Mount Meru Climbing
Mount Meru is the third-highest mountain in Tanzania at 4566 meters, only the Kibo and the Mawenzi (the highest peaks of the Kilimanjaro massif) rise further into the sky. The mountain was formed by volcanic activity in the East African Rift Valley. About 250,000 years ago, the entire eastern flank of the volcano was blown away by a violent outburst, an impressive sight to this day.
Highlights:
Daily stages/walking times:
Route with accomodation in wooden huts
Ascent through the Arusha National Park with many wild animals
Great view in the crater and on the Kilimanjaro
Total distance about 45 km
Itinerary
Day 1 Transfer from the hotel to Momella Gate (1500m) - Miriakamba Hut (2514m)
After breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel. Before we leave, we have a general briefing about your ascent of Meru and check your equipment. The journey to Arusha National Park takes about an hour. Once your guide has completed the necessary paperwork at the gate, the trip continues to Momella Gate, the starting point of your hike. On the way you can observe giraffes, zebras and many other animals. Because of the wildlife in the park, from the Momella Gate you will be accompanied by an armed park ranger. The route takes you across the Ngare Nanyuki River, as you then walk along the river and will see buffalo herds, baboons and other animals. Soon the hike will take you through the forest, and after about 2 hours, you will reach the small Mayo Falls, here a meadow is an ideal place for your picnic. After you have relaxed a bit, your hike continues to the "Arched Fig Tree" - a unique tree that spans the way like a gate. After another
1.5 - 2 hours you will reach the Miriakamba Hut. Here you spend your first night on Meru.
Lunch; Dinner
Day 2 Miriakamba Hut (2514m) - Saddle Hut (3560m)
After breakfast, the trek leads through the dense forest with mosses and beard lichens. After 2-3
hours you will reach the viewpoint of Mngongo wa Tembo (Elephant Ridge), which is at a height of about 3200 meters. The ascent takes place partly over wooden steps, since the path is steep and slippery in some places. From this vantage point, you will have a magnificent view of the large, burst crater. After a short rest, the trek continues to the Saddle Hut. Just before you reach it, the landscape changes from mountain rainforest to light bushland. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to take a detour to the summit of Little Mount Meru (3820m), this 1-1.5 hour hike will reward you with a great view over the national park up to Kilimanjaro. Back to the hut it is time for your dinner, after that it is straight to bed. Tomorrow is the summit day and it starts early!
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 3 Saddle Hut (3560m) - Socialist Peak (4566m) - Miriakamba Hut (2514m)
After a small snack and a hot drink, your way to the summit starts at around 2 o'clock in the morning. In the glow of your headlight, you will head up through the bushland to Rhino Point. The path becomes more and more challenging, and some passages with easy climbing will be encountered. Along the long north ridge the route continues to the summit, which you will reach
around sunrise. The moment when the sun rises behind the Kilimanjaro and the plain to the Meru
starts to shine in a orange-red light, will let you quickly forget the strenuous ascent. On the descent, you return to the Saddle Hut where a lunch and a hot drink will await you. Afterwards
you will continue to Mirikamba Hut, reaching it in the early afternoon. Here you can rest and enjoy your summit success.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 4 Miriakamba Hut (2514m) - Momella Gate (1500m)- Transfer to the hotel
After breakfast the trail continues down towards Momella Gate via the so-called "Northern Route". On the way, you will be able to see again buffaloes, baboons and other wild animals, and with some luck also elephants. After a 2-3 hour trek, you will arrive at the Momella Gate, where your driver will be waiting. After a farewell from your mountain team you will be driven back to your hotel.
Breakfast; Lunch
Services included:
Mount Meru trekking according to the itinerary
Professional, English-speaking guide
Mountain crew (cook & porters)
Overnight stays in mountain huts
Meals according to the itinerary
Drinking water, tea & coffee
All national park fees
Transfer from the hotel to the National Park gate and back
Not included services:
Alcohol and soft drinks
Sleeping bag
Flights
Visa fees
Tips
Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
Travel insurance
• Hotel accommodation, this we can arrange by extra charges depending on type of hotel you prefer.
Note: Although the summit stage has some easy climbing passages, these are not secured. Surefootedness and a good head for heights are required. In bad weather conditions (heavy rain, dense fog, icing of the rocks) the accompanying ranger may choose to abort the ascent. An ascent during the great rainy season (April / May) is not recommended.
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