Mt
Meru climbing and mount Kilimanjaro climb,Combining
trekking to the summits of the Africa's continent's highest
and fifth highest peaks Mount
Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro climb Machame route 12 days climbing
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 Hotel in Moshi. Dinner at Hotel.
Day 5: Rest Day at your 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 hotel in 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.
Extra day
to Acclimatize Shira Hut @ US$127 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.
|