Mount Meru is one of Africa's highest and most beautiful volcanoes, with a route which passes through a wide range of vegetation up into a moorland. The summit is reached by walking along a very narrow, barren ridge, affording one views of Ash Cone thousands of feet below in the crater and Kilimanjaro across the vast plains in Moshi.

 

Mt Meru is home to over 400 species of birds as well as large herds of elephant, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, baboon, warthog and monkey.

 

The climb is often used as an acclimatisation trek prior to ascending its larger sister, Kilimanjaro, and can be completed in either three or four days. Accommodation is in mountain huts. The climb is fully portered and one walks with a guide and armed mountain game guide. The mountain is situated in Arusha Park.

 

 

Day 1: Arrival into Kilimanjaro International, transfer to Hotel.

 

Day 2: Drive to Arusha National Park and begin the trek.

We arrive after about a 2 hr drive, at Momella gate where we clear our trekking permits, meet up with our porters and game ranger, and head off through the lush forest, crossing the Ngare Nanyuki river to reach Miriakamba Hut at 8337ft / 2541m for overnight taking 4 to 5 hours. En route up, we will get views of buffalo grazing in the lush fields below us, and in the far distance, Kilimanjaro. Overnight Miriakamba Hut

 

Day 3

After an early start, we ascend steeply for about 2 to 3 hours, through the lush forests full of bird song, toward Saddle Hut at 3570m. We may be fortunate to see a couple of buffalo grazing nearby as we head out.

We take in an afternoon trek to Little Meru, at 3794 and return to Saddle Hut for our overnight stay.

 

Day 4*

After a very early start, we trek off at about 02h00 to Rhino Point and onto the summit at 4565m, just in time to watch the sun rise behind Mount Kilimanjaro. We then descend all the way to Momella Gate to be met and transferred back to our Hotel and overnight stay.

 

Day 5

Departure from Kilimanjaro Airport, or day of leisure before our trek up Kilimanjaro or Tanzanian Safari.

 

* For the 4 day trek one descends back to Miriakambu Hut for the night, before heading back to Momella gate.

 

Ratio of porters per climber: 2/3 to 1

 

 

 

A combination of long days with steep paths and some mountain scrambling. The route follows reasonable paths through thick vegetation, up hillsides, slippery shale surfaces.  Snow and or ice may be encountered along the route. There is no need for technical climbing equipment. Altitude levels up to and around  to 4200m. Medium risk of altitude sickness.

 

Good cardio vascular fitness is needed with weight and circuit training and running. Lots of hill walking. Backpacks will weight about 4-5kg and contain water, camera and essentials. Trek weight loss in the region of 4kg.

 

Fully Portered