6 Days | Climb Mount Meru
Duration
Tour Type
Explore Tours
Marimbo Expeditions offers a unique service throughout the climb:
Climbing Mount Meru is the ultimate challenge! You will be accompanied by professional guides, porters and a cook during your ascent toMount Meru Peak . Our crew will take care of you and perform a health check every morning and evening to make sure everything is in order. In addition, the accompanying cook will serve you delicious food during this tour. The quality of the food is at the top of our priority list, as you depend on good food during the strenuous climb. If you would like to have a look at the menu in advance, we will be happy to send it to you.
Our customers experience climbing Mount Meru as an unforgettable experience! As soon as you have confirmed your booking with us, we will send you a comprehensive document to prepare for the trip.
How fit do you need to be to Climb Mount Meru?
Climbing Mount Meru is a real challenge due to the altitude, rate of ascent and different temperatures. During an average climbing day you will walk six to seven hours per day. If you are healthy and fit it is absolutely within reach. There are many things you can do to increase your chances to reach the summit and to make sure you enjoy the trek.
- It’s important you take your time. Don’t hike too fast so your body has time to adapt and acclimatize.
- Prepare. Being in good shape also makes the climb much easier. Go hiking a few months before the climb, especially multiple day hikes are excellent training. But also running and aerobic exercise are a good preparation.
- Add an extra day. It is always difficult to predict who will be affected by altitude sickness. By adding one extra day to your climb, you will reduce this risk. Since you spread the climb over more days and your body gets more time to get used to the higher altitude. We do really advice to do this to increase the chance of making it to the top.
If you like advice on how to prepare yourself for climbing Mount Meru, you can always contact us or read our blog How to prepare for Climbing Mount Meru?
You may not be quite ready to tackle the six to eight-day experience of climbing Mount Meru, or maybe you’re in preparation for your climb up Africa’s highest peak and want to ease into things with a more manageable climb. Whatever your reasons for wanting to climb Tanzania’s second highest mountain, standing at 4,562 metres (14,968 feet) high, African Scenic Safaris has been taking clients to the peak of Mount Meru for over 10 years so rest assured you’re in excellent hands!
DAY 1: Arrival & Briefing
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be transferred to your accommodation where your guide will meet you for a full briefing and equipment check.
DAY 2: Kili Villa to Momella Gate (1,580m/5,180 ft) to Miriakamba Hut (2,500m/8,200ft)
Elevation Gain: 920m/3,020ft
In the morning you will be transferred to Arusha National Park to register before setting off with your guide and ranger, required because there is an abundance of wildlife in the forests! Walking through the grasslands towards the acacia forest on the southern route, you may spot giraffe and buffalo. After roughly 2 hours you will reach the Maio Falls, where you can enjoy a break, then continue through ‘fig tree arch’. After approximately 4-5 hours of trekking, you will reach a spectacular viewpoint, before heading on to the huts.
Overnight Miriakamba Hut
DAY 3: Miriakamba Hut (2,500m/8,200ft) to Saddle Hut (3,550m/11,650ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,050m/3,450ft
Continue your trek along a steep track reaching “Mgongo wa Tembo” (elephant back) after approximately 2 hours. Low lying clouds often shroud the rainforest in mist, creating a moody atmosphere. Take in the scenery before heading to Saddle Hut. The vegetation changes from rainforest to heather and moorland. After lunch you may choose to hike Little Meru (3,820m), taking approximately 1½ hours. This is great for acclimatisation and, weather permitting, will reward you with fantastic views over Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro. A warm meal and early night await you back at the huts.
Overnight Saddle Hut
DAY 4: Saddle Hut (3,550m/11,650ft) to Socialist Peak (4,562m/14,968ft) then descending to Miriakamba Hut (2,500m/8,200ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,012m/3,318ft
Elevation Loss: 2,062m/6,768ft
You will be awakened around midnight to start your final ascent. Headlamps light your way as you follow the trail through bush to Rhino Point (3,821m) where the path becomes more challenging. Occasionally some scrambling will be required. Following the crater rim, you will walk on frozen volcanic ash and rocks before reaching the summit after approximately 4 to 5 hours. Enjoy breathtaking views of sun rise behind Kilimanjaro and look deep into Mount Meru’s crater. Start your descent via the same route to Saddle Hut where you can recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once rested, continue to Miriakamba Hut.
Please note, the summit stage contains a few easy but unsecured scrambling passages. A good head for heights and sure-footedness are necessary. In adverse weather conditions the park ranger may call off the summit attempt.
Overnight Miriakamba Hut
DAY 5: Miriakamba Hut (2,500m/8,200ft) to Momella Gate (1,580m/5,180 ft)
Elevation Loss: 920m/3,020ft
After breakfast start your final stretch on Meru, via the ‘northern route’ to Momella Gate. On this 2 to 3-hour trek you may once again be lucky enough to see giraffes, buffalo and elephants, as well as black and white Colobus monkeys. Arriving at the gate, say farewell to your hiking crew and travel to your accommodation to rest for the night.
DAY 6: Departure
Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport in time for your flight, or if you’ve decided to extend your Tanzanian adventure, begin the next part of your journey!
Included/Exclude
- All National park fees and taxes.
- All transport to and from the National park gate
- All airport transfers
- Services of a professional, experienced guides, chefs and porters
- All National park reserve entry fees
- All meals while you are on the Mountain
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Guides, chefs and porters salaries paid in park guideline
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Emergency Oxygen cylinder
- Ambulance cover
- Accommodations before and after the climb
- All items of a personal nature
- Gratuities for guides and porters
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania Visa fees
- Optional wildlife safari after the climb
