TANZANIA - Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro
A simply stunning combination of Meru and Kilimanjaro - Acclimatisation on Mount Meru - Game drive in the Arusha National Park - Quiet Shira plateau route on Kili.
2 nights lodges, 9 nights camping & mountain huts, 11 days DEMANDING trekking, max. altitude - 5894m. All meals included.
demanding
Starting with an ascent of Mount Meru we acclimatise before moving on to climb Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. Flying in to Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania, gives us speedy access to the comfortable Momella Lodge, which lies beneath the striking rocky summit of Mount Meru (4566m / 14976ft). Our ascent of this dormant volcano involves a wonderful 4-day trek, leading through pleasant game-filled parkland and then bamboo forest and moorland, to the dramatic crater rim. Here, we can look across with a sense of anticipation to snow-capped Kilimanjaro, 70 kilometres/50 miles away to the east. Before transferring to Kilimanjaro, we go on a game drive in the Arusha National Park, an outstandingly beautiful nature reserve where we can expect to see elephant, buffalo, giraffe, antelope and numerous bird species. Having acclimatised on Meru, we will be in good shape to enjoy the ascent of Kilimanjaro, following the picturesque and relatively little-used Shira Route. Above the Baranco Hut, we join the Machame route and ascend directly to the 'Roof of Africa'. We also offer 2 alternative treks to Kilimanjaro: a 9 day (8 days land only) ascent of Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route or a 17 day (15 days land only) trip climbing Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro is a big mountain and via the route that we have chosen to undertake involves around 4000 metres of ascent in just 6 days. To make this a reasonable proposition, we have included the ascent of Mount Meru. Although this does help greatly with acclimatisation, it also adds around 2500 metres to the total height gain on the trip. As a further acclimatisation exercise during the Kilimanjaro ascent, we have included a rest day on the Shira Plateau at 3800 metres. Generally, there are excellent trails to follow, although on the upper parts (summit days) of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro we will have to negotiate some sections of loose scree and there will also be some snow and ice on the mountain's crater rim. The very long summit day on Kilimanjaro will provide a test for anyone, as much for the very long descent.
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The trip pages are only a brief summary of the details available within our trip dossiers. It is important that you read the full day to day description and further information for this trip before making your booking.
Download a dossier for TANZANIA - Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro
