9-Day Meru Acclimatization for Machame Summit Trek

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Momella Gate to Miriakamba Huts (Mount Meru)

Your double-summit private trek begins with a morning drive from Arusha to Momella Gate in Arusha National Park. After completing park registrations and organizing your porter crew, set out across the open savannah. An armed park ranger accompanies your team as you hike past watering holes populated by giraffes, buffaloes, and zebras. The trail quickly transitions into a lush, dense montane forest filled with colorful turacos and playful black-and-white colobus monkeys.

As you ascend the lower slopes of Mount Meru, your dedicated porter team moves ahead to establish camp. Arrive at the Miriakamba Huts by late afternoon, where your team has already pitched your private, mobile toilet tents for exclusive use. Enjoy a hot washing basin, a steaming cup of tea, and a freshly prepared mountain dinner inside the mess tent before retiring to your mountain cabin for a peaceful night of rest.

Main Destination:

Mount Meru

Accommodation:

Miriakamba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Meru

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Miriakamba Huts to Saddle Huts & Little Meru Ascent

Awake early to the crisp mountain air and begin a steep, invigorating climb through the beautiful heather zone. The trail features wooden steps built into the ridgeline as you ascend through the dramatic "Mgongo wa Tembo" (Elephant Ridge), offering sweeping views of the crater floor below. Arrive at the Saddle Huts by midday to settle in and enjoy a hot lunch prepared by your camp chef. Your private toilet tents are fully operational here to ensure hygiene throughout your stay.

In the afternoon, embark on a short, vital acclimatization hike up the rocky slopes of Little Meru, reaching an altitude of 3,820 meters. This side excursion is excellent for building lung capacity and adjusting to the thinner atmosphere. Return to the main Saddle Huts complex for an early dinner, prepare your summit gear, and crawl into your sleeping bag for a few hours of critical rest before midnight.

Main Destination:

Mount Meru

Accommodation:

Saddle Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Meru

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Socialist Peak Summit to Momella Gate & Summit Safari Lodge

Your summit push starts at midnight as you navigate a steep, rocky trail toward Rhino Point and along a narrow, dramatic volcanic ash crater rim. Scramble over technical rock sections to reach Socialist Peak (4,562m) at sunrise, witnessing the spectacular sight of Mount Kilimanjaro floating above the clouds. After celebratory photos, descend rapidly back to the Saddle Huts for a quick breakfast, then continue down to Momella Gate.

Your private transport will meet you and transfer you back to Arusha to check into the comfortable rooms of Summit Safari Lodge. Enjoy a long-awaited hot shower, wash off the volcanic dust, and relax by the swimming pool. In the evening, meet your guide for a comprehensive briefing on the upcoming Kilimanjaro Machame route before sitting down to a delicious dinner and sleeping in full comfort.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Summit Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)

+36 Photos

+35 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Arusha to Machame Gate & Hike to Machame Camp

After a restful breakfast at the lodge, board your private 4x4 for a scenic morning drive to the Machame Gate on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Complete the national park registrations, meet your dedicated team of guides, chefs, and porters, and organize your mountain gear. Begin your Kilimanjaro trek with a steady, peaceful afternoon hike winding through the wet, moss-draped montane rainforest zone, keeping an eye out for exotic birds.

Arrive at Machame Camp by late afternoon as the forest opens up slightly. Your attentive porter crew will have your camp completely established ahead of your arrival. Settle into your personal mountain tents and utilize your private, mobile toilet tents pitched for your exclusive hygiene and comfort. Gather inside the large mess tent for a hot, freshly cooked multi-course mountain dinner before turning in for the night.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp via Moorland Ridges

Leave the humid rainforest behind after breakfast and begin ascending a steep, rocky ridge that leads into the low alpine moorland zone. The path becomes progressively dustier and steeper as you cross valley floors littered with unique volcanic boulders and giant lobelia plants. Traverse a series of exposed ridges before dropping down onto the expansive, sweeping landscape of the Shira Plateau, which offers spectacular views of Kilimanjaro’s dramatic Western Breach.

March across the ancient plateau to reach Shira 2 Camp by late afternoon. Your attentive porter team will greet you with hot tea and snacks, having already pitched your personal sleeping tents and your private, hygienic mobile toilet tents. Take time to stretch, enjoy the expansive vistas stretching out toward the Maasai Steppe far below, and enjoy a hot, carbohydrate-rich dinner designed to fuel your body.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower Pass

Today is a pivotal high-altitude training day as you follow the classic mountaineering rule of climbing high and sleeping low. Trek eastward across the high desert plateau before climbing up a steep, barren ridge to reach the iconic Lava Tower, a massive 90-meter volcanic rock structure sitting at a challenging 4,630 meters. Take a rest break and eat a packed lunch here to give your body time to adapt to the thin air.

Following lunch, descend through a spectacular valley filled with otherworldly, prehistoric Dendrosenecio kilimanjari trees to reach the sheltered Barranco Camp. Located at 3,960 meters, this descent provides excellent physiological recovery. Your private mobile toilet tents are set up in a quiet corner of the camp, offering clean comfort before you sit down for a multi-course mountain dinner.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Barranco Wall Scramble to Karanga Camp Ridge

Begin your morning with the famous scramble up the imposing Barranco Wall, an exhilarating non-technical rock face that requires using your hands and feet for balance. Your expert guides will safely navigate your team over the narrow "Kissing Rock" corner to reach the top of the wall, rewarding you with panoramic views of Kibo’s southern glaciers.

From the crest, follow an undulating trail across a series of steep volcanic ravines before descending into the stark, rocky terrain of the Karanga Valley. Climb a final, steep shale incline to reach Karanga Camp perched on a high ridge. This short hiking day is specifically designed to allow your body maximum rest before the final summit push. Enjoy a hot lunch, utilize your private toilet tents, and spend the afternoon relaxing, hydrating, and mentally preparing for the intense altitude gains ahead.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Karanga Camp to Barafu Base Camp (The Summit Launchpad)

After breakfast, leave Karanga Camp and connect with the Mweka trail to begin your steady ascent to Barafu Camp. The trail passes through a desolate, wind-swept alpine desert landscape where vegetation completely disappears, leaving only black volcanic scree and jagged rock slabs. Walk at a slow, deliberate pace to conserve every ounce of physical energy as the air thins significantly.

Arrive at the exposed, rocky ridge of Barafu Base Camp (4,680m) by early afternoon. Your crew will have your camp fully prepared, including your private mobile toilet tents safely anchored against the mountain winds. Eat a hot lunch and spend the entire afternoon resting inside your tent, preparing your heavy summit gear, and drinking plenty of fluids. Consume an early dinner at sunset and go straight to sleep before your midnight wake-up call.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak Summit & Mweka Gate Transfer

Your guides will wake you at midnight with hot tea. Begin your intense summit push under a blanket of stars, climbing slowly over frozen volcanic scree toward the crater rim. Reach Stella Point (5,756m) at dawn, then continue trekking along the snow-fringed rim to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. Celebrate your double-summit achievement before beginning a long descent back down the loose scree to Barafu Camp for a brief rest and lunch.

Pack your gear and continue hiking down through the moorland and rainforest zones directly to Mweka Gate. Receive your official gold summit certificates from the park authorities to cement your incredible milestone. Your private safari vehicle will meet you at the gate to transfer your team and gear smoothly back to Arusha for a long-awaited celebration dinner and a deeply satisfying night of sleep.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.