Mt. Meru which is Tanzania’s second highest mountain standing tall at 4,566m. It is located in Arusha National Park and offers some of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife diversity of any mountain in Tanzania. Mt. Meru is a challenging trek due to its steepness, but is a great way to acclimatize before attempting Mt. Kilimanjaro. Climbers are accompanied by an armed ranger due to the abundance of wildlife on the lower slopes. Mt. Meru also has some historical significance as the putative resting place of Noah’s Ark when it came to rest after the biblical flood receded. Mt. Meru is a great trekking option for those who want to take on a climbing challenge and get the sense of being out in the wild, but are not quite ready to tackle Mt. Kilimanjaro.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
You will depart the hotel at 08:00 am and head to the Momella Gate which is the starting point of the trek. The drive to the gate is roughly an hour and a half. After the registration, you will start your trek accompanied by an armed ranger. Along the route you will catch spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Momella Lakes. You will encounter animals such as cape buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs and bushbucks, to name a few. Your trek will end up at Miriakamba Hut where you will be spending the night.
Distance covered: 6km / 3.5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Today’s trek takes you through the steep path along the ridge of the saddle. Amazing views of the Meru Crater, the ash cone and little Meru can be seen along the way. While trekking through the forest keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and the attractive wild flowers. Common animals include buffaloes and the black and white Colobus monkey. Your trek will end up at Saddle Hut where you will be spending the night. After resting at the camp you will set off on an hour acclimatization trek to little Meru (3810m),then head back down to Saddle Hut.
Distance covered: 6.5km / 4mi
Approx. time taken: 3 – 4 hours
We start early at around 1:30 am to climb steeply to Rhino Point (3,800 m.) and on to Cobra Point (4350m). We reach the summit (4566 m) on time for sunrise. There is a possibility to see the Kilimanjaro Peak above the clouds. The final part of the climb is along a spectacular narrow ridge line between the sheer inner cliffs and the sloping outer wall of the crater. We take a short rest and brunch at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to the Meriakamba Hut and lastly to Momela Gate. The returning transfer to Arusha will be waiting at Momella Gate and will bring you back to your accommodation.
Distance covered:19km / 12mi
Approx. time taken: 10 – 12 hours
After breakfast you will begin your final descent to Momella gate. You will be using the southern route to descend. During your descent you will pass through the montane forest where you will pass the amazing Fig Tree Arch. Upon arrival at the Momella gate, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel back in Arusha town.
Distance covered: 14km / 8.5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Arusha town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
