Without a doubt acclimatisation is the key and by climbing Mount Meru first and then by following one of the longer routes up Kilimanjaro, you dramatically increase your chances of success. Throughout the trip you will have an English-language speaking guide, as well as cooks and porters who will help carry up to 15kg of your luggage to lighten your load.
At Glance :
Arrival In Arusha : Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. On arrival in Tanzania we will transfer roughly 1 hour to your hotel in Arusha. You`ll have a short time to freshen up, and then have a briefing. Your guide will give you a briefing and ensure that you have all the gear/kits required for the trip. If you are missing essential equipment it can be rented for very cheap prices.
Our briefings will give you a clear view of the days to come from your personal guide and CEO, also you will be told your exact crew numbers and make up as well as get a chance to ask any questions.
Malkia Trees Lodge (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
Transfer to Mount Meru Gate. Trek to Miriakamba Hut (2470m). : After breakfast we make the 2 hour drive to the park gate. It will take an hour or so to organise our porters' loads and register with the Park Authorities, then we start our walk up to Miriakamba Hut. Unlike the Kilimanjaro climb where we will be camping, our accommodation on Meru will be in the relative luxury of wooden mountain huts. Our trekking starts in grassland and then climbing gradually into the rainforest. We may see giraffe and zebra along the way. Miriakamba Hut is situated at 2470m in a clearing with shy spider monkeys sometimes venturing close to the huts to who has arrived.
Dinner and overnight in Miriakamba Hut (2470m).
All meals included.
Trek through the rainforest to Saddle Hut (3570m). : We continue on a steep track up to Saddle Hut (3,600m). The interesting geology of the area is reflected in the impressive view of the ash cone and the 1,500m cliff face leading to the summit of Mt. Meru. This afternoon, you have the option of climbing Little Meru to help with acclimatisation (and to enjoy the marvelous views!)
Dinner and overnight at Saddle Hut (3570m).
All meals included.
Sunrise ascent of Mount Meru (4566m). Return to Mirikamba Hut (2470m). : The morning wake-up call is at 2 am and after a quick bite to eat we start the walk to the summit by the light of our head torches, with the aim of watching the sunrise over Kilimanjaro and the African plains from the top. After about an hour we reach Rhino Point, from where there are great views across to Kili and down to the base of the ash cone. From Rhino Point there is a short scramble across rocks on to the crater rim. Now, the path follows the ridge of the crater rim, somewhat exposed in places and very exciting. If the weather is clear, the views on this section of the climb are absolutely stunning. We should reach the summit (4566m) at about 7am, just as the rising sun is turning the remaining snows on Kilimanjaro a surreal pink colour. We take some time out to enjoy the sunshine on the summit and then begin the long descent to Miriakamba Hut. A long, but brilliant day, and excellent preparation for the bigger climb to come.
Dinner and overnight at Mirikamba Hut (2470m).
All meals included.
Trek to park gate & Transfer to Moshi Town : We descend to the Park Gate where we collect our certificates confirming that we successfully ascended "Socialist Peak", the name the Tanzanian Government still officially gives to Mount Meru. We then transfer back to our overnight hotel in Moshi town for a well-deserved shower, beer, and a re-pack before our Kilimanjaro climb.
Salinero Hotel - Kilimajaro (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
Rest Day : Today is your rest day, and you're going to need the break as you prepare for your much more technically difficult Mount Kilimanjaro trek. Get your gear cleaned and sorted out while the support team gets everything ready for the next leg of your journey. During your time at your selected Hotel, why not take a day trip to chemka hotsprings for the chance to soak in the natural hot spring water.
Alternatively, you can keep your body relaxed at your hotel, preparing your body adequately for the climb to come.
Your guide will give you a briefing on this day and ensure that you have all the gear required for the next part of your climb. If you are missing essential equipment it can be rented for very cheap prices. Our briefings will give you a clear view of the days to come from your personal guide and CEO, also you will be told your exact crew numbers and make up as well as get a chance to ask any questions.
Salinero Hotel - Kilimajaro (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
Moshi – Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m) : We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours; here we will complete entry formalities while guides and porters prepare equipment. We then continue to drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate where we will begin the hike. The trek starts through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Simba CampIn the morning we transfer to Londorossi (2385m), passing between the slopes of Kilimanjaro and the horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater of Mount Meru (a distance of about 120 km). After carrying out the necessary registration procedures, we drive on for a short distance through farmland and plantations to reach the Lemosho road head. The last 5 km of the road to the park gate is of poor quality, particularly after rain, and the drive there should be considered part of the adventure.
We will have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest, this area has a variety of game including buffalo.
Lemosho Big Tree Camp (2780 m) Full-Service Camping.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Big Tree Camp (2,650 m) to Shira One Camp (3,609 m) : Today You Will Trek Across A Plateau Of Grassy Moorland And Heather Scattered With Volcanic Rock Formations. Our Destination For Today Is The Shira 1 Camp From Where There Are Often Views Of Kibo Peak Floating On The Clouds. We Gain A Reasonable Amount Of Altitude Today And Parts Of The Route Are Fairly Steep.
Shira One Camp (3609 m) Full-Service Camping.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Shira One Camp (3,609 m) to Shira Two Camp (3,849 m) : Today You Will Get The Chance To View The Northern Ice Fields From The Western Side Of The Mountain With Some Unusual Views Of Kibo. Our Steady Climb Across The Moorland Of The Shira Plateau Will Help With Acclimatization And We Enjoy Great Panoramic Views. Our Destination Today Is The Shira 2 Camp. In The Afternoon You Will Take An Acclimatization Walk Then Head Back To Camp For Dinner And Overnight.
Shira Two Camp (3,849 m) Full-Service Camping.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Shira Two Camp (3,849 m) to Barranco Hut (3,948 m) : Your Trek Starts With An Ascent With Far-Reaching Panoramic Views, Walking In To The Climatic Zone Of The Upland Desert And On The Lava Ridges Beneath The Glaciers Of The Western Breach. You Will Reach The Distinct Pinnacle Of The Lava Tower (4640 M), Our High Point For The Day And A Great Place To Enjoy Your Lunch. In The Afternoon We Make A Steep Descent To Our Camp For The Night, Located In The Base Of The Great Barranco Valley (3960 M), Sheltered By Towering Cliffs But With Extensive Views Of The Plains Below.
Barranco Hut (3,948 m) Full-Service Camping.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Barranco Hut (3,900 m) to Karanga Valley (3,963 m) : 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.
Karanga Valley (3,963 m) Full-Service Camping.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Karanga Valley (3,963 m) to Barafu Hut (4,600 m) : 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.
Barafu Hut (4,600 m) Full-Service Camping.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Barafu Camp (4,600m) to The Summit (5,896 m) and then to Mweka Camp (3,100 m) : 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 Mweka Camp For A Long Well-Earned Rest.
Mweka Camp (3,100 m) Full-Service Camping.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Mweka Hut (3,100 m) to Mweka Gate (1,828 m) Back To Your Hotel : A Gentle Trek Takes Us Down Through The Rainforest 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 Hot Welcome Shower.
At evening you will have a safari briefing from your driver/guide.
Salinero Hotel - Kilimajaro (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
We always strive to exceed your expectations in every single way—and have a pretty decent track record to prove it. See what some of our recent guests have to say...
- 5/5 Stars Rated On
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I have experienced so many moments where I was able to experience those uniqueness with the animals completely alone as no one spotted them. He even changed our itinerary for the best serengetti experience....See u in March.
Jessy - Madrid, Spain
Baraka from Bantu pori journeys provided a very responsive, personal and bespoke service which in turn led to a perfect trip, that was without fault! From our equipment’s and tents, safari jeep all the way up to our guides,
Karen - Atlanta, USA
Good morning. I’m back from an amazing 13 days Tanzania adventure climbing Kilimanjaro & camping in the Serengeti savanna with a great group, wonderful guides and fantastic porters!
Paul - Seatle W, USA