Kilimanjaro
& Mount Meru
Max Altitude: 5,895m
Walking Per Day: 5-10 Hours
Group Size: 7-16
Land Only Package
Accommodation: Hotels, Huts
& Tents
Grade 2 - Challenging
10 Trekking Days - 12 Days Total
2026: 11th - 22nd January.
2027: 11th - 22nd Jan. 4th -15th July.
SOLD OUT
£3,300
£300 deposit to secure your place
Final balance paid 8 weeks before departure
ABOUT THE KILIMANJARO TREK
Kilimanjaro & Mt Meru: The Ultimate African Summit Experience
Kilimanjaro is undeniably one of the most iconic mountains on Earth! As the tallest mountain in Africa at 5,895m, and the highest freestanding mountain in the world (with a dramatic 4,900m of prominence), it's no surprise it's one of the famed Seven Summits.
But before we take on this legendary giant, our expedition begins with an ascent of Mount Meru—Africa’s 5th highest peak at 4,566m. Often overlooked, Meru is a stunning climb in its own right, offering breathtaking views, diverse wildlife, and beautifully scenic trails.
This isn’t just a warm-up—our Mt Meru climb is a strategic acclimatisation phase, designed to give you a much smoother transition to high altitude. It provides a more gradual acclimatisation profile than Kilimanjaro alone, giving your body a crucial head start before we push for the Roof of Africa.
KILIMANJARO & MOUNT MERU CAMP ITINERARY
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.
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.
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 Mweka 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 to Mweka Camp (3,200m).
Total duration: 12–15 hours
Altitude change: +1,200m / -2,800m
Day 11 – Final Descent (Mweka 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!
INCLUSIONS
EXCLUSIONS
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Internal Transfers
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Accommodation throughout - Hotel, Huts & Camping
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All food whilst on the trek
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Celebratory Meal at the end of the Expedition
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Trekking & Park Permits
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Trekking Staff
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LMG Trek Manager
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Team t-shirt
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Medical Kit and Portable Altitude Chamber carried on the expedition
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International Flights from your destination country (Approx. £1000-£1200)
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Personal Trekking Insurance - To cover trekking to 5,895m. This is mandatory to join us on a trip.
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Tips for the trekking team (£300)
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All meals outside off the mountain
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Tanzania Entry Visa £50
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Souvenirs
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Additional food and beverages
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Personal trekking kit (Boots,rucksacks etc)
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Services and Accommodation not included in the planned itinerary.
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Costs associated with you leaving the expedition early.
TRIP SPECIFIC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General FAQs about our trips, booking, fitness etc can be found here
How fit do I really need to be and what skills do I require?
The fitter you are the more you will enjoy it, and the more chance you'll have of getting to the top. Being able to complete 2-3 days of big hill walks in the UK is a good gauge that you're ready. This trip involves a good few big days that will demand good levels of hillwalking fitness, not to mention the fact there are eight days of hiking in a row. It certainly isn't the easiest itinerary up the mountain - but we feel it is one that will have a high success rate. There is a section on the route called the Barranco Wall which entails some easy scrambling and mild exposure.
You'll find some advice, as well as a free downloadable 12 week training plan on our Fitness Training page. Matt is a qualified Personal Trainer so if you want some formal training just get in touch with us
What Technical Kit do I require?
There is no technical kit required for this trip outside of normal walking equipment. All you need is a good sleeping bag!
What about the Food and Accommodation?
The food ranges from Porridge, Toast with Jams and Sausage / Eggs for breakfast. Lunch is often sandwiches, maybe some meat, fruit and a cold drink. Dinner usually starts with a soup, followed by a meat option with pasta, potatoes or rice.
The accommodation comes in three distinct portions. There is a hotel at the start and end of the trip, basic huts on Mt Meru, and then camping on Kilimanjaro. Should you need to leave the expedition early, any additional accommodation costs will need to be covered by you (or depending on the circumstance, your insurance)
Do I require Travel Insurance?
Most certainly. Travelling, let alone adventure travel, can throw up all sorts of incidents or circumstances that need to be covered by insurance otherwise you could face a very hefty bill. As a minimum your insurance must cover the dates of the trip, the altitude you are trekking to and helicopter evacuation. Our recommendation for travel insurance is Campbell Irvine
