3 DAYS MT MERU TREKKING – from $1 090 pps
Mount Meru is a melody of green wrinkled foothills, cracks, crater holes, saddles and summit ridges. Once upon a time when Meru erupted, it left a giant crater that has turned into something of an amphitheatre gazing fondly towards the east, a natural window facing Kilimanjaro. The highest point of the mountain is a jagged tip soaring 14 thousand feet into the sky and a front row seat to one of the best views in the world of Africa’s tallest mountain.
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL & OVERNIGHT
Touch down at the Kilimanjaro International Airport where your own personal driver will be waiting to greet you. Let your driver whisk you away to your chosen hotel in the bright and bustling city of Arusha – gateway to Tanzania. Arusha is the beating heart of the wild – the last port of civilization before heading out into dense jungles and rich savannah plains. The markets of Arusha burst with color, and throng with locals picking up their weekly wares. The numerous cafes sell dark and deliriously good coffee from the plantations, and close by the infamous National Park lures visitors in to explore her evocative Maasai culture and exotic flora and fauna. Today you can relax in Arusha, enjoy a quick de-briefing about your trip, recover from your journey, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Africa.
DAY 2: MOMELA GATE TO MIRIAKAMBA HUT
This morning after a delectable early breakfast your adventure begins. We will aim to arrive at Momela Gate for 9am, where the hustle of meeting the trekking team and watching the porters load up the goods will spark the excitement deep within you. Mount Kilimanjaro shines like a star in the morning sun, beckoning you to conquer the trail. An armed park ranger will accompany you at the beginning of the hike. This is because the trail passes through the splendor of the Arusha National Park, a place teeming with wildlife. The ranger will ensure your safety from big game animals. As you pass through the lands of sunlight, verdant green and shadow you can spot colobus monkeys chattering in the trees, dik-diks in pairs gazing wide-eyed in the clearings, waterbuck, baboons, and even the occasional giraffe. The sky floods with bright feathered birds in the green season and they all compete to entertain with song. For the first day of walking you will start at an altitude of 1 500m and steadily climb to 2 500m over a 3-4 hour period. Spend the night at the Miriakamba hut, enjoy delicious dining on the mountain from our team of chefs, and fall asleep to the sounds of the wild.
DAY 3: MIRIAKAMBA HUT – SADDLE HUT
This morning you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the walk is shorter. This is perfect for those who need time to acclimatize, and also to take in the breathtaking views that stretch from sky to horizon. From the Miriakamba hut you will cross the saddle below Little Meru, a short but steep climb. Pass through the lush and fragrant montane forest until you reach the halfway point called Elephant Ridge. Cross the crater floor and into a landscape cushioned with soft heather. Once you reach the Saddle Hut you can indulge in a fresh and hot lunch – exactly what you need after a morning of climbing. From here, you can see breathtaking views of the summit ridge.
Spend the afternoon relaxing and soaking up the majestic views before taking an acclimatization stroll to Little Meru just in time to witness the golden sunset. Tonight you will dine again on the mountain, and if the night is clear, you are sure to see thousands of swirling stars flooding the midnight sky. Saddle hut is perched 3 500m above sea level, and the one hour walk to Little Meru will take you to 3800 meters. There will be 3 – 4 hours of walking today.
DAY 4: SADDLE HUT – BIG MERU – MOMELA GATE
This morning is an early start with much ground to cover. After a hot coffee and breakfast at 2am we will make the climb to Rhino Point to cross the ridge. The ridge is carved from ash and once molten rock – a reminder that you are atop an ancient volcano. Once you reach Cobra Point you will feel as though you have entered another world. Here, ash cones prickle as though erupted from the earth, and Kilimanjaro seems to hang suspended over a bed of swirling misty clouds. Another hour and you will stand on the summit. Socialist Peak is the perfect place to greet the sunrise. Here you are, at the top of Mount Meru, watching the first fingers of light sweep across the whole of Africa. The views of Kilimanjaro are jaw dropping in their beauty and the exhilaration of having made it to the top will make you feel light and giddy inside.
As you descend back down the mountain, along the narrow ridge between the cliff walls and the edge of the mountain, you are sure to have never felt so alive. The morning sun will warm your back, and the sights beyond the ledge are some of the most dramatic scenes in Africa. Take a celebratory brunch back at Saddle Hut before continuing down to Miriakamba. Once more you will see wildlife roaming and birds flocking to the trees. You can see the patchwork plains of the National Park in front, and the looming peaks behind. After 2-3 hours we will reach Momela Gate where a private transfer is waiting to take you back to Arusha.
DAY 5: DEPARTURE
Enjoy a sumptuous lie-in and a breakfast fit for kings before checking out of your hotel. Normal check out time is 10am, but if you wish to keep the room until 6pm then simply let us know at the time of booking. Please note a day room charge will apply. If you have booked an airport transfer, then our driver will escort you back to the airport. For those clients who are booked to go on safari we will meet with you for de-briefing and to discuss the next epic adventure.
INCLUDED IN TREKKING PACKAGE:
- Accommodation as per the itinerary
- Qualified guides with mountain crew
- National Park fees
- Hut/camping fees and tents
- Tents foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and (Cutlery / Crockery) eating utensils.
- Rescue fees (required by the National Park)
- Pulse oximeters
- First aid kit
- Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries
- Boiled water on the mountain
- Airport transfers
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain
EXCLUDED FROM TREKKING PACKAGE:
- Guides, Porters and Cook tips
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Mountain equipment (e.g. sleeping bags)
- Gear for your climb, some equipment is available for rent.
- Items of personal nature (expenses)
- Emergency Oxygen
- Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included
BOOK THIS TREK
This Mountain Trek can be added onto a safari tour or a few well-deserved recovery days in Zanzibar. Contact us now to plan your journey!
Tripadvisor Reviews
The entire experience was great! Within our budget, well-planned, and most importantly, really fun and interesting. Ann and Abu were both very kind and helpful. We saw many animals of... Read more 
18 Apr 2023