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Mount
Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro climb Machame route 12 days climbing
One of the best things about
climbing Mount Meru is probably the chance of a phenomenal
view of Mount Kilimanjaro. This probably defines Mount Meru
in the local mountain mythology, and is the misfortune of
a geographic feature that by any standards is a big mountain.
At 14980 foot it compares neither in stature nor reputation
to Kilimanjaro, and so is sharply overshadowed. However
Mount Meru is a unique feature in its own right, and very
much worth the effort to climb
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: 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 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 (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.
(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 Keys hotel Moshi. Dinner at Hotel.
Day 5: Rest Day at Keys 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 Keys hotel Moshi.
Day 12: 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.
Price: $2150/person-Park fees have
been increased
Extra
day to Acclimatize Shira Hut @ US$180 per person.
Cost
includes:
-Shuttle transfer Nairobi-Arusha And Moshi Nairobi
- Transfers from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport and return.
- First and last night accommodation before Mt. Meru/Machame
Climb
and 1 after the climb.
- Transfers from the hotel to National Park Gate and back
- Climbing fees (Park Fees)
- Porters and guide/s
- Cook, All meals while on the mountain,
- Climb, Hut, Rescue fees.
Cost
does not include: Climbing gear, sleeping bags, tent/s,
items of
personal nature, laundry, tips and gratuities, mineral water,
drinks
(soft or hard), visas, travel insurance.
Mt
Kilimanjaro climb 8 days Marangu route with extra day of
acclimatisation at Hormbo Hut - 1350US$
Climbing
Mt Kilimanjaro Machame route With extra day of acclimatisation
at Karanga Valley
-from 1450US$ per person
Mount Kilimananjaro
Trek Marangu Route combined with a Tanzania Safari from
1890US$ per person
Mount Kilimananjaro
Machame Route combined with a Tanzania Safari from
1920US$ per person
Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Groups/Student
treks
Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya
Climb Combined -from 1920US$ per person
Mount
Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro climb
Mount Kilimanjaro
climb Umbwe,Lemosho and Rongai routes
Mount Kilimanjaro
2010 joining dates and prices
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