3 Days Meru Trekking
Mount Meru, standing at 4,566 meters, is the second-highest peak in Tanzania. Located within Arusha National Park, it offers some of the most stunning scenery and diverse wildlife found anywhere in the country. The trek itself is challenging, with rocky ridges and a steep ascent to the summit. Despite its difficulty, it provides an excellent opportunity for high-altitude trekking experience, making it an ideal option for acclimatization for those planning to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. Along the way, trekkers are treated to breathtaking views, including glimpses of the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.
Itinerary
Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. Pre-trek briefing at your Arusha hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend the day having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed at a local shop.
Day 1: Hotel to Momella gate to Miriakamba Hut
Drive from Arusha to Momella Gate takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Once at the gate we will finish all the procedures and depart for the trek. The trek takes you through places from where you can catch breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the renowned Momella lakes. Trekkers encounter wildlife like Bushbucks, Cape Buffaloes, Giraffes, and Warthogs during this day. We continue a short distance until we reach the Miriakamba hut.
Elevation: 1500m/4921ft to 2500m/8202ft
Distance: 6km/3.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
Today we trek through the steep path along the ridge of the saddle. On the way, you can witness the stunning Meru crater, the ash cone, and little Meru. There are chances of us encountering wildlife like Cape Buffaloes and the black and white Colobus monkey. We will end the trek up at Saddle hut. Once you have settled at the camp we will set off on a short trek to little Meru (3810m) for acclimatization purpose and return to Saddle hut.
Elevation: 2500m/8202ft to 3500m/11483ft
Distance: 6km/3.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Saddle Hut to Summit to Miriakamba Hut to Momella gate
We wake up just after midnight and have a light meal to keep our energies high. Once done with the meal we start the final ascent to Socialist Peak. This ascent will be steep and we will be making our way through gravel and rocky cliffs. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. Once at the summit, you will enjoy the magnificent views of the Meru Crater and the Ash cone. There are chances that one might catch a glimpse of wildlife like mountain Reedbucks and Klipspringers over the rocky ridge.
From the summit, we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Miriakamba hut.
Elevation: 3500m/11483ft to 4562m/14967ft down to 1500m/4921ft
Distance: 28km/17mi
Hiking Time: 13-14 hours
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Price Includes
- VAT (18%): Charged by the Government.
- Rescue Fees: Part of park fees.
- Meals: All meals provided while on the mountain.
- Transfers: All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel in Arusha.
- Accommodation: Stay in wooden dormitory-style huts.
- Guides: Professional and experienced mountain guides.
- Food: Large portions of fresh, healthy, and nutritious food.
- Drinking Water: Clean, purified drinking water.
- Sleeping Mattress: Provided for comfort during the trek.
- Conservation Fees: Part of the park fees.
- Mess Tents: Quality mess tents with tables and chairs.
- Camping Fees: Included in the park fees.
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder: Available for emergency use.
- Salaries and Fees: Guides, porters, and cooks’ salaries, as well as park fees.
Price not Includes
- Alcoholic and Bottled Beverages: Not included.
- Online Payment Surcharge: 5% on advance and balance payments.
- Tanzania Visa: To be arranged by the traveler.
- Travel Insurance: Not provided.
- Personal Expenses: Laundry, phone calls, and other personal costs.
- Flights: International and domestic airfare.
- Tips and Gratuities: For guides, porters, and staff.
- Hotel Accommodation: Available as an optional add-on.
- Personal Trekking Gear: Sleeping bags, boots, and clothing (available for rent).
- Unlisted Meals: Any meals not specified in the itinerary.
- Optional Transfers: Available upon request.