Home » Tanzania Trekking » 4 Days Mount Meru Climbing Experience
Mount Meru climbing is one of the ten highest mountains in Africa. A perfect acclimatization climb before attempting Kilimanjaro. Fifty miles (80 km) west of Mount Kilimanjaro lies is an often overlooked, but spectacular volcano. Mount Meru is 14,980 feet (4,565 m) high, and serves as a great warm up before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft/5,895 m). Accommodation is in rustic huts and climbs can be booked to start on any day. On the mountain, there is a good chance of seeing wildlife, and the crowds that can be seen on Kilimanjaro are non-existent here. Many people who climb both mountains have a quiet preference for the humble Mount Meru.
ALMMT01 – MOUNT MERU CLIMBING
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4 Days Mount Meru Climbing
Day 1-4 | Tanzania
Day 1
Start: Momella Gate (1,500 m)
Finish: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
Altitude: ↑ 1,000 m
Walking time: 4-5h
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Day 2
Start: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
Finish: Saddle Hut (3,550 m)
Altitude: ↑ 1050 m
Walking time: 3-4h
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Day 3
Start:
Saddle Hut (3,550 m) – Socialist Peak (4,562 m)
Finish: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
Altitude: ↑ 1,012 m ↓ 2,062 m
Walking time: 10-14h
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Day 4
Start: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
Finish: Momella Gate (1,500 m)
Altitude: ↓ 1,000m
Walking time: 2-3h
TOUR PROGRAM
Day 1 Arusha – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
In the morning you will be met at your hotel and after a briefing about your upcoming trek start the scenic drive through 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.
Day 2 Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – Saddle Hut (3,550 m)
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.
Day 3 Saddle Hut (3,550 m) – Socialist Peak (4,562 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
You will be awakened with a small snack and warm tea; after which you will start your final ascent. Headlamps light your way as you follow the trail through bush land to Rhino Point (3,821 m). The path becomes more challenging and occasionally climbing will be required. Following the crater rim, you will walk on frozen volcanic ash and rocks, before reaching the summit, Socialist Peak, in about 4 – 5 hours. Standing at the peak you will enjoy the breath-taking view of the sun rising above Mt Kilimanjaro as well as have a fantastic view of Mt Meru’s crater with its steep sides and the “ash cone” in the middle. After taking a few deep fresh breaths you will start your descent on the same route back to Saddle Hut (3,550 m) where you can recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once rested, you will continue the descent to Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m). Tired and happy you will have your evening meal and doze off with the views of the day filling your thoughts.
Day 4 Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – Momella Gate (1,500 m)
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.
Note: The summit stage contains a few easy but unsecured climbing passages. A good head for heights and surefootedness are absolutely necessary. In adverse weather conditions (heavy rain, icy rocks or thick fog) the park ranger can call off the summit attempt. We do not advise to climb Mt Meru in the rainy season in April and May.
Items included:
Mount Meru trekking according to the itinerary
Professional, English-speaking guide
Mountain crew (cook & porters)
National Park Ranger
Overnight stays in mountain huts
Meals according to the itinerary
Drinking water
All national park fees
All mentioned transfers
18% Value Added Tax
AMREF – Evacuation Insurance
Items excluded:
Sleeping bag
Flights
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Visa fees
Tips
Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
Travel insurance
Mount Meru Trekking Map
What is the size of the trekking group?
This is a private trekking tour and hence no other persons joining you. Your group will consist of your travel partners and your Kilimanjaro mountain crew.
What is the age limit for this Kilimanjaro climb?
According to the national park authorities, children under the age of 10 years are only allowed to hike until Horombo Hut (3700 m). There are no official restrictions for children above the age of 10 years but because the chances of children succumbing to mountain sickness are a lot higher than they are with adults, we recommend a minimum age of 14-16 years. Please note that children of all ages have to be accompanied by one of their parents at all times. Although there is no maximum age restriction, a medical check-up is advisable for climbers above the age of 60.
Do I have to be extremely fit?
Africa’s highest peak is one of the only mountains of this magnitude that can be conquered without you being an experienced alpinist. However, it goes without saying that you should be healthy and fit to master the 4-6 hour daily hikes as well as the 12-14 hour hike on the night of the summit. In addition thereto, strong willpower and endurance is required
How will the weather expected and when is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
The warmest time with the least rainfall is between December and February, followed by the main rainy season from March until the beginning of June. Between June and October, temperatures are moderate with almost no rainfall. November is regarded as the small rainy season and daily short rainfalls with cloudy views are common.
The best time to travel is between the end of June and the middle of October and although it is possible to climb Kilimanjaro in the main rainy season, we strongly discourage anyone from doing so.
What do I expect climbing Kilimanjaro via Marangu route?
The Kilimanjaro Marangu Route is often considered as the easiest route to the summit. Compared to other routes, the ascent is more gradual and although both the ascent and descent follow the same route, you will be rewarded with excellent panoramic views throughout your trek (weather permitting).
What is the type of accommodation during my climb?
You will overnight in basic mount Kilimanjaro Marangu route huts.
Type of ablution facilities will I use?
Apart from very basic long drops (simple latrines), there are no further ablution facilities. Climbers are however provided with a bowl of warm water for their daily body cleaning.
what type of food provision do I expect?
Meals are included as mentioned in the itinerary.
For breakfast there will be a choice of fruit, scrambled eggs, porridge, toast, jam, hot chocolate, coffee or tea. Lunch will be provided in form of a lunch box containing sandwiches, boiled eggs, chicken etc.
For dinner you will enjoy soup and bread followed by meat or poultry along with starch (i.e. chips, mashed potatoes, pasta or rice) as well as vegetables.
While breakfast and dinner are served in a communal dining hut, lunch is enjoyed en-route.
NB: Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements or food allergies and we will do our outmost to cater for them (only possible with advanced notification).
How do I cope with the Kilimanjaro altitude during climbing?
Almost everybody climbing Kilimanjaro will be affected by the mountain altitude in some or other way. Top athletes are just as much at risk of suffering from it as are people who are out of shape. Headaches, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea are all signs of possible mountain sickness. Symptoms are mostly mild, enabling you to continue your hike and only in very few instances are symptoms more acute, making an immediate descent unavoidable. Severe altitude sickness is a serious matter and you should bear in mind that it can be life threatening and at worst lead to death. It is also important to replace lost body fluids due to physical activity by drinking enough water. We suggest two to four litres per day along with magnesium to prevent muscle cramps.
What happens in the event of an emergency?
Mountain rescue services in Tanzania can in no sense be compared to the ones found in the European Alps for example. If you find yourself unable to walk, you will either be carried or transported on a wheeled stretcher. As this is by all means a very unpleasant experience, it is important that you only push yourself as far as your body allows. Helicopters are hardly ever deployed as they can only land at a lower altitude.
Please also make sure your health insurance covers you while travelling. If you are not adequately covered, we urge you to take out suitable travel insurance assuring all your medical expenses including rescue and repatriation costs are covered.
However, African Legends also provides all clients on tour with as with AMREF Medical Air Evacuation Insurance. Please note this does NOT replace your medical insurance, this is only to remove you from the gate to the nearest institution and that where your insurance takes over. Please remember its ONLY for evacuation only.
Can I bring some extra money?
Yes you should bring some extra money for tips, souvenirs and other personal expenses. If you are bringing USD, please make sure the bills have been be printed after 2004 as any earlier printed ones will not be accepted.
Tips for the mountain crew are common practice. Gratuities are a large portion of the crew’s income and thus highly appreciated. Below are some recommendations from our side (per group, not per person):
What is the crew tip preference recommended?
Guide: 15-20 USD per day
Assistant Guide: 12-15 USD per day
Cook: 8-15 USD per day
Waiter: 7-10 USD per day
Porter: 8-9 USD per day
What kind of clothes and gear do you recommend during my climbing Kilimanjaro?
There are a few things you should pack for a Kilimanjaro climb and as the list is quite extensive, you will receive a detailed packing list from us once you have confirmed the booking.
What are Tanzania’s visa requirements?
For most travellers it is possible to obtain a visa upon arrival but nevertheless, it is every visitor’s obligation to check the latest visa regulations with their respective embassies.
Every traveller is responsible to be in the possession of the required travel documents.
What in the requirements for vaccinations and malaria medication and prevention?
Officially, no vaccinations are required by the Tanzanian health department. However, Tanzania is a yellow fever region and thus we advise that you get yourself vaccinated for this.
In general we also recommend that you have all other shots such as Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio and Hepatitis A & B up to date.
Malaria is present in Tanzania but there are no mosquitoes at high altitude. It is your own choice if you wish to take any precautionary medication and prevention, but we suggest that you consult your doctor or travel clinic in this matter.
Dates & Rates for Climbing Mount Meru
Prices depend on the number of travelers in this Tour
| SEASON | TRAVELLERS – (Price Per Person) | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | >6 | |
| 01 JAN 2020 – 31 DEC 2021 | $USD 1,580 | $USD 1,220 | $USD 1,090 | $USD 960 |
$USD 940 |
$USD 890 |
| All year Round | ||||||
