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Holidays

Kilimanjaro Northern Route Traverse and Circuit

Tanzania
4 reviews
Available Departures: Feb, Sep, Dec

11 days from

US$3,805

without flights
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

Summit Kilimanjaro (5895m) via the remote Northern Circuit, the route taken by the Comic Relief 2019 team

Trip Code: KNR
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Kilimanjaro Northern Route Traverse and Circuit

Highlights
  • A rarely walked route meaning the paths and campsites are quieter
  • Substantial acclimatisation with 9 days on the mountain, giving a higher chance to summit than some other routes
  • In 2019 the Comic Relief Returns team trekked along this route and all achieved summit success
  • Summit Uhuru Peak (5895m) along the ridge from Gilman’s Point

At a Glance
  • Group Size 4 to 14
  • 9 days trekking
  • Max altitude - 5895 metres
  • Join At Kilimanjaro International Airport

Accommodation & Meals
  • All meals included
  • 2 nights Hotel
  • 8 nights Camping
Overview

This is our ultimate Kilimanjaro itinerary. On this Northern Circuit Route we have 9 days on the mountain, maximising our acclimatisation and in turn summit success. This trail starts on the Lemosho Route in the west, briefly meets the Machame Route at Lava Towers before skirting around the back of the mountain with views of the Kenyan plains before coming around to where the Rongai Route summits from the famous Gilman’s Point, and then we descend along the Marangu Route. Much of our trek is along the lesser used paths contouring the northern flanks, so it is a more personal experience as we attempt to summit this mighty majestic mountain. Our porters and guides make the trip a delight as they assist you with their confidence, experience, smiles and singing to boost your spirits on the journey together to the summit of Africa. Standing on the summit is incredible – it’s worth the effort.

Is this holiday for you?

For most, standing on the summit of the highest peak in Africa is either a life-time goal, a personal challenge, or indeed both. On Kilimanjaro walking days are between 4-7 hours, most being around 6-7 hours. The summit day is long with a pre-dawn start and around 14-16 hrs of walking. All trails on the mountain are well marked and kept. Higher up there are some sections of scree which we have …

For most, standing on the summit of the highest peak in Africa is either a life-time goal, a personal challenge, or indeed both. On Kilimanjaro walking days are between 4-7 hours, most being around 6-7 hours. The summit day is long with a pre-dawn start and around 14-16 hrs of walking. All trails on the mountain are well marked and kept. Higher up there are some sections of scree which we have to negotiate. They are easy to follow, however you will always be behind your expert guide to ensure that you walk slow enough to adjust to the altitude.

 A typical day starts with early morning tea in your tent at 0600. After a hot breakfast, our porters take their loads and we leave camp for our days walk. Lunch is at around 1100 and we aim to be at camp at around 1500-1600 to relax before dinner in the mess tent later. Of course certain days are longer, especially the summit day!

 Don’t forget – Kilimanjaro is a big mountain (Africa’s biggest in fact!), you will need to be fit and mentally prepared to ensure summit success, and return home with the unique memories and the satisfaction of this massive achievement. You should aim to be fit enough to walk for at least two days in a row for 5-7 hours without a problem, and more than 12 hrs on summit day. Put on your boots and get walking and with a huge amount of determination you’ll be able to do it. Get training now and you can join the exclusive group who have summited.

Why KE?

Very few operators do this 9 day northern remote route.


10 Reasons you should climb Kilimanjaro with KE Adventure Travel rather than another operator…
1) We don’t mess with essential acclimatisation.

2) Vastly experienced guides and a summit crew on a 1:2 guide to client ratio.

3) Emergency PAC/Gamow bags and oxygen cylinder on all trips.

4) All meals and Kilimanjaro Park Fees are included.

5) We’ve been taking people to Kili’s summit for over 20 years.

6) Speak to someone who’s done it.

7) Pre-trip acclimatisation ascents of Mt Kenya (4985m) or Mt Meru (4562m) available.

8) Our porters and team of guides are fun (they sing a lot!), kind and extremely motivated.

9) No worries about the Porter Welfare.

10) Ultimately – KE have a 95% Kilimanjaro summit success rate.

KE Expert

Chloe Johnson, Product Manager

Read Bio
Tour Leader Bio
Chloe Johnson
Chloe Johnson

Product Manager

About Chloe:

Chloë was born and bred in Keswick, so a love of being out on the hills was instilled at an early age. Her first trip with KE was volcano trekking in Sicily and since then has summited Mont Blanc, travelled to Nepal, Morocco, India, Turkey and Thailand. She has even travelled up to Svalbard to see Polar Bears!

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