Trek

Mount Meru & Kilimanjaro — 11 Days

Climb Meru first, rest, then take Kilimanjaro with 4,566 m already in your legs.

The most effective way to climb Kilimanjaro. Four days on Mount Meru takes you to 4,566 m, two rest days in Arusha let your body consolidate the gain, and then you start Machame with an acclimatisation head start no amount of training can substitute for.

Highlights

  • Two summits: Socialist Peak (4,566 m) and Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)
  • Meaningful acclimatisation before the big climb
  • Two rest days in Arusha between the mountains
  • Game viewing on foot in Arusha National Park
  • The strongest summit odds of anything we run

The itinerary, day by day

  1. 01

    Arrive in Arusha

    1,400 m

    Airport transfer, kit check and a full briefing with your guide.

  2. 02

    Meru — Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut

    2,500 m · 4–5 hours

    Grassland and forest with a park ranger; giraffe and buffalo on the way in.

  3. 03

    Meru — Miriakamba to Saddle Hut

    3,570 m · 3–4 hours

    Up through heather, with an optional afternoon on Little Meru (3,820 m).

  4. 04

    Meru — Socialist Peak, down to Miriakamba

    4,566 m · 10–12 hours

    The crater rim at night, the summit at sunrise, then a long descent.

  5. 05

    Meru — down to the gate, back to Arusha

    1,500 m · 2–3 hours

    Forest descent, then a hotel, a shower and a real bed.

  6. 06

    Rest day in Arusha

    1,400 m

    Deliberately nothing. Eat, sleep, let the acclimatisation settle.

  7. 07

    Rest day and Kilimanjaro briefing

    1,400 m

    A gentle walk if you want one, then kit check and briefing for Machame.

  8. 08

    Kilimanjaro — Machame Gate to Machame Camp

    3,010 m · 5–7 hours

    Into the rainforest. You will notice how much easier this feels.

  9. 09

    Kilimanjaro — Machame to Shira, then Lava Tower to Barranco

    3,960 m

    The plateau and the acclimatisation day, condensed by the fitness you have already banked.

  10. 10

    Kilimanjaro — Barranco to Karanga to Barafu

    4,673 m

    The Barranco Wall, the valleys, and base camp.

  11. 11

    Kilimanjaro — Uhuru Peak, then down

    5,895 m · 12–14 hours

    Summit night, and the descent to Mweka and the gate.

What is included

  • All park, hut, camping and rescue fees on both mountains
  • Guides, cooks and porters throughout
  • Armed park ranger on Meru
  • Two nights in Arusha between the climbs, bed and breakfast
  • All transfers

Not included

  • International flights and visa
  • Nights in Arusha before and after the programme
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Tips for both mountain crews
  • Travel insurance covering trekking to 6,000 m

Questions about this trip

Is two mountains in eleven days too much?

It is demanding, but the rest days are real rest days and Meru is short. Most people arrive at Machame Gate feeling stronger than they would have on day one of a standalone climb.

Plan this journey

Tell us your dates and we will build it around you.

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