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.

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 adddtion, you may find traces of leopard, civet cat, red duiker and mountain duiker. The neighbouring 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 Arusha/Mariakamba Hut
Mt.Meru Park Gate - Mariakamba: 4-5 hours
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

 

Mount Meru Climb price: US$ 690 per person sharing

Included in the tour price:
-Guarantee price/guarantee trek on confirmation
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek. Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodations in camps/huts as per the itinerary
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional guide and skilled cook
-Start and finish in Arusha.
-Treated water on the trek.

Excluded:
-Laundry, tips, sleeping bags, beverages/drinks, accommodation before the trek and climbing gears
-International flights
-Visas
-Items of personal nature
-Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary

 

NOTE: Mount Meru is a chilly and warm clothing recommended.


Mount Meru Climbing and hiking

Overview

Mount Meru, situated east of the Great Rift Valley and about 40 km southwest of Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania's Arusha National Park, is considered an active volcano and is the country's second highest mountain. It is also considered the fourth highest mountain in all of Africa by some (after Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and the Rwenzoris - aka the Mountains of the Moon). 500,000+ years ago, Mount Meru erupted in a tremendous explosion that destroyed it's cone shape and resulted in a horseshoe crater with the eastern side removed. The resulting mountain has its summit on the west side with it's inner walls rising over 1,500m from the crater floor, making them among the tallest cliffs in Africa. In the past 100 years, eruptions have been reported as the Ash Cone continues to build inside the crater. The first ascent is still in dispute and credited to either Carl Uhlig in 1901 or Fritz Jaeger in 1904.

Although this is a spectacular mountain with amazing scenery and wildlife, it's location in East Africa means that most international visitors will visit Mount Meru as a secondary trip in conjunction with their primary destination, usually Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, or the Ngorongoro Crater. Reasons to do this summit include: (1) amazing views into the summit crater and ash cone, (2) hiking along the crest of the crater rim, (3) nice, but distant, views of Kilimanjaro from the summit, (4) the ability to see a lot of wildlife on the lower slopes in the form of a walking safari, (5) the chance to escape the tourist crowds, and (6) for Americans, the ability to summit another peak taller than Mount Whitney. Arusha National Park provides certificates for people who summit the Little Meru sub-peak (3,820 m / 12,533 ft) or Socialist Peak - aka the Mount Meru summit. Although the name Socialist Peak is listed on the summit certificate, this name was rarely used and given that the Tanzanian government is moving more towards capitalism, it will probably never be more than a curiosity.

The 14 km (8.7 mi) or 19 km (11.8 mi) YDS class 2 Momella Route is the primary and only official route to the summit today. This route starts at the Momella Gate (1,500 m / 4,921 ft) and uses one of two tracks to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m / 8,250 ft), either a shorter 5 km YDS class 1 route or a longer 10 km YDS class 1 route that allows one to see more wildlife, scenery including waterfalls, and old huts. From the Miriakamba Hut, you take a 4 km YDS class 1 trail through some forests up to the Saddle Hut (3,566 m / 11,700 ft). From Saddle Hut, you can either summit Little Meru (3,820 m / 12,533 ft) or follow the route another 5 km YDS class 2 to the Mount Meru Summit, aka Socialist Peak. On the way up to the summit from Saddle Hut, the first notable bald area you'll reach is Rhino Point where you can get amazing views of the summit and the inner crater walls, providing there are no clouds. You'll know you are at Rhino Point because there is a pile of bones in the center of the clearing. The easy YDS class 2 portion of the hike involves crossing two moderately long low-angle rock slabs above Rhino Point. Also from Rhino Point to the summit, there are green blazes and arrows painted on the rocks to show you the way, however, these can be hard to see at night. There is a metal flag of the United Republic of Tanzania on the summit as well as a wood box and summit register.

Before Mount Meru was included in Arusha National Park in 1967 it was also possible to reach the summit via the North and West Slopes, however, use of these trails to enter the park (and reach the summit) is now illegal. It is, however, legal to climb the inner Ash Cone but the park only recommends this for researchers and issues a special permit for this activity.

When To Climb
Generally, the best times to climb this peak are from June to February with occasional rains in November. The dry season is from July to March. December to February generally offer the best views of Kilimanjaro which can often be seen from the summit and most places in Arusha National Park.