Overview
Though often ignored in favor of its big sister Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is a worthy trekker’s paradise. This massive volcano towers over 3,000 meters above Arusha town, which lies at the foothills on its south side. The mountain endured a violent explosion in the distant past, and in its wake, the explosion left towering cliffs in a gaping U-shaped ridge facing east towards Kilimanjaro. The crater stands today in a protected Amphitheatre of sorts, thousands of feet below the summit rocks. The craggy top lies at the westernmost point of the summit ridge and juts boldly into the sky at 4566 m (14,979 feet). From the top, one can look out at Kilimanjaro from the highest perch possible perhaps there is no better vantage point to gaze at Africa’s tallest mountain, approximately 80 km to the northeast.
Arrive in Tanzania
Pick up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Moshi town, thereafter our experienced guide will come to brief you about the trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Then you will spend overnight in your hotel for dinner and breakfast.
Day 1 - Momella Gate (1500m) to Miriakamba Hut (2500m)
Distance covered: 6 km
Approximate time taken: 4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After breakfast, you will depart from your hotel to Momella Gate. You will get to see some places of Moshi and Arusha when you are on the way to the park gate. On arrival you will go through registration formalities, afterward, your first day starts accompanied by an armed ranger. On the way, you will encounter animals such as giraffes, warthogs, buffalos, bushbucks, and lots of bird species. Overnight and dinner at Miriakamba Hut (2500m).
Day 2 - Miriakamba Hut (2500m) to Saddle Hut (3500m)
Distance covered: 6 km
Approximate time taken: 3.5 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Around 08:00 am we will start our second-day hike to Saddle Hut. We will pass through the steep path along the ridge of the saddle. You will experience amazing views of the Meru crater, the ash cone, and little Meru can be seen. On the way, you will continue exploring the best wildlife and flowers in the forest. Then after arriving at Saddle Hut you will have hot lunch and rest before acclimatization to little Meru and then back down to the hut for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 - Saddle Hut (3500m) to Summit (4566m) down to Miriakamba (2500m) then Momella Gate (1500m)
Distance covered: 6 km
Approximate time taken: 3.5 hours
Habitat:
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
We will wake up around midnight and have some tea before starting the final ascent. The climb is steep up to Rhino Point (3800m) and onto Cobra Point (4350m). During sunrise, we will be at the top of big Meru (4566m) and you will see Kilimanjaro Peak above the clouds. After taking some pictures we will start the descent to Saddle Hut for a hot lunch and short rest before continuing walking down to Miriakamba and then Momella Gate. After arriving we will sign out at the park gate and drive back to your hotel.
Then - Depart Tanzania/ other destination in Tanzania.
Later in the evening or the next day you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to board your home bound flight. Also, Habari Adventure can organize an affordable cultural tour or safaris trip to one of the best wildlife parks in Tanzania such as Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti National Park.