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Mount
Kenya Climbing -HikingMt Kenya Park
4
Days Sirimon Out Sirimon Route
5 Days Sirimon Out
Chogoria
5
Days Siriomon Peak Circuit
6
Days Sirimon Out Naro Moru Route
5 Days Chogoria
Out Naro Moru
6 Days Sirimon Out
Chogoria
4 Days Naro Moru Out
Chogoria
8 Days Mount Kenya Technical
Climb
Mount Kenya Joining Dates
Mt. Kenya
Climbing Gear and Equipments
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Mount Meru and
Mt Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route 12 days climbing
Mt Meru is a real gem of a mountain and is often ignored by trekkers who
only seem intent on climbing Kili. Meru is the second highest mountain
in Tanzania at 4,565 m. There are great views down to the subsidiary cinder
cone on the crater floor and of course across to Kilimanjaro for the next
climb.
Combining
trekking to the summits of the Africa's continent's highest and fifth
highest peaks. Starting with the beautiful ascent of Mt. Meru - an exceptional
crater rim roller - coaster warm up and acclimatization trek for the big
one - Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame route.
Day 1:
Board Riverside shuttle bus from Nairobi at 0800 hrs and proceed
to Namanga Border for formalities then to Arusha arriving at 1300hrs.
Depart for Moshi at 1400hrs arriving at 1530hrs. Dinner and overnight
at a hotel in Moshi or (Pick up from Kilimanajaro airport and transfer
to hotel in Moshi)
Day 2:
Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut (10km, 4-5 hours, 700 metres approx.
ascent) Transfer to the Arusha National Park. This consists of two main
areas, the Ngurdoto Crater and Momella Lakes on the east side, and Mt
Meru in the west, joined by a narrow strip of land. Momella Gate (2100m),
the start of the trek, is in this strip. At the park gate you undergo
all the various formalities of signing in, handing over your park fees
and hitching up with the armed guide. Have your binoculars ready on your
walk from Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut today there is potentially alot
of wildlife viewing: Buffalo, waterbuck, gazelles, zebra and a few elephant.
Bird life too is excellent. Two routes are available from Momella gate.
The first is a track that goes through the forest towards the crater floor,
and then steeply up to Miriakamba Hut with a possible diversion onto the
crater floor. The second is a path that climbs gradually through the grassland,
along the lower section of the northern spur of the crater, direct to
the hut. The hut is a basic timber structure in a very picturesque setting
set amongst the Hagiena - Rose wood trees with views heading up Meru.
Miriakamba Hut (2514 metres) consists of two large bunkhouses each with
room for about 40 people. They contain bunk beds (most with mattresses)
and a separate room to be used as a kitchen, although no cooking equipment
is provided your cook will bring it in. There are toilets, and a good
supply of water.
Day 3: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut (4 km, 2-3 hours, 1050 metres
ascent) The path climbs steeply up between the trees reaching Topela Mbogo
(Buffalo swamp) after 45 minutes and Mgongo Wa Tembo (Elephant ridge)
after another half an hour. There is a story that elephants slide down
through the grasses and heathers directly down from the crater rim to
the floor below, this may sound far fetched, but you do sometimes find
their "shutes" of parted vegetation dropping improbably steeply
into the crater. From the top of Elephant ridge there are great views
down into the crater and up to the main cliffs below the summit. Continue
up the path to Saddle Hut on a wide col between the slopes of Meru and
the smaller peak of Little Meru.
Saddle Hut: (3750 m) Consists of an old metal hut, used by the caretaker,
and a newer bunkhouse similar to the ones at Miriakamba. There is a toilet
and water is available from a stream 10 minutes away.
Day 4: Saddle Hut to Meru Summit and Return to Moshi. (5 km, 4-5
hours, 1000 metres ascent, plus 5 hours, 2500 metres descent). A big day!
Leave Saddle Hut very early in the morning aiming to reach the summit
in time to see the sun rising from behind Kilimanjaro. The walk up to
the summit, along a very narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall to
the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall, is not for the faint
hearted. If the sunrise is your main point of interest, there's no need
to go to the top. It's just as impressive from Rhino point (about an hour
from Saddle Hut), or ever more so because you also see the main cliffs
of the inner wall of the crater slowly being illuminated by the rising
sun. Even though it can be below freezing just before dawn, as soon as
the sun comes up the going becomes hot and hard. However during the rainy
season, ice and snow can occur on this section of the route. From Rhino
Point the path drops slightly then rises again to climb steeply round
the edge of the rim over ash scree and bare rock patches. Continue for
three to four hours to reach the summit (4566 metres). To the west, if
it's clear, you can see towards the Rift Valley, and the volcanoes of
Kitumbeini and Lengai, while down below you can see the town of Arusha,
and the plains of the Maasai Steppe beyond. To descend from the summit,
we retrace the route round the rim, back to Saddle Hut (two to three hours)
and then drop down to the Momella gate where we are collected and transferred
back to Hotel in Moshi. Dinner at Hotel.
Day 5: Rest Day at your hotel, Spend a relaxing day by the pool
or have a stroll around. A walk to this small town with view of the mountain
is as good as it reveals. Dinner at hotel.
Day 6: Kilimanjaro. Hopefully now you have some acclimatization.
After breakfast we undertake a 45 min drive through to Machame village
and then on to the National Park Gate to hand over your Park fees (unless
already requested at the hotel). Park formalities dispensed with, it is
about 5 hours walking today. Porters will be seen arranging their packs
containing food, water, firewood and other equipment. Make sure you have
all your day pack items with you because the porters travel fast and you
probably won't see them again before the evening! The guides will assist
with any additional information that you need. From the park gate there
is a wonderful walk up through the rain forest on a winding trail to the
first hut which is located at 3048 m. Continue onto the Machame hut. Where
we make camp, rest, enjoy our dinner and overnight (3100 m).
Day 7: After breakfast we leave the last of the Rain Forest behind
and ascend, walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather to
the ridge end. We then turn west into a river gorge and onto the Shira
Hut camp site, dinner and camp.(3840m, about 4 hours walking).
Day 8: From the Shira Plateau we continue to the East then our
direction changes to South East towards the lava tower, called 'The Sharks
Tooth' and shortly after the tower we come to junction which brings us
up below the arrow glacier. We reach an altitude of 4876 m. But to aid
acclimatization we now continue down to the Barranco hut at an altitude
of (3950 m) here we rest, dine and camp. (About 6 hours walking)
Day 9: After breakfast we leave the Barranco hut and continue on
a steep ridge passing the Barranco wall and walk through the Karanga valley
past the junction which connects with the Mweka trail. We continue to
the Barafu hut which is located at an altitude of (4600 m) here we make
camp. Rest enjoy dinner and overnight. (About 8 hours walking)
Day 10: Top Out!! (about 11 hours walking, the hardest day) Early
morning start to make the most of walking steeply over frozen volcanic
screes. And to get you to the summit for the sunrise; we continue our
ascent to Stella Point (5745 m) between the Rebmann and Ratzal glaciers.
The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and ski
poles or an ice-axe is useful for balance. We then skirt around the broad
crater rim on our way to the summit (Uhuru Peak 5895 m, this part of the
climb takes about 6 hours) We have now reached the highest point in Africa,
giving fine views of Kilimanjaro's crater, its stepped glaciers and Mount
Meru. Mount Kenya may appear as a black pimple far to the north. From
the summit we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka
hut camp site (3100 m). This part of the descent takes about 5 hours.
Later in the evening we have our last dinner on the mountain and a well
earned sleep.
Day 11: After breakfast continue the descent down to the Mweka
Park gate, rendezvous with vehicle and then drive back to Moshi and transfer
to the hotel. Night and celebratory evening meal at the hotel in Moshi.
Day 12: After Breakfast or lunch ( depending on the time of flight
departure) transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure
or board our Riverside shuttle bus to Nairobi.
Price of 2350US$ per person
Extra
day to Acclimatize Shira Hut @ US$127 per person.
Cost
includes:
-Shuttle transfer Nairobi-Arusha And Moshi Nairobi
- Transfers from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport and return.
- First and last night accommodation before Mt. Meru/Machame Climb
and 1 after the climb.
- Transfers from the hotel to National Park Gate and back
- Climbing fees (Park Fees)
- Porters and guide/s
- Cook, All meals while on the mountain,
- Climb, Hut, Rescue fees.
Cost
does not include:
Climbing gear, sleeping bags, tent/s, items of
personal nature, laundry, tips and gratuities, mineral water, drinks
(soft or hard), visas, travel insurance.
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