To the Highest Peaks of Tanzania – Mt. Meru & Kilimanjaro Machame Trek

Detailed itinerary

• Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha – briefing and welcome dinner

  You will be met at Kilimanjaro Airport by our driver and then driven to your booked hotel in Arusha. The drive takes around one hour and, with a little luck, you may catch a glimpse of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. After checking in, your guide will give you a short briefing about your booked trip and then go through your equipment. The rest of the day is at your leisure. In the evening you are invited to a welcome dinner by your guide. Overnight at the Mtoni River Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (D).

• Day 2: Sightseeing tour in Arusha and tour preparation in the afternoon

  On the second day in Arusha (1,400 m) you will be able to recover a little from the long journey, prepare for the upcoming trekking tour and get a small insight into the exciting and rich culture of Tanzania. After breakfast you will be picked up for a half-day sightseeing tour. First experience the colourful bustle of the local market in Arusha before being driven on to the Cultural Heritage Gallery, a unique cultural centre on the outskirts of Arusha. Here you will have enough time to browse handicrafts from across Africa. If you are interested, there is also the option to purchase crafts for a fee. In the afternoon, after a thorough exploration of the gallery, you will be driven back to the hotel and can relax for the rest of the day. Overnight at the Hotel Mtoni River Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (B).

• Day 3: Arusha to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m) – 4 to 6 hours of hiking

  Early-morning departure to the Momella Gate of Arusha National Park (1,500 m). After the park entry formalities we begin our hike, accompanied by a park ranger for our safety. The route leads through open grassland and offers the chance to see buffalo, warthogs and other wildlife. The trail continues as a steady ascent through dense primeval forest. We have lunch near a huge fig tree arch. Our walk then continues through less dense forests, home to 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 good time, set in an idyllic grassy clearing, where we can enjoy the last afternoon sun and a beautiful view across the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro. Overnight at the Miriakamba Hut (B|L|D).

• Day 4: Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m) to Saddle Hut (3,570 m) – 4 to 5 hours of hiking

  The path from Miriakamba Hut to the Saddle below Little Meru is a short day, but a steep ascent. We climb slowly through lush mountain forests and, halfway through the hike, reach the “Elephant Ridge”. From here we enjoy an excellent view of the summit ridge and the crater floor. The trail continues through giant heather and other fascinating moorland vegetation to the Saddle Hut (3,570 m), where lunch will be served. Overnight at the Saddle Hut (B|L|D).

• Day 5: Saddle Hut (3,570 m), summit ascent of Socialist Peak (4,566 m) and back to the

  Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m) – 10 to 12 hours
  We start early at around 2 a.m. and climb steeply up to Rhino Point (3,800 m). From here the trail becomes demanding and requires full concentration and sure-footedness. At sunrise we reach an undulating ridge of ash and rock and arrive at Cobra Point (4,350 m). The view is breathtaking: the cliffs of the crater rim, the ash cone rising from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro seeming to float on the morning clouds and, in clear weather, views westwards as far as the Rift Valley. The summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m) lies an hour further on a good but steep trail that can be slippery in places. After a few nice summit photos we head back to the Saddle Hut. The descent to Rhino Point in the morning light along a narrow ridge has a different charm to the way up. After a hearty breakfast we continue down to the Miriakamba Hut. Overnight at the Miriakamba Hut (B|L|D).

• Day 6: Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m) – Hotel in Moshi – approx. 3 hours of hiking and 2 hours of driving

  We take the direct route through open grassland and mixed forest with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail offers an excellent view back to the crater and across the plains of the national park. We should reach the Momella Gate in the late morning. At the gate we say goodbye to our wonderful crew with singing and dancing, and are driven back to Moshi. Overnight at the Hotel Chanya Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (B).

• Day 7: Free day in Moshi – relaxation before the next summit

  Today is a rest day before we continue with the second part of the trekking tour on Kilimanjaro. You can relax by the swimming pool, do your laundry and prepare for the next adventure of the journey. Overnight at the Hotel Chanya Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (B).

• Day 8: Moshi – Machame Gate (1,790 m) – Machame Camp (3,010 m) – 1 hour of driving and approx. 6 hours of hiking

  After breakfast we are driven, together with the crew, to the entrance gate of Kilimanjaro National Park, the Machame Gate. While our guide is busy with the registration formalities, we can watch our mountain team/the crew preparing for the ascent and packing the bags. Once registration is complete and the team is ready, our Kilimanjaro adventure begins. In no time at all we find ourselves deep in magnificent rainforest with ancient trees, primeval ferns, lianas, lichens and mosses that gently cover the ground and hang down from the trees. With a bit of luck you will even spot the beautiful black-and-white colobus monkeys in the treetops. After 5 to 6 hours we reach today’s destination – Machame Camp, set 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).

• Day 9: Machame Camp (3,010 m) to New Shira Camp (3,845 m) – approx. 6 hours of hiking

  We continue our hike in the early morning. The trail now becomes steeper and the landscape changes into moorland and heath. The open scenery lets us take in the impressive mountain ridge of Kilimanjaro. Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day’s, 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 light illuminates the rock face and the glacier of Kibo.
  Kilimanjaro was formed as a result of active continental rifting and consists of three volcanic cones: Shira/Shira Ridge (3,962 m), Mawenzi (5,148 m) and Kibo (5,895 m). The first volcanic activity is thought to have begun around 1 million years ago. Overnight at Shira Camp (B|L|D).

• Day 10: New Shira Camp (3,845 m) – Lava Tower (4,640 m) – Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – approx. 7 hours

  Today we will gain around 800 metres in altitude but camp at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This allows the body to acclimatise better. The hike begins with a long ascent across the Shira Plateau towards the Lava Tower (4,640 m). The vegetation becomes sparser and the landscape transforms into an afro-alpine desert. The route leads us through the wide Barranco Valley with its enchanting lobelias and giant senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours we reach the most beautiful camp on the mountain – Barranco Camp, with its dreamlike backdrop down to the plains and up to the summit of Kibo (5,895 m). Overnight at Barranco Camp (B|L|D).

• Day 11: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m)

  
  Today’s route begins with the ascent of the “Barranco Wall”. Care and sure-footedness are essential, and your guides will assist you wherever needed. We follow the ridge with several ups and downs, and can enjoy the wonderful view of the southern glacier of Kibo. We have lunch in the Karanga Valley, followed by a 2 to 3 hour ascent to Barafu Camp (4,640 m). Here we can relax and will have dinner very early, already at 5:00 p.m., before going to bed around 7:00 p.m. The ascent to the summit begins as early as midnight, so it is important that we rest well beforehand. Overnight at Barafu Camp (B|L|D).

• Day 12: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Millenium Camp (3,820 m) – approx. 12 to 14 hours

  
  After a hot tea and a light snack, the ascent begins around midnight. Warmly dressed and lit by the beams of our headlamps, we climb the scree slopes of Kibo. The trail rises steeply in switchbacks. After 5 to 7 hours of climbing in the dark we reach Stella Point (5,756 m), the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. From here on, strong winds and cold temperatures are to be expected. Another 1 to 2 hours of climbing along the crater rim lead us to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Here we see Kilimanjaro in all its glory and, at sunrise, enjoy the 360° view across the landscape. You are now standing on the “Roof of Africa”. The comparatively easy but long descent follows almost the same route. Temperatures now shift from below zero to high above. Shortly before midday we should arrive at Barafu Camp, where the porters and the cook are waiting for us with tasty dishes. After a warm meal and a well-earned break of about 1 to 2 hours, we set off for Millenium Camp (3,820 m), where dinner and a well-deserved rest await us. Overnight at Millenium Camp (B|L|D).

• Day 13: Millenium Camp (3,820 m) – Mweka Gate (1,630 m) – Moshi – approx. 3 hours of hiking and 1 hour of driving

  The final stage of our impressive adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony performed by our mountain crew. From there it is a gentle 2 to 3 hour descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where our driver is waiting for us. He takes us back to our hotel in Moshi. After a wonderfully warm shower you can spend the rest of the day relaxing by the hotel pool. Overnight at Hotel Chanya Lodge (B).

• Day 14: Departure: drive to Arusha–Kilimanjaro International Airport or onward extension module Safari/Zanzibar

  Free time until departure. Our driver will pick you up from the hotel according to your flight details and take you to the airport (B).

  We reserve the right to make changes to the programme due to special events, force majeure or weather conditions.

  Legend: B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner