4 DAY MT MERU IS THE SECOND HIGHEST IN TANZANIA
4 Day Mount Meru Mt. Meru is Tanzania’s second-highest mountain standing tall at 4,566m. It is located in Arusha National Park and offers some of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife diversity of any mountain in Tanzania. Mt. Meru is a challenging trek due to its steepness but is a great way to acclimatize before attempting Mt. Kilimanjaro. Climbers are accompanied by an armed ranger due to the abundance of wildlife on the lower slopes. Mt. 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. Mt. 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 Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Day 1: Arusha to Momela Gate to Miriakampa Hut
Starting from Momela Gate, the track passes through open grassland with cape buffalo and warthogs. With luck, you may also see giraffes and elephants. Continue a steady climb through the montane forest. You can have your lunch at the famous? Fig tree?. After lunch, the trek continues through a less dense forest, where there are lots of birds and monkeys including the black and white colobus. By mid-afternoon, you will have your first close views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. Miriakampa Hut, situated in an idyllic grassy glade, is reached in time to enjoy the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro.
- Budget Lodging: Miriakampa Hut
Day 2: Miriakampa Hut to Saddle Hut
The walk from Miriakampa Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a steep sustained climb all the way. Starting through beautiful and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Back Ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut for lunch. In the afternoon, you can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m / 12,533 ft) for superb views. It takes about 1 hour to walk up and 30 minutes to walk down. The ascent is 1,056 m / 3,465 ft.
- Budget Lodging: Saddle Hut
Day 3: Summit and down to Miriakampa Hut
Summit day has an early start at around 12:00AM. There is a 1-hour steep climb to Rhino Point (3,800m / 12,467ft), and then the path continues along a ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350m / 14,272ft). The summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m) is an hour further on a steep path with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. Depending on 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.
- NOTE: For an easier climb, you can start the trek at 05:00 A.M., hike for about 1 hour, and enjoy sunrise at Rhino Point before going back to Saddle Hut for breakfast and then descending.
- NOTE: In icy conditions or in strong winds, it may be impossible for anyone to progress beyond Rhino Point.
- Budget Lodging: Miriakampa Hut
Day 4 trailhead, return to Moshi or Arusha
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.
INCLUDED
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Professional, experienced, and friendly mountain guides
- Medical evacuation with Kilimanjaro Search and Rescue, Flying Doctors.
- 2 nights and accommodations-one before and after the trek in good hotels.
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Pulse-oximeter – To measure the oxygen level, for each climber daily
- Portable Emergency Oxygen tanks
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- Sleeping Mattress
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Arrival and Departure transfers
- All Government Tax and Park Entrance Fees
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
EXCLUDED
- Tips for guides, cook and porters
- Track your trek by satellite device services
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania Visa on arrival
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
