4 DAYS MERU MOUNTAIN TREKKING

Overview

Serving as a great acclimatization trek before hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro or a standalone adventure, Mt. Meru is sure to be a one-of-a-kind experience, bringing you up close and personal with majestic wildlife and providing views both of this unique crater mountain and of Kilimanjaro in the distance. A 4-day trek takes you to the summit in two days, reaching the peak at sunrise on the third day. You will then descend leisurely in two days, taking some additional time to enjoy the majestic wildlife on your way down.
The difference between the 3-day and 4-day treks is in regard to the final descent. It takes a minimum of 3 days to reach the summit of Mount Meru, and the acclimatization and speed to approach the summit are identical on both treks.
For the decent: the shorter trek has climbers descend the entire mountain on that same final day, whereas the 4-day option allows hikers to have a longer rest and complete the descent over 2 days, which allows for a more enjoyable walking safari on the final day.
All treks on Mount Meru have climbers sleeping in designated huts, there is no tented camping allowed on the mountain.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: UPON ARRIVES IN TANZANIA

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 2: Moshi to Momela Gate to Miriakampa Hut

Day one of 4 Days Mount Meru Climb,Starting from Momela Gate, the track passes through open grassland with cape buffalo and warthogs. With luck, you may also see giraffe and elephants. Continue a steady climb through montane forest. You can have your lunch at the famous? Fig tree? After lunch, the trek continues through less dense forest, where there are lots of birds and monkeys including the black and white colobus. By mid-afternoon, you will have your first close views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. Miriakampa Hut, situated in idyllic grassy glade, is reached in time to enjoy the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro.
Meal : Lunch & Dinner
Budget Lodging: Miriakampa Hut.

Day 3:Hike Miriakampa Hut to Saddle Hut, afternoon hike up Little Meru

Day two of 4 Days Mount Meru Climb,The walk from Miriakampa Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a steep sustained climb all the way. Starting through beautiful and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Back Ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut for lunch. In the afternoon, you can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m / 12,533 ft) for superb views. It takes about 1 hour to walk up and 30 minutes to walk down. The ascent is 1,056 m / 3,465 ft.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Budget Lodging: Saddle Hut.

Day 4: Summit and down to Miriakampa Hut.

Day three of 4 Days Mount Meru Climb, Summit day has an early start at around 12:00AM. There is a 1 hour steep climb to Rhino Point (3,800m / 12,467ft), then the path continues along a ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350m / 14,272ft). The summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m) is an hour further on a steep path with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. Depending on your speed, you can enjoy 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 sharp morning light along a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. Brunch and a brief rest is taken at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut.
NOTE: For an easier climb, you can start the trek at 05:00 A.M., hike for about 1 hour, and enjoy sunrise at Rhino Point before going back to Saddle Hut for breakfast and then descending.
NOTE: In icy conditions or in strong winds, it may be impossible for anyone to progress beyond Rhino Point.
There are two ways down from here. You can descend the route you came up or walk down the jeep road, which descends to the lower crater floor. You pass through the well-known Fig Tree Arch and can visit an impressive waterfall hidden in a ravine not far from the road.
A fast descent through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. We’ll have lunch on the way down. Momela Gate is reached by mid-day or afternoon.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Budget Lodging: Miriakampa Hut

Day 5: Hike to trail head, return to Moshi or Arusha

Last day of 4 Days Mount Meru Climb, There are two ways down from here. You can descend the route you came up or walk down the jeep road, which descends to the lower crater floor. You pass through the well-known Fig Tree Arch and can visit an impressive waterfall hidden in a ravine not far from the road.
A fast descent through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. Momela Gate is reached by late morning.
Overnight at your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Meals : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 6: Depart Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included