CLIMB MT MERU
Mt Meru is located in the Arusha National Park about 80km/50 miles west of Kilimanjaro. Mount Meru is one of Africa's highest and most beautiful volcanoes, with a route which passes through a wide range of vegetation up into a moorland. The summit of Mt Meru at 4,565m, is reached by walking along a very narrow, barren ridge, affording one views of Ash Cone thousands of feet below in the crater and Kilimanjaro across the vast plains in Moshi.
This trek is great as either a stand alone trek, or as a warm up for Kilimanjaro due to its altitude acclimatization and hiking distances. This trek is also geared towards hikers that prefer less crowds and a challenging ascent.
Because of its location in a national park, Mount Meru Tanzania is home to over 400 species of birds as well as large herds of elephant, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, baboon, warthog, monkey and monkey. Because Mount Meru is located in the National Park, hikers must climb with an armed ranger due to the wide range of wildlife living on the mountain. Accommodation is in mountain huts. The climb is fully portered and one walks with a guide and armed mountain game guide
Note that on the mountain you have the option of a 3 or 4 trek, plus one day pre and post accommodation
Fast Facts
Yes you do. We (Nomadic Adventures) do not allow anyone to climb with us unless they have adequate travel insurance. Adequate, means you must be covered for
1) trekking or hiking - this may sound strange, but many insurance list that as an exclusion.
2) altitude up to 5,000 meters. Most travel insurance providers do not include this under their standard option and often limit it to 3500m or less.
3) Sprains strains and physiotherapy - yes, many insurers exclude this, though ironically, this is what you will most likely need cover for.
4) personal accident - this is the horrible part of insurance. Yes, you need to be covered in the case of death. We are often told by clients - "if anything happens to me, just leave me there." It is not that simple. Bodies need to be brought home or laid to rest overseas, and this can run into thousands of dollars, creating a huge burden on family members.
We will assist in helping you provide good cover. If you need cover or simply a quote, follow the details herewith:. Once you have done your initial quote, you will need to upgrade your cover to include altitudes
up to 5000m. Towards the bottom of the page you will see a section called, Options: Upgrade your cover. Click the link called 'View Adventure Sports Benefits'. A blue pop up screen will
open. Look for the level of cover required for 'trekking to 5,000 meters' or 'hiking to 5,000 meters'. Depending on your country it is usually a level 1 or 2. Note: we are not insurance
experts and it's your responsibility
to ensure you have correct and adequate cover. If you live in South Africa, we have other cover options
3 Day Trek
Day-1: Kilimanjaro International Airport arrival and transfer to hotel..
Day-2: Drive to Arusha National Park and begin the trek.
Elevation: 1,500 m to 2,500 mDistance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
We arrive after about a 2 hr drive, at the Momella Gate (1,500 m) where we meet up with our porters and game ranger, and head off through the lush forest, crossing the Ngare Nanyuki river. to reach Miriakamba Hut at 8337ft / 2541m for overnight taking 4 to 5 hours. En route up, we will get views of buffalo grazing in the lush fields below us, and in the far distance, Kilimanjaro. Over night Miriakamba Hut
Day-3
Elevation: 2,500m to 3,570mDistance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitat: Heath Zone
Today we ascend steeply for about 2 to 3 hours, through the lush forests full of bird song, toward Saddle Hut at 3570m. We may be fortunate to see a couple of buffalo grazing nearby as we start out. We take in an afternoon trek to Little Meru, at 3794 and return to Saddle Hut for overnight.
Day-4
Elevation: 3,570m to 4,565m to 1,500mDistance: 18 km
Hiking Time: 8-12 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert to Forest
We start out around 02h00 to Rhino Point and then Cobra Point up very steep and slippery sections. The last hour of the trek is something of a scramble on a rocky ridge between the crater and inner cliffs of Meru to the summit of Meru, also known as Socialist Peak at 4565m, just in time to watch the to see the sun rise behind Mount Kilimanjaro. We then descend all the way back to the park Gate to be met and transferred back to our Hotel and overnight.
Day-5: Depart
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight home.4 Day Trek
Day-1: Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to hotel.
Day-2: Drive to Arusha National Park and begin the trek.
Elevation: 1,500 m to 2,541 mDistance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
We arrive after about a 2 hr drive, at the gate where we meet up with our porters and game ranger, and head off through the lush forest, crossing the Ngare Nanyuki river to reach Miriakamba Hut at 8337ft / 2541m for overnight taking 4 to 5 hours. En route up, we will get views of buffalo grazing in the lush fields below us, and in the far distance, Kilimanjaro. Overnight Miriakamba Hut
Day-3
Elevation: 2,541m to 3,570mDistance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitat: Heath Zone
Today we ascend steeply for about 2 to 3 hours, through the lush forests full of bird song, toward Saddle Hut at 3570m. We may be fortunate to see a couple of buffalo grazing nearby as we start out. We take in an afternoon trek to Little Meru, at 3794 and return to Saddle Hut for overnight.
Day-4
Elevation: 3,570m to 4,565m to 2,541mDistance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert to Heath Zone
We start out around 02h00 to Rhino Point and then Cobra Point up very steep and slippery sections. The last hour of the trek is something of a scramble on a rocky ridge between the crater and inner cliffs of Meru to the summit of Meru, also known as Socialist Peak at 4565m, just in time to watch the to see the sun rise behind Mount Kilimanjaro. We then descend all the way back to Miriakamba Hut at 8337ft / 2541m for overnight taking
Day-5:
Elevation: 2,541m to 1,500mDistance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Heath Zone to Forest
After breakfast, you retrace your steps down the trail past the waterfall and back down to the park gate. You are then transferred back to Moshi.
Day-6: Depart
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight home.
4 Day Trek
Day-1: Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to hotel.
Day-2: Drive to Arusha National Park and begin the trek.
Elevation: 1,500 m to 2,541 mDistance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
We arrive after about a 2 hr drive, at the gate where we meet up with our porters and game ranger, and head off through the lush forest, crossing the Ngare Nanyuki river to reach Miriakamba Hut at 8337ft / 2541m for overnight taking 4 to 5 hours. En route up, we will get views of buffalo grazing in the lush fields below us, and in the far distance, Kilimanjaro. Overnight Miriakamba Hut
Day-3
Elevation: 2,541m to 3,570mDistance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitat: Heath Zone
Today we ascend steeply for about 2 to 3 hours, through the lush forests full of bird song, toward Saddle Hut at 3570m. We may be fortunate to see a couple of buffalo grazing nearby as we start out. We take in an afternoon trek to Little Meru, at 3794 and return to Saddle Hut for overnight.
Day-4
Elevation: 3,570m to 4,565m to 2,541mDistance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert to Heath Zone
We start out around 02h00 to Rhino Point and then Cobra Point up very steep and slippery sections. The last hour of the trek is something of a scramble on a rocky ridge between the crater and inner cliffs of Meru to the summit of Meru, also known as Socialist Peak at 4565m, just in time to watch the to see the sun rise behind Mount Kilimanjaro. We then descend all the way back to Miriakamba Hut at 8337ft / 2541m for overnight taking
Day-5:
Elevation: 2,541m to 1,500mDistance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Heath Zone to Forest
After breakfast, you retrace your steps down the trail past the waterfall and back down to the park gate. You are then transferred back to Moshi.
Day-6: Depart
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight home.
Mount Meru Video
Book your Meru Trek
Doing a short trek on Kilimanjaro is a great option, giving you the chance to do either a 1 day, 2, 3 or 4 day trek. While you can choose the number of days you spend on the mountain, you can't choose your route, as the Marangu route is the only route where short treks are allowed. For overnight hikes you will stay at the park huts.
Click here for the Kilimanjaro Short Treks page
Mt Kenya is a spectacular trek that like Mt Meru takes you to a summit. The scenery is spectacular. There are several routes to choose from, from 3-6 days.
Click here for the Mt Kenya page
Visiting the mountain gorilla in Uganda or Rwanda is something you will never forget. These tours can be done in anything from 3 to 5 days, with only one day of hiking to see these magnificent creatures.
Click here for the Mountain Gorilla page
Frequently Asked Questions