Mount Meru
WHEN TO GO.
JUNE THROUGH FEBRUARY.
Mount Meru is a suitable place for acclimating your body to high altitudes before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Apart from challenging your fitness and acclimating, the mountain is inspiring from its abundant wildlife and stunning setting for the duration of the hike. June through February is the best time to trek Mount Meru.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Kilimanjaro International Airport / Arusha
Upon your arrival to Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by our airport representative and transferred to your city hotel for your itinerary briefing. A refreshing overnight stay, before embarking on your adventure.
Day 1: Arusha 1400m /Arusha National Park 1500m
Driving distance 30km 45minutes
Duration 5-7hrs of hiking
The first day of your adventure starts after an early breakfast. After paperwork and organizing your belongings, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the Momela gate in Arusha National Park. The trek will start past the Ngarenanyuki River with open plains, famous home to Buffalo, warthog, giraffe, baboons and some bird species.
We will walk towards the foot of Mt. Meru, pass a waterfall. Then the trail will take you through the less dense forest of rare Red Duiker Antelope, Bushbuck, Blue Monkeys, Black and White Colobus monkeys.
In the afternoon we will stop for a picnic lunch. Thereafter we will hike the supreme views of Meru’s towering cliff and ashy cone. The Miriakamba Hut (2514m) overlooks the inspiring plains (1300m) and the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro (5695m).
-Overnight stay at Miriakamba Hut
Day 2: Miriakamba Hut 2514m, Saddle Hut 3570m
Duration 3-5hrs of hiking
After breakfast towards the steep ridge below Meru, the trail will take you through the lush montane forest. We will reach the halfway point of Elephant Ridge. Here we will have clear views of the summit ridge and beyond the crater floor. From this high elevation, you can still spot elephant and other animals on the ground. The trek will be stretching uphill, through the moorland vegetation. Then we arrive at the Saddle for a hot lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free for siesta. Before sunset we then return to camp for an early dinner. We recommend our guests get ample rest before your midnight summit attempt.
-Dinner and overnight stay at SaddleHut
Day 3: Miriakamba Hut 2514m,
Saddle Hut 3570m, Summit 4566m
Duration 10hrs of hiking
We will start early around 1:00am after a cup of coffee. Then proceed to the summit of Rhino Point 3800m. Then continue along an undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point 4350m. The last hours of the hike will take you to the rocky ridge between the crater and inner cliffs of Mt. Meru. A beautiful sunrise at the summit 4566m. Marvelous views of the rim of the crater, ash tray, the plains and Kilimanjaro. If the weather permits. Thereafter, we descend to Saddle for a brunch meal. Then we head to Miriakamba Hut for an overnight stay.
NB: The ridge between the summit and Rhino point is amazing, but we don’t recommend those suffering from dizzy spells (vertigo) or any other health conditions affected by altitude, to either climb or take this route.
Day 4: Miriakamba Hut 2514m, Momela Gate 1500m
Duration 3hours walking
We will take the scenic route down to Momela Gate, through the lush forest and grasslands. Another morning of enjoying wildlife, you will enter the gate office by late morning. After a remarkable adventure you will return to your hotel in Arusha for a hot lunch and siesta.
You will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to fly out of the country or Arusha Domestic Airport and fly to Zanzibar or join another wildlife safari if extended excursions are selected.
- PRICE FROM: $1,040pps
- An armed ranger
Government Taxes - All National Park entrance fees
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Overnight stay at hotel as per itinerary
- Guide, porter and cook salaries (not including gratuity)
- Crisis management and safety procedures. Rescue fees.
- All three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner while on mountain.
- All transfers mentioned above, upon your arrival and departure from Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha domestic airport.
- Gratuity
- All Personal Items (Example toiletries, cameras)
- Excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary