CLIMBING MOUNT MERU

Mount Meru Is a stratovolcano mountain found in the Arusha region, Northern Tanzania. This scenic and beautiful mountain is in the Gregory Rift System and situated 70 kilometers west of its cousin mount Kilimanjaro and located in North Arusha town and can be seen mostly on a clear day. It is the second-highest Volcanic mountain in Tanzania with an elevation of 4566 meters above sea level. It is the 3rd highest mountain in East Africa. This volcano mountain was formed a long time ago estimated to be having 1.5 million years older than its cousin mounts Kilimanjaro.

Mount Meru is among the largest free-standing volcano mountains with a total base measuring 25-28 kilometers wide, Last minor eruptions were recorded in 1877 and December 1910, the volcano mountain has steep terrain, very ridge has got 2 peaks;-

Socialist peak 4566 meters

Little Meru 3820 meters

Meru crater is steeper the walls measuring 2000 meters making it having the most steeper cliff. This mountain has a spectacular horseshoe shape resulting feature that occurred 8000y years ago when the mountain lost much of its eastern bulk was lost to far distances, near Sanya Juu and west Kilimanjaro. There are living organisms on the mountain, over 400species of birds, the black and white colobus monkeys, and many other primates that might be seen when you hiking.

Mount Meru has got 2 accommodation facilities for visitors the Miriakamba huts and Saddle huts which accommodates them all when trekking up and down the mountain, There are a lot of plants species plus animals especially Buffaloes, Maasai Giraffes, bushbucks, Red duikers, etc

THE 5 VEGETATION ZONES OF MOUNT MERU

Afro-alpine zone

This are summit zone

Ericaceous zone /heather

This are mostly covered zone at saddle huts

upper montane forest zone

this are zone at Miriakamba huts

Dry /moist montane forest zone

the zone mostly covers Arusha national park/Momela gate

Lowland savannas /grassland savanna zone

he first zone Ngongongare gate the first entrance park gate

It is cheap/less expensive to climb compared to mount Kilimanjaro and it is scenic as other volcano mountains, in addition, few cases have been recorded concerning with mountains diseases and it is also less crowdy

ORIGIN OF THE NAME

Some people suggest that the name of the volcanic mountain was derived from the local people who live around the volcanic lower slope who are the Meru people.

ITINERARY FOR 3-4 DAYS

This it depends where your hotel stay whether is in Arusha or Moshi drive from to Momela gate to start your trek/trip, the distance is 38.6km is about an hour drive and then ready to start the hike by two optional trails to take with you, one is longer and second is shorter which prefer to take it on the last day when exiting, both of them are unique even though the longer one gives you sufficient time to enjoy more wildlife and less steep hike to Miriakamba huts.

Climbing Mount Meru need Park Ranger with a gun who will lead the group up and down all the hikers must walk in single file by following the Park Ranger because of many animals like Buffaloes, Maasai/Kilimanjaro Giraffes pretend to graze nearly on the path so try not to walk alone even not having break often which will separate you from group till you let your guide or ranger to give a break. Park Ranger should tell you where to take a break especially at the picnic site allowing you to have your lunch box. Although Park Ranger must lead the way, your professional and experienced Guide should be close to you as is the first one to meet with you in pre-climb briefing and keep looking after you to provide every service and all information to ensure your trek is safe. In addition, your GUIDE is essential to lead way from Saddle huts to the summit and return, not expect Park Ranger to summit with you sometime they end up at Saddle huts

UTAALAM GUIDES make your adventure safe by recommending you to take 3 days if you will climb Kilimanjaro after as this is part of your acclimatization way and 4 days to spend more in taking other activities by visiting Waterfall on the way back after stay last night at Miriakamba huts.

Day 1; Momela gate to Miriakamba huts via the longer route

Distance;13.8 km;altitude gained;906m
Momela Gate ;1597m/5240ft
Miriakamba huts;2503m /8212ft

Miriakamba huts are the first overnight stay which provides you with all accommodation, huts, dining, and toilet owned by Park then all food server and other services will be resupply with your crew, here still into the forest which is hospitable to many wildlife like wild pigs usually active during the night and Buffaloes tends to walk closely with huts, therefore, stay at the huts area try not to walk far away without park Ranger also is prohibited.

Day 2; Miriakamba huts to Saddle huts

Walk time;4-5 hours ascent
Distance;6.1 km ;altitude gained ;1057m
Elephant’s back (Mgongo wa Tembo)3,086m
Miriakamba huts;2503 m/8212ft
Little Meru;3,805m a simple 45 minutes

Here the path quiet steeper after a little flat walk from Miriakamba huts then start upstairs designed by the park to reduce erosions, slipper and make the easy walk up as is very steep and many long switchbacks/zig-zag along the way especially after finish “Mgongo wa Tembo” picnic point then less steep followed with many switch back to saddle huts. This day depends with your pace as your guide will tell you what to pack whether will give you a lunch box if you are capable to go straight to saddle huts for hot lunch however remember to let your guide re-prepare some snack bars or fresh fruits pack with you this will helps when other group stops at a picnic site for lunch box then you can share what you have as you are heading to hot lunch at saddle huts probably around 1 p.m should arrive at this camp.

After hot lunch and rest here you should plan to do afternoon hike to little MERU with your guide for summit preparation which will bid tonight also after coming back to the camp ask your guide to serve your dinner a little early the same to the bed perhaps you will get asleep before waking up for summit attempt maybe will begin the night at 1 or 2 a.m.

Day 3; Saddle huts to the summit (and back to Miriakamba huts and then return to Momela gate via the shorter router

Summit walking time;6-7 hours ascent with no guarantee will depend on the pace which takes you 3-3.5 hours to come back to Saddle huts.
Distance;5.5 km; altitude gained; 1006 m in total ascent and descent 11 km
Saddle huts; 3560m/11,680ft
Rhino Points;3,874m/12,710ft
Summit/Socialist Peak ;4,566m/14,980ft

After the summit then you have to come back to Saddle huts having hot lunch while short rest before proceeding descent to Miriakamba huts for last night stay if you purchase 4 days trek otherwise 3 days you have to keep descent to Momela gate via the shorter route from Miriakamba in order to finish your trek

Miariakamba huts to momela gate (via the shorter route)
Distance;6.5km;altitude lost ;906m

And then after arriving Momela gate will be awarded a certificate if you made it Socialist peak or little Meru point then sign out your trek and word of thanks from the guide and you when given tips with a last hug with all your team and Ranger and pick up your drive return to your ho

What to take with you?

The same as our KILIMANJARO KIT LIST should be used on this mountain too although you will need to minimize it by taking a few pairs according to the number of the days

The table below demonstrates our prizes to climb Mount Meru whether is 3 days or 4 days depend on your choice a group or you are in single once you get the exact amount to pay need to follow all the information below to observe what is included and not included and those who climb Kilimanjaro after Meru with us a discount of costs both climbs will be appear

Number of days	solo/ single	2 persons	3 persons	4 persons	5 persons	6 persons	7 persons
3 days Meru	$845	$755	$710	$630	$585	$505	$460
4 days Meru	$1,115	$1,OO5	$960	$880	$835	$715	$670

What included

All mandatory park fees plus 18% VAT included
Transport from any place around Arusha to Momela gate and return is included
Food three-course & purified water will be served from day one to the last day of your trek included
Wages for licensed guide, cook, and porters fairly according to their associations recommended included

What not included

Flight costs come and return
Personal mountain equipment(climbing gears)
Travel insurance
Visa
Tips for your mountain staffs
Hotel accommodation in Arusha

For any inquiries please email/WhatsApp

Get in touch with Utaalam Guides to discuss your Tanzania adventure.

If our team are climbing in the mountains, or out on a tour then it might take a day or two before we reply. But, we reply to all enquiries.

If you are ready to book an adventure, or if you simply want more information about what services Utaalam Guides offer, please get in touch.

info@UtaalamGuides.com

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