MOUNT MERU
Mount Meru is located in the heart of Arusha National Park and it is 50 miles west of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Mount. Meru is a massive volcano reaching 14,980 feet (4,565 meters). This trek serves as an ideal warm-up for Mt. Kilimanjaro due to its altitude acclimatization and hiking distances. This trek is also geared towards hikers that prefer less crowds and a challenging ascent.
Because Mount Meru is located in Arusha National Park, hikers must climb with an armed ranger due to the wide range of wildlife living on the mountain. On the lower slopes of the mountain, hikers are more likely to see elephants, giraffes, and buffalo! As hikers continue their ascents, the trail follows the north rim of the volcano’s crater along a dramatic ridgeline. Throughout the climb, hikers sleep in designated huts along the trail. Hikers reach the summit as the sun is rising and they will have spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and of the Mt. Meru Crater.
Where is Arusha National Park/Mount Meru and How big is it?
northeast size: 552 sq km 212 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, Arusha town.
How to get to Mount Meru in Arusha National Park
An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.
NOTE: Mountain Climbing Permits duration time is 12 HOURS.
What to do in Mount Meru
Forest walks, numerous picnic sites;
Three- or four-day Mt Meru climb – good acclimatization for Kilimanjaro.
When to Climb Mount Meru
To climb Mount Meru, June-February although it may rain in November.
Best views of Kilimanjaro December-February.
3 DAYS MOUNT MERU ITENERARY
DAY 1: Arusha – Miriakamba Hut
Duration: 5-7 hours of hiking
After an early morning breakfast in Arusha (1400m), you will be picked up from your hotel and brought to the Momella Gate in Arusha National Park. At this time, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent in Arusha National Park. The first day of hiking is similar to a walking safari; you should expect to see giraffes, zebras, antelope, buffalo, and potentially elephants near the trail. Due to the high possibility of spotting wildlife, an armed ranger, hired through the National Park, is required to hike with our team for the duration of the hike. As you continue hiking, you will pass the Ngarenanyuki River and a beautiful waterfall at the base of Mt. Meru. Upon arriving to Miriakamba Hut (2500m), your chef will prepare a hot dinner and washing water for you. Enjoy the beautiful sunset and overnight.
DAY 2: Miriakamba Hut – Saddle Hut
Duration: 3-5 hours of hiking
After breakfast, you will start ascending up the steep trail along the ridge of the saddle. You may see various wildlife along the way! The trail has views of Mt. Meru Crater and the Ash Tray. When you arrive at camp, you have the option of hiking Little Mt. Meru (3820m) with your guide to further acclimate. You will be served an early dinner, so you can receive ample rest before your midnight summit attempt. Get to sleep by 1900!
DAY 3: Saddle Hut – Summit Attempt – Arusha
Duration: 12-14 hours of hiking
Your guide will wake you at 00:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt at 1:30am. The trail starts off on a steep grade to Rhino Point (3800m) to Cobra Point (4350m). The last hour of the hike you will scamble on a rocky ridge between the crater and inner cliffs of Meru. You will reach the summit of Meru (4565m) at sunrise with spectacular views of Mt. Meru Ash Tray and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Enjoy your views then descend to Momella Gate and return to Arusha
PRICE IS $950 PER PERSON
Items included:
- Transport to/from Arusha National Park
- Overnight stays in mountain huts
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- All Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Items not included:
- Airport transfers (Can be arranged upon request at extra cost )
- Accommodation in Arusha or Moshi (Can be arranged upon request at extra cost )
- Tanzania Visa
- Gratuity
- Sleeping Bag
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above
- Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
TIPPING RECOMMENDATION
- Guide – $15 to $20 per day.
- Assistant Guide – $10 to $15 per day.
- Cook – $10 to $15 per day.
- Porters – $6 to $10 per day per porter.
- Ranger – $5 per day
4 DAYS MOUNT MERU ITENERARY
DAY 1:Arusha – Miriakamba Hut
Duration: 5-7 hours of hiking
After an early morning breakfast in Arusha (1400m), you will be picked up from your hotel and brought to the Momella Gate in Arusha National Park. At this time, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent in Arusha National Park. The first day of hiking is similar to a walking safari; you should expect to see giraffes, zebras, antelope, buffalo, and potentially elephants near the trail. Due to the high possibility of spotting wildlife, an armed ranger, hired through the National Park, is required to hike with our team for the duration of the hike. As you continue hiking, you will pass the Ngarenanyuki River and a beautiful waterfall at the base of Mt. Meru. Upon arriving to Miriakamba Hut (2500m), your chef will prepare a hot dinner and washing water for you. Enjoy the beautiful sunset and overnight.
DAY 2:Miriakamba Hut – Saddle Hut
Duration: 3-5 hours of hiking
After breakfast, you will start ascending up the steep trail along the ridge of the saddle. You may see various wildlife along the way! The trail has views of Mt. Meru Crater and the Ash Tray. When you arrive at camp, you have the option of hiking Little Mt. Meru (3820m) with your guide to further acclimate. You will be served an early dinner, so you can receive ample rest before your midnight summit attempt. Get to sleep by 1900!
Duration: 2-3 hours of hiking
After a long rest and breakfast, we will begin our final descent to Momella gate. We will hike through forest and meadows where it is likely to spot wildlife. At the base of Mt. Meru, you will be greeted by our driver who will take you back to Arusha.
DAY 3: Saddle Hut – Summit Attempt – Miriakamba Hut
Duration: 10-12 hours of hiking
Your guide will wake you at 00:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt at 1:30am. The trail starts off on a steep grade to Rhino Point (3800m) to Cobra Point (4350m). The last hour of the hike you will scamble on a rocky ridge between the crater and inner cliffs of Meru. You will reach the summit of Meru (4565m) at sunrise with spectacular views of Mt. Meru Ash Tray and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Enjoy your views then descend to Saddle Hut for a short break. You will then continue descending to Miriakamba Hut (2500m) for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: Miriakamba Hut – Arusha
Duration: 2-3 hours of hiking
After a long rest and breakfast, we will begin our final descent to Momella gate. We will hike through forest and meadows where it is likely to spot wildlife. At the base of Mt. Meru, you will be greeted by our driver who will take you back to Arusha.
PRICE IS $1200 PER PERSON
Items included:
- Transport to/from Arusha National Park
- Overnight stays in mountain huts
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- All Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Items not included:
- Airport transfers (Can be arranged upon request at extra cost )
- Accommodation in Arusha or Moshi (Can be arranged upon request at extra cost )
- Tanzania Visa
- Gratuity
- Sleeping Bag
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above
- Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
TIPPING RECOMMENDATION
- Guide – $15 to $20 per day.
- Assistant Guide – $10 to $15 per day.
- Cook – $10 to $15 per day.
- Porters – $6 to $10 per day per porter.
- Ranger – $5 per day
COST OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Sleeping bag rental, Mountain Hardware Lamina per trip $50.
Extra porter(Personal porter), for excess gear, costs $30 per day.
Trekking poles rental, telescopic, cost $20 per trip.
An extra day on the mountain costs $250 per person.
The hotel in Arusha or Moshi costs $120 for Double Occupancy, $95 for single occupancy on a bed and breakfast basis per night.
Airport Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha is $100 per one-way.
Airport Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi is $50 per one-way.
TIPPING RECOMMENDATION
- Guide – $15 to $20 per day.
- Assistant Guide – $10 to $15 per day.
- Cook – $10 to $15 per day.
- Porters – $6 to $10 per day per porter.
- Ranger – $5 per day