Mt Meru is the second tallest mountain in Tanzania after Kilimanjaro. The challenge is just as hard, but we climb it in 3 or 4 days. Meru is just outside Arusha, and the beautiful mountain is visible from the town – when it is visible!
Mt. Meru: 3 days or 4 days of climbing
There is only one main route up Meru. The routes from Momella gate 1597 masl – (meters above sea level) to the Summit is punctuated by two sets of accommodation huts, Miriakamba Huts 2500 masl is the first Hut, and the Second is Saddle Huts 3500 masl.
Prices from USD 600 per person per trip (for 5 persons or more).
DAY 1 – MIRIAKAMBA HUT
START – 4,922FT / 1500M
END – 8,248FT / 2514M
DISTANCE – 9 MILES / 14KM
TIME – 6-8 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
In the morning you are collected from your hotel and transferred to Arusha National Park. At the Momella Gate we complete registration formalities before setting off with your guide and armed ranger – there is abundant wildlife in the forests! The forest section is especially scenic with strangler figs and the possibility of seeing buffalo grazing in one of the clearings. In the late afternoon you reach a viewpoint before heading on to Miriakamba Hut for dinner.
DAY 2 – SADDLE HUT
START – 8,248FT / 2514M
END – 11,713 / 3570M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 6KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
You set off from Miriakamba Hut, initially still in the forest zone, but in a few hours as you reach Saddle Hut for lunch in the alpine desert zone. In the afternoon a walk to the summit of Little Meru (Alt: 12,532ft, 3820m) can be taken for stunning views before heading back to Saddle Hut for dinner.
DAY 3 – SUMMIT BID / MIRIAKAMBA
START – 11,713FT / 3570M
END – 8,248FT / 2514M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM
TIME – 12 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT / AFROMONTANE FOREST
You rise early and your hard work is rewarded at dawn as the sun rises to the East. Kilimanjaro is normally clearly seen from here and the sheer cliffs of the crater fall dramatically 1000 feet or more.
After taking photos at Socialist Peak (Alt: 14,978ft, 4,565m) you return to our base camp at Saddle Hut. After some brunch, you continue down to Miriakamba Hut for dinner.
DAY 4 – ARUSHA
START – 8,248FT / 2514M
END – 4,922FT / 1500M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
The shorter final section takes up to 4 hours to return to our vehicles where you say farewell to our crew and have time for a short picnic lunch and game drive before returning to Arusha for a well deserved shower!
What to bring? Se our list of recommended stuff >>
