Two peaks climb means climbing Mount Meru (4,566 m) then Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895 m).
The climb of Mt. Meru helps greatly in succeeding in reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro due to the acquired acclimitization. Besides the acclimitization, the Mt. Meru climb is very enjoyable and beautiful, offering a unique landscape, flora and fauna found in the park plus some great views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
You will be picked up from your hotel and transported to the park gate. From there you walk through game-filled park land up to Miriakamba Hut (2470m). Along the way there are many spectacular views; including Kilimanjaro from Miriakamba Hut. You will encounter varieties of wildlife as you trek past the glades which support them. This day’s trek is not difficult because the terrain is very gradual which makes it a pleasant walk. You will have dinner and spend the night at Miriakamba hut.
The trail passes through fine forests and heather to the Saddle Hut (3570m). It is a steep day as you will gain 1056m of altitude. After reaching Saddle hut, an ascent to Little Meru is possible in the afternoon. This segment takes one hour both ways and it is an acclimatization session before the summit attempt. Today you will be having a very early dinner then half night sleep at Saddle hut.
A very early start at 2:00am takes us to a superb viewpoint called Rhino Point on the crater rim and then onto an airy ridge which leads up to the summit. The trek will take about 5 hours then return back to Saddle hut for a short rest and lunch. Following this, the descent continues to Miriakamba hut where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Walk back to the Park Gates in approximately 2 hours. You will be using the same route that you used to climb the mountain. Reaching back to the gate will allow the presentation of the certificates and return by vehicle to your hotel in Moshi.
Our vehicle will pick you up from your hotel and transport you to Machame gate. After the registration process, you will start trekking through the rainforest to Machame hut camp. Your tents will be already setup by your arrival. You will have dinner and spend the night at Machame hut campsite.
After breakfast, the trail leaves the glades of rainforest and continues ascending by crossing little valleys and a steep rocky ridge covered with heather to the western side of the mountain where the camp is situated. At this camp you will able get the spectacular view of Mt. Meru, Shira plateau, Kibo peak and the sunset. You will settle in for dinner and spend the night here.
This is a long and important acclimatization day so you will be having an early breakfast then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava Tower rock (4600m) for acclimatization. Following this, you continue down to Barranco hut camp. The camp location is in the bottom of the valley of Barranco wall. Here you will stop for supper and spend the night.
Early morning you will start a climb up Barranco Wall, a rapid gain in altitude of 250m. The views of Mount Meru and the plains far down below are magnificent. The route then crosses some valleys and small ridges to Karanga camp where you will stop for lunch. After your meal, you will carry on by ascending up through the steep ridge to Barafu camp where you will stop for an early dinner then make a last preparation of your equipment; ready for the midnight ascent to the summit. Here you will be camping in between two peaks Kibo and Mawenzi.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. Here is where your acclimitization of Mt. Meru will pay off. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise.
The summit attempt starts shortly after midnight with switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, reaching Stella Point on the crater rim (5,861 m/18,640 ft) between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows which take you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak. You will spend some time taking photos and enjoying the view.
After your summit activities, you will descend back to the Barafu Huts campsite, for lunch, a small rest, collect your gear, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka Huts campsite. You will have dinner and spend the night at Mweka hut campsite.
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast, you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across montane forest. This descent requires a trek of 3-4 hours. At the gate, after the park sign out procedure, you will board the awaiting vehicle and be transported back to Moshi for the certificate presentation and celebration.