Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro Climb

You enjoy walking and want a challenging trekking trip? Then you are exactly right here! On these tours you climb two of the most famous mountains in Africa (Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro) and you have at the same time a good acclimatization to the summit success on Kilimanjaro.

ITINERARY AND HIGHLIGHTS from AFROMAXX

Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro Climb

Day 1 Arrival Day Tanzania , Kilimanjaro – Moshi

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and our driver will bring you to your Hotel in Moshi.

Day 2 Mount Meru Climb – Miriakamba Hut 2514m

After breakfast, you will head to the Arusha National Park with your team. After entering the park, you will see giraffes between acacia trees and dik-diks rushing into the shrub land. The Momella Gate is the best point for starting a Mount Meru ascent. As soon as the luggage is ready, the ascent can start. A park ranger will accompany you and your team through the open grassland where you will pass grazing herds of buffalo. The goal of this four to five hour journey is the Miriakamba Hut behind the mountain forest where meadows and low bushes vary along the way. You will stay in well kept mountain huts where several people usually sleep in one room. Duration: 4-6h Distance: 6km Ascent: 950m

Day 3 Mount Meru Climb – Saddle Camp 3560m

Today’s stage is short, but the steep and strenuous ascent must not be underestimated. Soon after you left the Miriakamba Hut, the many slippery steps begin. Along the way, you will find traces of buffalos, and should keep your eyes on the ground. The rain forest is fairy-tale-like with its dense moss cover and low hanging lichens. Some trees grow in a horizontal direction across the trekking path, and combined with the rising fog they create a magical atmosphere. Later in the morning, the view gets clearer, vegetation less dense and the humidity drier. In the early afternoon, you will reach the Saddle Hut, usually in bright sunshine. Those who aren’t tired can climb Little Meru, which is situated 200 meters above it. The additional efforts will be rewarded with a view of the snow-covered Kilimanjaro. Duration: 4-5h Distance: 6,5km Ascent: 1050m

Day 4 Mount Meru Climb – Socialist Peak – Miriakamba Hut 2514m

Today, you will get up early to start the ascent to the summit just after midnight. First you will walk up a steep section of 300 meters to Rhino Point. The next short section will be easy and leads to a small mountain ridge which is interrupted by a 45 degree rock face. There are deep abysses on either side of the ridge. The bare landscape is covered by ash, the wind is sharp. Now the path goes continuously uphill and is lined by sharp-edged rocks and is covered by ash. The summit seems to stretch out before you and be out of sight due to the rough rugged crater wall in the morning sun. At sunrise, the summit awaits you and provides an impressive panoramic view of the fascinating green volcano landscape. The savanna shimmers in the distance and the view of the gigantic Kilimanjaro massif is breath-taking. After a snack at the Saddle Hut, you will descent to the Miriakamba Hut. Duration: 12-4h Distance: 19km Ascent: 1000m Descent: 2050m

Day 5 Mount Meru Climb, Momella Gate – Moshi

The fourth day leads comfortably down a forest road. Only the first meters go uphill, and you will cross the seasonal Ash Cone stream. About an hour later you will leave the black ash ground and will be back in the dense rainforest. You need to cross several streams, and you may frequently encounter thirsty buffalos in the morning. The light meadow at the Maio Waterfall is a great spot for a picnic. Some of the trees are 100 meters high, others are entangled with strangler figs with wild aerial roots. You will see the biggest one of them in the last section of the tour. The Fig Tree, which is also called Strangler Fig Tree, reaches a diameter of about 7 meters. When you reach the Momella Gate, you head back to Moshi. On the way through the national park, you will see many zebras, giraffes and warthogs. Duration: 4-5h Distance: 14km Descent: 950m

Day 6 Ralaxing Day in the Lodge

After the the climb to Mount Meru you can enjoy a relaxing day at the Lodge, wash your cloth or take a day tour into the souroundings. We offer city tours, coffee Tours and lots more.

Day 7 Kilimanjaro Tour – Marangu Route – Mandara Hut 2720m

From Moshi, you travel about an hour to the Marangu Gate. After the luggage is stowed away, the ascent beings in the late morning. The trail runs through the rain forest belt that surrounds Kiliminjaro. After approximately three hours, you arrive at the Mandara Hut. There is an option to hike to the Moundi Crater, which is situated close to camp. There is an overnight stay in the mountain huts. Occasionally, based on the size of the group, there is more than one person to a room. Duration: 3-4h Distance: 7km

Day 8 Kilimanjaro Tour – Marangu Route – Horombo Hut 3725m

Through the rainforest, you continue your ascent. The trail continues through increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorlands. Eventually, the trail winds itself through high grass and a view of Kibo appears. After four to five hours of hiking, you arrive at the Horombo Hut in the afternoon. Duration: 5-6h Distance: 11km

Day 9 Kilimanjaro Tour – Marangu Route – Horombo Hut 3725m

One day of rest is necessary at the Horombo Hut for altitude acclimation. Hikers have the day to rest in their mountain huts. There is also an option for a four to five hour day hike through Zebra Rocks to Lava Hill. Lava Hill is placed at the base of the Mawenzi (4550m). The trail to Lava Hill is scattered with beautiful mountain flowers in addition to leading you to a beautiful view of the Saddle. Hikers stay another night at the Horombo
Hut.

Day 10 Kilimanjaro Tour – Marangu Route – Kibo Hut Horombo Hut 3725m – Kibo Hut 4703m

The landscape changes into a volcanic desert. The Glaciers of Kibo are placed in front of you and behind you, the jarring rocks of the Mawenzi. At about 4300 meters, you pass the last water source and make your way across the desert that is scattered with lava stone. After five to six hours, you arrive at the Kibo-hut where you will rest for the night.
Duration: 5-6h Distance:12km

Day 11 Kilimanjaro Tour – Marangu Route – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut

Today is the crucial day! Around midnight you break for the summit. After two hours of hiking in the dark, you arrive at the Hans Meyer cave. The route is very steep and scattered with volcanic ashes and lava rock. Shortly before daybreak you make it to Gilman’s Point (5715m). ). In the east, the sky begins to illuminate until finally the top of the red sun becomes visible. Sunbeams unveil the volcanic landscape: the sun streams illuminate the edge of crater, continue to outline the Ratzel glacier, and highlight the Uhuru Peak (5895m) until finally there is a full view of the highest mountain of Africa: Kilimanjaro. Over the lava fields, you descent to the Horombo hut for an overnight stay. Duration: 12-14h Distance: 21km

Day 12 Kilimanjaro Tour – Marangu Route – Marangu Gate – Moshi

It takes a leisurely walk of five to six hours to arrive at the park gate from the Horombo hut. Have a look back to Kibo, while going down and greeting just arrived mountaineers. From the gate you are returned to Moshi. Duration: 5-6h Distance: 18km Descent: 1860m

Day 13 Departure Day

You will be picked up at the hotel in Moshi and our driver will bring you to the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).