KILIMANJARO & MOUNT MERU

Day 1 – Arrival & Prep
Today marks the official start of the expedition. It’s your chance to settle in, recover from your journey, and make any final kit adjustments before the adventure begins.
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Mount Meru (Days 2–5)
Day 2 – Entering the Wild (Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut)
We begin the first phase of the expedition: climbing Mount Meru. Starting from the Momella Gate (1,500m), we trek through lush acacia forests teeming with wildlife—expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, monkeys, and a dazzling array of bird species.
We finish the day at Miriakamba Hut (2,500m), our first night in the mountains.
Duration: 4–5 hours

Day 3 – Into the Moorland (Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut + Little Meru)
The trail steepens today as we leave the forest and enter the moorland zone. After a short but sharp climb, we reach Mgongo wa Tembo (3,200m), a perfect spot for a well-earned rest with incredible views.
By midday, we arrive at Saddle Hut (3,550m). In the afternoon, we take an acclimatisation hike to the summit of Little Meru (3,820m), offering panoramic vistas of the National Park and even Kilimanjaro.
Duration: 3–4 hours

Day 4 – Summit Day (Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak and back)
An early start takes us first to Rhino Point (3,821m) just in time for sunrise. The climb becomes more demanding with some easy scrambling and exposure as we ascend toward the summit.
After 6–7 hours, we reach Socialist Peak (4,566m), the true summit of Mt Meru!
We then descend the same route back to Saddle Hut for lunch and a well-deserved rest.
Total duration: ~10 hours

Day 5 – Return to Base
We descend through the forest back to Momella Gate, usually arriving by midday. From here, we’re transferred back to our hotel for hot showers, some downtime, and a chance to sort gear before Phase 2 begins: Kilimanjaro.
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Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route (Days 6–12)
Day 6 – The Climb Begins (Machame Gate to Machame Camp)
We transfer to the Machame Gate, where our Kilimanjaro journey begins. A 5-hour trek through dense rainforest brings us to Machame Camp (3,026m). All accommodation on Kilimanjaro is in tents, fully supported by our crew.

Day 7 – Onto the Shira Plateau (Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp)
We leave the rainforest behind and ascend steeply onto the Shira Plateau, entering a more open and dramatic alpine zone. Behind us, Mt Meru rises above Arusha—a reminder of how far we’ve come.
Tonight, we sleep at Shira Cave Camp (3,840m).
Duration: 5–7 hours

Day 8 – High Altitude Trek (Shira to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower)
Today, we push higher, trekking past the Lava Tower and crossing the last section of the Western Breach. We’ll spend much of the day above 4,500m before descending to Barranco Camp (just under 4,000m) to sleep low and acclimatise.
Duration: 6–8 hours

Day 9 – The Barranco Wall & Barafu Camp
A big and exciting day! We climb the Barranco Wall, one of the trip’s highlights, involving easy scrambling and some exposure—but our guides will support you every step of the way.
We continue on to Barafu Camp (4,673m), where we’ll eat an early dinner and rest up—because tomorrow, we go for the summit.
Duration: 7–8 hours

Day 10 – Summit Day (Uhuru Peak & Down to  High / Millennium Camp)
At midnight, we begin our summit push. The climb to Stella Point (5,739m) takes 4–5 hours, timed to reach the rim at sunrise—a truly unforgettable moment.
One more hour takes us to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the roof of Africa and the highest freestanding mountain in the world!
After taking in the views, we descend back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, then continue our descent for just a couple of hours to High / Millennium Camp (3,800m).
Total duration: 11–13 hours

Day 11 – Final Descent (High / Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate)
The final trail takes us back through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, a gentle 3-hour hike. From here, we transfer to our hotel in Moshi for well-earned showers, a celebration, and reflection on a truly epic adventure.

Day 12 – Departure Day
We’ll transfer you to the airport in time for your flight home—or onward, if you’re extending your stay in Tanzania!