3 Days Mount Meru Climb

3 Days Mount Meru Climb

Meru is a great preparation hike for climbing Kilimanjaro, or a spectacular trek for those not compelled to do Kilimanjaro. You will hike past wildlife, the landscape is spectacular, and sunrise on the summit has Kilimanjaro as the backdrop.

While it can be done in only 4 days, it is not an easy peak to summit. To reach the top (almost 15,000 feet), there is some scrambling on rocks in the dark and at high altitude. You should be prepared for at least 10 hours of hiking on summit day. For an easier hike, you can climb just to Rhino Point for sunrise overlooking Kilimanjaro, and then descend.

Mt. Meru is in Arusha National Park. In Arusha National Park all hikers must be accompanied by an armed ranger. This ranger is employed directly by the national park. You will also have your own mountain guide, who is managing the crew and watching out for your safety.

Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Arusha/Moshi to Momela Gate, hike to Miriakampa Hut

Starting from Momela Gate, the track passes through open grassland with cape buffalo and warthogs. With luck, you may also see giraffe and elephants. Continue a steady climb through montane forest. You can have your lunch at the famous “Fig tree”. After lunch, the trek continues through less dense forest, where there are lots of birds and monkeys including the black and white colobus.

Meals: LD

Budget Lodging: Miriakampa Hut

Day 2: Hike Miriakampa Hut to Saddle Hut, afternoon hike up Little Meru

The walk from Miriakampa Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a steep sustained climb all the way. Starting through beautiful and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Back Ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut for lunch. In the afternoon, you can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m / 12,533 ft) for superb views.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Saddle Hut.

Day 3: Hike to Summit then down to trail head, return to Moshi/Arusha

Summit day has an early start at around 12:00AM.

Stop At:

• Mount Meru, Arusha National Park 00255 Tanzania