Northern Circuit Route

The Northern Circuit is the longest and newest official route on Kilimanjaro. It follows the Lemosho path for the first four days, then veers north to circumnavigate the entire upper mountain before joining the summit push from the southeast. The result is the most generous acclimatization profile on Kilimanjaro and the highest published success rate of any route.

The Northern Circuit's unique selling point is its length. Nine days on the mountain gives your body the maximum time to adjust to altitude, which is why this route has the highest summit success rate of any path. The northern traverse is also the quietest part of the upper mountain, with panoramic views of the northern plains and the Rift Valley to the east. The scenery is less dramatic than the western Lemosho approach, but the slower pace and gentler profile make this the easiest route to summit - physically, if not logistically.

The Northern Circuit is the route we recommend most often for climbers who want the highest possible chance of summiting. The nine-day schedule is the most generous acclimatization profile on the mountain, and the published success rates reflect that. The trade-off is the longer commitment - but if you have the time, this is the easiest path to the top.