Description

Mount Meru Trek

Mount Meru Trek trek through verdant afromontane forest into high altitude alpine desert with stunning views of a dormant volcano. There is possible sightings of wildlife on foot, afromontane forest, less busy than Kilimanjaro, excellent bird life and. Mount Meru is one of the most under rated hikes in East Africa. This is a trip to Africa that truly has it all.

Day 1: Welcome Arusha, Tanzania

Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be picked up at the airport and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Relax, take a stroll, enjoy the sights and sounds. Get plenty of rest – tomorrow will be huge!

Dinner and over night at Outpost Lodge

Day 2: Arusha to Momella Gate to Miriakamba Huts

Elevation: 4,921 ft to 8,250 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Arusha for Momella Gate in Arusha National Park for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The hiking trail begins in open grassland with an armed ranger as the possibility of seeing wildlife – giraffe, zebras, antelope, elephant and buffalo – is high. We climb steadily through the rain forest until you reach Miriakamba Huts, situated in a grassy glade.

Day 3: Miriakamba Huts to Saddle Huts

Elevation: 8,250 ft to 11,712 ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 3-5 hours

Habitat: Heath

We continue climbing through the rain forest until we enter the heath zone accompanied by giant heather and other moorland vegetation. Along the ridge of the saddle, we have views of Mount Meru Crater and the Ash Tray. After arriving at Saddle Huts, there is an option to hike to the top of Little Mount Meru for superb views and to further aid acclimatization.

Day 4: Saddle Huts to Summit

Elevation: 11,712 ft to 14,977 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Summit to Miriakamba Huts

Elevation: 14,977 ft to 8,250 ft

Distance: 13 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Heath

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our climb to the summit. The trail is steep to Rhino Point and then Cobra Point. The path continues along the ridge of ash and rock to the summit – Socialist Peak. Here we enjoy magnificent views of Kilimanjaro and the sunrise before returning to Miriakamba Huts.

Day 5: Miriakamba Huts to Momella Gate – Arusha

Elevation: 11,712 ft to 4,921 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 2-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we embark on our final trek and our hard work is rewarded at dawn as the sun rises to the East. Kilimanjaro is normally clearly seen from here and the sheer cliffs of the crater fall dramatically 1000 feet or more. We return back and after some brunch at Saddle Hut, we continue down to MIRIAKAMBA. The final section takes up to 3 hours to return to our vehicles where we say farewell to our crew and have time for a short picnic lunch and after we return to Arusha for a well deserved shower! Bed and Breakfast at Outpost Lodge.

Dinner and over night at Outpost Lodge

Day 6: Arusha – Kilimanjaro Airport

Depending with the time of your flight departure, our drive will come to the hotel to pick you up for trip to the Airport to catch a flight back home. Or else a trip to the beaches at Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate. We can arrange many reasonably priced trips and safaris around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region.

Kwa heri ya kuonana – (Good bye and see you again

Included Services

• Local tourist taxes
• Mount Meru trekking fees
• Mount Meru Guides & Porters
• Balloon flight over the Serengeti
• Binoculars for game drive viewing
• Bottled Water at all times while on safari
• Park or reserve entry fees – where applicable
• Driver’s salary and allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
• Game drives or sightseeing as detailed on the itinerary – where indicated
• All meals at hotels as mentioned in the itinerary – ( Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner )
• Ground transportation with an English-speaking driver/guide or naturalist guide
• Pick up from airport of arrival and drop off to the airport of departure while on safari
• Transport based on excellent 4X4 Vehicle (Land cruiser) with open roof for game viewing
• Full board Accommodation and If accommodation is fully booked we’ll suggest a comparable alternative

Excluded Services

• International flights
• Single Supplement – USD $70 Per Room
• Tips and gratuities, which are optional
• Airport customs entry visas (currently US$ 50 per person)

Optional Services

• Balloon Flight Trip over the Serengeti
• Optional Night Game Drives  and Optional Tours

You can also find additional information on booking and cancelation terms  here.

You can access our Frequently Asked Questions by other travelers here.