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Destiny Explorers

Meru

3 Days, 2 Nights Trek  - Mount Meru Trekk

4 Days, 3 Nights Trek  - Mount Meru Trekk

Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
Hiking Time:  5-7 hours

Distance: 11 km | 7 miles 

Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft


Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
Habitat: Health

We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower




Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp




Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Distance: 7 km | 4 miles Habitat: Alpine Desert

Distance: 3 km | 2 miles Habitat: Alpine Desert

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 13,000 ft to 15,000ft
Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
Distance:  9 km
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 10 km | 6 miles Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.