Mt. Meru

Climbing the spectacular second highest mountain in Tanzania you obviously do with the professionals from African Heart Expeditions.

Mt. Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania at 4566m (14,979 ft), although it is overshadowed by Kilimanjaro, its famous neighbour, and frequently overlooked by trekkers; Mt. Meru is a spectacular classic volcanic cone, and well worth a visit. A trek to the summit involves hiking through the grassland and lush forest on the mountain’s beautiful lower slopes, followed by a dramatic and exhilarating walk along the knife-edge rim of the horseshoe crater. Meru was formed by volcanic ash like most of the mountains in the region associated with the creation of the Great Rift Valley. The circular wall of the crater was broken by subsequent eruptions to make today’s horseshoe shape, and more recently volcanic activity created the ash cone that stands inside the crater. Small eruptions have been reported in the last 100 years, indicating that Meru is still not quite extinct. The local Waarusha who live in the area regard the mountain as sacred. Every year a bull or sheep is sacrificed and offered to the mountain to ensure rain in the coming season. Locals have been visiting the forest and even the area on the crater floor for generations. It is not known whether anybody ever reached the summit. The exposed nature and the effects of altitude would probably have deterred causal curiosity.

Day 1:
Momella gate to Mariakamba Hut : 1500m – 2514m (10 kms, 4-5 hrs)
Trek through the forest towards the crater floor, and then ascend a steep incline up to Miriakamba Hut for overnight.

Day 2: 
Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut : 2514m – 3570m (4 kms, 3-4 hrs)
Trek uphill for a bit until it peters out into a path, which continues steeply up through pleasant glades between the trees, to reach Buffalo Swamp and Elephant Ridge up to Saddle Hut. You can sidetrack to Little Meru and Rhino Point, which takes 2 hours return for each.

Day 3:
Saddle Hut to Meru Summit : 3570m – 4566m (5 kms, 4-5 hrs)
Return to Saddle Hut.
Leave Saddle Hut very early in the morning to reach the summit in time to see the sun rising from behind Kilimanjaro, and to try to avoid the late morning mist; continue trekking to the summit; the views are spectacular. From the summit retrace the route round the rim, back to Saddle Hut.

Day 4:
Saddle Hut to Momela gate : 3570m – 1500m (9 kms, 3-5 hrs)
From Saddle retrace your steps to Miriakamba Hut or through the forest to Momela gate.

Option:  Mt. Meru can also be climbed in three days, which in fact is done by many climbers.

Indicative Price :

• 3 days : 795 USD pp
• 4 days : 885 USD pp
• Minimum 2 people. Supplement for 1 person on request.

Price Includes:

• National park entry fees, hut fees, rescue fees
• English speaking guide(s), cook and porters
• Full board hut accommodation during the climb
• Mineral water for the first day, boiled and filtered water on the other days
• Transfer to the gate and return to Arusha

Additional:

• Sleeping bags can be rented on request.