Itinerary 4 Days Mt Meru Trek

Special Tour 4 days
Meru Route, Tanzania Tour Guide: KiliTwende

Trek Overview:

Mount Meru is located in northern Tanzania, northeast of the town of Arusha. It is among the volcanic mountains that have multiple climatic zones. The mountain’s size is roughly 552 sq km or 212 sq miles. From Arusha town, the distance is approximately 45 minutes’ drive time, and 60 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The mountain is within Arusha National Park. You can tour the forests, lakes, and the famous Ngurdoto Crater, which can be visited over the course of a half-day excursion or as part of your extended northern safari tour.

Because Mount Meru’s location is inside the boundaries of Arusha National Park, hikers are required to be accompanied by an armed ranger. Depending on the climber’s fitness, it can take 3-4 days to ascend and descend Mount Meru.

On the lower slopes, you’re more likely to see animals like elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, etc. As hikers go on with their ascent, the trail follows the north rim of the volcano’s crater. Hikers get to sleep in designated huts which are present along the trail. Upon reaching the summit, trekkers will witness the spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru Crater.

Trek Highlights

  • Arrival
  • Day 1: Moshi (900m/2,950ft) – Miriakamba Hut (2500m/8,500ft)
  • Day 2: Miriakamba Hut (2500m/8,500ft) – Saddle Hut (3500m/11,480ft)
  • Day 3: Saddle Hut (3500m/11,480ft) – Summit Attempt (4566m/14,980ft) – : Miriakamba Hut (2500m/8,500ft)
  • Day 4: Miriakamba Hut (2500m/8,500ft) – Momela gate (1,500m/4,950ft)
  • End

Inclusions

  • Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the standard hotel in Moshi
  • Park fees, camp fee, rescue fees with newly government enforced 18% VAT from July 1st 2016
  • Transfers to/from the mountain gates
  • Expert guides, cook, assistant guides, and porters
  • Three meals a day during the climb
  • Bottled water on the first day of the climb boiled and filtered on the mountain
  • Entry fees, Camping fees, rescue fees and crew fees
  • Mountains 4 Season sleeping tents double occupancy
  • Sleeping mattress, foam, 1.5 inches thick
  • Mess tent, table, chairs and lanterns
  • Oxygen tank in case of emergency
  • Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent
  • Crew salaries (Guides, cook and porters)

Exclusions

  • Airfare
  • Beverages and food at hotel
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Laundry Services
  • A doctor for the group
  • Tips for porters, guides, cook and assistant guides

Day 1: Moshi (900m/2,950ft) – Miriakamba Hut (2500m/8,500ft)

Distance: 7km
Environment: Montane forest
Time: 5-7 hours of hiking

After breakfast at the hotel in Moshi, followed by transferred to the Momela Gate in Arusha National Park. Porters will arrange and pack your belongings while you finish off your registration process with the National Park Authority. Together with your guide and armed ranger, you’ll begin your ascent trek toward Miriakamba hut.

The first day of the hiking tour is very much similar to walking safaris. So expect to see giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, zebras, and elephants near to the hiking trail. Due to the presence of wild animals, trekkers are always accompanied by an armed ranger which is mandatory for the duration of the hike. You’ll pass through the Ngarenanyuki River and also a small but beautiful waterfall just at the base of Mt. Meru. A hot dinner will be prepared once you reach the Miriakamba Hut at 2500 meters. Enjoy the beautiful sunset and overnight.

You will use the longer route for going up and shorter route for going down.

Day 2: Miriakamba Hut (2500m/8,500ft) – Saddle Hut (3500m/11,480ft)

Distance: 6km
Environment: Moorland
Time: 3-4 hours of hiking

After breakfast, you’ll start ascending along the ridge of the saddle through a steep trail. In the process, you may get lucky to see various wild animals that live in the mountain. The trail offer views of the Mt. Meru Crater and the Ash Tray. When you arrive at the camp, you can hike the little Mt. Meru at 3820 meters to help acclimatize yourself. After having your early dinner, you can go to sleep as you’ll start the trekking around midnight hours. Get to sleep by 1900 hours.

Day 3: Saddle Hut (3500m/11,480ft) – Summit Attempt (4566m/14,980ft) – : Miriakamba Hut (2500m/8,500ft) 

Distance: 5km ascent/11km descent
Environment: Semi-desert, alpine desert, Montane forest
Time: 4 – 5 hours ascent / 3 hours descent

Your guide will wake you at 00:30 for tea and biscuits. The summit to the top will resume at around 1:30 am. The trail follows a steep grade to Rhino Point at 3800 meters and then to Cobra Point at 4350 meters. Towards the end of the hike, you’ll scramble on a rocky ridge between the inner cliffs of Meru and its crater. You’ll make it to the summit of Meru before or at sunrise and see the marvelous sightings of Mt. Meru Ash Cone and the nearby Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Enjoy the views then descend back to Miriakamba for a light meal and short rest before continue descend down to Miriakamba Hut for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Miriakamba Hut (2500m/8,500ft) – Momela gate (1,500m/4,950ft)

Distance: 3 – 4km
Environment: Montane forest
Time: 2 – 3 hours

Leave Miriakamba hut in the morning after breakfast and descent to Momela gate. This morning hike will be through the shorter route until Momela Gate and meet with your driver and start drive back to the lodge in Moshi

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