TRIP SUMMARY
- Booking Type – Mountain Trek
- Trekking Route – Mount Meru
- Duration 3 & 4 Days
- Activities - Guided Trekking Tour
- Tour Type – Single/Group
- Location – Tanzania, Kilimanjaro
- Start / End – Moshi/Arusha to Moshi/Arusha
MOUNT MERU OVERVIEW
Mount Meru is the second-highest peak in Tanzania and the fifth-highest mountain in Africa, located within Arusha National Park. With an elevation of 4566m, it offers an unforgettable experience and serves as an acclimatization refuge before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Hikers must climb with armed rangers due to the wide range of wildlife like elephants, buffalos, giraffes, monkeys, nearly 400 species of mammals, and much more. These animals live on the lower slopes of the mountain.
The Mount Meru climb can be done as a private or group climb with Hilbas Tours for three or four days. However, clients from different parties and operators often combine to walk with the armed rangers on the lower slopes.
Note: Mount Meru lies on the eastern edge of the East Africa Rift Valley formed 20 million years ago and extends from Turkey to Mozambique.
The park is rich in game animals that can be viewed at a very close distance. It is an ideal place for a day trip with a variety of tourism activities like game drives, mountain climbing, walking safaris, canoeing, cycling and horse riding.
Mount Meru Route Itinerary
Arrived in Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where you will meet Hilbas representatives, be picked up and transferred to the hotel for hot showers, comfortable beds, a briefing, and gear checks. We will also arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Day 1- Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut
Elevation: 1500m/4950 ft to 2500m/8250ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Montane Forest.
Your driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to Arusha National Park. At Momella Gate, where registration takes place before setting off with your guide and armed ranger- there is abundant wildlife and strangler figs in the forests, simply you can see along the way the wild animals including buffalo grazing in one of the clearings, zebras, giraffe, monkeys, antelope, and often elephants along the trail overnight at Miriakambe Hut.
Day 2 – Marikamba Hut to Saddle Hut
Elevation: 2500m8250ft to 3500m/11550ft
Distance: 6km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Montane forest /alpine desert
After breakfast, you will ascend the steep trail along the ridge of the saddle. You will continue to see various wildlife along the way and amazing views of Mt. Meru Crater and the Ashtray. After a hot lunch at Saddle Hut, you can climb with your guide to the summit of Little Meru (3,820m) for a superb view just before sunset. Overnight at Saddle Hut.
Day 3 – Saddle Hut to Summit to Momella Gate
Elevation: 3500m/11550ft to 4565m/15064ft to 2500m/8250ft
Distance: 19 km
Hiking time: 10-12 hours
Vegetation Zone: Semi-desert/ alpine desert/ montane forest
This is your special day and your dream comes true. Your guide will wake you up around 1:30 am for tea and biscuits. The summit will begin with a steep grade from Rhino Point (3800m) to Cobra Point (4350m). In the last hour of the hike, you will scramble 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.
Here you will have a short time to take pictures and drink water or eat something. The descent back to Saddle Hut is surprisingly fast. After brunch, other refreshments and taking your trekking poles, we descend through the alpine/forest to reach Miriakamba Hut.
After a short break at Miriakamba, we proceed through the mountain forest to Momella Gate. This will require all hikers to sign out and receive completion certificates. At the Momella Gate, Hilbas Tours’ driver will meet you and return you to your hotel.
Departure or onwards travel
After an early breakfast, transfer to Safari or Kilimanjaro airport for your home departure flight.
Arrived in Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where you will meet Hilbas representatives, be picked up and transferred to the hotel for hot showers, comfortable beds, a briefing, and gear checks. We will also arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Day 1- Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut
Elevation: 1500m/4950 ft to 2500m/8250ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Montane Forest.
Your driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to Arusha National Park. At Momella Gate, where registration takes place before setting off with your guide and armed ranger- there is abundant wildlife and strangler figs in the forests, simply you can see along the way the wild animals including buffalo grazing in one of the clearings, zebras, giraffe, monkeys, antelope, and often elephants along the trail overnight at Miriakambe Hut.
Day 2 – Marikamba Hut to Saddle Hut
Elevation: 2500m8250ft to 3500m/11550ft
Distance: 6km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Montane forest /alpine desert
After breakfast, you will ascend the steep trail along the ridge of the saddle. You will continue to see various wildlife along the way and amazing views of Mt. Meru Crater and the Ashtray. After a hot lunch at Saddle Hut, you can climb with your guide to the summit of Little Meru (3,820m) for a superb view just before sunset. Overnight at Saddle Hut.
Day 3 – Saddle Hut to Summit to
Miriakamba hut
Elevation: 3500m/11550 ft to 4565m/15064 ft to 2500m/8250ft
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 10-12 hours
Vegetation Zone: Semi-desert/ alpine desert
This is your special day. Your guide will wake you up around 1:30 am for tea and biscuits. The summit will begin with a steep grade from Rhino Point (3800m) to Cobra Point (4350m). In the last hour of the hike, you will scramble 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. Here you will have a short time for taking photographs around the summit and drinking water or eating, sweating, and teething. The descent back to Saddle Hut is surprisingly fast. After brunch, other refreshments, and taking your trekking poles, we descend through the alpine/forest to reach Mariakamba. Overnight at Miriakamba Hut.
Day 4- Miriakamba Hut to Momella Gate
Elevation; 2500m/8250 ft to 1500m/4950 ft
Distance; 7 km
Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
Vegetation zone: montane forest.
After breakfast at Marikamba hut, we descend through the mountain forest to Momella Gate. This will require all hikers to sign out and receive completion certificates. A driver from Hilbas Tours will pick you up from the Momella Gate and drive you back to the hotel.
Departure or onwards travel
After an early breakfast, transfer to Safari or Kilimanjaro airport for your home departure flight.
Mountain Climbing Clothes
If you are packing for your climb it is important to really plan your clothing appropriately and we recommend choosing wool or synthetic options, like polyester or nylon, instead. Fabrics: Cotton takes a very long time to dry and is a poor insulator, so it should always be avoided in mountaineering climbs.
This is why we recommend that you pack the following:
Top Base Layer and Bottom Base Layer for climbing.
3-4 Pairs of Underwear
2-3 Short Sleeve
1 Insulated Trekking Pants
1-2 Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts
1-2 Pairs of Hiking Trousers
1 Insulated Winter Jacket
1 Polar Tec Fleece Jacket
1 Hard Shell Jacket
1- Gaiters
A hat to keep the sun off of your face
Good socks, preferably made out of merino wool
Shoes or boots that have good traction.
Bras, A pullover sports bra without any clasps.
1- Day backpack – between 20 – 35 litres. Large enough to carry your water, camera, raincoat, lunch pack, snacks & warm clothing
1- Duffel bag, (waterproof recommended), large enough for all climbing gear, to be carried by the porters. An extra bag is to be left at the hotel with extra gear.
1-Mittens or warm gloves and an inner one.
1-Sleeping bag, warm, four seasons
2- Water bottles – (total capacity at least 3 or 4 litres)
Price includes:
Transport:
– Pick-up at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Transfer to a hotel in Moshi/Arusha and back to the airport.
-Transfer to the trailhead – entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park;
– Pick up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel in Moshi/Arusha.
Accommodation:
Three-star hotel rooms (Moshi town) before and after the climb; The hotels have everything you need for your comfort.
Sharing tent accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Please note:
All accommodation is shared (i.e. you will share a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike with your travel companion).
If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer).
Entry fees and salaries
-All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park, -Camping fees, Vehicle fees, Rescue fees, and all Government taxes.
-Guides, porters, waiters, cook’s accommodation, Entry fees on the mountain and Salaries
Climbing crew:
-Professional / Experienced English-speaking Mountain guides, licensed by –Kilimanjaro National Park.
-All our guides hold Wilderness First Aid certifications.
-Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp masters, porters, cooks, etc.).
Meals:
– Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
-3 standard meals a day on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner).
-All drinks on the hike (Coffee, tea, Milo tea, water, etc).
Hiking and safety equipment:
-All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
-Oxygen cylinders and Oximeters;
– Medical kits
Price excludes:
Insurance:
– Travel insurance is not covered by the tour price. You can arrange travel insurance with your preferred insurance company.
– Airline tickets;
– Visa fee, passport, vaccinations, and medicines.
– Flying doctors;
– Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent);
– Personal gear rentals;
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, souvenir money)
– A tip of between 250 and 400 dollars per person is recommended for the mountain crew.
Additional notes:
If you have booked your climb through an agent that gives you different tip information, please tip according to the agent’s information.
Mountain and Safari Prices
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Why book with us?
- Expert Local Team
- Best Value for money
- Flexible & Customization itinerary
- Fast & Secure Payment
- 24/7 customer support
Need help?
Tanzania Number: +255 (0) 747 534 441
- Emergency Number +255 (0) 687 174 441
- WhatsApp: +255 (0) 755571569.
- 24 hour customer service
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