Tour Overview
About the tour
Mount Meru is often overlooked due to its proximity to Kilimanjaro, but it has plenty to offer those looking for a challenging climb. A dormant volcano that last erupted in 1910, it is Tanzania’s second highest mountain at 4566 metres (14,979 ft). Taking only 3 or 4 days to climb it is perfect for those wanting to get a taste of high altitude trekking without going too high before or after going on safari, or to help with acclimatisation if undertaken before you climb Kilimanjaro. It is ideal for those looking for a quieter trekking experience and should definitely not be underestimated as climbers still need to acclimatise properly to succeed in reaching its peak.
An armed park ranger will join the team to guard against any animal threats as you start your approach through Arusha National Park via the Momella route. Keep your eyes open and you will be rewarded with sighting of baboons, giraffe, zebra, colombus monkeys and variety of birds. From here you start your ascent through Meru’s diverse vegetation zones from montane forest, moorland, semi-desert and alpine desert, until you reach its magnificent crater. Traversing round the crater rim to reach its summit, Socialist Peak at 4566m, after which you will have time to explore the ash cone that has formed in the crater during the 1910 eruption.
Highlights
- Dormitory hut accommodation
- Can successfully climb in 3 or 4 days only
- Quieter trekking experience
Itinerary
All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). From JRO we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That night or early the next morning you will meet your local ZAFS representative and have a full pre-climb briefing.
After breakfast we will collect you from your hotel and we will drive to Arusha National Park to check all our permits are in order at the Park Headquarters. We then proceed by vehicle until we reach Momella Park Gate where we start our trek. It is mandatory on this route that an armed Park Ranger accompanies us to ensure that we are safe against any wild animal threats. The trail leads us through montane forest, past waterfalls and oddly formed trees until we reach Miriakamba Hut.
As we climb higher up Mount Meru you will feel the air begin to cool and get slightly thinner. Today we will ascend over 1000 metres up to Saddle Hut at 3550m. This afternoon there is time to go for an acclimatisation hike a further 300 metres up to Little Meru at 3820m. Don’t forget to take your camera to capture the views of Mount Kilimanjaro over 80 kilometres away.
We set off early around 2 a.m. following the path through scrubland to Rhino Point at 3820 metres. From here the route gets more demanding as we follow the narrow crater ridge until we reach the summit after approximately 4-5 hours. From Socialist Peak we will watch the sunrise over Kilimanjaro and have time to explore Meru’s crater and ash cone. We then descend by retracing our steps back down to Saddle Hut and onwards to Miriakamba Hut and finally Momella Gate. Transfer to your hotel for a well-earned shower and celebration.
Includes & Excludes
This Trip Cost Includes:
- Your hotel stay for the nights before and after the climb
- Transfer to and from the mountain
- Airport transfers
- National Park entry, huts, climbing and rescue fees
- A fully supported climb, accompanied by an armed ranger
- All meals and drinking water on the mountain
- Comfortable foam sleeping mattress
- Access to emergency oxygen and first aid kit
- A certificate documenting your summit ascent
The Trip Cost Excludes:
- Airfares and visas
- Tips for your guides and crew
- Personal items
- Travel insurance (you must be insured, and specifically for treks up to 4500m)
- Your personal trekking gear
- Your personal medicines or prescriptions
- Snacks on the mountain
- Meals and drinks not on the mountain