MOUNT MERU 4 DAYS

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, you will have a general briefing about your ascent of Mt. Meru and check your equipments. 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.

Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner  

Day 2: Miriakamba Hut (2514m) – Saddle Hut (3560m)

After breakfast, the trek leads through the rainforest with mosses, beard lichens, hanging vines, many large trees, ferns and streams provide a rich habitat for plants and animals in this part of the National Park where we possibly can see monkeys and hundreds of birdlife. Today is steeper and with good weather we will have s stunning views of Kilimanjaro roughly 50km away to the northeast. After 2-3 hours you will reach the viewpoint of ‘Mgongo 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 bush land. 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!

Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner  

Day 3: Saddle Hut (3560m) – Socialist Peak (4566m) – Miriakamba Hut (2514m)

We wake up around 1 am for 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 bush land to Rhino Point and the crater rim. We then follow along the long north ridge as the route continues to the summit (4566m) which you will reach around sunrise becomes more and more challenging, and some passages with easy climbing will be encountered. Then enjoy the spectacular views of Kilimanjaro as the sun rises over the plains of Africa, including the pyramid shadow cast by Mt. Meru behind us. The flag of Tanzania is fixed at the top of Mt Meru, also known as Socialist Peak since the country’s independence. The moment when the sunrises behind the Kilimanjaro and the plain to the Meru starts to shine in an orange-red light, will let you quickly forget the strenuous ascent. The true, remarkable nature of Mt. Meru can be seen on the way down as the sun has risen; the crater rim is shaped like a horseshoe since the opposite wall collapsed leaving cliffs of 1500 meters. These are some of the biggest in Africa and from the top of them on the crater rim we can see the ash cone below, which is a perfectly formed reminder of past volcanic eruptions that is quite amazing to see. We follow the rim back to Rhino Point with views of Little Meru then back to Saddle Hut for Lunch and a hot drink before packing and heading down to Miriakamba Hut for overnight stay and Dinner.

Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 4: Miriakamba Hut (2514m) – Momella Gate (1500m)- Transfer to the hotel

After breakfast the trail continues down through Tululusia Waterfalls to Momella gate via the so-called “Northern Route”. On the way, you will be able to see again buffaloes, baboons, birds 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 collecting your climbing certificate and a farewell from your mountain team you will be driven back to your hotel for a well-deserved hot shower and rest. This is a long day with a total walking time of 12-14 hours.

Today, you may opt to relax at the hotel or choose to extend your holiday by continue with safari but if not our driver will transfer you to the Airport to connect with your flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast; Lunch

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, and 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.

Climbing Highlights