6 Days Mount Meru slow trekking Itinerary
Highlight
This 6-day Mount Meru trekking itinerary includes acclimatization and preparation for a successful and enjoyable climb. Typically Mount Meru Climb takes three or four days, but for the slower itinerary this can be done up to seven days to complete a trek to the top as even on this lower peak, acclimatization is the key to a successful summit. Standing 4565 meters (14,980 feet) in height, Mt. Meru is the second-highest peak in the country and 5th in Africa. The peak is a more approachable climb than Kilimanjaro and serves as a great standalone hike in its own right. Many trekkers use Mount Meru as an acclimatization hike before starting their trek up Africa’s highest peak.
Tourists to Mount Meru are more likely to spot wildlife along the trail, particularly in the early days of the hike. To ensure a safe stay in the wild and protect the animals from poachers, an armed ranger will accompany trekking groups on the first days of the journey to ensure they make it safely to the first and second campsites and return. All trekking groups take the same route up the mountain, which begins at Momella Gate. Hikers will stay in a series of huts on their way to the top. This trek gives trekkers a chance to experience what it is like to climb Kilimanjaro on a smaller scale, providing a grand adventure for those who don’t have a lot of time in their schedule or don’t want to deal with the higher-altitude mountains.
Your itinerary starts like this…
DAY 1: ARRIVAL.
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet your representative. Transfer to the hotel in Arusha for the overnight. In the evening, there will be a briefing with our guides, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.
Accommodation: Lodge or Hotel in Arusha Meal: Breakfast
DAY 2: MOMELLA GATE (1500M) TO MIRIAKAMBA (2500 m)
Early in the morning you will be picked up from your hotel or hostel and transferred to the Momella Gate in Arusha National Park, the drive will take you about 1hr to 1:30hr to reach the gate from Arusha. At this time, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). The first day of hiking is similar to a walking safari; you should expect to see giraffes, zebras, antelope, buffalo, and potentially elephants near the trail. Due to the high possibility of spotting wildlife, an armed ranger, hired through the National Park, is required to hike with our team for the duration of the hike. As you continue hiking, you will pass the Ngarenanyuki River and a beautiful waterfall at the base of Mt. Meru. Upon arriving at Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m), your chef will prepare a hot dinner and warm water for you.
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Vegetation Zone: Montane Forest.
DAY 3: MIRIAKAMBA HUT ACCLIMATIZATION DAY
You will spend this day doing a short acclimatization hike to nearby viewpoints or forest trails which in turn will help to allow the body to adjust to higher altitudes before continuing the climb.
- Distance walk (go and return): 3-5km
- Hiking Time: 2 – 3 hours
- Vegetation Zone: Montane Forest
DAY 4: MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2500 m) TO SADDLE HUT (3550 m).
After breakfast, you will start ascending the steep trail along the ridge of the saddle. You may see various wildlife along the way! The trail has amazing views of Meru Crater and the Ash Cone. When you arrive at camp, you have the option of hiking Little Meru (3,820 m) with your guide to further acclimate. You will be served an early dinner, so you can receive ample rest before your midnight summit attempt.
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
- Vegetation: Forest and Moorland
DAY 5: ACCLIMATIZATION & EXPLORATION AROUND SADDLE HUT
Spend another day, taking a rest to further acclimate. Optional hikes around the Saddle Hut area, including trails that offer views of the Mount Meru crater and wildlife sightings.
- Distance: 2-4km
- Hiking Time: hours
- Vegetation: Moorland.
DAY 6: SADDLE HUT (3550 M) – RHINO POINT (3850 M) PEAK (4566M) – RHINO POINT (3850 M) – SADDLE HUT (3570 M) – MIRIAKAMBA HUT
Summiting has an early start at around 00:00. There is a 1-hour steep climb to Rhino Point (3,800 m), then the path continues along a ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350 m). The summit of Socialist Peak (4,562 m) is an hour further on a steep path with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. Depending on your speed, you can enjoy the sunrise at Cobra Point or the summit. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, and the Rift Valley. The route back to Rhino Point in the morning light along a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. Descend to Saddle Hut where you will get a short rest and lunch before continuing with the trail to Miriakamba Hut for the overnight.
- Distance: 20km
- Hiking Time: 12-15 hours
- Vegetation: Alpine Desert, moorland and Forest
DAY 7: MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2500 M) – MOMELLA GATE (1500M) – ARUSHA TOWN
You will leave at about 8.00 in the morning and descend to Momella Gate. You can choose a longer or shorter route down. On the longer way down, you have a very good chance to see wildlife and the ash cone. Once at the gate, it’s time to tip your porters, guide, cook, and game ranger. After that, your transportation back to Meru View Lodge will be waiting for you.
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking time: 2-4 hours
- Vegetation: Montane Forest
Accommodation: Lodge or Hotel in Arusha Meal: Breakfast
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
For those returning home, you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight. Accommodation
Package Includes:-
- All Arusha National Park gate fees and hut fees.
- Tanzania VAT on tourism activities
- Two nights’ accommodation at the Meru View Lodge on a BB Basis
- Armed ranger to accompany trekking groups
- High services on the mountain
- All transfers from arrival to departure
- Mt Meru rescue fees.
- Tanzania Forest fee
- The chief guide carries a Pulse Oximeter, used to take blood oxygen level readings of clients
- Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
- Qualified and well-trained mountain guides, assistant guides, cooks and porters
- Salaries for mountain support crew (porters), as per required TANAPA and KPAP minimum payments
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
- Warm water for washing up daily
- Porter to carry your duffel bag (stuff), with a maximum weight of 19 kg from one camp to the next camp, and the weight decreased as we moved from one camp to another.
- Mt Meru certificate for your successful summit attempt
- All country taxes and commissions
Package Excludes:-
- International flights
- Travel and personal accident insurance, Visa and Passport
- Vaccinations & medicines
- Tips/gratuities for guides, cooks, and porters (guides $25-$30 per day, chef $20-$25 per day, and porters $10-$15 per porter per day)
- Other expenditures like luxury drinks/beverages, alcoholic drinks at lodges/hotels or on your trip, as well as souvenirs and personal items after or before the trip.
- Optional excursions/activities not detailed in the itinerary
- Any additional services that will be requested
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