KILIMANJARO & MOUNT MERU
Max Altitude: 5,895m
Walking Per Day: 5-10 Hours
Group Size: 7-16
Land Only Package
Accommodation: Hotels, Huts & Tents
2026 - 11th - 22nd January
Hard Difficulty
9 Trekking Days - 12 Days Total
£3,300
£300 deposit to secure your place
Final balance paid 8 weeks before departure
ABOUT THE KILIMANJARO TREK
Kilimanjaro is undeniably one of the most popular mountains in the world! It is one of the '7 summits' as it is the tallest mountain in Africa (5,895m), and also the tallest Freestanding mountain in the world (4,900m prominence from its base). On this expedition, we prelude our climb up Kilimanjaro with an ascent of Mt Meru - the 5th tallest mountain in Africa (4,566m). The ascent up Mt Meru is deemed by many to be an amazing experience in itself, with incredible views and beautiful trails to be enjoyed.
Our ascent of Mt Meru is however strategic as it will offer a gentler acclimatisation profile than what you'd experience on Kilimanjaro, as well as offering some vital pre-acclimatisation before heading for the summit of Kilimanjaro afterwards.
KILIMANJARO & MOUNT MERU CAMP ITINERARY
Mt Meru
Days 2-4 will be spent completing Mt Meru, during which the accommodation is mountain huts. On Day 2 we head from the Marangu gate (1,500m ASL) into the acacia forest on the southern route. On the way there is every chance you will see a wide range of wildlife, from Elephants, Wildebeest, Giraffes and Zebras through to various primates and a wide range of bird species. After a picnic lunch, the trek continues to the well known 'Fig Tree Arch', and soon after we reach the Miriakamba Hut (2,500m ASL) where we'll spend the night, duration of 4-5 Hours.
Day 3 will see you leave the rainforest environment for moorland. The trails are steep, but this aids progress getting up the peak at least. After a couple of hours trekking we reach a great viewpoint known as Mgongo Wa Tembo (3,200m ASL) where we take a good rest. By midday Saddle Hut (3,550m ASL) is reached. The afternoon will see us push the height a little higher as we hike to the top of Little Meru (3,820m ASL) which will aid our acclimatisation, and provide some fantastic views of the National Park, and Kilimanjaro itself. We return back to Saddle Hut and spend our last night on Meru. Duration 3-4 Hours
Day 4 is a big day, and will be the first test of your fitness and resolve. A 2am departure from Saddle Hut sees us first head for Rhino Point (3,821 ASL), after which the trail gets more challenging. After 4-5 Hours we'll finally reach Socialist Peak, the true summit of Mt Meru. If we're lucky we'll be able to witness the sun rising beyond Kilimanjaro. From the summit we descend the same route back to Saddle Hut, and then after a short break we continue down to the Momella Gate. This day could be anywhere from 11 to 15 hours long. From the gate we will be transferred to our hotel for the night where we can grab some much needed rest.
Day 5 is a complete rest day to enable you to prepare for Phase 2 of the expedition
Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route
Day 6 will start by us being transported to the Machame Gate. Once through the entry point we trek for between 5-7 hours to the Machame Camp (3,026m ASL)
Throughout Day 7 we leave the rainforest behind and ascend steeply onto the Shira Plateau. Looking back we'll be able to see our previous objective of Mt Meru rising above Arusha Town. We spend the night at the Shira Cave Camp (3,840m ASL). This day involves 5-7 hours hiking.
The character of the trek is changed on day 8 as the terrain becomes far more desolate. We climb high, passing the Lava Tower and crossing the last part of the Western Breach. Much of the day is spent walking above 4,500m, By the time we get to Baranco Camp you'll be sleeping just below 4,000m ASL. This day involves 6-8 hours walking.
Day 9 is all about getting set for the summit bid that occurs on day 10. The day involves steep trails across scree up to Barafu Camp, as well as the amazing Barranco Wall, one of the highlights of the trip. The Barranco wall is a steeper section that at times requires very easy scrambling to make safe passage. There is an element of exposure at times but the guiding team will be there to support you through it. (4,673m ASL). You'll get an early dinner and then it's time to rest ahead of the big day. This day has 8-10 hours hiking.
Day 10 begins at midnight. The summit attempt starts steeply and you'll climb to the crater rim over the course of 4-5 hours. As sun breaks the horizon you will hopefully be at Stella Point (5,739m ASL). The effort is rewarded with fantastic views, particularly of the ice cliffs within the crater, and also the jagged Mawenzi Peak. Another hour of hiking will get you to the true summit of Kilimanjaro, known as Uhuru Peak (5,895m).
From the summit we'll first return to Stella Point, and then turn down the scree to Barafu Camp for breakfast. After this break, the hiking continues as we continue our descent down to Millenium Camp (3,800 ASL). This day can take anywhere between 8-12 hours, and involves roughly 1200m ascent, and 2000m descent!
Day 11 is the final day on the trail, and thankfully after 8 days of hiking a relatively gentle one. We re-enter the rainforest and head back to the Mweka Gate over the course of 5-7 hours. We are met by our transfers and taken back to the hotel in Moshi where we can shower and celebrate the expedition.
Day 12 is the final day of the trip and we'll get you transferred back to the airport in time for your departure.
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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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
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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 (Roughly $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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What about Altitude Sickness?
Having concerns about AMS is very natural and it is unfortunately unpredictable. Even the experienced could struggle to get over 5,000m if they get ill. We have however designed our itinerary to help us best acclimatise. The fitter you are, the less exhausted you'll get, which in turn has an impact on bringing on symptoms of AMS. These points combined with walking slowly, drinking lots and eating well all give you the best possible chance. On all our expeditions above 4,500m we ensure we also have a 'Portable Altitude Chamber' to help in the event of serious AMS.
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 via LMG Personal Training
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
Do your trips have a minimum required number of participants to run?
Our scheduled trips do. Our Kilimanjaro trip requires 7 people to ensure it is guaranteed to run. We will let you know when it is guaranteed to run and from this point you can book flights.
Do you organise bespoke trips?
Of course, just get in touch with your group size and we'll offer you a quote.
Why should I trek with LMG Treks & Expeditions?
For over a decade we've provided fun, educational and safe adventures in the UK through Lakeland Mountain Guides. We've taken our experience and academic education and created a company that has the sole aim of providing amazing, personal adventures abroad. Yes, we're just a small company, but this has two big benefits for you. Firstly, we really appreciate each and every booking we get, and you are not one in a few thousand. Secondly. we're able to, and want to, put the time into helping you get mentally and physically prepared for your adventure.
We pride ourselves on being compliant to UK Package travel regulation laws, diligent with safety, and environmentally sensitive. What's more is we create our trips with the customer experience, safety and chances of success at the very fore of our minds. We will often add in extra days for acclimatisation or contingency to achieve these three major factors, even if it makes our trips a bit more expensive.
How do we justify the price of our trips?
There's no doubt about it, if you went online you'd likely find a cheaper alternative, but you can't be certain you're buying a like for like product. We get it, these trips aren't cheap, but there are numerous reasons why the price amounts to what it does. Please click here to read deeper into the reasons why.
Are you environmentally responsible?
As a company, although small, we will operate responsibly, giving back where we can. One of our best partnerships is that with Trees4Travel. We will plant 2 trees on the behalf of every booking we get, and we will plant enough trees to offset the travel of our trek manager too. Click here to see our Responsible Tourism Policy
We discourage the use of single use plastics on expedition where possible, and are continually thinking of ways to become even kinder to the planet we operate in.
GALLERY
