4-Day Mt Meru Climbing
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Description
4-Day Mt Meru Climbing : This 4-day Mount Meru climb is a great adventure for anyone looking to experience a shorter, quieter trek with amazing views and wildlife. Starting in Arusha National Park, the hike takes you through forests, open heath, and rocky paths with chances to see giraffes, buffaloes, and monkeys along the way. On the final day, you’ll reach the summit at sunrise for stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscape. It’s a perfect choice for hikers and those preparing for Kilimanjaro.
Day 1 Momella gate
We drive from Moshi to Momela Gate. After a short registration at the Gate our walk will begin with full armed ranger escorting us, simply we can see along the way the wild animals including elephants, zebras, and giraffe, monkeys, antelope, and often elephants along the route. Dinner and overnight night at Miriakamba Hut. Momela Gate to Miriakamba Hut 2500 m 5 to7 hours walking.
Day 2 Saddle hut
The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep climb.
The walk will take us slowly along the ridge for a spectacular view of the Meru Crater and the impressive Ash Cone.
After hot lunch at Saddle Hut we can make a short climb to the summit of Little Meru (3,820m) for superb views just before sunset. Dinner and overnight night at Saddle Hut. Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut (3500 m.): 3-5 hours walking.
Day 3 Saddle hut to summit to Miriakamba
We start early at around 1:30 a.m. to climb steeply to Rhino Point (3,800 m.) and on to Cobra Point (4350m). We reach the summit (4,566 m) on time for sunrise there is a possibility to see Kilimanjaro Peak above the clouds. The final part of the climb is along a spectacular narrow ridge line between the sheer inner cliffs and the sloping outer wall of the crater. We take a short rest and brunch at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to the Meriakamba Hut. Saddle Hut to the summit to Miriakamba Hut: 10-12 hours walking.
Day 4 Miriakamba to Momella gate
We take a short and fast descent way through open grassland and mixed forest, with possibility of seeing wildlife before reaching Momella Gate in the late morning. The returning transfer will be waiting at Momella Gate Transfer back to Moshi / Arusha : Miriakamba Hut Momella Gate: 2-3 hours walking.
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A Mt Meru climb is one of the most spectacular treks in East Africa. And while most Kilimanjaro routes suffer from overcrowding, there is very little foot traffic on Meru. You’ll be hiking through several vegetation zones. The forested slopes are home to a large variety of animals, including buffalo, leopard, Harvey’s red duiker, bushbuck, Kilimanjaro colobus and blue monkey. The birdlife is fantastic too, with over 400 species recorded.
At 4,562m/14,967ft, Mt Meru is Tanzania’s second-highest peak and the fifth-highest peak in Africa. You’re not likely to experience serious altitude sickness at this height, but experiencing this altitude will help your body to adapt sufficiently for making a Kilimanjaro climb.
Don’t underestimate a Mt Meru climb. It is quite steep and technical, and a reasonable amount of fitness is required. There is only one way up, the Momella Route. It starts on the eastern side of the mountain and ascends along the northern side of the crater to the summit, the Socialist Peak.
A Mt Meru climb usually takes four days (three nights). It is also possible to do it in three days (two nights). Although the three-day option will save you some money, we wouldn’t recommend it. The first two days are identical in both itineraries, but you compress day three and four into one day for the shorter version. This makes for a very long third day where you summit at sunrise, and then descend more than 3,000m/9,800ft all the way back to the park entrance.
There are two locations that have well-equipped huts for hikers on Mt Meru. Miriakamba and Saddle Hut offer dormitory accommodation. Each dorm room sleeps up to four people in bunk beds. There are communal bathrooms and a mess room for taking meals. Outside tables are provided as well.
Your gear can make or break your trip. If ever a packing list was important, it is when you plan to climb a mountain. You should get a complete list from your tour operator, but here are a few essentials to get you going:
- A waterproof duffel bag (to be carried by a porter, assuming you will have one)
- A daypack (which you will carry yourself)
- Warm, lightweight quick-drying clothing (no cotton)
- A waterproof jacket
- Good hiking boots. Don’t ever skimp on these and make sure to break them in at home.
- Good quality socks
- Comfortable shoes or sandals for around camp (to give your feet a break from the boots)
- A very warm sleeping bag and anything else you need for a good night’s rest
- Toiletries and any medical items you might need including plasters
- Water bottles to fill and put in your daypack
- Sunscreen and maybe sanitizer and/or wet wipes (to put in your daypack too)
- A few favorite hiking snacks (even if you’re booking an organized climb and your food will be taken care of)
At the very minimum you have to hire an armed ranger for your Mt Meru climb. This is to protect you from wildlife you might encounter along the way. Aside from the ranger, you could decide to tackle Mt Meru unsupported, but it is generally recommended to book your trip with a licensed operator. The operator will sort out all the fees, food, equipment, transport, porters, guide and park ranger.
If climbing Mt Meru is too time-consuming, too expensive or just too daunting for you, a day trip is a great alternative. You’ll drive through beautiful primary forest passing the famous Fig Tree Arch (a huge strangler fig with an archway big enough for a Land Cruiser to pass through). The road ends at Kitoto Viewpoint (2,500m/8,202ft) from where you’ll continue on foot for a two-to-four-hour hike through Meru Crater with its ash cone.
The cost of a four-day Mt Meru climb varies between US$850 and US$1500 per person. This usually includes a transfer from your accommodations in Arusha or Moshi to Arusha National Park and back. Food, permits and overnight accommodations in mountain huts are all included, but tips for the mountain crew (guide, cook, park ranger and porters) are not.
Despite the wide range of prices, tours don’t differ much as everybody stays in the same huts. Camping is also an option, but the fees for this are the same. The main difference lies in the standard of guiding and the food. Three-day Mt Meru climbs cost about the same.
You can climb Mt Meru at any time of the year, but the most favorable conditions are from June to February when it is mostly dry and relatively warm. For clear skies offering great views of Mt Kilimanjaro, December to February is your best bet.
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Location / Contacts
- Address : Arusha, Tanzania
- Phone : +255687590560
- Mail : info@serengetitrips.com
- Website : http://serengetitrips.com/
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