Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day)
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 54 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day) worth booking?
Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day) is a 240-hour experience in Moshi, Tanzania, from $4,554 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 54 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (54)
- Duration
- 240 hours
- From
- $4,554 per person
The longest and the newest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, Northern circuit is known for excellent acclimatization and breathtaking views of the Kilimanjaro northern slopes. For the present moment a very limited number of travelers have set foot on this trail, and the route is hardly ever crowded. It is recommended to those who enjoy long trekking experiences in remote wilderness with a minimal number of other trekkers around. It takes at least eight days to climb Kilimanjaro through Northern Circuit which is why the route boasts very high summit success rate. 9-day extended version with crater camping is also available.
What you get
About this experience
The longest and the newest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, Northern circuit is known for excellent acclimatization and breathtaking views of the Kilimanjaro northern slopes. For the present moment a very limited number of travelers have set foot on this trail, and the route is hardly ever crowded. It is recommended to those who enjoy long trekking experiences in remote wilderness with a minimal number of other trekkers around. It takes at least eight days to climb Kilimanjaro through Northern Circuit which is why the route boasts very high summit success rate. 9-day extended version with crater camping is also available.
What's included
Included
- Two nights in Aishi Machame Hotel - 2 guests per room (except for solo climbs)
- North Face VE-25 tents on Kilimanjaro - 2 hikers per tent (except solo climbs)
- High-quality branded group equipment (dining tent, sleeping pads, table, chairs, crockery & cutlery, etc.
- JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) pick-up and drop-off
- Certified Wilderness First Responder guides
- Lunch
- All ground transportation
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Vegetarian, vegan, lastose-free, gluten-free, halal and other meal plans are available
- All fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park
- Professional climbing crew (porters, camp masters, cooks)
- Medical check-ups
- Medical kits
- Drinks on Kilimanjaro (tea, coffee, juices, soda, etc.)
- Three tasty and energy-rich meals a day offering a choice of options for each meal
- Oxygen tanks and altimeters
Not included
- Tips for crew (optional and based on your satisfaction with the trip)
- Mountaneering insurance (covering trekking up to 6000 m/19685 ft - highly recommended!)
- The costs of getting to Tanzania
- Personal equipment & gear (your hiking outfit, boots, sleeping bag, etc.) that you need for the hike. Available for hire
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel before and after the trek
- Visa fee
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Altezza Travel
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 54 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
7 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Physical effort
6 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
54 verified traveler reviews for Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Successful summit of Kilimanjaro!!
Words cannot express the gratitude for what a wonderful, unforgettable experience this was. Led by Shabani, his team of guides included Khatib, George, and Erik. They were consummate professionals and were supported by an incredible cast of over 50 porters, camp assistants, chefs, and others. all of whom enabled us to safely summit Kilimanjaro. Special thanks to Khatib for his teaching, George for his patience, Samson for carrying Mama Simba‘s pack on summit night, James, for his kind attention and support, and assistant guides Ambre and Antoni. Revo and Jumani served us sumptuous, nourishing meals which were carefully crafted by the Altezza Chef to keep up our energy for this challenging journey. Revo introduced me to the term “guvu” which is Swahili for strong. The Altezza team manifested this strength at every level from coordination and planning to support and logistics and facilitating cooperation amongst our 10 climbers.. If you are planning this achievement of a lifetime, entrust your goal of making it to the roof of Africa to no other organization than Altezza!
via Tripadvisor
Northern Circuit - Once in a lifetime
This was a once in a lifetime challenge. I cannot say enough about the Altezza Team. They are top notch in assuring you are prepared before the trip and during the climb. The entire team is there to support you to assure you have a successful climb, whether you are able to make it to the summit or not. I felt totally safe and supported the entire time. Altitude sickness got me on the night of the summit, and the entire Altezza team was supportive all the way back down the mountain and assuring I had a nice place to stay that night (since I was not camping with the team. The communication with the main office and the guides throughout the climb is amazing. The professionalism and enthusiasm of everyone from the office staff to the porters, is top notch. I highly recommend this route as it is not as crowded as others at the campsites. And I especially recommend Altezza!!!
via Tripadvisor
8 Day Northern Circuit + Safari with Altezza
We completed the 8-day Northern Circuit trek with Altezza, followed by a two-day safari, and I cannot say enough about how incredible the entire experience was from start to finish. From the moment we arrived at the airport, everything was incredibly seamless. Altezza handled our transfer, brought us to their hotel, and made sure we had everything we needed before heading to the mountain. The pre-trek process was extremely well organized, and having the ability to rent any equipment we may have been missing made everything even easier. Once on the mountain, the entire team was exceptional. The insane amount of hard work that goes into the operation by the porters, chefs, waiters, guides, and everyone working behind the scenes cannot be understated. Their dedication, professionalism, and ability to maintain such a positive attitude despite how demanding their jobs are left a huge impression on both my wife and me. The entire team works incredibly hard to make the experience as seamless as possible, and we were genuinely impressed by the level of care and effort that went into every aspect of the trek. It is clear that everyone takes tremendous pride in what they do. The professionalism of the guides was truly top notch. I cannot thank them enough for everything they did. They not only took care of us like family, but also looked after people who weren’t even part of Altezza. One moment that really stood out was when a porter from another company was in serious medical distress. While other companies walked past him, Godfrey and Jackson immediately stepped in to help. Oswald made the decision to put him on oxygen and get him down to the nearest camp so he could be flown out, with Jackson accompanying him all the way to the hospital. That speaks volumes about the character of the team Altezza has built. We also added a two-day safari through Altezza, and it was just as impressive. The safari guides were incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and attentive. The quality of the vehicles was excellent, and the transition from the mountain to the safari was completely seamless. We never had to worry about logistics or what came next — Altezza took care of everything. We genuinely cannot say enough good things about the entire operation. The attention to detail, organization, timing, professionalism, and genuine care throughout the trek and safari exceeded our expectations in every way. Without a doubt, when we speak to friends, family, or anyone considering a trip to Tanzania, we will strongly recommend Altezza. The entire team should be extremely proud of what they have built. Thank you again for an incredible experience.
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommend Alteeza for your Hiking Experience
First class experience. The entire Alteeza team is professional, caring, supportive and friendly. Our guides were experts at what they do, our porters were incredibly hard working and our experience was exceptional. We would not have made it the Summit without them. The support staff was equally exceptional. Don't go with any other company but Alteeza. You will be happy you did!
via Tripadvisor
Great service to organize a great trip safely from A to Z
In 19 days, I did the Mt Meru private 6-day climb (4 on the mountain) and the Mt Kilimanjaro 10-day climb (8 on the mountain) via the Northern Circuit. From the first day on, I really appreciated the quick and clear WhatsApp contact. All of which was confirmed by email and their website. As I am new to serious mountain climbing, I appreciated their checklist and their easy rental option list. Please do not underestimate how cold it can become on summit night. Both their Aishi Machame (great Wi-Fi!) and Brubru hotels are great to start (and end) your hike from. For Meru, I was supported by seven great support staff. For Kilimanjaro, we had a super support group of 64 staff on 12 hikers in my group. For both travels, the food was great and plenty. The staff will make sure you will eat much, but with the cold, altitude, and exercise, you will make that you burn even more calories than you can eat. Bring and eat snacks. The staff wants everyone to summit but at the same time is concerned for your safety. With a medical check twice per day and the experienced guides, the staff monitors health closely. All staff are always very friendly and helpful. Each day is also a preparation for the summit night. If on day 2 you find the pace a bit slow, during summit night you will struggle with that same pace. A few tips for the Kilimanjaro trek if you read this: Do rent the toilet (just do it). Consider the walk-in tent; Altezza does not push it, but if you are a bit taller, it gives comfort. Consider renting one tent per person. Two persons will fit, but again, the comfort will be better. The standard rental sleeping bag might be a bit ‘snug’. Maybe check for a large version or rent it elsewhere. Finally, I underestimated Meru. Summit night is tough. Take your time, and going up in six hours is (might be) really pushing your limits. Overall, Altezza is absolutely a professional company. As per other reviews, maybe not the cheapest out there, but safety and comfort are most important. Altezza is well worth your trust! If you can and want, do express your gratitude in a final tip on the last day.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 240 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $4,554 to $5,858
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 19
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Altezza Travel, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.7.
See everything Altezza Travel runsWhy this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Moshi.
How much does Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day) cost?
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Prices start at $4,554 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Moshi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day) take?
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Plan for about 240 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Moshi is not rushed.
Is Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 54 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Moshi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day)?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day) suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 240-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day)?
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Around 19 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Moshi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Moshi and add a light layer if any part of the 240-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day) start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Moshi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Moshi?
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On Outty we rank every Moshi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Materuni Waterfall, Coffee Tour and Picnic Hot Lunch, Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation Half Day Tour, Kilimanjaro climb, Machame Route (7-day). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Moshi?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Moshi?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day)?
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Included: Two nights in Aishi Machame Hotel - 2 guests per room (except for solo climbs); North Face VE-25 tents on Kilimanjaro - 2 hikers per tent (except solo climbs); High-quality branded group equipment (dining tent, sleeping pads, table, chairs, crockery; JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) pick-up and drop-off; and Certified Wilderness First Responder guides. Not included: Tips for crew (optional and based on your satisfaction with the trip); Mountaneering insurance (covering trekking up to 6000 m/19685 ft - highly recommended!); The costs of getting to Tanzania; and Personal equipment & gear (your hiking outfit, boots, sleeping bag, etc.) that you need fo. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day) include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 24 listed pickup locations in and around Moshi. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day) offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day)?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day) wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day) if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Moshi. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Kilimanjaro climb, Northern Circuit route (8-day)?
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Across 54 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, organization, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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