This 4 days Mount Meru Hiking Itinerary is the standard program for climbing the 2nd highest mountain in Tanzania; Mount meru. Mount Meru is the fifth-highest mountain in Africa, located in northern Tanzania and accessed through the Momella route.
Mount Meru is the fifth-highest mountain in Africa at 4566 meters above sea level is located east of Arusha Town in Tanzania and accessed through the Momella route. Hiking up Mount Meru can be done all year round, and we always advise our hikers to be at the hotel at least a day before the hike. Meru has only one route that is used for both ascent and descent and it can either be hiked in three days although we highly recommend four days for better acclimatization. Mount Meru is usually used by hikers as an acclimatization point before attempting the Kilimanjaro climb. The route up the Meru summit is scenic and unlike Kilimanjaro, you are to be escorted by an armed ranger as you trek through Arusha National Park where you might catch glimpses of wildlife like the black and white colobus monkeys, buffaloes, and zebras among others and you should also look out for the Momela and Ngurdoto Lakes which are home to a wide range of bird species including flamingoes.
The items included in the package are pre- and post-hike accommodation, airport transfers, meals throughout the hike, bottled drinking water, national park fees, gate transfers, a complimentary oxygen cylinder, rescue fees, professional English-speaking guides, a mountain hike crew, and VAT, among others. The items excluded from the package include international flights, travel insurance, personal purchases and gear, medication, visa fees, and additional lodge fees. The Mount Meru climb takes four days and three nights, as detailed on the next tab.
Arrival into Kilimanjaro Airport - Transfer to Arusha
This is the day that you get to Tanzania through the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be picked up from the airport (if this was included in your package) and driven to your hotel. Once at the hotel, you will be briefed by our guide, who will at the same time check your gear to confirm that all the necessary equipment is available and in perfect condition.
Arusha-Momella Gate-Miriakamba Hut
Zone: rainforest
Duration: 5 to 7 hours
Elevation: 2500m
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Miriakamba Hut
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive from Arusha to Arusha National Park, where registration is required for all hikers. We then head to the Momella Gate, which is our official starting point, and at this point, the staff (cooks and potters) will be preparing what is needed for the climb and the guide will be completing all the necessary forms issued by the Tanzania National Park. Lunch is usually served at the gate before the hike starts in the presence of an armed ranger hired through TANAPA. If you are using a shortcut, the route to Miriakamba Hut goes past the Ngarenanyuki River and the waterfall at the foot of Mount Meru. We shall arrive at the Miriakamba hut late in the afternoon, where you wash up, eat, and rest for the night.
Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
Zone: forest zone
Duration: 3 to 5 hours
Elevation: 3500m
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Saddle Hut
Day two starts at the saddle hut, ascending along the ridge where you get to see different wildlife. You can achieve acclimatization. It will take you about 3 to 5 years to get to the camp, and once there, you get the chance to explore Little Mount Meru, although this is optional. The camp also has clear views of the Ash Cone and the Meru crater. You will get an early dinner, and we advise that you also get enough sleep at the saddle hut because the summit attempt will start around midnight or 1:00 a.m.
Saddle Hut - Summit - descend to Miriakamba Hut
Zone: Alpine desert
Duration: 10 to 12 hours
Elevation: 3500m to 4566m to the summit and 2500m to Miriakamba
The whole day will be spent preparing for the hike to the summit, and after a light meal at midnight, the hike up the summit begins no more than an hour later. Proceed to the summit through the rocky trails along Rhino point at 3800m and then to Cobra point at 4350m. You will get to the summit around sunrise at an elevation of 4565m with great views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru Ash Cone. After taking photos and celebrating upon reaching the summit, the descent to Miriakamba hut begins, where we shall freshen up, have dinner, and spend the night.
Descend Miriakamba Hut to Momella Gate, Transfer back to Arusha
Zone: forest zone
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Elevation: 2500m
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 is our last day on the mountain, and the descent begins immediately after breakfast as we head to the Momella Gate to sign out. The hike down through the forests might be a bit slippery, so you need to be extremely careful. Our driver guide will be waiting for you at the base of Mount Meru to take you back to your hotel in Arusha.
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