Ascent of Kilimanjaro at 5895 meters Northern Circuit Route

Departure from Europe on Day 1, generally with one day or night devoted to the flight. If we land in the evening, sometimes late, we shall need to plan an extra night at our accommodation. We are met at the airport and transferred to Moshi to reach our lodge: we settle into our accommodation in the garden in the shade of Kilimanjaro's formidable forest, a luxuriant forest which acts as a real sponge, absorbing rainfall.

On day 2, we meet our guide for a briefing, check and prepare our equipment and backpack for the ascent that starts the next day.

Transfer by road from Moshi (or Arusha) to Lemosho Gate. After registering with park services, we continue on the motorized track to the trailhead. The trail starts in the rainforest. It's best to be careful where you set foot, as the many roots form trap doors. The plant cover is dense and the flora varied (if there is no fauna, it has long since disappeared, having been hunted by the natives). In the afternoon, it's not unusual to walk in the rain, common at these altitudes, which makes the path slippery. 

This morning, we quickly leave the forest cover. The path is steep. The dense vegetation gradually fades, giving way to heather and moorland with endemic flora characteristic of the volcano's flanks. The path joins the Shira plateau, which lies at the foot of the Shira cone (3962 metres), the third of Kilimanjaro's volcanic cones. It's hardly noticeable, so much so that our eyes are drawn to the Kibo (the main cone). We cross the Shira Plateau amidst giant ragwort to reach our camp. 

A day of gentle climbing on the Shira Plateau, amidst the astonishing vegetation. A detour to Shira Cathedral (3880 m) completes our acclimatization. Not a real cathedral, of course, but a geological formation on the western slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, a colossal tower of lava rock. Similar to the Lava Tower we'll be approaching later, but much larger. The cathedral's name comes from its appearance. Its imposing spires and impressive buttresses evoke the grandeur of a medieval cathedral. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro's volcanic cones. It has been shaped by lava and volcanic activity to create a stunning jagged peak, offering a unique western view of Kibo, the highest of the peaks and your final destination on the tour.

Today, we follow a steady rhythm along the edge of heather and moorland, then across a desert area. The detour to Lava Tower is a long detour. We prefer the ascent of Lent Hill (4630 m), which is a round trip from Moir Hut.  This detour can also be made at the beginning of the following day, but given the length of the stage to come, it's better to do it on this day. At Moir Hut, the long traverse on the north side of the Kibo really begins. Moir Hut is completely isolated from the south face route. It is a unique lookout point on the north face of the volcano.

From the camp, a short, slightly steep climb over an old lava flow. The slope eases and we begin the long traverse around the northern slope of Kibo. There are very few visitors on this side of the mountain. The path winds between eruptive boulders. Not much of a climb today, but quite a distance (+/- 12 km) to reach Buffalo camp in the late afternoon. On this day, the view of the plains north of Kilimanjaro, the border and Kenya's famous Amboseli National Park is simply breathtaking.

Last day of the traverse of the north side of Kibo. The trail forks sharply to the east, and we resume our ascent. The vegetation becomes increasingly sparse, giving way to slag, which is hard to walk on. Fortunately, this is offset by the magnificent views of the nearby Mawenzi (5149 m), which is suitable for mountaineers. The camp is located near caves in which the porters take shelter. 

Vigil of arms. A short but steep final stage on the slopes of Kibo, amidst a lunar setting worthy of Lord of the Rings. The trail through the scree is unencumbered by switchbacks. The camp is located between large blocks of lava or basalt, with two bad tin huts providing precarious shelter for the porters. Our tents are set up as best we can on makeshift terraces, so it's not exactly comfortable. But the view rewards us for our efforts. Tonight marks our departure for Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kibo (Kilimanjaro).

Night-time departure around midnight to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. The path climbs steeply, zig-zagging up the scree slope. Progressing at night in this terrain is an advantage: you can only see the few meters ahead of you. With the first light of dawn, the climb becomes more rewarding. From an altitude of 5,000 metres, a grandiose panorama is revealed of the imposing cone of Mawenzi and Mount Meru, gently lit by the rays of the rising sun. The Tanzanian plain is drowned in a sea of clouds, from which only the points of the various volcanic cones emerge. As the clouds begin to dissipate, lakes Manyara and Eyasi come into view. The climb is tough, our breathing is short and we make slow progress. The trail joins the classic ascent followed by the Marangu and Rongai routes to the rim of the summit crater at Gilman's point (5756 m). A steep path follows the crater rim (into which we do not descend). At Stella Point (5740 m) we meet up with the trekkers from the Machame and Lemosho routes. Another few hundred metres along the rim of the caldera and we're at Uhuru peak (5,895 m), the summit of Kilimanjaro. After an hour, it's time to head for the descent. At Stella Point, we plunge straight down to Barrafu camp, skirting the remains of the tabular Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers. Short rest stop at Barrafu camp (4,640 m). We resume the long descent to reach Millenium camp (3820 m).  

Last day of descent through the forest to Mweka camp (3080 m) then Mweka Gate (1830 m), where we receive our climbing certificates: a great moment! Check-in at the hotel. Siesta and pool or stroll: either to the colorful market in town, or through the plantations and food crops of the Chagga region, whose inhabitants have laid out irrigation canals to grow bananas, beans, flowers, coffee, millet, cabbage, tomatoes, corn...

Return to Kilimanjaro Airport for a visit and some final shopping in the handicraft stores (fabrics, paintings, batiks and naive paintings, African hats, T-shirts and shirts, animal and warrior statuettes, jewelry, etc.). Boarding and departure for Europe.