The Northern Routes on the Kilimanjaro for people looking for something really challenging and out of the ordinary.
To sumarise there are 2 options, one route starts like the Rongai, then the middle 2 nights are spent traversing the wild, remote northern face of the mountain. This trail used by very few people each year. The route is completed by joining the Shira route. The other option starts at at the Londorosi gate on the western side of the mountain then climbs through rain forest to the Shira Plateau.
The Kilimanjaro Kibo North Circuit route follows the 4300 metre contour line that shows the real rugged wilderness of the mountain, the real Kilimanjaro. Coming round to the eastern side of Kibo we have great views of Mawenzi, the oldest volcanic peak of Kilimanjaro. Mawenzi is a mass of lava that has been eroded over time, it is seldom climbed as this is a techincal operation.
The last camp before the summit is School Hut. Here you rest before tthe big push up Kibo to Gilmans Point on the crater rim. It is not far to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa with 360 degree views stretching as far as Mt Kenya over 250km away. Descent is via the Mweka route on the southern side of the mountain and takes two days.
It should be noted that these routes are for trekkers who are confident about their fitness and capable of camping out for long periods. These routes offer the great variation and the give the best chances of summiting as there is plenty of time for acclimatization.
