On this challenging trek we tackle Tanzania’s two highest peaks: Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. We acclimatise on our hike to Meru’s volcanic cone then we climb Kilimanjaro via the Rongai route on the mountains northern flank. Making the summit push at midnight we reach Uhuru Peak (5895m) by morning to enjoy exhilarating views over the ice fields.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour Arusha
Arrive in Arusha and transfer to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2:
Drive to Arusha National Park; trek to Miriakamba Hut
This morning we drive to Momela Gate, our entry point into Arusha N. Park and the start of our ascent of Tanzania’s second highest mountain, Mt. Meru (4562m). Escorted by one park ranger/guide and accompanied by porters who carry our bags, food and equipment we set off on foot. Keeping a close eye out for Maasai giraffe, elephant and buffalo, we follow the ‘Momela Route’ which today provides a gradual ascent of about 1000m over open grassland, through rainforest and across a mountain stream until we reach the Miriakamba Huts, 2515m (about 4 hours walking).
Overnight Hut (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3:
Trek to Saddle Hut
We pass ‘Buffalo Swamp’ heading up a steep trail through rainforest during the first section of today’s walk. Then, breaking our ascent at Mgongo Wa Tembo (swahili for Elephant Ridge) viewpoint (3200m), we enjoy stunning views over the entire Meru Crater floor. The giant heathers, characteristic of the moorland zone we are about to enter, start to appear in the forest. Our path continues steeply over moorland and we rise above cloud level and reach Saddle Hut, 3570m (about 3-4 hours walking). Later this afternoon after time to rest there is an option to hike to the summit of ‘Little Meru’, (3801m), for impressive views of Meru summit, the horseshoe crater and the sheer cliffs of the crater’s inner wall (about 1.5 hours walk).
Overnight Hut (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4:
Trek to Mt. Meru summit then descend to Miriakamba Hut
Departing for the summit in the early hours of the morning we begin our optional predawn ascent, providing excellent preparation for our attempt on ‘Kili’ in the forthcoming days. Crossing ‘The Saddle’ we climb up to ‘Rhino Point’, then skirt the rim of Meru Crater. Trail conditions vary from walking on bare rock to scree and ash. While the steepness of the trail varies until we finally reach the Tanzanian flag marking the summit (4562m). After time to absorb the fantastic views over 1500m down into the crater and ash cone below, we’ll hopefully be treated to the sun rising from behind Kilimanjaro, silhouetting Africa’s highest peak in the predawn mist. We follow the same route back down to Saddle Hut for a well-earned rest (between 4-6 hours ascent and 2-3 hours descent). Later in the day we’ll descend further to the Miriakamba Huts. (About 2-3 hours walking).
Overnight Hut (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:
Trek to Momela Gate then drive to Moshi
Our last day walking in Arusha NP takes us gently into the Meru Crater and across its floor, then down a forest track through rainforest frequented by giant East African Yellow-Wood trees (Podocarpus). We'll keep a close eye out for the resident troops of black and white colobus monkeys who live high in the forest canopy and can frequently be seen gracefully jumping from tree to tree. We arrive back at Momela Gate and will then drive to Moshi to prepare for our attempt on Kilimanjaro. (About 4 hours walking).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6:
Drive to Nale Moru; walk to Simba Camp
This morning we will drive to the village of Nale Moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. Porters will assist throughout the trek carrying all of our luggage. You only need carry what you will need for the day – waterproofs, a camera, water bottle and a packed lunch. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests You may have chance to see the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey, elephant or buffalo en route. Our first camp will be at the edge of the moorland zone at around 2600m (About 4 hours walking).
Overnight Basic Camping (C)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:
Walk to Kikelewa camp via ‘Second Cave’
Leaving the pine forest behind we carry on with a steady ascent walking though moorland. There are superb views of the Eastern icefields on the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of the three volcanoes which form the mountain. We will have lunch at the ‘Second cave’ at 3450m. In the afternoon we will leave the main trail and strike out across moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro’s volcanoes. We will set up campt today in the sheltered valley near Kikilewa caves at 3650m (About 8 hours walking).
Overnight Basic Camping (C)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8:
Trek to Mawenzi Tarn
This morning we have a short but steep ascent up grassy slopes which is rewarded by a superb view of the Kenyan plains to the north. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching our next camp at Mwenzi Tarn (4330m) directly below the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. This afternoon you have chance to rest or explore the surrounding area to aid acclimatisation. (About 3-4 hours walking).
Overnight Basic Camping (C)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9:
Trek to Kibo Camp
We leave our campsite and cross the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo After a couple hours trekking, reach this spectacular place, with the summit of Kilimanjaro in the backround and our trail to the high camp stretched out before our eyes. Upon reaching our camp the remainder of the day will be spent resting in preparation of the final ascent after a very early night!(4700m) (About 4 - 6 hours walking).
Overnight Basic Camping (C)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10:
Summit day and descent to Horombo camp
We start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding part of the climb, around midnight. We will walk very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through losse volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s point(5685m).We will have a short rest to admire the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi, before pushing on to the final ascent to Ulhuru Peak (5896m) approximately 3 hours round trip. We will pass spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit areas. The descent to Kibo hut is surprisingly fast and after some refreshment we continue our descent to our camp for the night at Horombo (3720m). (13- 15 hours walking)
Overnight Basic Camping (C)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11:
Walk to Marangu gate and drive to Moshi
Today we have a steady descent through moorland and a lush forest at Mandara (2700m) down to the gate at Marangu.(1830m)Here we will say goodbye to our porters and drive back to Moshi, arriving late afternoon.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12:
Tour ends Moshi
Included meals: Breakfast
