11-DAY ITINERARY
KILIMANJARO & MT. MERU
"Kilimanjaro & Mt. Meru summits, two mountains two Dreams."
Two peaks climb means climbing Mount Meru (4566m) then Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m). The climb of Mt. Meru helps greatly in succeeding in reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro due to the acquired acclimatization. Besides the acclimatization, the Mt. Meru climb is very enjoyable and beautiful, offering a unique landscape, flora and fauna found in the park plus some great views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Day 0: Arrive Kilimanjaro airport, meet your driver and transfer to hotel in Moshi
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town where you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Day 1: Moshi to Momela Gate (1200m) to Miriakamba Hut (2470m)
You will be picked up from your hotel and transported to the park gate. From there you walk through game-filled park land up to Miriakamba Hut (2470m). Along the way there are many spectacular views; including Kilimanjaro from Miriakamba Hut. You will encounter varieties of wildlife as you trek past the glades which support them. This day’s trek is not difficult because the terrain is very gradual which makes it a pleasant walk. Dinner and overnight at Miriakamba Hut.
Day 2: Miriakamba Hut (2514m) to Saddle Hut (3570m)
The trail passes through fine forests and heather to the Saddle Hut (3570m). It is a steep day as you will gain 1056m of altitude. After reaching Saddle Hut, an ascent to Little Meru is possible in the afternoon this segment takes one hour both ways and it is an acclimatization session before the summit attempt. Today you will be having a very early dinner then half night sleep at Saddle Hut.
Day 3: Saddle Hut (3570m) to Socialist Peak (4566m) to Miriakamba Hut (2514m).
A very early start at 2:00am takes us to a superb viewpoint called Rhino Point on the crater rim and then onto an airy ridge which leads up to the summit. The trek will take about 5 hours then return back to Saddle Hut for a short rest and lunch. Following this, the descent continues to Miriakamba Hut where dinner and overnight will take place.
Day 4: Miriakamba Hut (2514m) to Momela Gate (1500m)
Walk back to the park gate in approximately 2 hours. You will be using the same route that you used to climb the mountain. Reaching back to the gate will allow the presentation of the certificates return by vehicle to your hotel.
Day 5: Kilimanjaro Preparation Day
This is relaxation day at your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Day 6: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)
One hour’s drive from Moshi to Machame gate, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Day 7: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance. Day 9: Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m) Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp. The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Day 8: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Day 9: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Day 10: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Day 11: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome hot shower.
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
Drop off at the airport for the flight back home or extend your trip with few more days on Tanzania Wildlife Safari or Zanzibar Beach Vacation.
FAQ
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• Airport pick up and drop-off per group
• 2 nights at a hotel bed & breakfast plus celebration dinner
• Professional guides & dedicated crew
• Transfers to and from the mountain
• All Meals as per daily itinerary
• Activities as per the itinerary
• National Park Fees
• Purified drinking water
• Dry bag to protect your duffel bag
• Oxygen bottles for emergency
• Portable chemical toilet
• Mountain tents plus standard sleeping mattress
• Official Summit Certificate
• Personal travel insurance
• Tanzania entry visa
• Tips for the support team
• Sleeping bags and other personal gear
• Rental gear
• Lunch and dinner at the hotel
• Drinks and snacks
• Additional airport or gate transfers
• Extra nights at the hotels
• Expenses of a personal nature (souvenirs, etc.)