4 Day 3 Night Mount Meru Trek

Mount Meru is an active volcano of 4566 metres about 70 kilometres west of Mount Kilimanjaro and our trek is six days to reach the summit and come back. It is an excellent standalone trip or a prequel to climbing Kilimanjaro itself. Some people say that Meru is actually more challenging, and for sure it is much quieter. Therefore there is a lot more wildlife to be seen and the sense of remoteness and solitude is much stronger than on the more famous peak nearby.

The mountain is the centrepiece of Arusha National Park and its fertile slopes rise above the surrounding savanna and support a forest that hosts diverse wildlife, including nearly 400 species of birds, and also monkeys and leopards. Trekkers have the opportunity to see a lot of wildlife as they approach and climb the mountain.

The ascent is quite steep in places and the route to the summit passes over a number of streams, moving through grasslands, tropical rainforest, alpine meadows, moorlands and desert uplands to snow and ice. The summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge, which provides stunning views of the Ash Cone lying several hundred feet below in the crater.

Don't Underestimate Mount Meru

While Kilimanjaro is taller and more famous, Mount Meru arguably still offers trekkers an amazing experience. Mount Meru trekking takes you through different landscapes and offers its' own stunning vistas, and really, this mountain cannot be considered small! At 4,565 metres high, Meru is an imposing active stratovolcano that lost its whole eastern wall during a massive explosion some 8,000 years ago. With a large mass of the volcano blown away, Mount Meru was given its impressive horseshoe crater that is still one of its most talked about features today.

The steep slopes mean that Mount Meru trekking is far from easy, and with the added distraction of the altitude, the trek becomes even more challenging.

Day 0: Pickup to Airport

You will be picked up from airport. From there you will go to the hotel in Moshi for an orientation on your trek. Your guides will be there to provide you with details on your trek and will also check your trekking gears.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Moshi.

Day 1: Arusha/Moshi – Momella Gate (1500m) – Miriakamba Hut (2500m)

In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and after a 45-minute drive, you will arrive at the Arusha National Park Gate. At the national park gate, your guide will complete the obligatory entry forms and whilst he does so, you can peruse the information boards of the national park. Once the formalities have been completed and the hiking team consisting of porters from the surrounding villages is formed, you will then be driven a little further to Momella Gate. An armed park ranger will accompany you while you start your hike and get a first glimpse of the wonderful giraffes and buffalos. Once you have left the buffalo herds and giraffes behind, you will enter the acacia forest in which you will follow the Southern Route. After a steady 2-hour climb, you will reach Maio Falls and some picturesque meadows that are a perfect place for a picnic. After a rest, you will again be on your way and soon reach the well-known 'Arched Fig Tree'. Here your park ranger will tell you about the formation of this tree and how it gained its shape forming an arch over the path. After another 1½ – 2 hours, you will reach the Miriakamba Hut. Evening meal and overnight stay at the Miriakamba Hut. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 2: Miriakamba Hut (2500m) – Saddle Hut (3550m)

In the morning, you will leave the Miriakamba Hut behind and follow a steep track with wooden steps upwards. Due to the gain in height, it will be noticeably cooler than the previous day and due to this, the hike will seem to get easier. The clouds also often hang in the rainforest and dip the lush vegetation in a moody atmosphere. After approximately 2 hours, you will reach the vantage point 'Mgongo wa Tembo' (Elephant back) at an elevation of 3200m, where you will enjoy a well-earned break. After another hike in which the vegetation changes from rainforest into an airy bush land, you will reach Saddle Hut (3550m) at midday for a relaxing lunch break. During the afternoon, you have the option of a side trip to Little Meru (3820m) which takes approx. 1 – 1 ½ hours and from where you can have wonderful views of Arusha National Park and of the Kilimanjaro (approx. 80 km away). Back at the hut, a warm dinner is waiting for you before you will have the final preliminary talk in preparation for the following day's climb to the summit. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 3 Saddle Hut – Socialist Peak (4562m) – Miriakamba Hut (2500m)

After an early start with tea and biscuits, you will leave for the summit at 02:00 hrs. By torchlight, you will follow the trail through bush land to the so-called Rhino Point (3821m) in which the path turns into a little more challenging trek with occasional light climbs. You will follow the north ridge to the summit on which you walk on ground alternating between lava ash and rock. After approx. 4 – 5 hours, you will have the summit and the Tanzanian flag in your sights. From the summit, you will be able to enjoy the sun rising above Kilimanjaro and the fantastic view of Mount Meru's crater with its steep sides and the "Ash Cone" in the middle. The descent follows the same route back to Saddle Hut (3550m) where you will take a well-deserved long break and recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once refreshed, you will continue with the descent. During the early afternoon, you will reach Miriakamba Hut (2500m) – tired but happy. At this hut, you can relax and think about the last stage that you have completed. Evening meal and overnight stay at Miriakamba Hut (2500m). Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 4 Miriakamba Hut (2500m) – Momella Gate (1500m)

After breakfast, you will follow a 2 – 3 hour trek over the so-called 'Northern Route' back to Momella Gate. The descent is shorter than the ascent but there is still the chance to see elephants, buffalos, giraffes as well as the black and white columbus monkeys. At the gate, you will say farewell to your hiking crew and your driver will take you back to Arusha/Moshi. Breakfast

– TWO NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION IN MOSHI/ARUSHA BED AND BREAKFAST.

– Return transportation from Moshi to/from the starting/finishing point on the mountain

– Qualified guides with mountain crew

– National park fees

– Tents and sleeping mattresses

– Cutlery / Crockery / Eating utensils

– Mess tent (for dining) / Mini camping chairs / Tables / Candles

– Rescue fees

– Pulse oximeters

– First aid kit

– Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries

– Boiled water on the mountain

– All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)

– Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain

– Armed Ranger Fee.

NOT INCLUDED

– Airport transfers

– Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips

– Meals and drinks not specified

– Gear for your climb

– Items of personal nature

– Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included

– Visas

– Emergency oxygen

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