and valleys. This is a true wilderness section, with a high likelihood of seeing animal tracks ("Pofu" is Swahili for eland). You will be following a "climb high, sleep low" profile before arriving at Pofu Camp.

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours.
Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles.
Zone: Low Alpine Zone.
Accommodation: Tents at Pofu Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

The traverse still works the remote northern face of the mountain, and even offers views of the sprawling, empty plains of Kenya to the north. Its terrain consists of gradual ups and downs as you cross small river valleys and ridges. Few climbers are visible, promoting a rather meditative hiking experience. In stark contrast to the exposed traverse, Third Cave Camp offers a remarkably sheltered feel.

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours.
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles.
Zone: Low Alpine Zone / Alpine Desert.
Accommodation: Tents at Third Cave.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

The trail now takes a turn to the South and begins to steeply ascend to climb the Kibo cone. Day 7 ends at the School Hut, which offers basic accommodation and sets you up for a swift ascent to the summit. With low alpine vegetation behind you, you trek through the Saddle, a strikingly beautiful alpine desert. Its difficult climbs are a result of the increasing altitude. In the early afternoon, climbers are able to partake of a final meal and are encouraged to rest before the final bid for the summit.

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours.
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles.
Zone: Alpine Desert.
Accommodation: Tents at School Hut.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

A good effort at the summit is required even at the early dawn hour of midnight. It is predicted to take anywhere between 5-7 hours to steadily reach Gilman’s point. Along the way, you will catch the sunrise above the edge of the glorious mountains. It is every hiker’s goal to take in the lit-up snow while standing at the pinnacle of the continent. After you get your well-deserved photo, you have to descend to the other level of Mweka. Take the Mweka route so you can appreciate the desert and the relaxing view of Mweka. You will then continue to Mweka, which is situated in the jungles above

Hiking Time: 11-15 hours.
Distance: 19 km / 12 miles (6 km ascent, 13 km descent).
Zone: Arctic (Summit) and Rainforest.
Accommodation: Tents at Mweka Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

The last day is spent descending about 1,500m, which offers a spectacular industrial view, perhaps even a cathartic experience. After saying a last thank you to the team, you will sign out of the park, and you will get the official certificate of completion. You will also get a private van from the park to the hotel to enjoy your hot shower. After you have freshened up, enjoy the celebration to the end of this glorious journey.

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours.
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles.
Zone: Rainforest.
Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.