MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMBING.
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| MOUNT KILIMANJARO |
The ascent of Kilimanjaro can be done from six routes:
● Mweka,
● Umbwe,
● Shira,
● Rongai,
● Machame,
● Marangu
Route which is the easier one. Depending on which route one wants to take, the climb of Kilimanjaro can take between four to six nights on the mountain. The two most popular routes are Marangu and Machame. On the Marangu Route, accommodation is in alpine huts while on Machame Route it is camping throughout. While expert guides and porters will accompany you on your climb, no technical equipment is required on these routes.
MT KILIMANJARO – ROUTES DESCRIPTION
MARANGU ROUTE
The Marangu or main route is by far the most popular way to the summit. The ascent is more gradual and no professional equipment is required. The accommodation on the way up and down is provided in mountain huts with all the basic necessities. There are 60 bunk beds each (for 60 people each) at Mandara Hut (2700m) and Kibo Hut (4700m), and 120 bunk beds (for 120 people) at Horombo Hut (3720m) which is also used for descent. Climbers are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags should be brought along. There are communal dining halls, washrooms and toilets.
It usually takes 5 days/4nights for the round trip. The trek can also be taken in 6 days/5 nights to add acclimatization with an extra day at Horombo Hut. The supplementary cost for an extra day is indicated separately as an option.
MACHAME ROUTE
This is probably the most scenic route up Kilimanjaro. The accommodation on the way up and down is strictly camping (mobile tents) only. This trek is strenuous and may be better suited to more adventurous hikers. The Machame route is normally completed in a minimum of 6 days/5nights on the mountain.
RONGAI ROUTE
There is only one route over on the north eastern side of the mountain, Rongai, which is usually a five night climb. This lesser known track may not be quite as spectacular as the western routes, but it does usually have far lower traffic than the other five night routes. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.It is generally considered to be the easiest of the quality routes on the mountain. Rongai is the best route for people who are looking for a decent quality experience and are perhaps not absolutely confident about their fitness.
UMBWE ROUTE
The Umbwe route, which is based in the south, is a 6-day / 5-night tour and is said to be the most scenic and difficult one offered on Kilimanjaro. The first two days are extremely steep, muddy and generally strenuous making it only suitable for well-trained mountaineers. An acclimatization day is rarely offered on the standard programme, but can be added whereby giving the climber an extra day in the Karanga Valley. The descent trail is the same as the Mweka Route.
LEMOSHO(SHIRA) GLADES ROUTE
The Lemosho Glades route is perhaps the least used initial ascent route on Kilimanjaro, partly because of its remote location and likewise the difficult roads leading to the trailhead. The road to the trailhead is only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles and can be impassable during wet periods. The trailhead is at relatively high elevation, and thus we start slow and easy on this route. Buffalo and elephant sightings are possible on the first day trekking through the forest, and the trail is often overgrown from lack of use.
The route is the longest distance to trek up Kilimanjaro, so fitness certainly plays a role in the enjoyment and success of this trek. The Lemosho (Shira) route takes 7 days / 6 nights on the mountain. Overall, the distance covered and the intensity of the final few days make this trek a good choice only for the experienced hiker. The many changes of scenery and spectacular hike across the Shira Plateau make this trek truly special. There are no huts on this route, the accommodation is in mountain tents.
MOUNT MERU.
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| MOUNT MERU |
➡️ ABOUT MOUNT MERU.
Mount Meru, which is located within the Arusha National Park, overlooking Arusha town, is the second highest mountain in Tanzania after Kilimanjaro. It is an exciting mountain to climb. There are numerous animals to see on the lower slopes and vegetation zones change as you ascend.
Parts of the climb along the saddle are very steep but the views of Kilimanjaro 80km to the northeast and of the cliff face from the summit down to Meru Crater are spectacular. One does not however need technical equipment for the climb.
Mount Meru is usually scaled in 3 days / 2 nights, but since descending from summit takes about 7 hours, some climbers opt for an extra night at Miriakamba Hut which will make it a 4-day / 3 nights climb. Overnight accommodation is in alpine huts on your way up and down.
Day 1: Morning transfer to Momela Gate (1500m) to start the climb, 3 hours walk gets you to Mariakamba Hut. Afternoon explore the Meru Crater. Overnight at Mariakamba Hut.
Day 2: Climb to Saddle Hut which will take about three hours along the steep Saddle walls. Explore Little Meru (3820m), a 1 ½ hour climb in the afternoon. Overnight at Saddle Hut
Day 3: Early morning ascend to the summit of Mount Meru (4566m) which will take up to 5 hours and then return to Mariakamba Hut for overnight OR descend to Momela Gate (7 hours).
Although Mt Meru is usually climbed from the western side at Olkokola, it can be climbed via Little Meru. The best time to climb the mountain is between October and February, although there may be some rain in November.
MOUNT MERU CLIMBING & TREKKING COST
Begin your Mount Meru trekking adventure with a warm welcome at your hotel in Arusha. After a detailed briefing by our experienced guides, your journey starts with a drive to the Momela Gate, the entry point to Arusha National Park. Over the next four days, you’ll hike through the stunning landscapes of Meru, with armed ranger escorts for added security, and get the chance to spot wildlife like Buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and antelope along the way.
As you progress, you’ll pass through the lush Montane Forest, ascend the scenic ridges of the mountain, and enjoy spectacular views of the Ash Cone and Meru Crater. The summit climb to Socialist Peak offers the reward of a breathtaking sunrise and views of Kilimanjaro. After completing the trek, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest. Optional extensions to Kilimanjaro climbing, Zanzibar or safaris are available if wishing to extend your adventure in Tanzania.
Climb Mount Meru Itinerary
Below we have shared a 4 day / 3 nights Meru climb but you can do it in 3 days / 2 nights which we do not recommend due to long walking distance from Miriakamba Hut to the Socialist Peak and back all the way to Momella Gate.
DAY 1 : MOMELLA GATE (1500 M) –MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2541 M)
WALKING TIME: 4-6 HOURS
Leaving early in the morning from your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi and driving to Momella gate in Arusha National Park. Driving takes about 3 hours from Moshi and about 1 hr from Arusha. At the gate you will clear your trekking permits, meet up with your porters, guide, cook and game ranger, and start climbing. You will pass open grassland which will give you a good opportunity to see buffaloes, warthogs and other grazers.
You will cross the Ngare Nanyuki River and continue climbing through mountain forest. There you will have chance to see many different kind of birds and black and white colobus monkeys. Finally you will reach Miriakamba Hut where you will stay overnight
DAY 2: MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2541 M) – SADDLE HUT (3570 M)
WALKING TIME: 3-5 HOURS
Second day climbing is quite short but demanding. You will start early in the morning and ascent steeply through lush mountain forest full of birds to reach the halfway point of Elephant Ridge. There you can see the crater. After 3 to 5 hours climbing you will reach Saddle Hut where you will have lunch.
In the afternoon you will have another hiking to Little Meru (3794 m) for superb views before sunset. Then you will return to Saddle Hut for overnight. It is good to go to sleep early so that you get enough rest for the next day’s hiking.
DAY 3 : SADDLE HUT (3570 M) – RHINO POINT (3850 M) – PEAK ( 4566 M) – RHINO POINT (3850 M) – SADDLE HUT (3570 M) – MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2541 M)
WALKING TIME: 10-12 HOURS
You will start climbing between 1 to 2 at night. The route is very steep towards Rhino Point (3850 m) and from there towards the summit along very narrow ridge. You will reach the mount meru summit, Socialist Peak, (4566 m) right at the sunrise.
The sceneries there are stunning; you will see Mount Kilimanjaro in close distance. After taking photos on the summit you will descent back to Saddle hut.
Note: On icy conditions or strong wind it is not necessarily possible to pass the ridge between Rhino Point and summit. You guide will decide if the conditions are not good enough to continue.
DAY 4 : MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2541 M) – MOMELLA GATE (1500 M)
WALKING TIME: 2-5 HOURS
You will leave about at 8.00 in the morning and descent to Momella gate. You can choose longer or shorter route down. On the longer way down you have very good changes to see wildlife and the ash cone. Once at the gate, it’s time to tip your porters, guide, cook and game ranger. After that your transportation back to Moshi will be waiting for you.
3 Day Mount Meru Climb quick over view
Day 1: Arusha – Momella gate – Mariakamba HutDrive 1 Hr, Hike Distance 10 km, 4 – 5 hrs, 1000m ascent, Altitude: 2516m
Drive to the Arusha National Park gate at Momella. For the first section of the climb through the lush forest, crossing the Ngare Nanyuki river to reach Miriakamba Hut at 8337ft/2541m for overnight stay. Dinner and overnight Mariakamba Hut.
Day 2: Mariakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
Hike Distance 4km, 2 – 3 hrs, 1050m ascent, Altitude: 3566m
Continue to ascend steeply through the pleasant forest glades and giant heather to reach Saddle Hut at 11,713ft/3570m.
From here it is possible to take a side trek to reach the summit of Little Meru 12,450ft/3794m and return to Saddle Hut in about 2 hours. Dinner and overnight Saddle Hut.
Day 3: Saddle Hut to Meru Summit to Momella Gate
Hike distance 5km ascent + 19km descent, 4 – 5 hrs ascent + 6-8 hours descent, 1000m ascent, Altitude: 4566m
An early start to reach Rhino Point and then on to the summit at 14,981ft/4566m to see the sunrise behind Mount Kilimanjaro, before descending back to Momella Gate to be met and transferred back to your hotel.
Drive 1 hr back to Arusha.
Mount Meru Cost
The price for a 3 day Meru climb is USD 1,250 Per Person and the price for a 4 day Meru climb is USD 1,650 per person. You can climb Mount Meru all year round and you can pick and choose your own travel dates but we recommend you avoid the rainy season. The best time to climb Mount Meru is January to early March and June to October.
MOUNT OL DOINYO LENGAI.
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| MOUNT OL DOINYO LENGAI |
➡️ ABOUT MOUNT OL DOINYO LENGAI. (2890m)
Ol Doinyo Lengai (2890 metres) is located some 240 kilometres to the northwest of Arusha town, along the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, overlooking Lake Natron on the border with Kenya. Ol Doinyo Lengai, or Mountain of God in Maasai, is the only active volcano in Tanzania.
The mountain can be climbed in 6 hours, affording breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley and volcanic formations in the Ngorongoro highlands as you get to the summit. It is an adventurous hike starting at dawn. Remember this is an active volcano, the mountain remains closed for climbing when we have eruptions.
Lying on the base of the mountain, Lake Natron is said to be the only breeding area for the endangered Lesser Flamingoes that live in the Great Rift Valley and it is believed to be the world’s most important breeding site for the Lesser Flamingoes, accounting for 75 per cent of the global population.
The soda lake sits on the lowest point of the Great Rift Valley part in East Africa and is quite shallow, less than three metres deep, and varies in width depending on its water level. The temperatures in the lake mud can reach more than 40 degrees Celsius where evaporation causes high alkalinity. It is said the lake’s high alkaline environment is a barrier against predators trying to reach the flamingo nests.
The area around Lake Natron is often described as having a desolate and almost lunar landscape beauty. Walks around the lake and to the streams and waterfalls along the nearby escarpment, make for a fantastic adventure off the beaten track.
How Much Does it Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro?
What is the cost of Kilimanjaro including, flights, tips, you health, park fees etc?
The average cost to climb Kilimanjaro is $2000 to $6000, the price varies from cheap, budget operators to large Western travel agents selling outsourced climbs at an inflated price. There are various, unavoidable fixed costs to any tour operator and if a climb seems too cheap, you’ve got to ask yourself why.
Where are they making ‘savings’ (read: compromises) and what impact might this have on your safety and comfort on the mountain? What about your crew? Staff expenses are the main way that cheap operators cut costs, by not paying a proper wage, and providing little (or no) equipment and gear. This won’t make for a happy team and gives rise to welfare issues.
All tour operators on Kilimanjaro need to be licensed and registered by KINAPA, the National Parks Authority. However, travel agents worldwide can sell treks up Kilimanjaro that they outsource to local operators.
You want to find a balance between “too cheap to be safe” and “overpriced”.
Guides & Porters
At Climbing Kilimanjaro we take our responsibility to our guides and porters very seriously. There are countless reports of porters not being paid a living wage, of them having little to no cold-weather gear, inadequate food, and sleeping in crowded, uncomfortable conditions. The Tanzania Porters Organization was set up to counteract this unethical treatment and we aim to exceed their guidelines.
Having a high guide-to-client and porter-to-client ratio means that porters are not overloaded, carrying more weight than they should be, in an attempt to keep prices low.
Sleeping conditions, adequate gear, and food are just as important for porters. Our guides perform the same health checks for the porters every day, to ensure no one is suffering from altitude sickness or other complaints.
When you see how hard your porters work, you’ll be thankful that you climbed with a company that makes it our mission to ensure staff welfare.
Your Safety & Well being
Climbing Kilimanjaro is tough. And it can be dangerous. For your safety and comfort, at the very least, you’ll want:
- Well trained, experienced English-speaking guides who know what to do in an emergency
- Proper procedures in place
- Well maintained, good quality equipment
- Nutritious, varied meals that are tasty
- Safe drinking water
The Real Costs of Climbing Kilimanjaro
For any trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, there are various fixed costs to any operator:
Kilimanjaro National Park Fees
Kilimanjaro National Park imposes fees on both visitors and crew. These can be broken down into the following:
- Conservation Fees – The Kilimanjaro authority collects fees per day you spend inside the park. Example On an 7 day Machame climb, the conservation fees total $490 ($70 x 7 days).
- Campsite Fees on Machame route, Lemosho route, Rongai route , Northern circuit (or huts on Marangu route) fees – $50 to $60 per night per person. Example On a 7 day Machame climb, the camping fees are $300 ($50 x 6 nights).
- Rescue fees – $20 per person per trip (this doesn’t include helicopter rescue, and we don’t rely on the National Park rescue service)
- Guide & Porter Entrance Fees – $2 per staff person per trip
- Taxes & VAT – 18% of services. The Tanzanian government charges 18% VAT to all Kilimanjaro operators.
- The cost to an operator can easily be around $160-200 per climber, per night, in Park Fees alone. So if it’s too cheap, where are they making savings?
Food, Water and Transportation cost
Food shopping costs about $10-$20 per climber per day includes food for staff and Transportation costs are about $100 per Kilimanjaro trip depending on the route choice
While the cost of food in Tanzania is not high, it still has to be carried up the mountain, stored in safe and sanitary conditions and prepared by well-trained mountain chefs. On the longer routes, we may need to resupply with fresh produce a few days into the trek.
We don’t compromise on food quality to save money. We understand different dietary requirements and how to fulfill them.
Equipment
Gear and equipment on the mountain takes a battering. You want to be sure that your operator maintains all gear to a high standard, replacing it frequently. When you choose a climb, you want to be sure you’re getting:
- Solid, well-maintained 4-season tents, suitable for mountain conditions.
- Proper dining tent with table and chairs
- Toilet and toilet tent (if applicable)
- Spare gear in case of damage
You’ll also want to know that your crew are have proper trekking gear and sleeping conditions.
Guide to Climber & Porter to Climber Ratio
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a specialist outfitter dedicated to leading clients on Mount Kilimanjaro. We provide one professional, trained mountain guide for every two climbers. This ratio allows for safe monitoring of all our climbers and good management in and around camp. We’ve seen groups of 8 climbers with one guide, which might save money but possibly at the higher cost of safety.
When you see the amount of equipment that needs to be carried up the mountain, from the tents to the kitchen equipment, toilet facilities and food you’ll realize why we need a very large team of porters.
There are strict weight limits imposed by the National Parks Authority on how much an individual porter is allowed to carry. This is quite often ignored, in an attempt to cut costs, and results in porters being overloaded. As part of our commitment to porter welfare, we strictly limit the loads they carry.
Kilimanjaro Route Choice Cost
There are seven hiking to kilimanjaro route that lead you to the summit of Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak. The route you choose will also affect how much your climb costs. Longer routes, with more days on the mountain, increase your chances of summit success by having a better acclimatization protocol. Some people try to save on the cost by opting for the shortest route possible.
If your goal is to reach the summit, then you need to give your body a chance to adapt to the altitude and acclimatize properly. It’s not much good if you’ve booked a five-day climb and have to turn back on day 3 with altitude sickness.
For this reason, Climbing Kilimanjaro does not offer the five-day Marangu route, as for most hikers it gives insufficient time for acclimatization and as a result, has a much lower summit success rate.
Climbing Kilimanjaro recommends 6 days as a minimum, but 7-8 days on the mountain gives you the best acclimatization protocol and offers the highest chance of a safe and successful summit.
| Route | Duration | Description | Success rate |
| LEMOSHO ROUTE | 7-8 days | Arguably the most beautiful route to ascend Kilimanjaro. It’s popular, but not as crowded as the Machame route. | High |
| MACHAME ROUTE | 6-8 days | The most popular Mount Kilimanjaro route. Very Scenic Route and has acclimitization advantage, hike high sleep low | High |
| MARANGU ROUTE | 5-6 days | The only route on Mount Kilimanjaro that has hut accommodation. Not very scenic. | Low |
| RONGAI ROUTE | 6-7 days | Rongai route ascends Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Kenya and Tanzania. It’s the easiest route and best during rain season | Medium |
| NORTHERN CIRCUIT | 9-10 days | The newest and longest Mount Kilimanjaro route. It’s very scenic, and is one of the least crowded routes. | High |
| UMBWE ROUTE | 5-6 days | The shortest, steepest and hardest of all Mount Kilimanjaro routes. For experienced hikers | Low |
Kilimanjaro Tours Prices
| Route | Duration | Price * |
| LEMOSHO | 7 days | $2,850 |
| LEMOSHO | 8 days | $2,980 |
| MACHAME | 7 days | $2,790 |
| NORTHERN CIRCUIT | 9 days | $3,280 |
| MARANGU | 6 days | $2,670 |
| RONGAI | 7 days | $2,850 |
| MOUNT MERU CLIMB | 4 days | $1,050 |
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