Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro

The Mt Meru and Kilimanjaro trekking holiday is an unforgettable experience. To climb in a single holiday two extinct volcanoes in the Great Rift Valley, the world's highest free-standing mountain and a continental summit, combined with a little game viewing all make this a truly exotic and unforgettable trip!

Mt Meru is 60 km away from 'Kili', is in Arusha National Park, and is a rarely climbed peak compared to its more famous neighbour, but is a great experience with impressive views and volcanic geology. Its summit is 4566 metres so it reaches a reasonable altitude, and provides excellent acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro making our ascent easier and more enjoyable. After descending Mt Meru we have an afternoon game drive in Arusha National Park before transferring to Kilimanjaro.

We use a combination of the Shira and Lemosho routes, starting at the Londorosi national park gate and climbing onto the Shira plateau. We have views of Mt Meru on this route as well as the craggy glaciated west face of Kibo that we are trekking towards, walking underneath this and round to Barafu camp (4600m) before summit. Slightly higher than Mt Meru we shouldn't find the extra altitude a problem on Kilimanjaro and will start for the summit in time to reach the crater rim and see sunrise over the African plains, for many a lifetime achievement. The Mt Meru and Kilimanjaro trekking holiday can be a tiring itinerary but anyone with reasonable fitness can reach the summits of both these great mountains.

Why not extend your trip and enjoy East Africa for a little longer either by combining any of our trips, or by adding a safari or beach extension detailed on our Trip Extensions page.

Itinerary

15 day Mt Meru & Kilimanjaro trekking holiday, with 11 days on the mountains (see Altitude and Acclimatisation)

Day 1: Fly from UK on overnight flight to Kilimanjaro airport
Day 2: Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport in the morning, drive to Arusha hotel (DBB)
Day 3: Drive to Arusha NP for Mt Meru trek, 4 hrs in plains/forest to Miriakamba Hut at 2500m
Day 4: Trek 4-5 hrs through forest to Saddle Hut at 3600m, Little Meru acclimatisation walk
Day 5: Leave Saddle Hut around 2am to reach the summit around 7am, descend to
Saddle Hut for brunch, then down to Miriakamba Hut at 2500m: a 12-14 hr day
Day 6: 3-4 hr trek to park gate, game drive in Arusha NP, staying at a local lodge (DBB)
Day 7: Drive to Kilimanjaro NP & to Moram Camp, then 4 hr trek to Shira One camp at 3500m
Day 8: Cross the Shira Plateau & heather moorland (5-6 hrs trek) to Shira Hut camp at 3850m
Day 9: 6-8 hr trek towards Kibo, passing the Lava Tower, to 3950m and Barranco campsite
Day 10: Acclimatisation day with glacier views, after Barranco Wall then trekking 3-4 hrs to 4200m to Karanga camp
Day 11: Trek 4-5 hrs to 'summit base camp' at 4600m, Barafu; afternoon rest, & early to bed
Day 12: Leave camp around 1am to reach Uhuru Peak (5895m) around 8-9 am,
descend to Barafu and then to Mweka campsite at 3100m: a 14-17 hour day
Day 13: 3-4 hrs through forest to park gate, drive to Moshi hotel (DBB)
Day 14: Day at leisure, transfer to airport for overnight flight
Day 15: Arrive back in the UK mid-morning

	Click here for the Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro Detailed Itinerary online
	Click here for the Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro Detailed Itinerary as a PDF

Dates
Sunday 24 June - Sunday 8 July 2012 *Full Moon*	Trip Ref - MK240612
Sunday 19 August - Sunday 2 September 2012 *Full Moon*	Trip Ref - MK190812
Saturday 20 October - Saturday 3 November 2012 *Full Moon*	Trip Ref - MK201012
Saturday 2 February - Saturday 16 February 2013	Trip Ref - MK020213
Sunday 23 June - Sunday 7 July 2013	Trip Ref - MK230613
Sunday 18 August - Sunday 1 September 2013 *Full Moon*	Trip Ref - MK180813
Saturday 19 October - Saturday 2 November 2013	Trip Ref - MK191013

If you want to travel on a different date, and/or with your own group of family or friends, just go to Make my own adventure to create your own adventure trip.

Prices
Trip Price including flight from	£ 2150
National Park fees (in US dollars)	$ 990
Insurance	£ 63
Single Supplement	£ 125
Carbon Offsetting	£ 8.50

When comparing trip prices, in addition to the trip price itself, it is just as important to compare the $ exchange rate used that the trip price is based on.

General Information | How to Book | Group Size | Trip Extensions

Early morning view to Kilimanjaro during the climb up Mt Meru

Summit ridge & ash cone on Mt Meru, Little Meru beyond

Safari game drive in Arusha National Park

Kersten Glacier from Uhuru Peak, summit of Kilimanjaro