Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru Trekking Routes
Group Departure / Private Departures Are Available
Tour Duration
Tour Type
Price per Person - Based on 2 Pax
Embark on an exhilarating trekking journey to Mt. Meru, Tanzania’s most exciting peak, and Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain on Earth.
To prepare for the high altitudes of Kilimanjaro, we begin our adventure with the ascent of Mt. Meru (4,566 m). Towering over Arusha National Park, this stunning peak features dramatic cliffs and diverse landscapes. The trek to the summit is more technically demanding than the Machame Route on Kilimanjaro, leading you through lush rainforests, a vast heather zone, and ever-changing volcanic terrain. The final push to the summit follows a narrow, rugged ridge, offering spectacular views of the Ash Cone and Kilimanjaro in the distance.
After a rest day in Arusha, we take on the Machame Route, a six-day camping trek known for its diverse scenery and breathtaking landscapes. The journey traverses grasslands, tropical rainforests, alpine meadows, moorland, and barren alpine deserts before reaching the icy summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)—the highest point in Africa.
This challenging expedition is designed for experienced high-altitude trekkers who are physically fit, sure-footed, and accustomed to mountain terrain.
At Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, we prioritize proper acclimatization to enhance your safety and summit success rate. While Kilimanjaro can technically be climbed in fewer days, experience proves that gradual ascent reduces the risk of altitude sickness and increases the chances of reaching the summit successfully.
Join us for the ultimate trekking challenge—an adventure of a lifetime!
Why this itinerary?
“For those that can’t bear sleeping in a tent or during the wettest months, the Marangu route remains a good choice. It is, however, very busy and does not see as much of the mountain as western routes.”
Highlights
“Kilimanjaro: afro-montane forest, Mawenzi, glacial valleys and alpine desert, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit. Glaciers and the roof of Africa! ”
You will be met by our driver at Kilimanjaro Airport and then driven to your reserved hotel in Arusha. The drive takes about an hour and with a little luck you will get a glimpse of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. After checking in, your guide will give you a brief briefing about your booked trip and then look through your equipment. You have the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening you will be invited by your guide to the welcome dinner. Overnight at Mtoni River Lodge or similar category (D).
On the second day in Arusha (1,400m) you will be able to relax a little from the long journey, prepare for the upcoming trekking tour and get a little insight into the exciting and rich culture of Tanzania. You will be picked up after breakfast for a half-day sightseeing tour. First experience the hustle and bustle of the local market in Arusha, and then be driven to the Art Gallery (Cultural Heritage Gallery), a unique cultural center on the outskirts of Arusha. Here you have enough time to look at handicrafts from all over Africa. If you are interested, there is also the opportunity to purchase handicrafts. In the afternoon you will be driven back to the hotel after an extensive exploration of the gallery and can relax for the rest of the day and prepare for the trek. Overnight at Hotel Mtoni River Lodge or similar category (B).
Early morning departure to Momella Gate of Arusha National Park (1,500 m). After the formalities for entering the park, we begin our hike, led by a park ranger, who will accompany us for our safety. The route runs through open grasslands and offers the chance to see buffalo, warthogs and other wildlife. The path continues as a steady ascent through a dense jungle. We have lunch near a giant fig tree (Fig Tree Arch). Our hike continues through less dense forests, in which there are many birds and black and white colobus monkeys. In the late afternoon, weather permitting, we can see towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. We reach the Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m) in time, which is located in an idyllic grass clearing, to enjoy the last afternoon sun and a wonderful view over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro. Overnight in the Miriakamba Hut (B|L|D).
The walk from the Miriakamba Hut to the Saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep climb. We slowly ascend through lush mountain forests and reach the “Elephant Ridge” halfway through the hike. From here we enjoy an excellent view of the summit ridge and the crater floor. The path continues through giant heathers and other fascinating moor vegetation to Saddle-Hut (3,570 m), where lunch will be served. Because of the ascent, we’re going to bed early today. Overnight in the Saddle Hut (B|L|D).
We start early at around 2 a.m. and climb steeply to Rhino Point (3,800 m). From here the path becomes demanding and requires full concentration and sure-footedness. At sunrise we reach a wavy ridge of ash and rocks and reach Cobra Point (4,350 m). The view is breathtaking: the cliffs of the crater rim, the ash cone protruding from the crater floor, Mount Kilimanjaro seems to float on the morning clouds, and when the weather is clear you can see to the west as far as the Rift Valley. The summit of ‘Socialist Peak’ (4,566 m) is an hour further on a good but steep path that can be slippery at times. After a few nice photos at the summit, we head back to Saddle Hut. The descent to Rhino Point in the morning light on a narrow ridge will have a different charm than on the way there. After a tasty breakfast we hike back to the Miriakamba Hut. Overnight in the Miriakamba Hut (B|L|D
We take the direct route through open grassland and mixed forest with a good chance of spotting wild animals. This trail offers excellent views back to the crater and across the plains of the national park. We should get to Momella Gate in the late morning. At the gate we will say goodbye to our great crew and will be driven back to Arusha. Overnight at Hotel Chanya Lodge or similar category (B).
Today is a day for relaxation before the second part of the trekking tour continues to Kilimanjaro. You can relax by the swimming pool, do your laundry and prepare for the next adventure of the trip. Overnight at Hotel Chanya Lodge or similar category (B).
After breakfast we will be driven together with the crew to the entrance gate of Kilimanjaro National Park, to the Machame Gate. While our guide is busy with the registration forms, we can watch our mountain team / crew prepare for the ascent and pack their bags. As soon as the registration is done and the team is prepared, our Kilimanjaro adventure begins. In a very short time we are deep in the beautiful rainforest with old trees, ancient ferns, lianas, lichens and mosses that gently cover the ground and hang down from the trees. With a bit of luck you will even be able to admire the beautiful black and white Colobus monkeys in the treetops. After 5 to 6 hours we reach today’s destination – the Machame Camp, which is located just above the tree line at 3,010 m. Here, at the foot of Kilimanjaro, we have our first dinner, followed by an overnight stay in tents. Overnight at Machame Camp (B|L|D).
We continue our hike in the early morning, the path becomes steeper and the landscape turns into moorland and heatherland. The open landscape allows us to see the impressive mountain ridge of Kilimanjaro. Today’s hike is shorter than the day before and we will arrive at New Shira Camp in the late afternoon. The camp offers a breathtaking view of the mountains and during sunset the evening sun illuminates the rock face and the glacier of the Kibo. Kilimanjaro was formed as a result of the active continental rifts and consists of three volcanic cones, the Shira / Shira Ridge (3,962 m), the Mawenzi (5,148 m) and the Kibo (5,895 m). It is believed that the first volcanic activity began around 1 million years ago. Overnight at Shira Camp (B|L|D).
Today we will ascend about 800 meters, but camp at an altitude that is only slightly higher than last night. This allows the body to acclimate better. The hike begins with a long ascent over the Shira plateau towards the lava tower (4,640 m). The vegetation becomes sparse, the landscape turns into an Afro-Alpine desert. The route takes us through the extensive Barranco Valley with its enchanting lobelia and huge Senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours we reach the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp with its dreamy backdrop down into the plains and up to the summit of Kibo (5,895 m). Overnight at Barranco Camp (B|L|D).
Today’s route begins with the ascent to the “Barranco Wall”. Mindfulness and sure-footedness are paramount and your guides will help you if necessary. We follow the ridge with several ascents and descents, and can enjoy the wonderful view of the south glacier of the Kibo. We will have lunch in the Karanga Valley, followed by a 2 to 3 hour climb to Barafu Camp (4,640m). Here we can relax and have dinner very early, at 5:00 p.m., and go to sleep around 7:00 p.m. The ascent to the summit starts at midnight, so it is important that we recover well beforehand. Overnight at Barafu Camp (B|L|D).
After a hot tea and a light snack, the ascent begins around midnight. Warmly dressed and with the light of our headlamps, we climb the scree slopes of the Kibo. It’s steep and uphill in serpentines. After a 5 to 7 hour ascent in the dark we reach Stella Point (5,756 m), the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. From here strong wind and cold can be expected. Another 1 to 2 hours ascent along the crater ridge leads us to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Here we see Kilimanjaro in all its glory and enjoy the 360 ° view over the landscape at sunrise. You are now on the “roof of Africa”. The comparatively easy but long descent is almost on the same route. The temperatures now change from minus degrees to high plus degrees. Shortly before noon we should arrive at the Barafu Camp, where the cook is waiting for us with tasty dishes. After a warm meal and a well-deserved break of about 1 to 2 hours, we make our way to Millenium Camp (3,820 m), where dinner await us. Overnight at Millenium Camp (B|L|D).
The last stage of our impressive adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from our mountain team. Then it goes gently downhill for 2 to 3 hours through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where our driver is waiting for us. He brings us back to our hotel in Moshi. After a wonderfully warm shower, you can relax by the hotel pool for the rest of the day. Overnight at the Hotel Chanya Lodge (B).
Free time until departure. Our driver will pick you up from the hotel according to your flight details and drive you to the airport (B).
We reserve the right to make changes to the program due to special events, force majeure or weather reasons.
Legends: B = breakfast | L = lunch | D = dinner
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A 9 day ascent to the roof of Africa. Starting at Lemosho on the Western side and traversing across the most spectacular parts of the mountain,
The shira route is a little used trail that begins near shira ridge. It is nearly identical to the lemosho.
An 8 day ascent to the roof of Africa. Starting at Lemosho on the Western side and traversing across …
