Mount Meru
Mount Meru is one of Africa's most beautiful volcanoes, and it is the second highest mountain in Tanzania at 4,5685m, the fifth highest in Africa. The mountain is located within Arusha National Park, Tanzania’s gem. This prime location gives walkers the opportunity to spot some of the birds and wildlife that inhabit the area. The ascend is quite steep, the route to the summit passes over streams, through parkland, montane forest, a giant heather zone and moorland. The summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge, which provides stunning views of the Ash Cone lying several thousand feet below in the crater. Weather permitting, Kilimanjaro can be seen in the West.
There are two huts available to climbers on the mountain and firewood is supplied. The best time to climb Meru is between October and February. But also June to September, while it is colder then.
ITINERARY
This is a 4 day trekking. Allowing you to experience Africa and test your fitness for Kilimanjaro climbing! Truly a wonderful adventure.
Day 1: transfer you from Arusha Hotel/resort to Momella Gate, here you will meet your ranger who will be watching out for your groups safety whilst you are walking through the bush. Relax and feel in safe hands as he is experienced and carrying equipment to protect you from any form of danger, as there is of course wildlife living here!! Walking through forest to Miriakamba Hut, take lunch box under the shade of the tree, and continue your trail to Miriakamba Hut where you will be serve with dinner and spend overnight resting here.
Day 2: walk from Miriakamba to Saddle Hut below Little Meru: short day but a steep climb, continue walking to reach the halfway point of Elephant Ridge where we enjoy excellent views of the Summit ridge and across the crater floor. The path continues through enormous heather and other fantastic moorland to reach Saddle Hut. Lunch will be provided here. This afternoon is left free for you to relax and recuperate and enjoy the views. The more energetic walkers can make the short climb to the close by summit of Little Meru, (3,820m) a wonderful view can be witnessed from here just before sunset.
Day 3: Saddle Hut to Miriakamba Hut. Today we need to start early, around 2am as we climb steeply to Rhino Point, we continue to trek along a ridge of rock and ash to reach Cobra point at sunrise. The views are truly breathtaking, the crater rim and Kilimanjaro resting upon morning clouds. If the weather is clear enough, you can see west to the Rift Valley. The summit of Socialist Peak is an hour approximately further walking time, the path is good but steep! The route back to Rhino Point in the morning light is taken via the narrow ridge of the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer inner wall. This has to be one of the most exhilarating walks in all of Africa. We enjoy taking brunch at Saddle Hut before continuing our decent to Miriakamba Hut. This day is long, 10-12 hours approximate walking time.
Day 4: We should reach Momella Gate by late morning; we take the direct route down through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains. Once you reach here, you will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha to relax and reflect on your exhausting but amazing journey.
