Mountain Climbing Adventures | Amani Expeditions

Climbing Mt. Meru 4 Days/3 Nights

Highlight

Standing 4565 meters (14,980 feet) in height, Mt. Meru is a more approachable climb than Kilimanjaro and serves as a great standalone hike in its own right. Many trekkers choose to use Mount Meru as an acclimation hike prior to starting their trek up Africa’s highest peak

Tourists to Mount Meru are more likely to spot wildlife along the trail, particularly in the early days of the hike. In order to make your stay in the wild safe and protect the animals from poachers, an armed ranger will accompany trekking groups on the first day of the journey to ensure they make it safely to the first campsite.

From there, the route wanders up the north side of Meru’s volcanic crater, before approaching the true summit itself. At the top, the views are outstanding, particularly with Kilimanjaro gleaming tantalizingly in the distance. Typically Mount Meru Climb takes four days, but it can be done in three days to complete a trek to the top as even on this lower peak, acclimatization is the key to successful summit. All trekking groups take the same route up the mountain, which begins at Momella Gate. Hikers will stay in a series of huts on their way to the top, with basic but comfortable accommodations located at two different campsites prior to the going to the summit, which is located at a place called Socialist Peak.

This offers several advantages to visitors. But most of all, it gives trekkers a chance to experience what it is like to climb Kilimanjaro on a smaller scale, providing a grand adventure for those who don’t have a lot of time in their schedule or don’t want to deal with the higher altitude found on Kilimanjaro. Being Tanzania’s second tallest mountain and Africa’s fifth-highest mountain at 4,566m, Mount Meru climbing is very rewarding.

DAY 1, Arrival day:

Arriving at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), you will be greeted upon arrival by our warm, friendly guide(s). You will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha to rest and relax after the long international flight. Overnight in the hotel and notice the sounds and smells of Arusha city all around you.

Accommodation: Arusha city

Meal: Dinner

DAY 2: MOMELLA GATE (1500M) TO MIRIAKAMBA (2500M)

Visitors spend a fist night at Miriakamba Accommodation Centre (2500m). From Momella Gate to Miriakamba There are two routes; Southern and Northern routes.

Southern route (road): takes 5 hours walk from Momella Gate to Miriakamba Accommodation Centre. Though this route, visitors have chances to see almost all mammals found in the forest including hornbill, Hartlaub’s turaco and birds of prey. It is possible to see several species of butterflies such as Mocker Swallow tailed, Soldier commodores, Blue Swallow-tailed, Golden winged forester, Emperor, Mother of pearl, etc.

Visitors will pass through the montane forest where different features such as the Fig Tree Arch, Maio Waterfall, and different kind of vegetation such as Wild mango, Africa olive, Strangler Fig and Wild elder could be seen. At about 2300m the higher montane forest begins. Common trees are Juniper and Podo. The common beautiful wild flowers are Empetient species, Red hot pocker, Orchids, Fire ball lily and Gladiolus.

Northern route: Takes between 3-4 hours from Momella Gate to Mariakamba Accommodation Centre. This is the shorter and steeper route. Along this route the views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Momella Lakes are spectacular. Common mammals along this route are Cape buffalo, Maasai giraffe, Warthogs, Bushbuck, etc. Present birds are Hartlaub’s turaco, White Fronted Bee Eaters, Fiscal Shrike, Tropical Boubou, Stone chat, variable sun birds and Olive pigeon. Common beautiful wild flowers are Red hot pocker, Blue violet, Cynium, Tubalosum and Gladiolus. Accommodation and meal at Miriakamba Hut

Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Vegetation Zone: Montane Forest.

DAY 3: MIRIAKAMBA HUT TO SADDLE HUT

It takes 3-4 hours. Along this portion of the route visitors do enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Momella Lakes, Meru crater, Ash cone, Mt. Meru diff and the little Meru. Though the forest, common animals include Buffalo, Bushbuck, Elephant, Block and Black & White Colobus.

Attractive wild flowers such as Empetient species, Red hot pocker, Orchids, Fire ball lily, Gladiolus, Giant Lobelia, Everlasting flowers (Helcrysum, Senecio and Alchemilla). Common Shrubs are Erica arboreas, Stoebe Kilimandscharica, Leonits nepatifolia, mosses and Lichens. The trail takes the visitors through striking tree species such as Hygenium abyssinica, Nuxia congesta, Podocarpus, and Hypericum tevolutum.

Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Vegetation: Forest and Moorland.

DAY4: SADDLE HUT TO SUMMIT. (Elevation (m): 3,570 m to 4,565m)

Takes 5-6 hours. This is the place where visitors enjoy the most views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, little Meru, Meru Crater Ash cone, Momella Lakes, Cliff face, Meru summit, Ngorongoro crater highlands, Arusha town, sunrise and sunset.

Klipspringers and mountain Redbucks are seen over rocks. Birds like White naked raven, Beareded vultures, Lammerger, Stone chat, Cliff chat, Alpine swift, can be seen in this higher elevations. While walking along the trail to saddle it is possible to step on wild flowers like Alchemilla, Helicysum, and Iris flowers. The start for the summit is made early in the morning. After reaching the summit at 4566m visitors do walk all the way back to Miriakamba Accommodation Centre.

Distance: 5 km up 13 km down
Hiking Time: 10 – 12 hours
Vegetation: Alpine Desert Moorland and Montane forest.

DAY 5: MIRIAKAMBA TO MOMELLA GATE

Visitors who went through the shorter route while ascending can descend via the longer route or vice versa. Hurrying up while going down is not advisable. Please take your time to enjoy the scenic beauty as well as occasional sightings of the game.

Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 2-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

DAY 6, Departure:

For those returning home, you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight. Those continuing on safari or to Zanzibar you will be picked up at your hotel for the continuation of your African tour.

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Climbing costs Includes:-

Park fees, camping fees & rescue fee
18% VAT on tour fees & services
Accommodation in tents complete with sleeping mats.
Sleeping Bags (-15oC Limit) *If clients have warmer sleeping bags they are advised to bring their own.
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Katadyn filtered water throughout the trek
Pre & Post Trek accommodation in Moshi town on Half Board Basis
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Tree donation in support of our environmental conservation projects
2-way airport transfers - 1 on arrival and 1 on departure
Supplemental Oxygen & Pulse Oximeter

Climbing costs Excludes:-

Visa
Tips to mountain crew – See Tipping Guidelines for more details
Items of a personal nature
Laundry Services
Tanzanian mountain doctor
Single Supplement Request - $100
Travel Insurance (Recommended – Travel insurance with medical cover of 6,000m and above)
Spending a night in the crater - $200 per person
Western breach approach without a night at the crater camp - $100 per person
Tanzanian mountain doctor - $200 per group per day
Portable chemical toilet - $150 per toilet (including tent & porter