2024/2025 US $2,725 $2,345 $2,045 $1,945
per person, double occupancy (single supplement US $210)
• Discover a part of Tanzania few tourists ever see
• In the Kilimanjaro foothills walk on ancient trails between the national park forest and local villages, passing through the land of the Chagga people
• The exhilaration of a sunrise summit with the African plains below and the silhouette of Kilimanjaro in the distance
Day 1: Arrival. Mbahe Village. Mbahe Farm Cottages.
KILIMANJARO WALK
We walk 7 – 22 kilometers per day on mountain trails between 1400 and 2200 meters elevation. The walking is strenuous on steep trails that can be slippery when wet. The route includes some challenging hiking as there are many ridges and valleys, but your guide will set a slow pace appropriate for your group. Trekking poles strongly recommended. Overnights are spent in our comfortable camp with spacious walk-in tents for 1-2 people or families, and locally-inspired meals served in a dining tent and prepared by our expert mountain cooks.
Day 2: Mbahe Village to Kidia. Hiking distance: 13.6mi / 22km.
Day 3: Kidia to Tema. Hiking distance: 5.6mi / 9km.
Day 4: Tema to Wondo. Hiking distance: 4.3mi / 7km.
Day 5: Wondo to Mweka. Hiking distance: 4.9mi / 8km.
Day 6: West Kilimanjaro. Simba Farm Lodge. Rest day.
MOUNT MERU CLIMB
Day 7: Momella Gate (4,970’ / 1515m) to Miriakamba Huts (8,250’ / 2515m). Hiking distance: 8.3mi / 13,5km.
Day 8: Miriakamba Huts (8,250’ / 2515m) to Saddle Huts (11,710’ / 3570m). Hiking distance: 6.5mi / 10,4km.
Day 9: Saddle Huts (11,710’ / 3570m) to Meru Summit (14,980’ / 4460m) to Momella Gate (4,970’ / 1515m). Hiking distance: 18.6mi / 30km.
Day 10: Arusha Town. Departure.
We pick you up upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and bring you to Mbahe Village, located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro at 1800 meters. Accommodations are in SENE’s private cottages at Simon Mtuy’s Mbahe Village Farm.
Overnight: Mbahe Farm Cottages.
Meals: D.
Drive time: 2 hours
Day 2: Mbahe To Kidia
On our first day hiking, the path is long but easy, perfect for a start and letting us enjoy the landscape. We reach several superb viewpoints overlooking Moshi Town and up toward the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, which emerges as we leave Mbahe Village. Camp on primary school grounds high on a ridge.
Overnight: Fumyuhu School Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Hiking distance: 13.6mi / 22km.
Day 3: Kidia to Tema
The trail proceeds through more colorful mountain villages, past coffee and maize farms and rivers where you can refresh in the cool and crystal clear water. We pass Kidia village, the site of the first European settlement in the Kilimanjaro region. There are many large Catholic and Lutheran churches on the mountain, each with its own story of missionary work among the Chagga people. Camp is at another primary school high up the mountain.
Overnight: Tema School Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Hiking distance: 5.5mi / 9km.
Day 4: Tema to Wondo
This hiking day pass through a dramatic landscape of high ridges and deep valleys, all covered by tropical rain forest. We may spot blue monkeys hanging in the trees above our route. The trail passes several villages, one with an ingenious electrical system using the water channel. At the end of the day, we will inhale the sweet smell of the eucalyptus trees that create a natural border between the Kilimanjaro National Park and the villages.
Overnight: Kilimanjaro View Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Hiking distance: 4.3mi / 7km.
Day 5: Wondo to Mweka
Today, we alternate passing through villages and back into the forest, crossing many rivers on small wood bridges or jumping from rock to rock to reach the other side. We encounter the traditional irrigation channels, used by local farmers for more than 100 years to grow coffee, bananas and many other fruits and vegetables. A walk along the Rau river valley bring us to a high waterfall. Camp at Simon’s Mweka Farm.
Overnight: Mtuy Farm Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Hiking distance: 4.9mi / 8km.
Day 6: Rest day – West Kilimanjaro
Hop in the vehicle for transfer to Simba Farm located in the West Kilimanjaro region. Relax, explore the farm and surrounding footpaths, and enjoy the spectacular sunset behind Mount Meru to which we will head tomorrow.
Overnight: Simba Farm Lodge.
Meals: B,L,D.
After breakfast head to Momella Gate (1515m) where you will meet your climb support crew and park ranger, have an early lunch, and start the climb to Miriakamba (2515m), our first overnight on the mountain. Following the more circuitous route on a 4WD drive track enables us to soak in the biological richness of the forested lower slopes, see the magnificent arched fig tree, and stop for a snack at the Maio Falls picnic site along the Jekukumia River that winds through the forest. Keep your eyes open for dik dik, baboons, giraffe, and other retiring creatures of the forest.
Overnight: Miriakamba Huts.
Meals: B,L,D.
Hiking distance: 8.3mi / 13,5km.
Day 8: Miriakamba Huts (8,250’ / 2515m) to Saddle Huts (11,710’ / 3570m), (includes RT to Little Meru)
We begin the day ascending through a grassy pastoral landscape before entering a forest in which elephant may be spotted. The guides will remind you to keep your pace pole pole (slow) to help you adjust to the altitude. At the rest stop Mgongo wa Tembo (Elephant’s back) we are provided beautiful views over the Crater Plain below and ash cone straight ahead. Eventually we exit the forest and enter an alpine landscape leading to our overnight stop at the Saddle Huts (3570m). After an afternoon rest, take the short (1.5 hour) round-trip acclimatization hike up to Little Meru (3820m).
Overnight: Saddle Huts.
Meals: B,L,D.
Hiking distance: 6.5mi / 10,4km.
Day 9: Saddle Huts (11,710’ / 3570m) to Meru Summit (14,980’ / 4460m) to Momella Gate (4,970’ / 1515m)
Rise in the very early hours to start this ascent at night to reach the summit at sunrise. As the horizon starts to emit a dim light you can see Meru Summit as well as the outlines of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks on Kilimanjaro. Continue pole pole as this final section is steep, rocky, and can be slippery. Celebrate at the summit (4465m) and admire the views as far as Kenya. Revel in your achievement as you descend to the Saddle Huts, where you will have a well-deserved rest and lunch. The afternoon descent takes us past Miriakamba Huts and down the direct trail to Momella Gate. At the gate we say good-bye to the crew and ranger and transfer to your accommodation in Arusha Town (Kibo Palace hotel) or Arusha Village (Rivertrees Country Inn).
Overnight: The African Tulip Hotel or Rivertrees Country Inn.
Meals: B,L,D.
Hiking distance: 18.6mi / 30km.
Day 10: Arusha
For those staying in town, day at your leisure to visit Arusha, the bustling commercial capital of northern Tanzania. For those in the village, relax and explore the bucolic village setting outside Arusha. Transfers to Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight. Those heading out on safari or to Zanzibar will continue your exciting African adventure.
Meals: B.
- All accommodations
- All meals as indicated (B.L.D.)
- Bottled or filtered water (by Katadyn Expedition® filter) and coffee, teas, cocoa
- Services of hiking guide and camp crew
- All camping equipment (excluding sleeping bag and pad)
- Portable private toilet with bio-degradable waste system (Cleanwaste®) at all camps
- Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport, Moshi, Arusha.
