8 Days Northern Circuit Route
The Northern Circuit is the newest and longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It begins in the West
8 Days Lemosho Route Climbing is the best for acclimatization. The remote is less used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau.
The minimum duration for the Lemosho route is 6 days, however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 8 days. The additional 8th day will give your body more time to acclimatize, reducing the effects of altitude sickness and give you more time to rest before attempting the summit.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
- Driving distance: 55 km/miles,
- Driving Time: 1hour
- Habitat: Cultivated zone
- Hotel: Bed and Breakfast
Day one of 8 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
Day two of 8 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Day three of 8 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.
Day four of 8 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth" (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Day five of 8 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Day six of 8 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Day seven of 8 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Last day of 8 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
=> This day you can be transfered to your hotel for overnight (to be transfered to airport next day) or transfered to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure or we can arrange for other adventures in Tanzania!
GROUP EXPEDITIONS
The price per person for group expeditions are fixed based on a group size. However, we have optional arrangements for individual private and tailor-made preferences best suited for you, your family and friends.
SEE GROUP BOOKING DISCOUNT
| Number of People | Price Per Person ($) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2,290 |
| 2 | 2,061 |
| 3 | 1,990 |
| 4 | 1,978 |
| 5 | 1,970 |
| 6 | 1,965 |
| 7 | 1,961 |
| 8 | 1,958 |
| 9 | 1,946 |
| 10+ | 1,944 |
Free Tanzania Safari Guide Gets You To The Adventure Of Tanzania. Complete Guide To Tanzania Safari Tours Includes Tanzania Safari Cost, Best Time To Visit Tanzania, Tanzania Safari Experience Etc. Must Read Before The Adventure Safari To Tanzania!
EXCELLENT Based on 312 reviews Thierry2025-06-16Verified Kilimanjaro via Machame - Polé polé! We made the ascent of Kilimanjaro by the Machame in early June.The team was on top! Patrick (guide), Michael (assistant guide), Jeremiah (cook) and all the others allowed us to enjoy this adventure and put every chance to get there.Not having any acclimatization problems, we asked to achieve in 6 days instead of 7. Preparation After several comparative researches, we contacted Emmanuel de Tanzania Joy Tours in February to prepare our adventure. The exchanges were fluid and clear. The prices charged in the normal way.A deposit is required and the balance is paid on site - provide cash $ to avoid 4% overload (common practice in Tanzania).FoodThe food was excellent, varied to keep the appetite and in large quantities. A hot water thermos was available at each meal for drinks (tea, coffee, chocolate).Breakfast: a porridge of millet, omelets, sausages, pancakes/bread with peanut butter / jam / etc.Lunch & dinner: soup, a main course (rice/pasta + vegetables + chicken/fish) and dessert (fresh fruit)Snack before dinner: popcorn + hot drink Ascension The "polé polé" rhythm is given by the guide and his assistant to acclimatize to the altitude. Taking Diamox is not mandatory but recommended.The porters dismantle, transport to human strength and set up camp to welcome us every step of the way. The last camp is particularly demanding for them because they have to transport water from the previous camp. Sabrina M2025-02-23Verified We had a great 3 days safari! Very easy straight forward organization process and communication with Emmanuel. All our requests were accomodated. Our guide was very nice and knowledgeable, tried his best to make the most of our trip. The lodge Eileens Trees Inn was very comfortable, service and food was good. Can definitely recommend! Shai b2024-10-23Verified Unforgettable experience. First I want to mention that our guide was amazing. He has a lot of knowledge about the area, the people and of course the animals. Very patient and insightful. He often shared facts about the area and animals.So, Roger if you are reading this thank you once again for this unforgettable safari. You helped create many beautiful memories for me and my family. Then the Safari. In short we were very lucky on our safari. On day one we drove to the conservation area. We already encountered 3 of the big 5: lions, African buffalos and elephants. At the end of our safari we completed the entire big 5. We saw so many more animals. I wish I could remember it all.Our second day we added the leopard to our big five list. We went all over the Serengeti National Park. Again we saw many lions, zebras, gnu (wildebeests), antilopes, impalas, baboons, vultures and many more.The third day and fourth day were amazing we went from our camp in the Serengeti to our camp in ngorongoro. Where we completed our big 5 list.Every meal during the Safari we enjoyed with our guide and he shared many stories.This review doesn't do entire experience any justice. It is a lot to take in. But also a lifetime to enjoy them.Thank you for a safe and unforgettable experience. Elspeth_Norton2024-10-21Verified Highly recommend! We did the 6 day Rongai Route, our guide was Ringo with assistant guide Eden. We had an excellent trip. Ringo was an experienced and very capable guide, he allowed us some flexibility with timing but also made sure we were on track. We made it to the top with only some mild altitude symptoms. I felt safe in Ringo and the team's hands. The porters, chef and waiter also made the trip very enjoyable - we were so grateful for their hard work. I was so impressed at the food we were served throughout the whole journey. Fresh fruits and vegetables even on the last day!Again, we are so grateful to the whole team. I would recommend TJ Tours to anyone thinking about climbing Kilimanjaro! Explorer404410003352024-09-20Verified TJT: Very professional! We had such a great time with Emmanuel‘s Tanzania Joy Tour and all his Partners! Emmanuel and his sister Mary find a solution for everything. Very professional. The Kilimandjaro trek was so great. A huge thanks to the porters, so strong and so nice, Togolai Gerevas Gerard Godefroy Elias Thomas Bon Kolokolo Rashid Mohamed Ali (that's two persons), cook “Mr. Delicious” Jeremia, and guides Patrick and Lennard. They all took extreme good care of us and we managed the summit. Patrick knows his mountain and his team very well, Lennard is the Pacemaker. We chose the 8 Days Lemosho route for best acclimatization of the body, so it was pole pole (slowly slowly) and successful ;) The summit ascension (from midnight to 7am, so at night) was very cold so to any layers you plan to wear, take an extra fleece jacket in the backpack just in case. It was important for us to give the tips directly to each of them, which was accepted by the guide. It was good to see joy in the eyes of each of them. If this is also important for you, make sure to plan it with the guide (he knows who does what exactly - some porters take extra tasks). You may feel some friction, apparently some guides keep a percentage of the porters tips for themselves - remember, this is YOUR gift to each team member, so it is YOUR decision to give it personally to each of them. Now it is important to discuss the best time with the guide, to not jeopardize his organization - usually at the very end, when all tasks have been completed. Make sure to take USD bank notes printed after 2006 as the older ones cannot be used in Tanzania. EURO bank notes are also accepted for the tips.Then we had a great 4-day-safari with guide Roger (he knows so much! And is very kind) and cook Rashid. Thanks TJT for everything! Bas i2024-09-18Verified Great Team at Tanzania Joy Tours. TJT gave my daughter and I a great experience climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in 6 days. Our guides Ringo & Eden kept us on track and ensured we summited safely. Everything was well organized. The team of porters were a cheerful group of lads doing all the heavy work which was greatly appreciated. Thanks also to Peter and Arthur we weren't short for good meals every day. Susanne M2024-09-07Verified Expectations exceeded🤗👍 The 4 days actually exceeded our expectations (3 people) Not only had everything worked perfectly organizationally, but it was also 4 days of most intense different impressions and immersion in a beautiful other world. Of course, success depends on the tour guide. We were lucky to have Rogers, a very sympathetic and competent driver, who could answer any question about the animals but also about the plant life. These 4 days and the kindness of the people will be remembered forever. Ninette S2024-08-22Verified Loved it Hiked Kilimanjaro with TJT and my team of 8 great women from got. We ended up with the best tour guides .. ringo - Arther - Michael - and EdenThey were all very supportive and trying to make the group feel welcome and comfy Can’t thank them enough Ricardo2024-07-14Verified Kilimanjaro with Dreamteam Patrick We settled from home with Emanuel and he organized us extra nights, taxis and our rental car in Zanzibar.Once in Tanzania, we were transported to the office and briefed for the Kilimanjaro. We were also introduced to the guide who controlled our equipment with us and added missing material. The climb to Kilimanjaro was beautiful and we had the perfect team by our side: Dreamteam Patrick. The team took great care of us, our well-being and always responded to our needs. They always cooked deliciously and we could always exchange ideas with Patrick in English. Also the porters were always friendly and set up. The dream team had also organized a birthday surprise for my sister at the end of the Kilimanjaro trip. It was lonely class. Thank you very much for everything and the wonderful moments and memories that we now carry with us throughout our lives. Anasthasia N2024-07-10Verified Unforgettable experience!!! Everything went well from communication with Emmanuel before the trip to the end of the trip. We were very satisfied with the pick up service at the airport until the top of the kilimandjaro. We loved our team and especially our guides Francis and Then we recommend with our eyes closed:)They really helped us reach the final summit by motivating and giving us energy! This is a trip I would never forget:)
The Northern Circuit is the newest and longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It begins in the West
Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Northern Circuit is not just the newest official route to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro; it is also