Kilimanjaro Barefoot

Overview

The Northern Circuit Route on Kilimanjaro, spanning 8 days, offers a pristine, challenging trek. Combining the best elements of various routes, it provides solitude, stunning scenery, and wildlife opportunities. This path diverges from Lemosho, leading to serene, rarely visited campsites.

Arrival 

  • You’ll be collected from the airport.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1 : Lemosho Glades

From your lodge, we will make our way to the Londorosi gate on the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro (a few hours drive from Arusha). We will begin our hike at the Lemosho trail head. Please note that in rainy/muddy conditions, sometimes the vehicles can’t make it to the true trailhead so there can be some extra hiking – but Serengeti Pride vehicles usually make it farther than any other company due to our great drivers and vehicles.

After a picnic lunch, we will hike for about 4 hours to the forest camp. In the forest, exotic moss and flowers delight the eye while bird calls entertain the ear. You may see Black and White Colobus monkeys as well as signs of the elephants that travel in this area. We will overnight at Forest Camp.
Hiking: 4-5 hours
Overnight Altitude ~9,498’.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:

Forest Camp

  • In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2

Shira Plateau

Day 2 : Shira Plateau 

As we leave the Montane Forest and enter the Hagenia zone, our views open and we will catch our first views of the Kibo peak. This is a good acclimatization hike, as we go up and down several ridges along the way to our highest point of the day at 11,500’ before descending to camp. Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
Hiking: 6-9 hours
Overnight Altitude 11,500’.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:

Shira 1 Camp

  • In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Moir Camp

Day 3 : Moir Camp

We will traverse the Heath zone of the Shira Plateau and begin climbing the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Along the way, we will enjoy a picnic lunch at Scott Fisher’ memorial camp (the well-known Mt. Everest guide). We will continue on to the upper heath zone and Moir camp. Depending on the weather, acclimatization hikes can be arranged in the late afternoon
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,580′.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:

Moir Hut Camp

  • Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Pofu/Buffalo Camp

Day 4 : Pofu/Buffalo Camp

Hike about 4-7 hours, depending on stops along the way. You have quite a ridge to climb up as you depart Moir camp, so it’s best to start out very slowly until you crest the ridge. This is a great acclimatization day.
Hiking: 5-7 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,200′.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
  • Buffalo Camp
  • In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Third Cave Camp

Day 5 : Third Cave Camp

Embark on the continued traverse along Mount Kilimanjaro’s northern side, where breathtaking panoramas unfold, leading you to the Third Cave Camp. Expect a fulfilling 5-7 hour hike, and settle in for the night at an elevation of approximately 12,700 feet.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:

Third Cave Camp

  • Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

School Huts Camp

Day 6 : School Huts Camp

We get into our highest elevation camp today. Try to get to bed early for some rest before you start your night-time summit ascent (usually starting around midnight) to Gilman’s Point, through Stella Point, and for the final push up to the summit.
Hiking: 4-5 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~15,600’.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:

School Hut Camp

  • In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Summit and Mweka Camp (or Millenium Camp by request)

Day 7 : Summit and Mweka Camp (or Millenium Camp by request)

Summit day. We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft – 5,896m) around 11:00 PM or midnight the night prior. The goal for you – and numerous other climbers – is to reach the peak right at sunrise. In reality, due to differences in hiking speed, energy, and altitude acclimatization, there is a several hour span where most climbers reach the summit. Using headlamps (bring extra lithium batteries, which last much better in cold dark conditions!) you will ascend 6-7 hours to Gilman’s point, traverse the Crater Rim to Stella Point and then up another 1-2 hours to Uhuru Peak, the summit.

After a summit celebration and photo, descend to Barafu camp for lunch and then to Mweka camp to sleep overnight. By advance request we can sleep at Millenium camp instead; this is at ~12,000’ so less descent today, but means more descent tomorrow.
Hiking: Very variable on both the up and the down; 13-17 hours typical
Summit 19,341’
Overnight Altitude:10,065’.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:

Mweka Camp

  • Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8

Mweka Park Gate

Day 8 : Mweka Park Gate

We make the final descent to the trailhead today, about 3-5 hours hiking. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro and heading back to town. Arrive at your lodge usually between 3-5 PM.
Hiking: 3-5 hours.

Main Destination:
Moshi
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of tour 

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You’ll be dropped off at the airport.

Make Inquiry about this Tour

    Included

    • Sleeping bag
    • Bath towels
    • Porterage
    • Rescue fee
    • Climbing gear
    • Park fees(For non-residents)
    • All activities(Unless labeled as optional)
    • Meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
    • Drinking water(On all days)
    • All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
    • Roundtrip airport transfer
    • Camping equipment
    • A professional driver/guide
    • All transportation(Unless labeled as optional)
    • All Taxes/VAT

    Excluded

    • International flights(From/to home)
    • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
    • Tips(Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
    • Personal items(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
    • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

    Rates

    Important to Know

    • Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
    • Single travelers can join this group tour, but it requires a minimum of 2 people to run.
    • This tour accepts children who are 16 years and older.

    Rates Per Person

    Start DateSingle2+ People
    Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023
    $1,850
    $1,850
    Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
    $1,850
    $1,850