MT MERU ROUTE

4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
ARUSHA- MOMELA GATE, MIRIAKAMBA HUT, SADDLE HUT...

Mount Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania at 4,5685 m and the fifth highest in Africa. There are two lodges available for visitors on the trek, there is no electricity and firewood is used as a method of heating water and cooking food. The best time to climb Mt Meru is between October and February. The mountain is usually climbed from the western side of the crater and is done accompanied by a park ranger as an escort due to the threat of buffalo.

Itinerary summary:

Day 1 ARUSHA- MOMELA GATE – MIRIAKAMBA HUT
Day 2 MIRIAKAMBA HUT - SADDLE HUT
Day 3 SADDLE HUT – SUMMIT – MIRIAKAMBA HUT
Day 4 MIRIAKAMBA HUT – MOMELA GATE - ARUSHA

Day 1 Arusha – Gate Momella (1500m) – Miriakamba Hut (2500m)

In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel and after a 45 minute drive, you will reach the Arusha National Park Gate. Once the formalities and hiking gear are set up, we will then drive a little further to Momella Gate. An armed ranger will accompany us as we start the hike and get a first glimpse of the wonderful giraffes and buffalos.

Once we have left the herds of buffalos and giraffes behind, we enter the acacia forest where we follow the southern route. After a steady climb of 2 hours, we reach Maio Falls and some picturesque meadows which are a perfect place for a picnic. After a break, we will continue the trail until we reach the well-known ‘Archer fig tree’.

Here the ranger will tell you about the formation of this tree and how it got its shape by forming an arch over the path. After another 2 hours, you will reach the Miriakamba Hut. Dinner and overnight at the Miriakamba Hut.

Meals included: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2 Miriakamba Hut (2500m) - Saddle Hut (3550m)

In the morning, we will leave the Miriakamba Hut behind and follow a steep track with wooden steps upwards. Due to the altitude gain, it will be noticeably cooler than the previous day, and because of this, the hike will seem easier.

After about 2 hours, you will reach the ‘Mgongo wa Tembo’ lookout point at an altitude of 3200m, where you can enjoy a well-deserved rest. After another hike, you will reach Saddle Hut (3550m) for lunch. During the afternoon, you will have the option of a side trip to Little Meru (3820m), which takes approx. 1-1 ½ hours and from where you can have wonderful views of Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro (approx. 80 km).

Back at the hut, a hot dinner will be waiting for us before the final preliminary briefing in preparation for the next day’s ascent to the summit.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3 Saddle Hut – Socialist Peak (4562m) – Miriakamba Hut (2500m)

After an early start with tea and biscuits, we will start the hike to the summit at 02:00 hrs. By torchlight, we will be guided through the trail to the so-called Rhino Point (3821m) where the trail becomes a bit more difficult hike with occasional slight climbs. We will follow the northern ridge to the summit where you walk among lava ash and rock. After approx. 4 – 5 hours, we will reach the summit with the Tanzanian flag in sight. From the summit, you will enjoy the sunrise above Kilimanjaro and the fantastic view of the Mount Meru crater with its steep slopes and the “Cinder Cone” in the middle.

The descent is done by the same route back to Saddle Hut (3550m) where we will take a long well-deserved rest and recover with a hot soup and tea. Once refreshed we will continue with the descent. During the afternoon, we will reach Miriakamba Hut (2500m) – tired but happy. In this hut, you can relax and think about the last stage you have completed. Dinner and overnight at Miriakamba Hut (2500m).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4 Miriakamba Hut (2500m) - Momella Gate (1500m)
After breakfast, we will continue for a 2-3 hour hike on the so-called “Northern Route” back to Momella Gate. The descent is shorter than the ascent, but there is still the chance to see elephants, buffalos, giraffes as well as the black and white Columbus monkeys. At the gate, you will say goodbye to your hiking equipment and your driver will take you back to Arusha.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

INCLUDED / NOT INCLUDED

Included

- 2 transfers from Arusha to Mount Meru park gate - Return.
- 3 meals a day, during the trek.
- 4 days trekking in Mount Meru.
- 3 nights accommodation in lodges.
- All park entrance fees and government levies.
- English speaking guide and guide assistants.
- Porters - maximum 2 per client.

Not Included

- Flying doctors insurance.
- Personal equipment for the mountains.
- Sleeping bag.
- Soft drinks.
- Tips.

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+255 787 152 823

+34 639 105 129