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Mount Meru and Mt
Kilimanjaro climb Machame route 12 days climbing
Mt Meru is a real gem of a mountain and is often ignored by trekkers who
only seem intent on climbing Kili. Meru is the second highest mountain in
Tanzania at 4,565 m. There are great views down to the subsidiary cinder
cone on the crater floor and of course across to Kilimanjaro for the next
climb.
Combining trekking to the summits
of the Africa's continent's highest and fifth highest peaks. Starting
with the beautiful ascent of Mt. Meru - an exceptional crater rim roller
- coaster warm up and acclimatization trek for the big one - Mount Kilimanjaro
on Machame route.
Day 1: Nairobi
- Moshi
Board Riverside shuttle bus from Nairobi at 0800 hrs and proceed to Namanga
Border for formalities then to Arusha arriving at 1300hrs. Depart for
Moshi at 1400hrs arriving at 1530hrs. Dinner and overnight at a hotel
in Moshi or (Pick up from Kilimanajaro airport and transfer to hotel in
Moshi)
Day 2: Momella
Gate to Miriakamba
Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut (10km, 4-5 hours, 700 metres approx. ascent)
Transfer to the Arusha National Park. This consists of two main areas,
the Ngurdoto Crater and Momella Lakes on the east side, and Mt Meru in
the west, joined by a narrow strip of land. Momella Gate (2100m), the
start of the trek, is in this strip. At the park gate you undergo all
the various formalities of signing in, handing over your park fees and
hitching up with the armed guide. Have your binoculars ready on your walk
from Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut today there is potentially alot of
wildlife viewing: Buffalo, waterbuck, gazelles, zebra and a few elephant.
Bird life too is excellent. Two routes are available from Momella gate.
The first is a track that goes through the forest towards the crater floor,
and then steeply up to Miriakamba Hut with a possible diversion onto the
crater floor. The second is a path that climbs gradually through the grassland,
along the lower section of the northern spur of the crater, direct to
the hut. The hut is a basic timber structure in a very picturesque setting
set amongst the Hagiena - Rose wood trees with views heading up Meru.
Miriakamba Hut (2514 metres) consists of two large bunkhouses each with
room for about 40 people. They contain bunk beds (most with mattresses)
and a separate room to be used as a kitchen, although no cooking equipment
is provided your cook will bring it in. There are toilets, and a good
supply of water.
Day 3: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut (4 km, 2-3 hours, 1050 metres ascent) The
path climbs steeply up between the trees reaching Topela Mbogo (Buffalo
swamp) after 45 minutes and Mgongo Wa Tembo (Elephant ridge) after another
half an hour. There is a story that elephants slide down through the grasses
and heathers directly down from the crater rim to the floor below, this
may sound far fetched, but you do sometimes find their "shutes"
of parted vegetation dropping improbably steeply into the crater. From
the top of Elephant ridge there are great views down into the crater and
up to the main cliffs below the summit. Continue up the path to Saddle
Hut on a wide col between the slopes of Meru and the smaller peak of Little
Meru.
Saddle Hut: (3750 m) Consists of an old metal hut, used by the caretaker,
and a newer bunkhouse similar to the ones at Miriakamba. There is a toilet
and water is available from a stream 10 minutes away.
Day 4: Saddle Hut to Meru Summit and Return to Moshi.
Saddle Hut to Meru Summit and Return to Moshi. (5 km, 4-5 hours, 1000
metres ascent, plus 5 hours, 2500 metres descent). A big day! Leave Saddle
Hut very early in the morning aiming to reach the summit in time to see
the sun rising from behind Kilimanjaro. The walk up to the summit, along
a very narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall to the crater and the
sheer cliffs of the inner wall, is not for the faint hearted. If the sunrise
is your main point of interest, there's no need to go to the top. It's
just as impressive from Rhino point (about an hour from Saddle Hut), or
ever more so because you also see the main cliffs of the inner wall of
the crater slowly being illuminated by the rising sun. Even though it
can be below freezing just before dawn, as soon as the sun comes up the
going becomes hot and hard. However during the rainy season, ice and snow
can occur on this section of the route. From Rhino Point the path drops
slightly then rises again to climb steeply round the edge of the rim over
ash scree and bare rock patches. Continue for three to four hours to reach
the summit (4566 metres). To the west, if it's clear, you can see towards
the Rift Valley, and the volcanoes of Kitumbeini and Lengai, while down
below you can see the town of Arusha, and the plains of the Maasai Steppe
beyond. To descend from the summit, we retrace the route round the rim,
back to Saddle Hut (two to three hours) and then drop down to the Momella
gate where we are collected and transferred back to Hotel in Moshi. Dinner
at Hotel.
Day 5: Moshi Hotel
Rest Day at your hotel, Spend a relaxing day by the pool or have a stroll
around. A walk to this small town with view of the mountain is as good
as it reveals. Dinner at hotel.
Day 6: Machame Route
Kilimanjaro. Hopefully now you have some acclimatization. After breakfast
we undertake a 45 min drive through to Machame village and then on to
the National Park Gate to hand over your Park fees (unless already requested
at the hotel). Park formalities dispensed with, it is about 5 hours walking
today. Porters will be seen arranging their packs containing food, water,
firewood and other equipment. Make sure you have all your day pack items
with you because the porters travel fast and you probably won't see them
again before the evening! The guides will assist with any additional information
that you need. From the park gate there is a wonderful walk up through
the rain forest on a winding trail to the first hut which is located at
3048 m. Continue onto the Machame hut. Where we make camp, rest, enjoy
our dinner and overnight (3100 m).
Day 7: Shira Hut
After breakfast we leave the
last of the Rain Forest behind and ascend, walking along a steep rocky
ridge, covered with heather to the ridge end. We then turn west into a
river gorge and onto the Shira Hut camp site, dinner and camp.(3840m,
about 4 hours walking).
Day 8: Barraco Hut
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the East then our direction changes
to South East towards the lava tower, called 'The Sharks Tooth' and shortly
after the tower we come to junction which brings us up below the arrow
glacier. We reach an altitude of 4876 m. But to aid acclimatization we
now continue down to the Barranco hut at an altitude of (3950 m) here
we rest, dine and camp. (About 6 hours walking)
Day 9: Barafu Hut
After breakfast we leave the Barranco hut and continue on a steep ridge
passing the Barranco wall and walk through the Karanga valley past the
junction which connects with the Mweka trail. We continue to the Barafu
hut which is located at an altitude of (4600 m) here we make camp. Rest
enjoy dinner and overnight. (About 8 hours walking)
Day 10: Uhuru Peak
Top Out!! (about 11 hours walking, the hardest day) Early morning start
to make the most of walking steeply over frozen volcanic screes. And to
get you to the summit for the sunrise; we continue our ascent to Stella
Point (5745 m) between the Rebmann and Ratzal glaciers. The last section
before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and ski poles or an ice-axe
is useful for balance. We then skirt around the broad crater rim on our
way to the summit (Uhuru Peak 5895 m, this part of the climb takes about
6 hours) We have now reached the highest point in Africa, giving fine
views of Kilimanjaro's crater, its stepped glaciers and Mount Meru. Mount
Kenya may appear as a black pimple far to the north. From the summit we
now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka hut camp site
(3100 m). This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. Later in the evening
we have our last dinner on the mountain and a well earned sleep.
Day 11: Mweka Gate - Moshi
After breakfast continue the descent down to the Mweka Park gate, rendezvous
with vehicle and then drive back to Moshi and transfer to the hotel. Night
and celebratory evening meal at the hotel in Moshi.
Day 12: Moshi - Nairobi
After Breakfast or lunch ( depending on the time of flight departure)
transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure or board our
Riverside shuttle bus to Nairobi.
Extra day to Acclimatize Shira
Hut @ US$127 per person.
Cost includes:
-Shuttle transfer Nairobi-Arusha And Moshi Nairobi
- Transfers from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport and return.
- First and last night accommodation before Mt. Meru/Machame Climb
and 1 after the climb.
- Transfers from the hotel to National Park Gate and back
- Climbing fees (Park Fees)
- Porters and guide/s
- Cook, All meals while on the mountain,
- Climb, Hut, Rescue fees.
Cost does not include:
Climbing gear, sleeping bags, tent/s, items of
personal nature, laundry, tips and gratuities, mineral water, drinks
(soft or hard), visas, travel insurance.
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