9 – 10 days
Northern Circuit Route
The longest route, the best acclimatisation and the most solitude.
Duration
9 – 10 days
Difficulty
Long but the least aggressive altitude profile
Scenery
The most varied on the mountain — a near-complete circumnavigation
Sleeping
Camping
Approach
West, then north
Route Overview
The Northern Circuit begins like Lemosho, then swings around the quiet northern slopes before approaching the summit from the east. It offers more time above 3,500m than any other route.
For climbers who want the most generous acclimatisation and are not counting days, this is the route we recommend.
Best For
- Climbers who want maximum acclimatisation time
- Anyone who has struggled with altitude before
- Photographers and wilderness lovers
Day by Day
Day 1
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Day 2
To Shira 1 Camp on the plateau.
Day 3
Across the plateau to Moir Hut.
Day 4
Acclimatisation walk and on to Buffalo Camp.
Day 5
Around the northern slopes to Rongai Third Cave.
Day 6
To School Hut via the saddle.
Day 7
Summit night to Uhuru Peak, then down to Millennium Camp.
Day 8
Descend to Mweka Gate.
What to Pack
- • Four-season sleeping bag
- • Extra base layers for the longer itinerary
- • Insulated jacket
- • Waterproofs
- • Trekking poles
Frequently Asked Questions
Not if altitude worries you. More nights on the mountain generally means a more comfortable summit night.
The northern slopes see very few climbers, so days three to six are often almost entirely your own.
Climb the Northern Circuit Route
Tell us when you'd like to climb and how much walking you've done recently. If a different route suits you better, we'll say so.