Kilimanjaro Trekking routes
EXPEDITION
15 days
ITINERARY
11 days
TREKKING
5,895m
ALTITUDE
Dates
2024
MT MERU & MACHAME ROUTE
TANZANIA'S TWIN PEAKS!
Our Kilimanjaro Expedition climb couples two tough ascents of two different mountains, for those who are looking to really push themselves – it’s the ultimate challenge! You will start with a 3 day ascent of Mt Meru (in Kenya), to acclimatise and get those legs working – before a 7 day climb of Kilimanjaro via the Machame route. To make this part of the climb extra special, once we’ve summited at 5,895m – we then camp for a night within Kilimanjaro’s glacial crater at 5,750m, which is a very special & rare treat – no other trip we run will do this! Our Expedition climb is unique, and a one off – if you’ve climbed before, or looking for your first challenge climb – this one is for you!
The Challenge
Reach the Roof of Africa in 11 days...
This Kilimanjaro climb is for those looking for something longer, tougher, and an expedition style trekking experience. We first tackle Mt Meru (4,562 metres – & Tanzania’s 2nd highest mountain) over 4 days to acclimatise to the altitude – prior to tackling Kilimanjaro’s most direct ascent route – before – a route very few have attempted. We spend a night sleeping at Crater Camp at 5,790m after our final Kilimanjaro summit attempt. This expedition climb is perfect to aspiring mountaineers with some scrambling experience – or for those who really want to push themselves and are prepared to get in shape before they head out.
- 15 day trip - 11 day trek
- Trekking 2 magnificent summits!
- Acclimatise on Mount Meru - 4,562m
- Then take on Mount Kilimanjaro
- Steep, quick, and quiet Umbwe Route
- Traverse the tough Western Breach
- Adventurous route to the Summit!
- Explore Kili's Ash Pit and glaciers
- Camp in the Crater at 5,730m
The Experience
Life While Trekking
On an Action Challenge trip you’ll be part of a team which takes on a Kilimanjaro adventure together – and that’s what makes the experience so special. Getting to know others, supporting each other when the going gets tough on summit day, laughing together, and sharing those special moments & the new friendships that will stay with you for many years. Led by a UK Mountain Leader and supported by a Medic overseeing the group’s wellbeing – you’ll be in safe hands, and our expert local Kilimanjaro logistics team & guides will ensure it all runs like clockwork. These are ‘fully inclusive’ Kilimanjaro trips – leaving you to focus on your challenge, and to enjoy it!
An Action Challenge trip is much more than a holiday! It brings like-minded people together in fantastic landscapes, provides the best support & great hospitality, and enables the group to take on a tough & unforgettable challenge which forges new friendships, broaden horizons, and leaves you wanting more of life’s adventures!
The blueprint for Action Challenge trip is based on delivering a high quality enjoyable experience – and doing it all safely. An experienced UK Mountain Leader ensures that all aspects of the challenge run to plan – and one of our UK Medics with an expedition med kit is on-hand to look after the group’s wellbeing – enabling everyone to have the best chance of successfully competing their challenge.
We go to great lengths to ensure that we only use the best local organisations to supply the all-important ground logistics and the on-challenge support, catering, and hospitality teams – with experienced guides leading the way on the trails with their deep local knowledge and authentic style.
Like minded people with a similar sense of adventure – but often from very different backgrounds, and with a wide range of experience, ages, levels of fitness, and personal ambitions. Our trips are perfect for individuals, couples, and small groups of friends to join – and then to take on a unique challenge as part of a larger group which shapes & bonds as the adventure unfolds!
Whether its’s the hotels, restaurants & transfers before & after the main challenge – or the challenge accommodation & meals whilst out on the trails – our all inclusive packages mean that you will get a top quality experience at a great value price! Flights are generally included, but there’s a ‘land only’ option if you’d prefer to book your own – and single supplement accommodation upgrades are available.
The group comes together – takes on a tough challenge together – and then celebrates its achievements in style on the final night of the trip in a local restaurant or hotel, with medals, awards, and a maybe a bit of a party! Many of our participants make new special friends on our trips – and quite a few come back together for another challenge in the following years!
A successful challenge starts with good preparation. The better prepared you are the more confident you’ll be, and the more you’ll enjoy it! Our ‘Challenge App’ will have all the info & details of what to expect on your challenge – and how to prepare for it – and we have optional training walks, training weekends , and a place on one of our UK Ultra Challenge events to get out on the tails and test your fitness, kit, & equipment.
free ultra challenge
FREE 50KM ULTRA CHALLENGE PLACE
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Itinerary & Route
Please note that some details of the itinerary may change, you will be provided with a detailed itinerary once you are signed up to the challenge.
Departing London, we fly overnight before landing into Tanzania. On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport we transfer approximately 1 hour to our comfortable hotel in Arusha town, at the foot of Mount Meru. After freshening up we have a welcome lunch and meet our team of local guides who will be leading the expedition. In the afternoon there is the chance to relax before the welcome briefing, given by your AC Leader, UK Doctor and head local guide, and kit check. This evening we enjoy an evening meal together before an early night.
After breakfast we leave the hotel for our transfer towards Arusha National Park to begin our ascent of Mount Meru – Tanzania’s 2nd highest mountain. We expect to arrive after 4-5 hours of walking. After lunch there is an optional acclimatisation ascent of Little Meru (3820m). The climb begins before dawn. We steadily ascend for 6-8 hours over slabs of rock to reach the summit. The last hour of the hike you will scramble on a rocky ridge between the crater and inner cliffs of Meru. There are wonderful views of Kilimanjaro and of Mount Meru’s ‘Ash Tray’, the volcanic centre of the crater. We descend to Mirikamba Hut to rest after a long hard day. Transfer to a hotel in Moshi town, close to Kilimanjaro, for a well-deserved shower and rest.
Setting out from Machame gate, to the South East of the mountain, we set out from the foothills through lush vegetation. Our 1st night is spent camping at ‘Machame Camp’ (2,780m). The next day we trek our way slowly towards Shira Camp where the landscape turns more into ‘Moorland’ with unique shrubs & flora. We camp at the Shira Plateau which is above the cloud line, at 3,850m. From here we head towards Barranco Camp, past Lava Tower & under the ice field of Kibo – tonight’s camp is at 3,972m, just below the infamous Barranco wall.
Heading out from Barranco camp, we scramble up to the top of the Barranco wall, before heading along to Karanga Camp 3,995m. After lunch we set out from Karanga to Kosovo Camp at 4,800m which takes us about 6 hours. It is here that we prepare ourselves for our summit attempt, getting in a few hours of sleep before waking up approx. 11pm.
And so to the Kilimanjaro summit day! We awake just before midnight – and after a hot drink & snacks we begin our climb. For the next 6 hours we trek the steepest and most demanding part of the route by torch light. This is a long and gruelling trek to reach Stella point (5,730m) at Kilimanjaro’s crater rim, then Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the African continent at 5,895m. After celebrating with a few summit photos, we begin our descent into Kibo Crater to camp for the night, before making our way down to Mweka Camp for our final night on the mountain.
We descend to the gate from Mweka Camp which takes us between 4-5 hours, before boarding a bus to head back to the hotel. After a rest & a hot shower we have the afternoon to relax by the pool before a celebratory dinner. The next day we have a free morning, before heading to the airport for an overnight flight back to the UK.
Costs & Fundraising
We’ve three payment & fundraising options for you to take on this challenge.
Self Funding
Sign up with a £495 online deposit & balance payment due 12 weeks before, with no fundraising target.
Fundraise for Charity
Sign up with a £495 online deposit & fundraise for a charity of your choice, with different target options.
Our Brochure
The Challenge brochure details the full itinerary, inclusions, dates & prices – download for a full run down of the challenge details.
