16 years afield
Frederick Mlaki
Founder & Lead Guide
“We were tired of climbing for houses that would not name us.”
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03
The Encirclement
Northern Circuit.
The newest and longest route — a near-private trail around Kibo's northern slopes, well clear of every other party. Best summit odds. Best for those with time to spare.
Side
West → North → Summit
Days
8 / 9 / 10
options
Distance
90 km
round-trip
Grade
Easy pace, long days
From
$3,890
group departure floor
— 01
Altitude profile
TRAILHEAD 2,100M
MTI MKUBWA 2,780M
SHIRA 1 3,500M
MOIR 4,200M
BUFFALO 4,020M
3RD CAVE 3,870M
SCHOOL 4,700M
UHURU 5,895M
MWEKA 3,068M
— 02
Duration & party type
Pricing scales with advertised length and whether you join a scheduled group departure or book a standalone private summit team. Figures update with park fees annually.
Prices are indicative per person, based on standard camping or lodge tier as quoted. Luxury upgrades and single supplements are quoted on enquiry.
| Days on mountain | Group departure | Private party |
|---|---|---|
| 8 days | $3,890 | $4,410 |
| 9 days | $4,010 | $4,615 |
| 10 days | $4,130 | $4,820 |
Compare
Which option fits you?
Both use the same safety standards and crew model — the trade-off is usually budget and dates versus pace, privacy, and flexibility.
Group departure
Pros
- Lower per-person price — the clearest upside when budget matters most.
- Fixed departure dates — easier to align with flights or limited annual leave.
- Some climbers enjoy shared camp energy on the way up.
Cons
- Pace and rest rhythms follow the wider group — less room for bespoke adjustments.
- Group chemistry varies; one mismatch affects everyone.
- Less solitude at camp compared with a party-only ascent.
Private party
Pros
- Pace and acclimatisation decisions follow your rope team only.
- Only guests you invite — quieter camps and predictable company.
- Easier to add buffer nights, tweak dates, or pair with safari plans.
Cons
- Higher investment — guide and mountain crew aren’t split with other travellers.
- Fewer fixed “anchors” — you propose dates and we confirm availability.
If this trip is a once-in-a-lifetime investment for you, private often protects what you cannot redo — how you feel on the mountain every day.
Tell us preferred dates and party type — we will confirm availability within one business day.
— 03
The itinerary
An indicative plan. Every climb is privately tailored to your party’s pace and acclimatisation profile.
DAY 01
Londorossi to Mti Mkubwa
A drive west, briefing, and a short afternoon into the rainforest.
2,100 m → 2,820 m · 6 KM · 3 H
Tonight · Mti Mkubwa Camp.
DAY 02
Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1
Forest to plateau. The first sight of Kibo.
2,820 m → 3,505 m · 8 KM · 5 H
Tonight · Shira 1.
DAY 03
Shira 1 to Moir Camp
A long traverse east, climbing slowly. The first taste of the Northern Circuit’s solitude.
3,505 m → 4,200 m · 14 KM · 6 H
Tonight · Moir Camp, in a small alpine valley.
DAY 04
Moir to Buffalo Camp (the north)
The first day of the great northern arc. Climb to Lent Hill (4,375 m) for views, then descend to Buffalo Camp on the rarely-visited northern slopes.
4,200 m → 4,020 m · 12 KM · 6 H
Tonight · Buffalo Camp, on the north face.
DAY 05
Buffalo to Third Cave
The northern traverse continues, with views across the Kenyan plains. Quiet and stark.
4,020 m → 3,870 m · 9 KM · 5 H
Tonight · Third Cave Camp.
DAY 06
Third Cave to School Hut
A steady climb across the saddle to the high camp. School Hut is small and quiet — a fitting last camp before the summit.
3,870 m → 4,750 m · 5 KM · 5 H
Tonight · School Hut.
DAY 07
School Hut → Uhuru Peak → Mweka
Summit night via Gilman’s Point and the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. The long descent through Stella Point and down to Mweka.
4,750 m → 5,895 m → 3,068 m · 17 KM · 14 H
Tonight · Mweka Camp.
DAY 08
Mweka to Mweka Gate
A gentle descent through the forest to the gate.
3,068 m → 1,640 m · 10 KM · 4 H
Tonight · A celebratory afternoon in Moshi.
DAY 09
Rest day in Moshi
A day to rest, write letters, walk the streets, eat slowly. We collect you at the airport in the evening, or extend into safari.
Moshi · rest day
Tonight · Moshi hotel.
— 04
Compare with other routes
The Connoisseur's Route
Lemosho
Days · 7 / 8 / 9
Distance · 67 km
Grade · Medium
Success · 98%
GROUP · $2,370
PRIVATE · $2,890
The Whisky Route
Machame
Days · 6 / 7 / 8
Distance · 63 km
Grade · Medium
Success · 92%
GROUP · $2,150
PRIVATE · $2,670
The Coca-Cola Route
Marangu
Days · 5 / 6 / 7
Distance · 70 km
Grade · Hard (short)
Success · 75%
GROUP · $1,890
PRIVATE · $2,410
The Quiet North
Rongai
Days · 6 / 7
Distance · 75 km
Grade · Easy
Success · 90%
GROUP · $2,290
PRIVATE · $2,810
The Climber's Route
Umbwe
Days · 6 / 7
Distance · 53 km
Grade · Very Hard
Success · 70%
GROUP · $2,290
PRIVATE · $2,810
Gallery
The same theatre
Granite ridges, teak-coloured plains, crater light, and rainforest — corners of Tanzania our teams work in every season.
Included
- →Two hotel nights in Moshi (one before, one after) plus one rest day after
- →All park, conservation, hut and camping fees
- →Wilderness First Responder lead guide and one assistant per traveller
- →KPAP-compliant porter team
- →Four-season alpine tents
- →All meals on the mountain
- →Daily pulse oximeter, altitude chamber, emergency oxygen
- →All transfers
Yours to bring
- ·International flights
- ·Tanzania visa
- ·Personal climbing gear
- ·Travel and rescue insurance
- ·Tips for the mountain crew
— 05
A named team of seventeen.
Wilderness First Responder lead guides, KPAP-compliant porters, a mountain chef, and a daily pulse oximeter check. Every member is named, and paid as listed in our wage ledger.
14 years afield
Emanuel Massawe
Lead Guide
“I have summited four hundred and twelve times. The mountain still surprises me.”
8 years afield
Joseph Lyimo
Lead Guide
“Eight years on Lemosho. I know which mornings will be quiet, and which will not.”
6 years afield
Godfrey Shayo
Mountain Chef
“I cook on Kilimanjaro the way I cook in Arusha. Properly. Hot.”
We publish the wage ledger.
See the ledger →Altitude FAQ
