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4 Days 3 nights
Daily Tour
Unlimited
English
It is located in northern Tanzania, northeast of town of Arusha. The size is roughly 552 sq. km or 212 sq. miles. From Arusha, it is approximately 40 minutes’ drive time, and 60 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. You can tour the forests, lakes, and the famous Ngurdoto Crater which can be visited on the course of a half-day excursion or part of your extended northern safari tour. Because Mount Meru’s location is inside the boundaries of Arusha National Park, hikers are required to be accompanied by an armed Ranger. On the lower slopes, you’re more likely to see animals like elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra etc. As hikers go on with their ascent, the trail follow the north rim of the volcano’s crater. Hikers get to sleep in designated huts which are present along the trail. Upon reaching the summit, trekkers will witness the spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru Crater.
After having your breakfast meal at your hotel in Moshi, you’ll be transferred from your hotel to the Momella Gate in Arusha National Park. After arriving, porters will arrange and pack your belongings while you finish off your registration process and park formalities with the TANAPA
(Tanzania National Park Authority). After completing the formalities, you will begin your ascent in Arusha National Park. For the most part, the first day of the hiking tour is very much similar to walking safaris. So expect to see giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, zebras, and elephants near to the hiking trail. Due to the presence of wild animals, trekkers are always accompanied by an armed ranger which is mandatory for the duration of the hike. You’ll pass through the Ngarenanyuki River and also a small but beautiful waterfall just at the base of Mt. Meru. A hot dinner will be
prepared once you reach the Miriakamba Hut at 2500 meters. Enjoy the beautiful sunset and an overnight.
Distance: 7km
Habitat: Montane forest
Time: 5-7 hours of hiking
After having your breakfast, you’ll start ascending along the ridge of the saddle through a steep trail. In the process, you may get lucky to see various wild animals that live in the mountain. The trail offers views of the Mt. Meru Crater and the Ash Tray. When you arrive at the camp, you can hike the little Mt. Meru at 3820 meters to help acclimatize yourself. After having your early dinner, you can go to sleep as you’ll start the trekking around midnight hours. Get to sleep by 1900 hours.
Distance: 6km
Habitat: Moorland
Time: 3-4 hours of hiking
Your guide will wake you at 00:30 for tea and biscuits. You’ll be attempting your summit trek at 1:30 in night. The trail will lead you through a steep grade to Rhino point at 3800 meters and then eventually to Cobra Point at 4350 meters. Towards the end of the hike, you’ll scramble on a rocky ridge between the inner cliffs of Meru and its crater. You’ll make it to the summit of Meru before or at sunrise and see the marvelous sightings of Mt. Meru Ash Tray and the nearby Mt. Kilimanjaro.
After spending some time there, you’ll descend down to Saddle Hut and take a break. After having some snacks, you’ll further descend to Miriakamba Hut (2500 meters) where you’ll have your dinner and overnight stay.
Distance: 5km ascent/11km descent
Habitat: Semi-desert, alpine desert, montane forest
Time: 4 – 5 hours’ ascent / 6 - 7 hours’ descent