Overview
Who claimed that size matters? Let Mount Meru - the second highest peak - surprise you. For many hikers clearly the #1 mountaineering experience in Tanzania!
Tour Plan
Day 1: Momela Gate (1500m) to Miriakamba Hut (2550m)
After breakfast we are picked up at your hotel and driven to the Momela Gate in Arusha National Park. A few formalities with the park authorities are taken care of and we are ready to start our trekking tour through the bush of Arusha National Park. In this rather open vegetation we are likely to meet giraffes, buffalo, warthogs and maybe even elephants. The trail gently takes us uphill and the vegetation gradually becomes denser as we approach Miriakamba Hut.
Overnight we stay at the comfortable Miriakamba Hut.
Day 2 : Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut (3550m) and Little Meru (3801m)
On the well maintained trail we climb steeply through the forest. At Mgongo Wa Tembo (Elephant’s back) you enjoy a great view of Mt Meru, its crater and the ash cone. As we continue our ascent, the trees become smaller showing us that we have gained considerable altitude. Every now and then we get a nice view of Mt Kilimanjaro. For lunch we pause at Saddle Hut
In the afternoon, we climb Little Meru (3801m). This short hike offers us a good view of the summit of Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro including its surrounding plains. In addition, it helps us to acclimatize to the altitude.
Overnight we stay at the comfortable Saddle Hut.
Day 3 : Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak (4562m) and on to Miriakamba Hut (2550m)
At about 2AM we will be woken up. In the light of our torches, we climb in the biting cold to the summit of Mt Meru, Socialist Peak (4562m) where we enjoy sunrise over Mt Kilimanjaro. We will then return in our footsteps, first along the ridge of Mt Meru with astonishing views of the sheer cliffs and down into the crater and then trough the alpine moorland. At Saddle Hut we take a good break and enjoy a snack before we continue down to Miriakamba Hut where we will stay overnight.
Day 4 : Miriakamba Hut to Momela Gate (1500m)
After walking through the bush land in the crater of Mt Meru, we gently descend through the impressive forest where we most likely encounter the unique Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys and a large variety of birds. Our last steps will take us again through the bush land with its giraffes, buffalos and other animals.
At Momela Gate, our driver awaits us and takes us back. Depending on the time and on your interest a small game drive can be arranged on our way back through Arusha National Park.
Best Time to Travel
Generally, the best times to climb this peak are from June to February with occasional rains in November. December to February generally offer the best views of Kilimanjaro which can often be seen from the summit and most places in Arusha National Park.
Don't Forget
While climbing Mt. Meru does not require particular mountaineering skills it does require good physical fitness. Consult with your doctor before you sign-up for this adventure.
Interesting Facts
500,000+ years ago, Mount Meru erupted in a tremendous explosion that destroyed its cone shape and resulted in a horseshoe crater with the eastern side removed. The resulting mountain has its summit on the west side with it's inner walls rising over 1,500m from the crater floor, making them among the tallest cliffs in Africa. Mount Meru is considered as an active volcano as in the past 100 years, eruptions have been reported as the Ash Cone continues to build inside the crater.
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