Northern Circuit vs Lemosho Route
The Northern Circuit and Lemosho routes are Kilimanjaro's two premium options for climbers who prioritize summit success and scenic variety over speed and cost. The Northern Circuit is the longest route on the mountain at 98 km over 9 days, circumnavigating the peak from west to north before the final southern summit push — it achieves the highest success rate of any route at approximately 95-98%. Lemosho covers 70 km over 7-8 days along the western approach via the Shira Plateau, delivering 90-95% success on 8-day itineraries. Both routes share the same first 3 days from Londorossi Gate through the Shira Plateau before diverging: Lemosho turns south toward Lava Tower and Barafu, while the Northern Circuit continues north around the mountain. The choice between them comes down to whether the extra day and cost of the Northern Circuit are justified by its marginally higher success rate and unmatched 360-degree views.
Route Profiles
Northern Circuit
The ultimate Kilimanjaro experience. The Northern Circuit is the newest and longest route, added in 2014, and circumnavigates the mountain from west to north before summiting from the south. Its 9-day itinerary provides the most thorough acclimatization available, with multiple nights above 4,000m before the summit push. The northern traverse section is the quietest stretch on the mountain.
9 days
98 km
95-98%
Moderate
Londorossi Gate (2,100m)
Tent camping
- ▲Only route that circumnavigates the mountain
- ▲360-degree views of Kilimanjaro
- ▲Highest success rate of any route
- ▲Remote northern slopes — virtually no other climbers
Lemosho Route
The most popular premium route on Kilimanjaro, offering an excellent balance of scenery, acclimatization, and logistics. Lemosho shares its first 3 days with the Northern Circuit before turning south toward Lava Tower and the standard Barafu summit approach. Its 8-day itinerary is the sweet spot of duration, cost, and summit probability.
7-8 days
70 km
90-95% (8-day)
Moderate
Londorossi Gate (2,100m)
Tent camping
- ▲Shira Plateau panoramas
- ▲Well-established route with strong logistics
- ▲Excellent acclimatization profile
- ▲Merges with Machame traffic at Lava Tower
Scoring Comparison
66
/ 8061
/ 80Success Rate
Northern Circuit winsNorthern Circuit's 9-day profile and maximum acclimatization push success to 95-98%.
Duration
Lemosho wins9 days is a significant time commitment. Lemosho's 8 days offers more flexibility.
Scenery
Northern Circuit winsThe 360-degree circumnavigation provides views that no other route can match.
Exclusivity
Northern Circuit winsThe northern traverse sees almost no other climbers — a true wilderness experience.
Cost
Lemosho winsNorthern Circuit is the most expensive route at $3,500-$5,000+ due to 9 days of logistics.
Difficulty
TieSimilar physical difficulty. Northern Circuit's longer duration reduces daily strain.
Acclimatization
Northern Circuit winsThe Northern Circuit's extended time above 4,000m is the gold standard for acclimatization.
Overall Experience
Northern Circuit winsIf time and budget allow, the Northern Circuit is the definitive Kilimanjaro experience.
Which Route Should You Choose?
Choose the Northern Circuit if you want the absolute best Kilimanjaro experience — the highest success rate, unmatched 360-degree scenery, and an exclusive wilderness traverse that fewer than 5% of climbers ever see. It requires 9 days and the highest budget, but for many climbers it is a once-in-a-lifetime trip worth the investment. Choose Lemosho if you want 90% of the Northern Circuit experience in 1-2 fewer days at a lower cost — it shares the same spectacular western start and still delivers a 90-95% success rate. For first-time climbers weighing cost against probability, Lemosho offers the best value-to-summit ratio on the mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Northern Circuit really worth the extra day and cost over Lemosho?+
For climbers who can afford 9 days and $3,500-$5,000+, yes. The Northern Circuit provides 3-5% higher summit success (95-98% vs 90-95%), 360-degree views of Kilimanjaro that no other route offers, and a remote northern traverse where you may not see another climbing group for two days. However, Lemosho at 8 days and $2,800-$4,000 delivers 90-95% of the same experience. The marginal gain from Northern Circuit is real but modest — the choice depends on your budget and schedule.
Do the Northern Circuit and Lemosho share the same start?+
Yes. Both routes begin at Londorossi Gate (2,100m) on the western side of Kilimanjaro and follow the identical path for the first 3 days through the Lemosho rainforest and across the Shira Plateau. They diverge at Shira 2 Camp (3,850m): Lemosho turns south toward Lava Tower and Barafu, while the Northern Circuit continues north around the mountain, traversing the remote northern slopes before joining the summit route from the east.
How many climbers use the Northern Circuit?+
The Northern Circuit is the least-used major route on Kilimanjaro, chosen by approximately 2-5% of all climbers. Its 9-day requirement, higher cost, and relative newness (opened in 2014) keep numbers low. This means the northern traverse section (Days 4-7) is genuinely remote — you may encounter no other groups for extended stretches. By contrast, Lemosho accounts for roughly 15-20% of all climbers and can feel busy from Lava Tower onward when it merges with Machame traffic.
Is the Northern Circuit suitable for beginners?+
The Northern Circuit is excellent for beginners, and in many ways is the safest choice for a first-time high-altitude trekker. Its 9-day duration provides the maximum possible acclimatization time, the daily altitude gains are gentle, and the route has no technical sections (unlike Machame's Barranco Wall). The only barriers are cost and time. If budget is a concern, Lemosho's 8-day itinerary is nearly as beginner-friendly with a strong acclimatization profile.