After Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is the tallest free-standing mountain in Tanzania. It has a volcano that is both active and dormant, and it can be found in Arusha National Park at a height of 4,566 meters above sea level. A Little Meru 3,801m, is a second summit of Mount Meru and can be reachable on the second day’s afternoon while staying in the Saddle Hut.
Each mountain offers a unique experience, but in general, Mount Meru acts as a warm-up peak for climbing Kilimanjaro because of the steepness of the trail and the weather, which forces your body to adapt to frequent variations in altitude.
The experience of climbing Mount Meru is gratifying and difficult. But you’ll be astounded by the variety of wildlife you’ll see along the road, including various beautiful plant and bird species; to mention a few, there are blue monkeys, buffalos, dik-diks, zebras, and red duikers. To protect you from animal attacks, an armed ranger will travel with you to the base hut (Saddle hut) and back to the gate.
The full trip of Mount Meru trekking lasts for three (3) nights and four (4) days. It is possible to skip the third night and descend all the way from the summit to Momela gate, but we do not advise it because it would demand a lot of walking and result in knee discomfort and entire-body tiredness.
The two huge huts on Mount Meru (Miriakamba hut at 2,514 meters and Saddle hut at 3,570 meters), both of which are constructed in a dormitory manner and include double-decker beds with mattresses, are the only places to stay.
To guarantee a successful adventure and a memory that will last a lifetime, we have a competent and committed crew available to help you at all times.
Highlights
Type of Tour: Private tour
Level of the tour: Basic Level
Destination visited: Mount Meru
Nature of Tour: Active tour
Walking distance: 10km/ 4-6hrs
Altitude: 1,500 meters- 2,541 meters
At your booked hotel in Arusha, you will be picked up for the tour in the morning, and you will then be driven for one hour to Momela Gate to register. Following the formalities, we start our trek while being protected by a ranger who is fully armed. Many bird species and animals like blue monkeys, velvet monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys can be found in the forest near the mountain’s base zone. We might also see zebras, giraffes, buffalo, antelope, and elephants, among other creatures. The trail is steep and gradual leading to Miriakamba Hut.
Overnight stay at Miriakamba Hut on Full Board
Walking distance: 8km/ 3- 5hrs
Altitude: 2,541 – 3,570meters
After breakfast, we start our trek under the guidance of our guide. The trail today is short but steep, leading to the saddle cabin. Our leisurely stroll will take us to the ridge where we will be treated to a stunning vista of the Meru Crater and the towering Ash Cone. We want to be there in time for a delicious meal at the hut. After lunch and refreshments, we can climb Little Meru’s summit (3,801 meters) for a breathtaking sunset view.
Our base camp will be Saddle Hut, where we will receive instructions on what to eat, how to dress, and what to pack on the summiting night.
Overnight stay at Saddle Hut on Full Board
Walking distance; 5 Km/4-6hrs ascend/ and 13km 4-6 hrs descend
Altitude: saddle hut 3,570 – Little Meru 3,850 – summit 4,566: – Miriakamba 2,541 meters
We begin at midnight or 1:30 a.m. and ascend quickly to Rhino Point (12,467 feet), then Cobra Point (14,272 ft). The climb’s last ascent follows a breathtakingly narrow ridge line that runs between the crater’s steep outside wall and its vertical interior cliffs. We plan to get to the peak (4,566 m/14,980 ft) between 7-8 in the morning. If the weather is favourable, we might view the dawn either before or after reaching the peak. From Meru Peak, we can see the top of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds, as well as a view of Arusha. After around 15 to 30 minutes of photographing Meru’s peak, we start our ascent back to the saddle lodge.
Breakfast will be ready when we get to the saddle house.
Overnight stay at Miriakamba Hut on Full board
Walking distance: 10km/ 2-4hrs
Altitude: 2,541 meters – 1,500 meters
After breakfast, we quickly descend through areas of open grassland and mixed forest, with the possibility of spotting wildlife, until arriving at Momella Gate late in the morning. At the Momella Gate, we will find a Tecomate Tours and Safari car that will take us to Arusha city.
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