5-Day Extra Comfort Meru Trekking
Description
5-Day Extra Comfort Meru Trekking : The 5 Days Mount Meru Climb & Hike offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and rich wildlife of the Mount Meru region. With each day of your climb, you’ll experience breathtaking views, lush forests, and the thrill of high-altitude trekking. This adventure is not only an essential acclimatization experience but also a memorable journey in its own right.
Day 1: Arrival
Airport Pick-Up: We’ll greet you at Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport and provide transportation, including your return trip to the airport.
Hotel Accommodation: Enjoy your first night in a comfortable hotel.
Spend the night in a hotel, the same one as your first night’s stay.
Day 2: Miriakamba Hut
Driving from Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha to Momela Gate Completing a brief registration at the gate before starting the walk, walking with a fully armed ranger escort for safety. Possibility of encountering various wild animals, such as zebras, giraffes, monkeys, antelopes, elephants, and buffaloes along the route. Spacious tents (larger than 3x3m), comfortable beds, private veranda, bathroom with toilet, shower, and sink. Staff manages all camp chores. Accommodation in a spacious Hut, comfortable beds, toilet, shower, and sink. Staff manages all camp chores.
Day 3: Saddle Hut
Short but steep climb from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru
Slow walk along the ridge, providing a spectacular view of the Meru Crater and the impressive Ash Cone
Lunch at Saddle Hut, followed by a possible short climb to the summit of Little Meru (3,820m) for superb views just before sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at Saddle Hut. Spacious tents (larger than 3x3m), comfortable beds, private veranda, bathroom with toilet, shower, and sink. Staff manages all camp chores. Accommodation in a spacious Hut, comfortable beds, toilet, shower, and sink. Staff manages all camp chores.
Day 4: Summit Climb
Early start at around 1:30 a.m. for the climb to Rhino Point (3,800 m.) and onward to Cobra Point (4,350m)
Possibility of reaching the summit (4,566 m) in time for sunrise, with a chance to see Kilimanjaro Peak above the clouds. Final part of the climb along a spectacular narrow ridge line between sheer inner cliffs and the sloping outer wall of the crater. Taking a short rest and brunch at Saddle Hut before descending to the Meriakamba Hut. Spacious tents (larger than 3x3m), comfortable beds, private veranda, bathroom with toilet, shower, and sink. Staff manages all camp chores. Accommodation in a spacious Hut, comfortable beds, toilet, shower, and sink. Staff manages all camp chores.
Day 5: Meriakamba Hut to Momella Gate to Arusha
Descending quickly from Meriakamba Hut through open grassland and mixed forest
Possibility of encountering wildlife during the descent before reaching Momella Gate in the late morning
Return transfer waiting at Momella Gate to pick you up and drive you back to your hotel
Concluding the trek and returning to Arusha for a well-deserved rest.
Frequently Asked Questions / Information / Guide / Activities
Mount Meru towers above Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania. International travellers can get to Arusha by flying to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is around 45 minutes away from city.
Arusha has a small airport, but this is only used by domestic planes, especially those linking to safari or beach destinations. Some travellers choose to stay in Moshi, a town on the border with Kenya.
Moshi is a 45-minute drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport, and it is quieter and easier to navigate than Arusha. Most trekkers decide to stay for a night either side of their trek.
On the day of the trek, we will arrange transport to Momella Gate, where you will commence your adventure.
The best climbing conditions are present during the dry seasons: June to October and December to February.
June to October will be slightly colder, as January and February are the hottest months of the year.
It will still be very cold at the summit (below 0°C), but we can advise you on what equipment to bring to face any temperature changes.
Mount Meru takes 3-4 days to summit. We recommend the longer version since it allows you to acclimatize better and enjoy the scenic views at a more leisurely pace.
The 3-day trek is also very hard on your knees as you descend within a single day.
Unlike Kilimanjaro treks, Meru treks follow a single trail called Momella Route. There used to be two other paths, but these are now illegal to use.
You will stay in two huts, Saddle Hut and Miriakamba Hut, which offer basic but clean accommodation. These can fill up very quickly in the high season, so we will ensure that we provide you with tents.
A guide is obligatory for all trips and porters are recommended but not compulsory. Booking a porter will ensure that your trek is more enjoyable.
During your trek you will reach two summits, Little Meru, and Socialist Peak. The final ascent will be done in the early hours so that you can watch the sunrise at Socialist Peak.
The walk along the crater and the view from the summit is unforgettable, and you can see Kilimanjaro in the distance on a clear day.
If you want to experience smaller, less time-intensive treks, we also organise several beautiful hikes along the slopes of Meru.
Meru treks are considered to be slightly more difficult than Kilimanjaro treks. However, Meru is not as tall as Kilimanjaro, so altitude sickness will be less of an issue.
Mount Meru is not a technical climb, so you will not need any previous mountaineering experience, but it is a steep climb, so you must have a good level of fitness. You will not need oxygen, although your guides will carry some for medical emergencies.
The secret to climbing to Mount Meru is pacing yourself to adapt to the altitude.
You can prepare for your trek by doing smaller walks with some luggage, or you can even go camping on the slopes to get used to the conditions.
Climbing Mount Meru is a lot cheaper than climbing Kilimanjaro, but there are several park fees to consider when booking a trip.
Tours cost around US$400-800, but we would generally advise to book upwards of US$650 to guarantee a safe ascent and the ethical payment of your guides. Your guides will protect you from wild animals on this trek and you might be faced with altitude sickness and other issues, so a well-paid, well-trained guide is integral to your comfort and safety.
Tour guiding and trekking is a crucial part of the livelihood of people who live in northern Tanzania. You can trek without a tour company, but you will still need to hire a guide at the gate.
Arusha Travel Information
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Arusha
Climbing Mount Meru is a rewarding challenge. It is often done as a warm-up trek for Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain. These iconic landmarks are only 70km/43mi apart and when climbing one, you’ll be treated to great views of the other. A Mt Meru trek will reduce the risk of altitude sickness when climbing its bigger sister, Mt Kilimanjaro. But there are other reasons you might want to conquer this lesser-known peak.
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Location / Contacts
- Address : Arusha, Tanzania
- Phone : 0687590560
- Mail : info@serengetitrips.com
- Website : http://www.serengetitrips.com
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