12 Days Mount Meru & Kilimanjaro Trekking

Morning departure to Momela gate together with your mountain guide and crew. Game drives en route through Arusha National Park – continue up to Momela (top) gate where you get ready for the climb.

The first part of the trek is gradual and very rewarding as you begin to climb up through the almost magical forest with its old man’s beard (a kind of thick hanging moss), there’s an abundance of birdlife through this section and it’s great to have the shade of the thick canopy overhead. Picnic lunch at the half way point which has some rewarding views of the low-lying land – altitude is 2,514 meters.

After breakfast, with picnic lunch boxes, proceed slowly leaving the tall forest behind as you break into the low alpine scrub, the track follows small paths up along ridges with great views to the valley floor down below, take lunch at half way point, Altitude is 3570mts.  After a short rest continue up to little Meru and enjoy the views over to Kilimanjaro.

Proceed with your guide as you begin your slow climb to Mt Meru summit altitude is 4566mts. 06.15am is usual time for sunrise so if all goes well you can have 20mins before sunrise and breath in the amazing views as you watch another day begin. In your own time descend back down to Saddle hut, have a well-earned breakfast and relax. Continue down to Miriakamba Hut to relax and freshen up.

After breakfast, continue to make your way down to Momela gate.

Where all successful climbers will receive their summit certificates then have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Arusha National Park and heading back to your hotel in Arusha town for a shower and some rest. Landside adventure and Safaris Ltd vehicle will be waiting to for you at the gate.

After breakfast in Arusha/Moshi hotel, depart to the Rongai Gate near the Kenya border. After registering at the gate, begin your trek to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. During the first day, hike through forests where you may see and hear wildlife. Eat lunch on the trail before continuing to the first camp. Rongai ascends via the less forested northern side of the mountain.

The Rongai Route is one of the least crowded routes on Kilimanjaro because of the long drive to the gate. The Rongai trail is thought to have the best chance of viewing wildlife.

During this day, view Mawenzi Peak ahead while trekking through Kilimanjaro’s moorland. The Rongai route is relatively short and steep, making for shorter hiking times.

This day is an acclimatization day, allowing you to hike in the beginning of the day and rest in the afternoon and evening. The hike is relatively short but steep. The Mawenzi Tarn campsite is situated below Mawenzi Peak and offers stunning views of both Mawenzi and Kibo.

On this day across the lunar landscape of the saddle before arriving at the final camp. Kibo Camp is situated directly below the Kibo cone, giving you views of your final destination-Uhuru Peak.

Wake up around midnight; begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. For the next six hours, hike by the light of your flashlight. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point.

The hike from Gilman’s to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately two hours. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut.

Today we will descend via Marangu gate, where all successful climbers will receive their summit certificates then have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro and heading back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi town