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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 achieved 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
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 - Transportation from and back to Nairobi
- I night fullboard accommodation in Nanyuki
- Services of a trained guide and porters
- Three meals per day
Not included:
- climbing equipments
- Sleeping bags
- Expenses of personal nature such as visas, travel/baggage insurance, laundry, beverages, tips etc
Mount Meru Climbing, Mount Meru, Hiking Mount Meru, Climbing Africa Mountains, Tours, Africa Climbing, Mount Meru Climb, Mount Meru Climbing, Mount Meru Hiking,Mt Meru Trekking Safaris
Mount Meru
Mount Meru is an active stratovolcano located 70 kilometres (43 miles) west of Mount Kilimanjaro in the nation of Tanzania. At a height of 4,565 metres (14,977 ft), it is visible from Mt Kilimanjaro on a clear day, and is the tenth highest mountain in Africa. Much of its bulk was lost about 8,000 years ago due to an eastward volcanic blast.
Mount Meru is the topographic centerpiece of Arusha National Park. Its fertile slopes rise above the surrounding savanna and support a forest that hosts diverse wildlife, including nearly 400 species of birds, and also monkeys and leopards.
At the summit, one can find a two metre high flag of Tanzania in a metal and concrete milestone reading "Socialist Peak 4562.13M".
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