Mount Meru Ascension - 3 Days
Mount Meru is an active volcano located within the Arusha National Park and is Tanzania’s second highest peak (4566 m) after Mount Kilimanjaro. During your trek you will get a chance to spot some of the wildlife that inhabits the fertile slopes and beautiful rainforest of Mount Meru, including white colobus monkeys, zebras, antelopes, giraffes and the odd buffalo. The area is also home to nearly 400 species of birds. The constantly changing volcanic landscape and the magical cliffs of Meru guarantee you breath-taking views throughout your journey.
Meru is an excellent standalone trek or can be climbed as a prequel to Kilimanjaro. However, it is good to know in advance that Meru is actually more challenging than Kilimanjaro and the technical requirements are greater. Therefore, one must be physically prepared before taking on this challenge…
The upside is that there is a lot more wildlife to be seen on Meru, and the sense of remoteness and solitude is much stronger than on Tanzania’s more famous peak. For this reason, all of our climbs are accompanied by an armed park ranger on Day 1, as you may encounter buffaloes or even leopards along the way.
Days Required
Three days are generally sufficient to climb Mount Meru however, we can adapt your trek to your needs should you wish to have an extra day for acclimatisation (contact us for the supplement price).
Distance
The round-trip from Momella Gate to the summit and back is 43 km and the total incline is 3,480 m.
When to Climb
You can climb Mount Meru all year round and you can choose your own travel dates, but we recommend you avoid the rainy season. The best time to climb is from January to early March and June to October.
Accommodation
There are two comfortable mountain huts on the route which have dorm-style bunk beds, toilets, dining hall, solar electricity, and kitchens.
Itinerary
Day 1
You will depart your hotel in Moshi after breakfast and be driven to Momella gate. Upon arrival, you will register and start the 3-4 hour climb to Miriakamba Hut via the Momella Route. This first day takes you through the misty rain forest where the famous arched fig trees are located. During this stretch, colobus monkeys and the occasional buffalo are often seen. Depending on the weather, visitors might be lucky enough to spot the Momella lakes and Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. There will be a picnic lunch along the way and a hot dinner will be served at Miriakamba Hut where you will spend the night.
Day 2
After breakfast, we proceed with our climb, entering the heather moorland zone that is home to moss covered trees. The ascension gets very steep here as compared to Day 1. During the afternoon, you will have the option to climb little Meru peak at 3,820 m. Those who choose not to climb little Meru will go directly to Saddle Hut to rest and prepare for the summit which will happen in the early morning hours of the next day.
Day 3
You will be woken up very early so as to leave the hut by midnight, ensuring that you have plenty of time to reach the summit by sunrise. As is to be expected, this is the most difficult part of the climb as the path after Rhino point is quite narrow and steep. From Socialist Peak at 4566 m, you should be able to enjoy the beautiful views from the peak as well as see the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance as the sun rises. From the peak, you will go back down to Saddle Hut for breakfast and a short rest before continuing your descent to Momella gate. You will then be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi.
Included in Package
Not Included in Package
- Professional English-speaking mountain guides
- Porters to carry your luggage and other supplies for the group
- An armed ranger on the first day of the trek
- Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the mountain
- Salaries for climbing crew
- Government taxes, VAT and all related service charges
- Transport from hotel to park gate on Day 1 and return to hotel on Day 3
- Flights
- Visa for entry into Tanzania
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, beverages or any other items of a personal nature)
- Your personal clothing, footwear and climbing gear (warm clothing and other mountain gear can be rented in Moshi the day before your departure)
- Additional nights requested by traveller for acclimatisation purposes
- Tips for your climbing crew : suggested amount for your Guide – 25$/day, Assistant guide – $15/day, Porters – $10/day
- Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport can be arranged for an additional cost