4 days/3 nights mount Meru climbing

Mount Meru is a great preparation hike for climbing Kilimanjaro, or a spectacular trek for those not compelled to do Kilimanjaro. You will hike past wildlife, the landscape is spectacular, and sunrise on the summit has Kilimanjaro as the backdrop. Mount Meru is not easy peak to summit or reach at the top, there are some scrambling rocks in the summit trails. You should be prepared for at least 6 to 10 hours of hiking on summit day. For an easier hike, you can climb just to Rhino Point or Little Meru for sunrise, and then descend. Mount Meru is located in Arusha National Park; The Park requires all groups to be accompanied by a park ranger who is employee of national park. He will carry a rifle, which is available to scare away any advancing animals such as elephant or Cape buffalo. You will be accompanied by our guide who is responsible for managing crew and watching out for your safety and your health on daily basis while trekking.

ACCOMMODATION

You will sleep in Shared hut four people per hut/room. Bathrooms and running water are available as well.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1:To Miriakamba hut 2500m: We pick you from your hotel and drive to Arusha national parks do some registrations at Momela gate and then our hiking will start by crossing through open grass land where you can see some Buffalo, Zebra, Warthogs, Giraffe and other animals before start crossing the rain forest and keep moving until mid afternoon where we will break at big fig tree for picnic lunch, After lunch we will keep hiking through less dense forest where there is a lot of birds and monkeys include black and white Colobus monkeys also we will have epic view of towering cliffs and the Ash cone and we will expect to use 5 to 6 hours for our hike.

Day 2: To saddle hut 3500m: Today we will have our best view and hike through steep sustained climb all the way starting through beautiful and lush rain forest the pitch continues beyond the halfway point of elephant back ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and moorland vegetation to reach saddle hut for lunch and over for lunch and overnight. After lunch and rest you can make some acclimatize through short climb to little Meru 3820m, where you will have an epic view of main peak of Meru and Kilimanjaro from far away.

Day 3: To Summit 4566m and descend to Miriakamba hut 2500m

Summit day has an early start at around 12:00am. There is a 1 hour’s steep climb to Rhino Point 3800m, and then the path continues along a ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point 4350m. The summit of Socialist Peak (4566 m) is an hour more on a steep path with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. Depending your speed, you can enjoy sunrise at Cobra Point or the summit. The views are stunning the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, and the Rift Valley. The route back to Rhino Point in the sharp morning light along a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. Brunch and a brief rest is taken at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut.

NOTE: For an easier climb, you can start the trek at 05:00 Am., hike for about 1 hour, and enjoy sunrise at Rhino Point before going back to Saddle Hut for breakfast and then descending.

NOTE: In raining conditions or in strong winds, it may be impossible for anyone to progress beyond Rhino Point.

Day 4: Descend from Miriakamba hut 2500m to Momela gate 1500m and drive back to Moshi.

There are two ways down from here. You can descend the route you came up or walk down the jeep road, which descends to the lower crater floor. You pass through the well-known Fig Tree Arch and can visit an impressive waterfall hidden in a Ravine not far from the road. A fast descent through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. Momela gate is reached by late morning and enjoy your lunch at Momela gate, certificate ceremony before drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

What's included?

• All park entrances

• Rangers fees

• Hut fees

• Rescues fees

• Government taxes

• 3 nights’ accommodation in the mountain

• Crews’ salaries guide / cook / porters

• Meals and drinking water while trekking

• Oxygen cylinders for an emergencies

• Pulse ox-meter

• Service of an English speaking guide

• Transfers from Moshi to Momela gate and back to Moshi in comfortable vehicle

What's not included?

• Hotel accommodations

• Extras at the hotel such as drinks, telephone, laundry etc.

• Immunization papers (yellow fever recommended)

• International and local flights

• Passport

• Tipping for the crew (recommended)

• Travel insurance documents