Route Highlights
- Trek Duration: 4 Days, 3 Nights
- Difficulty: Medium
- Scenery: Very Good
- Traffic: Medium
- Start & End: Arusha/Moshi
Inquire Now
Route Overview
Mount Meru is one of Africa’s highest and most beautiful volcanoes, standing at 4566 m. It is located within Arusha National Park. The route to the summit passes through parkland, montane forest, a giant heather zone and moorland. Finally, the summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge which provides stunning views of the Ash Cone lying several thousand feet below in the crater and Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background.
Because the mountain lies within a National Park, it is common to encounter some of the area’s birds, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, and black and white Colobus monkeys on the first day of your journey to the summit. For this reason, you will climb with a Park Ranger who takes your safety very seriously.
Many will say that Mt. Meru is not a difficult climb compared with Mt. Kilimanjaro, because of its lower elevation, shorter distance, and comfortable sleeping arrangements, but this is not a mountain to be taken lightly. The climb to the summit is rigorous, involving some steep ascents over rocky inclines and narrow ridges to traverse. It is therefore challenging yet rewarding and a beautiful mountain to experience.
Trekking Itinerary
Miriakamba Hut
In the morning we are collected from your hotel and transfer to Arusha National Park. At the Momella gate we finish registration formalities before setting off with your guide and armed ranger – there is abundant wildlife in the forests! The forest section is especially scenic with strangler figs and the possibility of seeing buffalo grazing in one of the clearings.
In the late afternoon we reach a viewpoint before heading onto Miriakamba hut for dinner.
Saddle Hut
We set off from Miriakamba initially still in the forest zone but in a few hours as we reach Saddle hut for lunch in the alpine desert zone. In the afternoon a walk to the summit of Little Meru can be taken for stunning views before heading back to Saddle Hut for dinner.
Miriakamba
We rise early and our hard work is rewarded at dawn as the sun rises to the East. Kilimanjaro is normally clearly seen from here and the sheer cliffs of the crater fall dramatically 1000 feet or more. We return back and after some brunch at Saddle Hut, we continue down to Miriakamba hut for dinner.
Descend to Momella Gate
The final section takes up to 3 hours to return to our vehicles where we say farewell to our crew and have time for a short picnic lunch and game drive before returning to Arusha/Moshi for a well deserved shower!.
Total Cost Covers:
-
Airport Transfers (to and from the Airport)
-
Clean, purified drinking water
-
All meals while on the Mountain
-
Rescue Fees and all taxes.
-
Sleeping Mats
-
Arusha National Park entrance/conservation fees
-
Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
-
Camping fees
-
Oxygen Tanks, Oximeter, & First Aid Kit
-
Quality Sleeping tents shared by 2 clients
-
Mess tents, Crew tents, Table, Chairs, eating utensils, cooking equipment.
-
Transfers from Hotel to Arusha National Park entrance gate and from Arusha National Park exit gate to the hotel
Cost does not Cover:
-
International and local airfare.
-
Yellow fever vaccinations
-
Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
-
Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc.
-
Tips for the support team
-
Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.
-
Private Toilet and hot shower tent
-
Local transport before & after the climb.
-
Optional tours not mentioned in itinerary.