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Trip
information;
Mount Meru:
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 Lemosho route
Kilimanjaro Lemosho
Route
The Lemosho Route is an unspoiled, remote,
little-used, and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau.
Above the plateau, you approach Kilimanjaro’s great
western Breach, then follow the south circuit to reach
the easier Barafu Route. This is one of the few routes
where an armed ranger accompanies our groups, since
there are still animals in the forest around the Lemosho
Glades.
Important:
We recommend you
to bring gears like; smaller personal backpack, thick
hiking socks, windproof/waterproof pants and jacket,
heavy gloves, heavy winter jacket, water bottles,
gaiters (covers top of boots and bottom of pants),
hiking boots, larger backpack for clothes, cold weather
sleeping bags, safari style hat protecting face and neck
from sun, headlamp style flashlight, camera of course,
dried fruit and energy bars, sun block, malaria pills,
water purification tablets, inflatable pillows, your
regular clothes.
Note:
We do not
place groups together. This way you are ensured the full
attention of our guide, but with the added knowledge of
our guides’ experiences. It also means that we can start
the climb on the day you prefer
Mount Meru
Itinerary:
Duration: 3, 4, or 5 days trekking
from Arusha
Length: 46 km/29 mi round trip
Elevation: 3,065 m/10,056 ft Momella Gate (1,500
m/4,921 ft) to Mount Meru (4,565 m/14,977 ft) and return
Day 1: Arrival Day:
Arrive at the
Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at
the Airport and transferred to the hotel in Arusha for
your overnight and briefing by our mountain guide
Day 2: Arusha to Momalla Gate
Elevation(m): (1,387 m to (1,500 m)
Elevation(ft): 4,921 ft) to 3,000 ft )
Distance:
10 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Montane
Forest.
Transfer from Arusha town to Arusha
National Park, check in with park personnel and in the
late morning, walk under the Momella Gate to begin your
trek. You soon pass some open grassland where you can
view buffalo, warthogs, and elephants. Then, you
continue a steady climb through montane forest. You can
pause for your lunch at the famous Fig Tree. After lunch
you, continue through less dense forest, where you can
see birds and monkeys, including the black and white
Colobus. By mid afternoon, you have closer views of
Meru’s towering cliffs and Ash Cone. The Miriakamba Huts
are situated in anidyllic grassy glade, and you will
reach it in time to enjoy the afternoon sun and
beautiful views over the surrounding plains between Meru
and Kilimanjaro. If you are lucky, a giraffe may walk
through camp.
Day 3: Miriakamba Huts to
Saddle Huts
Elevation (m): 2,514 m to 3,570 m
Elevation(ft): 8,250 ft to 11,712 ft
Distance: 8
km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitat: Forest and
Moorland.
It is often clear in the morning, so
if you want a view of Kilimanjaro, get up early. From
the Miriakamba Huts, you climb steeply to the crater
rim, which is called Elephant Ridge at this point. Then,
you follow a steep path through attractive open lush
Montane Forest to reach the giant heather in the
Moorland near the saddle between Little Meru and Meru. A
hot lunch will be ready for you when you arrive at the
Saddle Huts. Your afternoon is free to rest and enjoy
the views, but energetic trekkers can make the short
climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820
m/12,533 ft) or superb views just before sunset.
Day 4: Summit Day! Saddle Huts to Mount Meru
Summit to Miriakamba Huts
Elevation(m): 3,570 m
to 4,565m to 2,514m
Elevation(ft): 14,977ft to
11,712 ft to 8,250ft
Distance: 5 km up 13 km down
Hiking Time: 10 - 12 hours
Habitat: Alpine
Desert Moorland and Montane forest.
Start early
at 2 AM and climb steeply for an hour to Phino Point
(3,800m/ 12,467ft). In icy conditions or in strong winds
it may be unreasonable to progress beyond Rhino Point
but sunrise from hereis equally as spectacular as from
Cobra Point. If the weather is fine, descend slightly
and continue along or near a rough undulating ridge of
ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350 m/14,271 ft)
near sunrise. The stunning views include the cliffs of
the crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the crater
floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, and
the Rift Valley. Hike for another hour on a superb but
often steep path into the unfolding day to reach the
summit of Meru. The view rom the top of this steep-sided
peak can make you feel quite unique and suspended. Your
hike back to Rhino Point in the still sharp morning
light between the crater’s sloping outer wall and sheer
cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and
exhilarating walks in Africa. Enjoy brunch and a
well-earned rest at the Saddle Huts before continuing
your descent to the Miriakamba Huts where you will spend
the night if you are on the 4-day itinerary. If you are
on a 3-day itinerary, you will descend all the way to
Momella Gate on Day 3.
Day 5: Miriakamba Huts
to Momella Gate to Arusha
Elevation (m): 2,514 m
to 1,500 m to 1,387 m
Elevation (ft): 4,921 ft to
8,250 ft to 4,921ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time:
2-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Taking a
slightly different route, make a fast descent through
open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of
seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back
toward the crater and over the plains of the national
park. You will reach Momella Gate by late morning.
Remember to tip your guides and porters, since you will
be leaving them here. A vehicle will take you back to
the Hotel in arusha where it is definitely time for
celebration
Day 6: Rest Day
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 and overnight at hotel.
Duration: 8 days trekking; 6 and a half days
ascending, 1 and a half days descending
Lenght: 98
km/61 mi total; 60 km/37 mi ascent; 38 km/24 mi descent
Elevation(m): 4,065 m to 3,915 m descent Londorossi
Gate 2,250 m to Uhuru Peak 5,895 m and descent to Mweka
Gate 1,980m
Elevation(ft): 13,340 ft /12,840 ft
descent Londorossi Gate 7,380 ft to Uhuru Peak 19,340 ft
and descent to Mweka Gate 6,500ft
Lemosho
Itinerary:
Arrival Day:
Arrive at
the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met
at the Airport and transferred to the hotel in
Arusha/Moshi for your overnight and briefing by our
mountain guide
Day 1: Moshi/Arusha to
Londorossi Gate to Lemosho Glades to Mkubwa Camp
Elevation(m):915 m/1387 to 2,250 m to 2,000 m to
2,750 m
Elevation(ft): 3,000 ft/4921ft to 7,380 ft
to 6,560 ft to 9,020 ft
Distance: 18 km,
Hiking
Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Drive from Moshi or Arusha to the Londorossi
Park Gate. From here follow a forest track in a 4WD
vehicle for about 11 km/7 mi (45 minutes) to Lemosho
Glades and a possible campsite. From the
Glades,
walk for 3 hours along beautiful forest trails to the
Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
Day 2: Mkubwa
Camp to Shira Camp 1
Elevatoin(m): 2,750 m to
3,500 m
Elevation(ft): 9,020 ft to 11,485 ft
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Semi-Desert
The trail gradually
steepens, enters the giant heather moorland zone, then
crosses the Shira Ridge at 3,600 m/11,810 ft and drops
gently to Shira Camp 1 located by a stream on the Shira
Plateau.
Day 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira
Camp 2
Elevation(m): 3,500 m to 3,840 m
Elevation(ft): 11,485 ft to 12,600 ft
Distance:
6 km,
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Habitat: Alpine
Desert
A gentle walk across the plateau leads to
shira camp 2 on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety
of walks are available on the plateau making this an
excellent acclimatization day.
Day 4: Shira
Camp 2 to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation(m): 3,840 m to 4,630 m to 3,950 m
Elevation(ft): 12,600 ft to 15,190 ft to 12,960 ft
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Habitat: Semi-Desert
After breakfast, you
will hike east up a steepening path above the highest
vegetation toward Kilimanjaro’s looming mass. After
several hours, you walk through a rocky landscape to
reach the prominent landmark called Lava Tower at 4,630
m/15,190 ft. This chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro’s
earlier volcanic activity is several hundred feet high,
and the trail passes right below it. For extra credit,
the sure-footed can scramble to the top of the tower.
After a lunch stop near Lava Tower, descend for 2 hours
below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach
Wall to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m/12,960 ft. There are
numerous photo opportunities on this hike, especially if
the walls are festooned with ice. Barranco Camp is in a
valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Walls, which
should provide you with a memorable sunset while you
wait for your dinner. On this day, be careful to notice
any signs of altitude sickness.
Day 5:
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation(m):
3,900 m to 4,200 m
Elevation(ft) : 12,800 ft to
13,780 ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we
continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco Wall,
then you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out
to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the
Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful
Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo’s glaciers soaring
overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley to
the Karanga Valley campsite. From the camp, you can look
east and see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jutting into
the African sky. After a hot lunch in camp, your
afternoon is at leisure for resting or exploring. After
two long days, this short day is very important for your
acclimatization, since your summit push is about to
start.
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation(m): 4,200 m to 4,550 m
Elevation(ft) : 13,780 ft to 14,930 ft
Distance
: 13 km
Hiking Time : 8 hours
Habitat: Alpine
Desert
In the morning, you hike east over
intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route,
which will be your descent route. Turn left toward the
mountain and hike up the ridge through asparse landscape
for another hour to the Barafu Hut where you will
receive a hot lunch. The last water on the route is in
the Karanga Valley; there is no water at Barafu Camp,
even though Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice.” The
famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp
near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be
pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make
sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain
before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your
equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and
drink a lot of fluids. After an early dinner, go to bed
for a few hours of precious sleep.
Day 7 –
Summit Day! Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation(m): 4, 550m to 5,895 m to 3,100 m
Elevation(ft) : 14,930 ft to 19,340 ft to 19,340 ft
Distance: 7 km up, 23 km down
Hiking Time : 8
hours up, 7-8 hours down
Habitat: Scree and seasonal
snow
You will rise around 11:30 PM, and after
some steaming tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the
night. Your 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy
scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella
Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of
the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685
m/18,650 ft) you stop for a short rest and a chance to
see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point you
join the top part of the Marangu Route, but do not stop
here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to
start again due to cold and fatigue. Depending on the
season and recent storms, you may encounter snow on your
remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak. On the
summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that
you are creating a day that you will remember for the
rest of your life. After your 3-hour descent from the
summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned
but short rest, collect your gear, and hike down a rock
and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the
forest to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft). This camp is
in the upper forest, so you can expect mist or rain in
the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be
prepared, and the camp office sells drinking water, soft
drinks, chocolates, and beer!
Day 8: Mweka
Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi/Arusha
Elevation(m):
3,100 m to 1,980 m to 890 m/ 1387 m
Elevation(ft):
10,170 ft to 6,500 ft to 2,920 ft/ 4921ft
Distance:
15 km
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Forest
After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short,
scenic, 3-hour hike back to the park gate. Don’t give
your porters any tips until you and all your gear have
reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your
staff at the gate. At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name
and add details in a register. This is also where
successful climbers receive their summit certificates.
Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green
certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive
gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will
continue down to the Mweka Village, possibly a muddy, 3
km, 1 hour hike if the road is too muddy for vehicles.
In the Mweka Village you will be served a delicious hot
lunch after which you are driven back to Moshi/Arusha
for an overdue hot shower and comfortable night in a
nice hotel.
Arusha/Moshi:
Depart for
the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya.
A trip to the beaches at Zanzibar is a good way to
recuperate. We can arrange many reasonably priced trips
and safaris to the Tanzania Nothern Parks such as trips
to Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake
Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park and to
Arusha National Park. Also we can arrange trips to
Southern Circuit such as trips to Selous game reserve,
Mikumi National Park and Ruaha National Park.
Extra Day for Acclimatization
You can
spend an extra day at Shira Camp 2, Barranco Camp, or
Karanga Camp for acclimatization purposes. If you want
to add this day, and maintain an 8-day itinerary, you
can omit day 3 and walk from Shira Camp 1 to Barranco
Camp.
Note that
If you skip the rest
day, you can visit Mawenzi Tarn on a 6-day itinerary.
Price:
US $2,211per person sharing
(minimum 2pax)
Extra days on the Mountain: US
$195 per person per day
Price Above Includes:
- Transport to and from mountain gates.
-
All parks entry fees.
- All camping fees.
-
Rescue fees.
- Guide and porters fees.
- Guide
and porters salaries.
- All accommodations on the
mountain based on three meals a day.
- Cook and all
kitchen utensils.
Price Above Excludes:
- International and domestic flights (we can
arrange on request)
- Accommodation on the first
night upon your arrival before climb and on the last day
after climb (book with us)
- Airport transfers (book
with us)
- Tips, drinks and all items of personal
nature
- Hard and soft drinks and tips
-
Sleeping bags but we can provide for hire on request.
- All Mountain Gears (we can arrange hire of this)
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