Mount Meru is one of Africa's most beautiful volcanoes often ignored by trekkers as they climb straight to Kilimanjaro. At 4,5685m, Mount Meru is an active volcano located 70 kilometres Southwest from Mt Kilimanjaro part of the Arusha National Park area. It is also the second highest mountain in Tanzania first climbed in the early twenty century.

 

The climb is fairly easy from the start and becomes quite steep while gaining altitude.  You will have short days of walk to slowly ease your acclimatization, adapt your body to altitude to be fully prepared for the Mt Kilimanjaro climb. At about 3800m altitude, the trail gradually gets steeper until you reach "Socialist Pic" summit of Mt Meru at alt. 4566m. If the weather is clear, the views from the top are stunning with great chance to admire Mt Kilimanjaro slopes in the distance when no clouds.

 

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak on the African continent and is then one of the Seven Summits with Aconcagua and Everest (full details on the website). The summit was first reached by the German Hans Meyer in 1889 and is now one of the most popular and easy altitude trek.

 

The Kilimanjaro is an extinct volcanoe located in Northeast Tanzania, few kilimeters from the Kenyan border. Actually, Kilimanjaro is an agglomeration of three extinct volcanoes, Kibo (5896m/ 19,340 ft), Mawenzi (5,149 / 16,896 ft) and Shira (3,962m / 13,000 ft). Uhuru peak is the summit crater and the highest point in Africa. The origin of the name Kilimanjaro is still unknown but a number of theories remains that keep the legend alive. Kipoo was the familiar name given by the Chagga local tribe to the snowy peak rising above breathtaking landscapes. Kipoo slowly turns into "Kibo" that now refers to the large caldeira at the top of the volcanoe.

 

Kilimanjaro National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

 

 

Mt Meru is an easy altitude trek through moorland and open grassland vegetation. You will experience stunning mountain sceneries, cascading waterfalls and exotic flora and fauna including hundred species of birds and amazing  wildlife that inhabit the lush slopes.

 

The Machame Route is one of the most scenic route with 5 strates of vegetation. The trail starts
from Machame village through the rain dense and lush rain forest with long moss hanging from the branches. At 3000m the route meets the heather covered with profuse daisy bushes and abundant alpine tusocks. You cross splendid moorland as you gradually reach Shira Camp for a stunning view of the valley and Meru peak over the Shira plateau. The route follows the Kibo's slopes through the alpine desert where only groundsel (Senecio), giant lobelia and lichens growing on rocks are surviving.

 

Up to Barafu Camp the volcanic rocky ground of the alpine desert covered is covering the landscape with scattered vegetation. At the rim of the caldeira and all the way to Uhuru peak you encounter vast ice fields and spectacular glaciers surrounding the crater. You descent through the Mweka route on a rocky steep trail that slowly leads you greener valleys. 

 

 

Kilimandjaro and Mt Meru alike can be climbed at any time during the year. The ecosystem of region benefits from two dry seasons often recommended for the ascent. The short dry season from end December / January till end February and the long dry season from mid-June to early October.

 

During short dry season temperatures are relatively warm but you will have more clouds and rain. You could have more heavy showers in the rain forest and frequent dropping snow on the summit. During the long dry season, nights are generally refreshing or cold but you will have less clouds and snow on the summit.

 

Machame route is one of the most beautiful and wild trekking route. The trail get along the Kilimanjaro slopes starting from the South-West part of the volcanoe underneath the altitude glaciers.  With the global warming and the decrease of rain falls, glaciers are rapidly melting and retreating.

 

 

 

Our climbing team is native from the Kilimanjaro region and know the climbing routes perfectly. They are very experienced and they speak fluent english and swahili. Each of them have the passion of climbing and will always make your trip enjoyable and agreeable. They will be pleased to share their experience and their knowledge about the flora, the tribes and the local customs. For your safety, our teams are also close to you at any time to assist you during your climb.
 

 

The cook is the key point to make your trip enjoyable. We provide experienced cooks who are able to prepare tasty and balanced meals in altitude kitchens. They are very concerned about hygiene, clients requirements about food and do their best to always provide fresh food during your climb. You will have to inform us about any allergy or diatery. With extra acclimatization days, you will have plenty of time to enjoy proper lunches and dinners everyday and avoid snack-meals or sandwich lunches.

 

Soup, vegetable, chicken, french fries, rice or pasta are provided for lunch and dinner and served with tea or coffea. For breakfast, the team will lay the table outside for an outstanding « breakfast under the sun » at the feets of Kilimanjaro slopes with eggs, toasts, pancakes, fruit juice and jam. Enough tea and coffea will be served to rehydrate yourself before your long walking day.

 

On Kilimanjaro, water will be less and less available. with altitude. At lower camps, porters will climb up to provide enough clean water for the group. In high altitude camps, water will be filtered or boild. It is also advisable that you use Micropur as a precaution to eliminate bacteria. Pills reaction time is approximately 30 minutes to clear your water.

 

 

Kilimandjaro and Mt Meru are non-technical ascent and require no mountaineering skills. However, climbing in altitude to 5,895m altitude is very challenging. You should prepare yourself physically especially for the summit attempt. The climb starts at night and you walk approx. 6 / 7 hours in the dark before you reach the rim of the caldeira at Stella Point. Another hour is needed to get to the top and admire the splendid 360° view of Africa. The walk is easy but can be very strenuous on the last parts.

 

Walking, climbing, running, cycling or/and swimming several times a week before your climb is recommended to be in an excellent physical condition. Altitude has to be considered seriously as you can suffer from AMS.

 

 

The REACH SUMMIT correspondant welcomes you at Kilimanjaro Airport. For that itinerary, no pick up meeting at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will be organised. Yo will also have to arrange your hotel accommodation in Nairobi if you arrive late afternoon or at night. Please, make sure that you arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport either from Nairobi via the Shuttle or via Domestic airlines to Tanzania.

 

 

The Shuttle timetable is at 8:00am and 12:00pm (noon) for about 5 hours drive to Arusha. A bus picks you up at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. While booking your international flight, please make sure your arrival time is before 7:00am or 11:00am in Nairobi. Please don't be late, the shuttle always depart on time.

 

You can also book your place in a domestic flight from Jomo Kenyatta Airport  to Kilimanjaro Airport . We recommend KLM or Precision air for the transfer  to Tanzania.  It will cost you approx. USD 200$ for a 3/4 hour flight. The REACH SUMMIT correspondant will be waiting for you at Kilimanjaro Airport.

 

 

 

REACH SUMMIT feels very concerned about environmental matters. On Mt Meru we provide chemical toilets facilities to lower the impact of human activities on the mountain and then advoid damaging the environment. On Kilimanjaro, glaciers are retreating rapidly due to climate change and less snowfalls in altitude. Please keep in mind that you are not allowed to pollute or leave your garbage in the Kilimanjaro National Park.

 

Your guide will collect your rabbish every morning to be brought back at the end of the trip. Ask your guide to pick up your small plastic bags, bottles or litter to reduce the impact of pollution during the trek. In camps, use the toilets facilities provided to respect this splendid valley.