Climb mount Meru...

Mt. Meru is one of Africa's highest and most beautiful volcanoes, standing at 4566 m. It is located within Arusha National Park. The route to the summit passes through parkland, montane forest, a giant heather zone and moorland. Finally, 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 and Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background.
Because the mountain lies within a National Park, it is common to encounter some of the area's birds, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, and black and white Colobus monkeys on the first day of your journey to the summit. For this reason, you will climb with a Park Ranger who takes your safety very seriously.
Many will say that Mt. Meru is not a difficult climb compared with Mt. Kilimanjaro, because of its lower elevation, shorter distance, and comfortable sleeping arrangements, but this is not a mountain to be taken lightly. The climb to the summit is rigorous, involving some steep ascents over rocky inclines and narrow ridges to traverse. It is therefore challenging yet rewarding and a beautiful mountain to experience.

Day 1: Arusha to Momela gate to Miriakamba hut

In the morning you will be met at your hotel and after a briefing about your upcoming trek start the scenic drive to Arusha National Park. Arriving at the gate, your guide will complete the registration forms and gather the hiking team before you will start your journey up Mount Meru accompanied by an armed park ranger. Walking through the grasslands towards the acacia forest on the southern route, you might spot giraffes and buffaloes lazily grazing on the lush vegetation. After roughly 2 hours you will reach the Maio Falls, where you can stretch your legs and enjoy a picnic lunch. Thereafter the journey continues through the “fig tree arch”, an unusual tree formation created by the wild fig Ficus Thonningii. Another two hours of hiking takes you to Miriakamba Hut where afternoon tea and snacks await you. The night will be spent at the Miriakamba Hut.

1. Start: Momella Gate (1,500 m)
2. Finish: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
3. Altitude Gain: 1,000 m
4. Walking time: 4-5Hrs

Day 2: Miriakamba hut to Saddle hut

After breakfast you will continue on wooden steps along a steep track. The shift in altitude brings about a noticeable drop in temperature and walking may seem easier. The low hanging clouds often shrouds the rainforest in mist, creating a moody atmosphere in the lush vegetation. Your uphill trek will take you to “Mgongo wa Tembo” (elephant back) at a height of 3,200 m after approximately 2 hours, where you can take in the scenery and rest, before heading onward to Saddle Hut (3,550 m). On the way you will see the vegetation changing from rainforest to heather and moorland. After reaching Saddle Hut you can opt to hike to Little Meru (3,820 m), a 1 to 1½ hours hike from where you will have a fantastic view over Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro about 80 km away. A warm meal and an early night awaits you back at Saddle Hut as your wake-up call will be just after midnight.

1. Start: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
2. Finish: Saddle Hut (3,550 m)
3. Altitude Gain: 1050 m
4. Walking time: 3-4Hrs

Day 3: Saddle hut to the Summit

After breakfast you will start your final stretch on the so-called “northern route back to Momella gate. On this 2 to 3 hour trek you will once again have the chance to see giraffes, buffaloes elephants as well as the black and white colobus monkeys. Arriving at the gate you will say farewell to your hiking crew and be taken back to Arusha.

1. Start: Saddle Hut (3,550 m) – Socialist Peak (4,562 m)
2. Finish: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
3. Altitude Gain: 1,012 m
4. Altitude Loss: 2,062 m
5. Walking time: 10-14Hrs

Momella Gate (1,500 m)

Day 4: From Saddle hut to the summit of Mt. Meru (4565m) and walk around the rim of Meru Crater

From Saddle hut ascend to the summit of Mt. Meru (4565m) and walk around the rim of Meru Crater. You will then return to the Saddle hut for breakfast and walk down across alpine desert. Lunch on the way down. You will find a car waiting at Momella gate to drive you back to Arusha.

1. Start: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
2. Finish: Momella Gate (1,500 m)
3. Altitude Loss: 1,000m
4. Walking time: 2-3Hrs

Package includes:

1. Private transport from the hotel to the Park s gate (starting point for the climb), and transport back to the hotel after the climb
2. Park entry fees
3. All camping fees
4. Rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Park rescue team fees)
5. Government taxes
6. Evacuation services
7. Friendly and competent Trained Mountain Guides, assistant guides, porters and professional cooks.
8. 3 full fresh meals daily. We provide fresh food on the mountain in plentiful and well prepared by skilled professional cooks(we also consider your choice of food that you would prefer -Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian). Menu especially designed for climbers.
9. Hot drinks on the mountain and Hot water for washing will be provide everyday on the mountain.
10. Quality specious tents, sleeping mats, camping tables ,camping chairs and Mess/Dining Tent.(Not applicable on the Marangu route as accommodation is in A-frame huts)
11. Supplementary Portable Oxygen and Complete First Aid Kit (used in case of emergency only)
12. Pulse oxy-meter carried by all chief guides
13. 3-4 liters of mineral/treated water (per Climber) provided daily during the climb
14. ***Portable toilet available at an additional cost (There are public toilets on the mountain)

Do not include:

1. Items of a personal nature
2. Tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US$200 to US$ 250 per hiker - depending on number of days / how many hikers in the group and route chosen)
3. Personal Hiking/Trekking gears (Some Gears are available for Rent)
4. Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets
5. Meals, drinks and snacks not specified.