Mount Meru & Mount Kilimanjaro Machame route(10 Days)
Overview
At 4566m, Mount Meru is the fifth highest mountain on the African continent and the second highest in Tanzania. Mt. Meru trek is as an ideal warm-up for Mt. Kilimanjaro due to its altitude acclimatization and hiking distances. This trek is also geared towards hikers that prefer fewer crowds and a challenging ascent. You will climb with an armed ranger due to the wide range of wildlife living on the mountain. On the lower slopes of the mountain, you are more likely to see elephants, giraffes, and buffalo! As you continue their ascents, the trail follows the north rim of the volcano’s crater along a dramatic ridgeline. Throughout the climb, you will sleep in designated huts along the trail. Hikers reach the summit as the sun is rising and have spectacular views of both Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Meru Crater.
Relive ‘Mount Meru 🇹🇿’
The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience.
Relive ‘Mt Kilimanjaro-Machame Route’
Included/Exclude
- 3-night accommodation in Arusha or Moshi town on arrival & after the hike.
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Huts & Camping accommodation
- Experienced and professional mountain guides
- All park fees and rescue fees
- All large-portioned, nutritious food and purified drinking water on the mountain
- Guides, porters and cook salaries
- Pulse Oximeter for daily health check
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters.
- International Flights & Visa & Insurance
- Tips to porters and guides (ranges from 400$-500$)
- Meals while in Arusha or in Moshi town
- Items considered to be non-essential, such as alcohol, beverages, cigarettes, snacks, etc.
- Optional Tours (for example, short safaris after your climb or Moshi day tour, etc.)
- Oxygen tanks (included in luxury tours - can be rented in budget and standard tour)
- Portable toilets (included in standard & luxury tours - can be rented in budget tours)
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
After an early morning breakfast in Moshi town, you will be picked up from your hotel and brought to the Momella Gate in Arusha National Park. At this time, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA).
You will then begin your ascent in Arusha NP. The first day of hiking is similar to a walking safari; you should expect to see giraffes, zebras, antelope, buffalo, and potentially elephants near the trail. Due to the high possibility of spotting wildlife, an armed ranger, hired through the National Park, is required to hike with our team for the duration of the hike.
As you continue hiking, you will pass the Ngarenanyuki River and a beautiful waterfall at the base of Mt. Meru. Upon arriving at Miriakamba Hut (2500m), your chef will prepare a hot dinner and washing water for you. Enjoy the beautiful sunset and a memorable night in nature!
Duration: 5-7 hours of hiking
After breakfast, you will start ascending up the steep trail along the ridge of the saddle where you may see various wildlife along the way! The trail has views of Mt. Meru Crater and the Ash Tray. When you arrive at camp, you have the option of hiking Little Mt. Meru (3820m) with your guide to further acclimate. You will be served an early dinner, so you can receive ample rest before your midnight summit attempt. Please get to sleep as early as possible.
Duration: 3-5 hours of hiking
Your guide will wake you at 00:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt at 1:30 am. The trail starts off on a steep grade to Rhino Point (3800m) to Cobra Point (4350m). The last hour of the hike you will step on a rocky ridge between the crater and inner cliffs of Meru. You will reach the summit of Meru (4565m) at sunrise with spectacular views of Mt. Meru Ash Tray and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Enjoy your views then descend to Saddle Hut for a short break. Miriakamba Hut (2500m) is the place after your descent for dinner and overnight.
Duration: 10-12 hours of hiking
After a long rest and breakfast, we will begin our final descent to Momella gate where we pass through forest and meadows to spot wildlife. At the base of Mt. Meru, you will be greeted by Africa Outdoors team who will take you back to Moshi for true rest and celebration!
Duration: 2-3 hours of hiking
Departing from Moshi town, we will take a 45-minute drive to Machame Gate located at 1811/5942ft. When finishing the registration and hot lunch, we will start the walk through the lush rainforest which will take us 4 to 6 hours. Soon when arriving at Machame Hut, you will sign your name in the camp tracking book and spend the first night in nature.
Elevation: 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft
Distance: 11km/6.8mile
Starting to climb from Shira plateau, our first walk will be a bit steep and the naked heathers at this altitude provide little shade from the heat. The path after lunchtime will be dusty so using gaiters will be a good choice. In spite of all the difficulties this route may bring, by taking it slowly, resting frequently and wholeheartedly enjoying en-route views that encompass Kibo Meru and all points down the foothills of the mountain. The route later will turn west onto a deep river gorge until we arrive at Shira One campsite.
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5.3km/3.3mile
Altitude gained: 818m
Walking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
We’ll start early in the morning and trek towards the west of the Southern slopes of Kibo through the dry terrain of the Shira Plateau. The trek will cover 10.75km which will take us to the amazing Barranco Valley. 147m gain might surprise you, you end your day at the almost same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 10.75km/6.7mile
Walking Time: 7-10 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
•Distance: 9km
•Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning (midnight up to 2 am), we depart to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head into northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and the reward will be one of the most magnificent sunrises you have ever seen in your life. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak at 5895m, you reach the top of Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world and the peak of Africa!
As soon as from Uhuru peak, we begin our descent by continuing straight down to Barafu Camp where we will have maximum 1 hour to rest. We will then continue the trek down to Millenium Camp at 3827m where we will camp and overnight.
Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft (Baranfu Camp) up to 5745m/18848ft (Stella Point) up to 55895/19341ft (Uhuru Peak) down to 3827m/12556ft (Millenium Camp)
Duration: 13 – 15 hours
Ascent distance: 4.86km/3mile – Altitude gained: 1233m/0.7mile
Descent distance: 11.5km/7.1mile – Altitude lost: 2789m/1.7mile
Habitat: ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
We’ll start early in the morning and trek down through the dusty path into the beautiful rainforest that will take us to Mweka Gate. The walk today will take you 5 to 6 hours. At the gate, we’ll have a picnic lunch, songs from your team and certificate presentation before driving to the hotel where you’ll have dinner and overnight.
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6.2mile
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch
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