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4 Days Mount Meru

Tour Summary/ Features:

Mount Meru (4566m) is falsely considered Kilimanjaro’s simple sister, as both are extinct volcanoes of different sizes.  But don’t be fooled, Meru is as tough a climb as Kilimanjaro.  We guide travelers on the Momella route on Mount Meru, which is invariably a 4 day safari.  An armed NP ranger accompanies us during this trek because of the high abundance of wildlife in the area; it is an exciting area to walk through. 

Itinerary:

Day 1 (4-5 hours)

After completing the registration formalities, we begin our trek by following the track through the forest to the crater floor and then steeply to Miriakamba Hut (2514m).  Look out for giraffes, warthog and buffalo at this stage.  The going is tough because of the steepness but with a glance back over your shoulder, the views are spectacular across the Momella Lakes to Mount Kilimanjaro and give you the inspiration to go on.

Day 2 (2-3 hours)

Leaving Miriakamba Hut behind (and the giraffe population), we will ascend the stepped path through glades and forest to Mgongo wa Tembo (Elephant Ridge) and rest beside an outlook with great views down into the crater and up to the main cliffs of the summit.  From here we will continue on towards Saddle Hut (3570m) through the forested slopes and dry streambeds that separate the slopes of Meru and the smaller peak of little Meru (3820m).  After reaching Saddle Hut, we will rest before exploring Little Meru  (2 hours return).  From here there are impressive views to the Summit of Meru, the snow-capped Kilimanajro and across Maasai Villages.

Day 3 (8-10 hours)

At around midnight we will leave Saddle Hut to make the trek to the Summit of Meru via Rhino Point. There really are rhinoceros (kifaru) remains here, but the reason why baffles everyone.  The walk to the summit is arduous along a narrow ridge, but is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating sections of trekking in East Africa.  We travel through vegetation, bare rock and ash to reach the Summit (4566m).  On a clear day from here you can see the Rift Valley, Oldonyo Lengai, Arusha town and the plains of the Maasai Steppe.  It will be an experience that will imprint on your mind forever.  Afterwards, we will return to Saddle Hut for a meal and rest before continuing on down to Miriakamba Hut again to camp

Day 4 (3-4 hours)

From Miriakamba Hut it is a steep but steady descent retracing the track that we ascended.  We once again revisit the forest areas and open grassland where zebras and giraffe are very often seen, and onto Momella Gate to view the best game yet - our driver and car!