Meru-AA-12

Mount Meru (3 Days Trekking)

This hike to the peak of Mount Meru is completed in three days. Situated at the heart of the Arusha National Park, Mount Meru overlooks the spectacular plains of the savannah. Meru was sculpted into its distinctive shape thousands of years ago when a volcanic blast destroyed an immense bulk of the eastward flank of the mountain. The fertile slopes are home to a vast range of wildlife. The climb to the summit alongside the volcanic caldera doesn’t require an athlete or an extreme alpinist but you should be in relatively good shape. Mount Meru climbing entails steep slopes, it can be challenging but you won’t regret conquering it. The enchanting view and diverse wildlife of Kilimanjaro’s little brother make this the ideal trek for an adventurous thrill seeker.

Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi

We will arrange for a driver to transport you from the airport to your hotel. Orientation regarding your trek will take place at the hotel. Your guides will provide information about the trek and perform a comprehensive inspection of your gear. They will also clarify any further questions.

Day 2: Moshi to Miriakamba Hut

We will depart from the hotel in Moshi in the morning. Our expedition begins with a drive to Arusha National Park which takes approximately one hour. The lively vegetation in the park is extremely versatile. The infamous film Hartari starring Hollywood’s Hardy Kruger and John Wayne was shot in the park. Once we have completed the necessary park formalities, our trek will officially commence close to the Ngarenanyuki River. Our first waypoint is the Miriakamba. You will be accompanied by an armed ranger and a professional mountain guide throughout the duration of the walk. During the walk you will encounter a vast amount of wildlife including buffalo, waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs, zebras and gazelles. Your guide will identify the different bird species you come across. There is a possibility that you will see leopards or elephants but they tend to be more reserved compared to the ones in the Serengeti. We will stop at the Miriakamba Hut where we will spend the night and enjoy an appetising dinner.

Day 3: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut

We will start the day with an energy dense breakfast and then we will follow the steep path to the Saddle Hut. The trek to little Meru can be completed once you arrive at the Saddle Hut. We will return to the Saddle hut and have dinner. Due to the fact that you will wake up at midnight to hike to the summit of Mount Meru, it is recommended that you attempt to fall asleep shortly after dinner.

Day 4: Saddle Hut to Momela Gate

We will begin the final leg of our journey to the peak of Mount Meru around midnight. Your headlamp will assist you in the early hours of the hike. Reaching the summit is the most difficult part of the journey due to the fact that the trail is exceedingly steep. We have allocated some time for photos and a moment to comprehend what you have achieved. The scenic view of the mountains as you descend to the Momela Gate is simply mesmerizing. We will briefly stop at the Saddle hut for lunch. The final hours of our journey will be spent trekking to the Momela Gate. You will have a chance to hike amid the Meru cloud forest. This trail tends be slippery so it is important to step consciously. A Viva Africa Tours vehicle will transport you from the Momela gate back to where you began. You will have the opportunity to purchase sodas and Mount Meru climbing shirts to prove that you conquered the trek.

Meru -2
Meru -3
Meru -4

Mount Meru (4 Days Trekking)

Mount Meru has been labelled ‘Kilimanjaro’s little brother’ due to the fact that it is the second highest mountain in Tanzania. The four day hike allows you to analyse the scenic landscapes in a leisurely manner but Mount Meru trekking will challenge your body’s limits. The climb to the summit doesn’t require an athlete or an extreme alpinist but you should be in relatively good shape. The elevated viewpoint of the Arusha National Park allows you to discover the beauty that lies in the savannah plains featuring bursts of colourful vegetation and the scattered wildlife. The towering Mount Kilimanjaro can be spotted in the distance of the landscape. Tranquil hikes through the luscious canopies and the narrow trails enclosing the U shaped crater provide you with the perfect opportunity to clear your mind. Reaching the summit is an experience you are unlikely to forget.

Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi

We will arrange for a driver to transport you from the airport to your hotel. Orientation regarding your trek will take place at the hotel. Your guides will provide information about the trek and perform a comprehensive inspection of your gear. They will also clarify any further questions.

Day 2: Moshi to Miriakamba Hut

We will promptly depart from the hotel in Moshi in the morning. Our expedition begins with a drive to Arusha National Park which will take approximately one hour. The variety of flora and fauna in the park is simply enchanting. The infamous film Hartari starring Hollywood’s legendary John Wayne and Hardy Kruger was shot in the park. Once you have completed the necessary park formalities, we will begin the trek near the Ngarenanyuki River. Your first waypoint is the Miriakamba. You can expect to encounter buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs, zebras and gazelles. There is no need to travel in fear, an armed ranger and a professional mountain guide will accompany you throughout your journey. Your guide will assist you in identifying the birds that you see. There are elephants and leopards within the park but they tend to be more reserved in comparison to the other wildlife. We will stop for the day once we reach the Miriakamba Hut, where we will enjoy an appetising dinner and spend the night.

Day 3: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut

After an energy dense breakfast is served at the camp, we will travel along the steep path to the Saddle Hut. You can trek to little Meru and return to the Saddle Hut for dinner. It is recommended that you try to fall asleep shortly after dinner as the journey to the summit begins at midnight.

Day 4: Saddle Hut to Miriakamba Hut

The Mount Meru trekking excursion begins shortly after midnight. For the next five hours the light of your headlamp will guide you on the path. Ascending to the summit is the most difficult part of the trek. The high altitude make climbing to the top an arduous task. Once you reach the peak we will give you an opportunity to snap some pictures and recollect yourself. The downward journey is absolutely mesmerising because there are scenic views of the luscious mountains and vibrant landscapes. We have a leisurely lunch at the Saddle Hut but the journey is not over yet. We will walk for roughly two hours until we reach the Miriakamba Hut, where we will spend the night.

Day 5: Miriakamba Hut to Momela Gate

We will enjoy a hearty breakfast at the camp and then we will commence the final part of the trek. The hike requires us to travel amid Meru’s cloud forest – which resembles an enchanted forest in a whimsical novel. The steep incline on the way to the Momela gate tends to be slippery, we urge you to step cautiously. When you arrive at the Momela Gate there will be an opportunity to buy sodas and Mount Meru trekking t-shirt.then drive back to Parkview Inn hotel in Moshi for overnight.

Meru -5
  • Transfer pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro international airport.
  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation at Kilimanjaro wonders/Parkview Inn hotel
  • Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees & services
  • Transportation to & from the mountain gate
  • Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
  • 3 meals daily while on the mountain
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
  • Flights
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Laundry Services
  • A doctor for the group
  • Tips to mountain crew