Mount Meru
Apart from organizing treks on Mount
Kilimanjaro and Kenya, we also plan for
mount Meru trek in Arusha. Like Mount
Kilimanjaro and Kenya; Mount Meru is a
volcanic mountain with the height of 4566m,
(14,000 ft) altitude above sea level. It can
be conquered with a little bit hardship in
three days. A four day ascent is however
archieved with less hardship and this is
highly recommended for a hiker who wants to
attempt this mountain to the summit. If you
plan to conquer the highest point of Africa-Uhuru
Peak / Hansmayer Peak, you may consider
Mount Meru in order to shape your body in
attaining your goal. The hiking is very
exciting as you experience many things on
your way up including games such as
Giraffes, buffalos, warthogs, Zebras,
Monkeys and birds.
Climbing
Mt. Meru (4,566 m.) is the second highest
mountain in Tanzania and a much underrated
mountain to climb because of its close
proximity to Kilimanjaro. Hike Mount Meru. It
is a horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater with a
spectacularly narrow ridge and superb all
round views. The cliffs of the inner wall
below the summit are over 1500 m. high, and
inside the caldera is a subsidiary peak
called the Ash Cone (3,670 m.) that last
erupted only 100 years ago. There is an
immense variety of tree and plant life,
adding considerably to the interest of the
trek.
Mt. Meru is part of Arusha National Park,
and the lower slopes of the mountain shelter
a variety of wildlife. The routes below
Miriakamba Hut are more like walking safaris
than mountain climbs and our guide is an
informed and armed park ranger (in case we
get too close to some of the animals!). You
are almost certain to see buffaloes,
warthogs, monkeys, and a variety of
birdlife. Giraffe and elephant are also
quite common.
Accommodation is the two well maintained
wooden huts that have spectacular views of
Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds. The
climb of Mt. Meru is very much justified on
its own merits but is also a great way to
get acclimatized for Kilimanjaro. The view
of Kilimanjaro from Meru , and that of Meru
crater itself, gives plenty of inspiration
for another mountain climb!
Though often ignored in favour of its big
sister, Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is a worthy
trekker’s paradise. This massive volcano
towers over 3,000 meters above Arusha town,
which lies at its foot on its south side.
The mountain endured a violent explosion
about 200 million years ago. In its wake the
explosion left towering cliffs in a gaping U
shaped ridge on the eastern side. Today the
crater stands in a protected amphitheatre of
a sort, thousands of feet below the summit
rocks. The craggy top lies at the western
most point of the summit ridge and juts
boldly into the sky at 4566 mt. (14,979
feet). From the top, one can look out at
Kilimanjaro from the highest perch
possible…. Perhaps there is no better
vantage point to gaze at Africa’s highest
mountain, approximately 80 kilometres to the
northeast. The trail to the summit follows
the northern rim of the natural amphitheatre
which forms Meru Crater. The trail skirts
the ridgeline, and above the Saddle (between
the summit and Little Meru Peak (12,533 ft /
3,820 metres). The route is quite steep,
with sections of rock scrambling on one
side. At the summit, the cliffs drop almost
1200 meters to the crater floor. The final
overnight trek is a bit of a challenge due
to the altitude and the steep terrain. It is
recommended that an informed decision be
made by hikers who are to go all the way to
the summit.
What makes this trek truly special is the
chance to see animals on foot. The lower
section of the trail runs into the forest on
the Meru crater floor, with many large,
potentially dangerous game animals about.
The biggest danger being Cape Buffalos and
elephants An armed ranger comes along on
this trek for safety. You may see while on
this trek many other animals, including
giraffe, waterbuck, bushbuck, dik dik,
warthog, olive baboon, Abyssinian (black &
white) Colobus monkey, sykes monkey. In
addition, you may find traces of leopard,
civet cat, red duiker and mountain duiker.
The neighboring Momella Lakes attracts
thousands of European and African migrant
species in the green season.
Climbing Mount Meru Hiking - Itinerary
Arusha - Momella Gate (4,920 ft. / 1,500
mt.)
Miriakamba Hut (8,250 ft. / 2,514 mt.)
Day 1
Morning transfer from Arusha into Arusha
National Park, to the Momella Gate (about
1.5 hours). After completion of
administrative formalities and meeting with
the guide, porters and ranger, you will
begin the 4 to 5 hour trek to Miriakamba
Hut, through the crater floor. The gentle
uphill trek will take you through thick
woodland, past the giant fig tree arch up to
the Itikoni clearing where they are likely
to buffalo grazing. They you’ll then cross a
large stream just above the Maio waterfalls,
and take a steep path up the crater rim wall
to Miriakamba. You may encounter elephant
along the way, and an armed ranger will
escort you at every step. Have dinner then
retire for the night at Miriakamba Hut.
Day 2 Miriakamba Hut ~ Saddle Hut (12,300
ft. / 3,750 mt.)
Saddle hut is at approximately 2 to 3 hours
trekking from Miriakamba Hut. The path will
take you though a mix of trees and pleasant
glades up to Mgongo wa Tembo (elephant
ridge), where you will have a clear view of
Meru crater and the cliffs below the summit.
Continue through a pass between the slopes
of Meru and the peak of Little Meru to reach
Saddle Hut. There is an optional 1 to 1.5
hour round trip hike to the summit of Little
Meru, from the Saddle Hut.
DAY 3 Mount Meru
SADDLE HUT ~ SUMMIT (14,979 ft. / 4566 mt.)
~ MIRIAKAMBA HUT
They will be woken at about 3am, and begin
trekking between 3:30 to 4am. A trek of
approximately 4 to 5 hours along a narrow
ridge, between the sheer cliffs and the
sloping outer wall will see them to the
summit. The walk has been said to be both
exhilarating and nerve wracking. Whatever
the reaction, the breathtaking sunrise over
Kilimanjaro makes it all worthwhile. After
the summit, they will retrace their steps
back to Saddle Hut for a rest, then descend
down the ridge to Miriakamba for some rest,
dinner, and overnight. The total trekking
time this day is from 8 to 11 hours.
DAY 4 Mount Meru
MIRIAKAMBA HUT ~ MOMELLA GATE
Continuing down through open mountain
meadows and wooded streams directly to the
Momella Gate, where you will be met by your
driver and proceed to Arusha for some rest.
The total trekking time this day is from 3
to 4 hours but the 4 day trip is highly
recommended
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Mount Meru Climbing and hiking
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Mount
Meru climbing - Mt Meru Trekking and hiking safari
Kenya
Safari Holidays
