Mount Meru Trekking - Sensation of Africa Mount Meru Climbing

TREKKING IN MOUNT MERU

Trip Overview

Mount Meru Trekking 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.

Remember that this itinerary can be modified to your liking by making the variations you want by selecting the excursions or cultural activities that you like the most or extending your stay in Zanzibar and relaxing on the white sands Beaches (with the corresponding price variation depending on the changes).

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival in Tanzania

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a Sensation of Africa guide who will escort you from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodation in Arusha.

Day 2. Checking the equipment for Mount Meru trekking and excursions or cultural activities

We have optional proposals in Arusha such as a city tour or canoeing on Lake Duluti, among others… check out our excursions and cultural activities; or if you prefer you can use your time to relax in the comfortable accommodation.

The most important thing is to double-check the trekking equipment, we must not underestimate Mount Meru Trekking. We must make sure we have everything we need, and if something is missing, it is possible to find it during the day in the city of Arusha.

At sunset, the tour leader will report on the schedule and planning.

Day 3. Momella Gate (1450 m) to the Miriakamba refuge (2610 m)

In the morning after breakfast, our guide will be at your accommodation ready for the transfer to the door of Molella, this is where our walk will begin with a drop of 1500 m. After registration at the entrance, we will walk around 3-4 hours to reach our Miriakamba refuge (2610m) where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Day 4. Miriakamba refuge (2610 m) to Saddle refuge (3534 m)

This day we will ascend a small steep climb that will take us slowly through the forest and the moor to the ridge with a spectacular view of the crater of Mount Meru. After 3-4 hours and traveling the distance of 8 km we will arrive at the Saddle refuge, where we will have lunch, rest a little and we will do the summit of Mount Meru: approximately 1 hour more to reach 3600 m and enjoy beautiful views just before the sunset. Then we will return to Saddle for dinner and overnight.

Day 5. Saddle refuge (3534 m), the summit of Mount Meru (4566), Miriakamba refuge (2610 m)

Today we will get up early in the morning around (1:30 hours), we will have a cup of Tanzanian tea with some snacks before starting our trekking through the alpine desert, the moor, the montane forest. We will pass Rhino Point (3810 m) and Cobra Point (4340 m) and then the spectacular narrow ridge pass between the steep inner cliff and the sloping outer wall of the crater, to reach the summit of Mount Meru (4566 m). With good weather in these early hours of the morning when the sun rises in the east, we will see the sunrise on Mount Kilimanjaro before illuminating Mount Meru; it is really impressive to see the cloud cover that covers everything that our eyes can see from the peaks of Africa.

Then we will descend to the Saddle refuge for breakfast and we will continue to Miriakamba for dinner and overnight. The duration of this section is from 11 to 13 hours and the route of a distance of 5 km uphill and 13 km downhill.

Day 6: Miriakamba Refuge (2610 m), Momella Gate (1450 m) and return to Arusha.

After having a good breakfast, we will descend through the forest area towards the meadows enjoying the views and close to animals such as colobus monkeys jumping from one tree to another, while we listen to the song of the birds we observe the open grassland with buffaloes grazing, giraffes eating the leaves of the tallest trees, the necks of zebras crossed over each other, aquatic antelopes that feed near streams… you will have sensations that you will never forget.

Then we will arrive at the Momella gate, where we will meet our guide ready to transfer him back to Arusha.

You will receive information about the next program as soon as you arrive at your accommodation.