Meru and Kilimanjaro trekking holiday
| country: | Tanzania |
| location: | Kilimanjaro |
| trip type: | High altitude trekking holidays |
| departures: | 2010: 20 Feb, 24 Jul, 14 Aug, 11 Sep 2011: 19 Feb, 23 Jul, 13 Aug, 10 Sep |
| price: | From £2599 - £2999 (16 days) including flights from the UK. From £1999 - £2089 excluding flights. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Exciting and challenging treks to climb Tanzania’s two highest peaks
Mt. Meru & Mt. Kilimanjaro
Your first exciting trek takes you up Mt. Meru, an extinct volcano boasting 4566m. As you ascend you will see its spectacular ash cone and views of Kilimanjaro in the distance. This enjoyable trek has the added bonus of providing ideal acclimatisation for your next challenge – an ascent of ‘Kili’. At 5895m the highest peak of Africa is deserving of its title ‘The Roof of Africa’. As you stand on the peaks of Tanzania’s highest mountains you can savour the breathtaking views – it makes all the effort of getting there very worthwhile.
Diverse Landscape & Wildlife
Enjoy the views as you ascend through several ecosystems – lush forest, moorland and stark high altitude peaks. Returning to the valley plains, the dramatic setting of the Ngorongoro Crater with its abundant wildlife provides the perfect setting for viewing African plains game. Finally, a visit to Lake Eyasi, home of the Hadzabe bushmen will provide an interesting insight into their traditional way of life.
Mt. Meru & Mt. Kilimanjaro
Your first exciting trek takes you up Mt. Meru, an extinct volcano boasting 4566m. As you ascend you will see its spectacular ash cone and views of Kilimanjaro in the distance. This enjoyable trek has the added bonus of providing ideal acclimatisation for your next challenge – an ascent of ‘Kili’. At 5895m the highest peak of Africa is deserving of its title ‘The Roof of Africa’. As you stand on the peaks of Tanzania’s highest mountains you can savour the breathtaking views – it makes all the effort of getting there very worthwhile.
Diverse Landscape & Wildlife
Enjoy the views as you ascend through several ecosystems – lush forest, moorland and stark high altitude peaks. Returning to the valley plains, the dramatic setting of the Ngorongoro Crater with its abundant wildlife provides the perfect setting for viewing African plains game. Finally, a visit to Lake Eyasi, home of the Hadzabe bushmen will provide an interesting insight into their traditional way of life.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London Leave london on an overnight flight to Kilimanjaro airport via Addis Ababa |
| Day 2: | Arusha After your flight, you transfer (one hour) to Arusha (1380m) and check in to your lodge. Tanzania’s major northern commercial centre stands on a fertile plain beside Mount Meru, Kilimanjaro’s westerly neighbour, some 50km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Lodge - 1 night (D) |
| Day 3: | Miriakamba Hut (2541m) You start your day after a good rest and breakfast by transferring to the Momella Gate within the Arusha National Park (approx. 1 hour). Here you leave your vehicle and start walking up the mountain. Walking up from the grassy plains the views close in as you enter the rainforest that clads these tropical peaks. Here you may have the chance to see black and white colobus monkeys or even the elusive Hartlaub’s turaco, a wonderful green and purple bird. The track continues to climb and in the odd clearing that you pass by you may see more wildlife. There is big game in this park and buffalo are frequently seen on the slopes of Meru. As you get higher the forest thins a little and the views open out. If lucky you will be able to see the mighty peak of Kilimanjaro to the east with its glaciated cap glistening in the afternoon sun. On arrival at Miriakamba you settle down in your camp site and enjoy the evening. Approx. 5 hours walking. Camping – 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 4: | Saddle Hut (3570m) From here, the route up progresses through thinner vegetation. Glades are more evident and you might even see more monkeys and bushbuck. Your destination is Elephant Ridge from where you have extraordinary views back over the route that you have come and into the Meru Crater. If you dare you can also look up at the cliffs that loom above you and try and pick out the route to the summit! As you continue on your way the peaks of Little Meru and Meru itself become more defined. The col (a saddle between two peaks) between the two is your target and upon reaching the Saddle Hut you can relax in anticipation of the climb ahead of you. Needless to say the views are spectacular. If you wish you can make a small diversion to the peak of Little Meru, this takes about an hour from Saddle Hut, and offers further great views into the Crater. Sunset from here is a real sight as the whole of the glacial cap of Kilimanjaro can glow orange as night falls. Approx. 4-5 hours walking. Camping – 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 5: | Miriakamba Hut (2541m) As is the case with many mountains the summit is best achieved early in the morning. You set off at about midnight in order to reach it for sunrise. The route takes the narrow ridge between the inner wall of the crater, which is sheer, and the outer sloping walls of the volcano. This is not recommended for those that suffer from vertigo. As you make your way around the crater edge you slowly ascend, finally reaching the summit - hopefully in time for the sun rising from behind the peaks of Kilimanjaro. On your descent, if the group is strong and feeling fit you can make the detour to Rhino Point, another great spot to take in the views of East Africa. From here, you descend back down to Miriakamba. Approx. 10-12 hours walking. Camping – 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 6: | Arusha Satisfied that you have prepared for Kilimanjaro you descend back through the forest and hopefully you will see some more game including giraffe and zebra. On arrival at Momella Gate you transfer back to Arusha for a shower and dinner! Approx. 3 hours walking. Lodge – 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 7: | Machame Hut (3000m) This morning you drive across the plain towards Mount Kilimanjaro, which dominates the skyline. If the skies are clear, you may get views of the snow-capped peak. Turning off the highway, you drive up through Machame village (1200m) on the way to Machame Gate (1830m), the entrance to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. At the end of the track you register for the climb and meet your team of Chagga guides and porters. The Chagga people make a living from cultivating the fertile volcanic soil on the lower slopes of the mountain. As you set off on the trail you pass through the shambas where they grow coffee and bananas. It’s warm at this altitude and patches of dense rainforest teem with tropical birds and varieties of monkey; the indigenous flora includes numerous mosses, lichens and flowers, as well as delicate orchids. Depending on the group, it’s roughly six hours walk (18km) to your first camp at Machame Hut (3000m), just where you emerge from the lush tropical forest onto heather moorland. Camping -1 night (BLD) |
| Day 8: | Shira Cave (3940m) Your second day on Kilimanjaro starts as you cross the valley that lies in your path, and the stream that runs through it, to continue steeply upward through giant heather plants and along a ridge. Then the route turns west, dropping abruptly into a gorge created by a river, before climbing out on the other side on an easier gradient to reach the bleak moorland of Shira Plateau with odd clusters of giant groundsels and lobelia. As you cross the plateau you start to get impressive views of Kibo Summit and the Western Breach, before eventually joining the Shira Route at Shira Cave - your overnight campsite. Approx. 5 hours walking (9km). Camping -1 night (BLD) |
| Day 9: | Barranco Hut (3950m) Today you head due east towards Kibo Summit, passing the turn-off of the trail which leads around the northern side of the summit; then, climbing all the while, you continue towards the Lava Tower (4600m). From here you descend to Barranco Hut, your overnight camp which lies in a sheltered area below the spectacular cliffs of the Breach wall. The Breach wall, the dome of Uhuru and the edge of the Heim Glacier dominate the head of the valley. Approx. 6 hours walking. Camping – 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 10: | Barafu Hut (4600m) This morning you head eastward along the Southern Circuit. After a 200m scramble to the top of the Great Barranco Wall, you traverse scree fields and a series of ridges to the Karanga Valley (4200m), beneath the icy snouts of Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. After climbing out of the valley, you join the Mweka Route on a trail which ascends a steep ridge to Barafu (which means "ice" in Swahili) Hut, standing amidst a desert of bleak tundra. Tonight you must ensure that you don’t pack anything you don’t need in your daypacks, as you’ll need all your reserves of energy tomorrow! You get an early night in order to leave soon after midnight so you can reach the summit before it clouds over. Approx. 6 hours walking. Camping - 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 11: | Summit (5895m) & Mweka Camp (3100m) The day of truth! The guides wake you and you start out in darkness, by the light of your head torch, in the extreme cold. The Mweka Route leads steeply upward over a long scree slope between Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. This is the hardest part; it can be covered with snow, so trekking poles are useful for balance. Eventually - after some five or six hours walk - you reach the rim of Kibo Crater, close to Stella Point (5732m). From here it’s another hour’s walk west along the crater rim past Hans Meyer's Point - named after the German geologist who made the first successful ascent in 1889 - to reach Uhuru (meaning “Freedom”) Peak (5895m). If the summit is clear, there are fine views of the sun rising over Mawenzi’s icefields and jagged peaks to the east, and of Mount Meru to the west. Triumphant, you then head back to Barafu Hut, where you rest from your exertions for a while. After lunch you continue down to your final camp at Mweka Hut in the giant heather, close to the forest’s edge. Tonight you enjoy a well-earned rest and your last dinner on the mountain. Approx. 14 hours (8-9 hours ascent, plus 5 hours descent). Camping - 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 12: | Arusha The pace quickens as the Mweka Route descends across alpine meadow and through rainforest and shamba to Mweka Gate (approx. 3 hours walking). After bidding farewell to your guides and porters you board the vehicle for the drive back to Arusha. On arrival you can take a hot shower, and relax with a celebratory drink! Lodge - 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 13: | Ngorongoro Crater; game drive This morning you transfer from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater (approx. 200km/4hours). This is a vast volcanic caldera, some 19km wide; it offers tremendous game viewing opportunities including one of Africa's densest populations of predators. You spend the night on the rim of the crater; at 2333m it can be surprisingly cold here in the evening/early morning so make sure you have warm clothes at the ready. On arrival you descend to the floor of the vast Ngorongoro Crater in 4WD vehicles, accompanied by your local driver/guide(s). Ngorongoro is one of the most picturesque settings for observing wildlife and with about 30,000 resident animals, there is excellent game viewing here all the year round. The photographic opportunities are unrivalled! Encounters with animals are frequent and there is a wide variety of game to be seen. Lake Magadi, the soda lake at the floor of the crater, is home to hundreds of flamingos. This is also one of the best places to see the endangered black rhino. Leaving the crater you follow the road climbing steadily up its precipitous inner edge to your camp on the rim. Camp - 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 14: | Lake Eyasi; bushmen community From the Crater you drive to Lake Eyasi (approx. 90km/3hours). This is situated in the region to the south west of Ngorongoro. Lake Eyasi is a soda lake surrounded by woodland. However the major point of interest in this area is the population, who are of the Hadzabe tribe. This is one of the last populations of hunter gatherers in Tanzania and you will visit a campsite of these ancient people. As with all nomadic groups worldwide there is a pressure for them to settle down, however until now they have resisted this pressure. Camping - 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 15: | Arusha; transfer to airport In the morning you visit the lake. Hopefully you will see game and plenty of birdlife, possibly flamingos. After this visit you head back to Arusha where the trip ends for Land Only clients and those on group flights to the UK proceed to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your overnight flight home. Driving time approx. 5 hours. (B) |
| Day 16: | Arrive London |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: Our groups will be led throughout by a professional local Group Leader and the treks fully supported by local guides and porters who know the area better than anyone. This not only provides vital local employment, but evenings around the campfire also give our travellers a real, genuine insight into local tradition, history and culture. All aspects of this trek are organised in close conjunction with a local ground agent, who is chosen not only for their expertise and knowledge, but also for their commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly tourism, thus ensuring that the environments through which we are trekking are disturbed as little as possible.
We subscribe to the aims of the International Porter Protection Group and the guidelines published by Tourism Concern when it comes to caring for our porters – acknowledging the vital role they play during any trek. Among other things, the guidelines ensure the porters are suitably clothed, fed, paid and generally looked after while on trek. We also support the Arusha Children’s Trust, a charity which runs projects in rural communities in the more remote areas of The Rift Valley, seeking to improve the lives of the tribal groups that live there, without imposing Western values on them. The projects aim to help children in a number of areas including education, health services and environmental awareness. For those that wish to, we hope there will be time to visit the trust during your time in Tanzania. Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Other charities that we work closely with include Born Free Foundation and The Travel Foundation, a UK charity that has been established to promote responsible travel practises throughout the whole of the travel industry. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |