Route Guide · Crater Camp · Private only

NORTHERN CRATER.
A NIGHT INSIDE
THE CRATER.

Ten days on the mountain with a night inside Reusch Crater at 18,800 ft. The rarest itinerary we run.

On Mountain
10 DAYS
Distance
70 km / 43 mi
Max Elevation
19,341 ft
Summit Rate
92%
Difficulty
STRENUOUS
02 · The honest overview

NORTHERN CRATER.
CRATER CAMP NIGHT.

Northern Circuit with a night inside Reusch Crater at 18,800 ft. The most extraordinary, demanding way to stand on the summit twice.

WHY BOOK THIS ROUTE

  • A night in the craterCamp at 18,800 ft beside the Furtwängler Glacier and the ash pit, an experience almost no climber has.
  • Summit twiceReach the rim, sleep in the crater, then walk to Uhuru at dawn with no crowds.
  • Northern Circuit baseBuilt on our highest-acclimatization route, so the extra altitude is earned slowly.
  • The rarest itineraryVery few operators and climbers do crater camp, genuine expedition territory.

HONEST DRAWBACKS

  • A night at extreme altitudeSleeping at 18,800 ft is demanding, it suits experienced, well-acclimatized climbers only.
  • Private and premiumRun privately, with the highest price of any Peak Planet trip.
  • StrenuousThe most physically taxing itinerary we offer, two days spent above 18,000 ft.
03 · Day by day

THE ITINERARY

Day 1
2,986 ft

Arrive · Kilimanjaro Intl.

JRO · · · ·

Airport pickup and transfer to Moshi. Detailed briefing and gear-check for the crater itinerary.

Day 2
6,890 → 9,121 ft

Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa

Rainforest · 6 km · 3 – 4 hrs

Registration, the Lemosho trailhead, and an easy forest walk to Big Tree Camp.

Day 3
9,121 → 11,500 ft

Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1

Heath / moorland · 8 km · 5 – 6 hrs

Out of the forest and up onto the western edge of the Shira Plateau.

Day 4
11,500 → 12,600 ft

Shira 1 → Shira 2

Alpine desert · 11 km · 5 – 6 hrs

A slow plateau crossing to build red blood cells, with a short acclimatization ridge before camp.

Day 5
12,600 → 15,190 → 13,660 ft

Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Moir Hut

Climb high · sleep low · 10 km · 6 – 7 hrs

Lunch at Lava Tower, then north to the quiet Moir Hut camp.

Day 6
13,660 → 13,800 ft

Moir Hut → Buffalo Camp

Northern slopes · 12 km · 5 – 6 hrs

Onto the remote northern circuit, the quietest ground on the mountain.

Day 7
13,800 → 13,800 ft

Buffalo Camp → Pofu Camp

Alpine desert · 8 km · 4 – 5 hrs

A wide northern traverse under big skies, banking altitude with every step.

Day 8
13,800 → 15,600 ft

Pofu Camp → School Hut

Summit approach · 8 km · 4 – 5 hrs

Round to School Hut on the eastern side of Kibo. A short, restful day before the crater push.

Day 9
15,600 → 18,865 ft

School Hut → Crater Camp

Into the crater · 5 km · 6 – 7 hrs

Climb to the crater rim at Gilman's Point, then drop inside to camp beside the Furtwängler Glacier and the ash pit at 18,865 ft, the rarest night on the mountain.

Day 10
18,865 → 19,341 → 10,171 ft

Crater Camp → Uhuru → Mweka

Summit + descent · 17 km · 10 – 12 hrs

A short dawn walk to Uhuru Peak with the crater to yourself, then the full descent all the way to Mweka Camp.

Day 11
10,171 → 5,381 ft

Mweka → Moshi

Certificates · 10 km · 3 – 4 hrs

Walk out through the rainforest. Certificate ceremony, hot showers, celebration dinner.

Day 12
2,986 ft

Departure or Safari add-on

JRO · · · ·

Late check-out and transfer to the airport, or onwards to the Serengeti.

04 · What you pay for

EVERYTHING
IN THE PRICE.

Included
  • Park & gate fees (camping, rescue, summit, conservation)
  • Two pre-climb hotel nights, one post-climb
  • JRO airport transfers (both directions)
  • WFR-certified lead guide on every climb
  • 1:2 guide-to-climber ratio · max 12 per group
  • Daily pulse-ox + Lake Louise altitude monitoring
  • Emergency oxygen on every trek (Gamow bag on Northern Circuit)
  • Helicopter evacuation insurance to 5,000 m
  • Ferrino four-season tents + sleeping cot
  • Three meals daily on the mountain
  • Filtered, treated drinking water, unlimited
  • KPAP-compliant porter wages, audited
Not included
  • International flights to JRO
  • Tanzania entry visa (~$100)
  • Travel & medical insurance (required)
  • Personal climbing gear (rental list provided)
  • Lunch & dinner in Moshi
  • Tips for guides & porters (~$340 / climber)
On the trail

GALLERY

In their words

TESTIMONIALS

Sleeping inside the crater at 18,800 ft was the most extraordinary night of my life. Nothing compares.

Thomas Reid · 12 Day Northern Crater · September 2025 · Edinburgh, UK

Standing beside the Furtwängler Glacier at dawn, then walking to Uhuru with no one around, surreal.

Camille Laurent · 12 Day Northern Crater · October 2025 · Lyon, FR

Demanding and unforgettable. The acclimatization from the Northern Circuit made the crater night possible.

David Kim · 12 Day Northern Crater · January 2026 · Vancouver, CA
05 · Upcoming departures

PICK A DATE

N061026
Filling

NORTHERN CIRCUIT

11 Days·Moderate·98% summit
Arrival
Jun 10
Departure
Jun 20
9 of 12 spotsFilling
$3,569
Per climber · All in
Book Now →
N062226
Open

NORTHERN CIRCUIT

11 Days·Moderate·98% summit
Arrival
Jun 22
Departure
Jul 02
12 of 12 spotsOpen
$3,569
Per climber · All in
Book Now →
N070426
Open

NORTHERN CIRCUIT

11 Days·Moderate·98% summit
Arrival
Jul 04
Departure
Jul 14
12 of 12 spotsOpen
$3,569
Per climber · All in
Book Now →
N072226
Filling

NORTHERN CIRCUIT

11 Days·Moderate·98% summit
Arrival
Jul 22
Departure
Aug 01
9 of 12 spotsFilling
$3,569
Per climber · All in
Book Now →
N080426
Filling

NORTHERN CIRCUIT

11 Days·Moderate·98% summit
Arrival
Aug 04
Departure
Aug 14
7 of 12 spotsFilling
$3,569
Per climber · All in
Book Now →
N082426
Open

NORTHERN CIRCUIT

11 Days·Moderate·98% summit
Arrival
Aug 24
Departure
Sep 03
12 of 12 spotsOpen
$3,569
Per climber · All in
Book Now →
06 · Our verdict

WOULD WE BOOK THIS ROUTE?

Crater camp is for the climber who wants more than the summit. A night at 18,800 ft beside the glaciers is unforgettable, and demanding. Built on the Northern Circuit, it earns the altitude honestly.

This is the rarest thing we do. If you are experienced and want the mountain at its most extraordinary, this is it.
Ben J., Experience Designer
07 · Ready to book?

GET A QUOTE
FOR THIS ROUTE.

Send a quote request and our team will reply within four hours with a full breakdown — no hidden fees, no upsells at the briefing.

From $5,890 per climber

Get a Quote →Book a Call