Is Tanzania second highest mountain standing tall at 4566m. It is located in Arusha national park and offers some of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife diversity of any mountain in Tanzania. Mount Meru is a challenging trek due to its steepness, but is a great way to acclimatize before attempting Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbers are accompanied by an armed ranger due to the abundance of wildlife on the lower slopes. Mount Meru also has some historical significance to it whereby some have suggested that it was the resting place of Noah’s Ark when it came to rest after the biblical flood receded. Mount Meru is a great trekking option for those who want to take on a climbing challenge and get the sense of being out in the wild, but are not quite ready to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro.
6 days [ 4 days of trekking ]
Day 1 : Arrival Day
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to the Hotel, at Moshi Town. The rest of the day will be at leisure and you can just relax or explore the town (taxi required). In the evening, you will attend a briefing in preparation of your upcoming trek.
Day 2 : Moshi – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and after a scenic drive through the Arusha National Park you will reach the Momella gate. Once the formalities have been sorted out you will start from here. An armed park ranger will accompany you and right from the start you might spot giraffes and buffaloes as you walk through open grasslands. After approximately 2 hours you will reach the Maio Falls – the perfect spot to rest and have a picnic. Thereafter you will continue your trek to the well-known “fig tree arch”. After about another two hours your will arrive at the Miriakamba Hut in time for afternoon tea and snacks. The night will be spent at the Miriakamba Hut.
Day 3 : Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – Saddle Hut (3,550 m)
In the morning you will follow wooden steps along a steep track. Due to the gain in altitude, it will be noticeably cooler than the previous day and walking may seem easier. The clouds often hang low in the rainforest, creating a moody atmosphere in the lush vegetation. After going uphill for approximately 2 hours, you will reach the vantage point “Mgongo wa Tembo” (elephant back) at a height of 3,200 m, where you will enjoy a well-earned break. The vegetation now changes from rainforest to heather and moorland and you should reach Saddle Hut (3,550 m) at around midday. During the afternoon, you have the option to hike to Little Meru (3,820 m) which should take about 1 to 1½ hours. From here you will enjoy wonderful views of Arusha National Park and Mt Kilimanjaro about 80 km away. Back at Saddle Hut you will have a warm meal before you retire to bed early as your wake-up call with be just after midnight.
Day 4 : Saddle Hut (3,550 m) – Socialist Peak (4,562 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
After a small snack and some tea, you will leave the camp at night. Lighting the way with headlamps, you will follow the trail through bush land to Rhino Point (3,821 m). From here the path becomes more challenging and occasionally climbing will be necessary. You will walk on volcanic ash, rocks and gravel, following the crater rim. After about 4 to 5 hours you should reach the summit, Socialist Peak. From here, you will experience the sun rising above Mt Kilimanjaro and enjoy the fantastic view of Mt Meru’s crater with its steep sides and the “ash cone” in the middle. The descent follows the same route back to Saddle Hut (3,550 m) where you will take a break and recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once refreshed, you will continue the descent and in the afternoon you reach Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – tired but happy.
Day 5 : Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Moshi
After a small snack and some tea, you will leave the camp at night. Lighting the way with headlamps, you will follow the trail through bush land to Rhino Point (3,821 m). From here the path becomes more challenging and occasionally climbing will be necessary. You will walk on volcanic ash, rocks and gravel, following the crater rim. After about 4 to 5 hours you should reach the summit, Socialist Peak. From here, you will experience the sun rising above Mt Kilimanjaro and enjoy the fantastic view of Mt Meru’s crater with its steep sides and the “ash cone” in the middle. The descent follows the same route back to Saddle Hut (3,550 m) where you will take a break and recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once refreshed, you will continue the descent and in the afternoon you reach Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – tired but happy.
* 4 days climb + 2 days in hotel
* safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.
* Trek cost in US dollar per personal
1 person = 1200/=
2-4 people = 1000/=
5-7 people = 900/=
8-10 people = 800/=
11+ people = 750/=
* The climb cost includes:
- - Private transport to and from Kilimanjaro international airport to your accommodation in Moshi town.
- - Transportation to and from Meru gate.
- - Park entry fees.
- - Accommodation in wooden cabins on the mountain.
- - Camping fees.
- - Team Meru rescue fees.
- - 18% VAT on tour fees and services.
- - 4 season mountain tents.
- - Double layered sleeping mats.
- - Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porter.
- - 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
- - Enough treated and filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
- - Hot water for washing.
- - Fair wages for mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro national park and Kilimanjaro association tour operator.
- - Government taxes.
- - Portable oxygen tanks and ox-meter.
- - Emergence first aid kit.
* Cost excludes:
- - Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
- - Travel insurance.
- - Flights.
- - Laundry [available in hotel]
- - Personal items at toiletries.
- - Tips for guides, porters and cook.
- - Portable flush toilet tents are available for extra charges $ 70 for entire trek.
