meru
...pole-pole, catch a monkey...
Situated in the heart of the Arusha National Park, Mt. Meru offers everything you want in an African mountain trek: Beautiful landscapes, lush montane forest festooned with wildlife, and an atmosphere of quiet solitude. Not only that, but the mountain itself is strikingly impressive, both within its appearance as well as its explosive history, it's final eruption being as recent as a century ago.
Mt. Meru serves as a fabulous stand-alone peak, or a perfect acclimatisation summit prior to Mt. Kilimanjaro. It really is an underrated gem of Africa.
I only run bespoke, private expeditions, so please Get In Contact for further information and prices.
A typical itinerary is set out below. Alternative dates can be arranged.
Mt. Meru serves as a fabulous stand-alone peak, or a perfect acclimatisation summit prior to Mt. Kilimanjaro. It really is an underrated gem of Africa.
I only run bespoke, private expeditions, so please Get In Contact for further information and prices.
A typical itinerary is set out below. Alternative dates can be arranged.
Typical itinerary:
8th September - Depart UK/USA > Arrive Arusha (1 night at Rivertrees Country Inn)
Our first day on expedition! Today we depart to Africa. Dependant upon your arrival time you may have the chance to explore the local area, or soak up the rays by the pool.
9th September - Preparation Day in Arusha // Alternative arrival day (1 night at Rivertrees Country Inn)
This day is extremely useful for a number of reasons. We will go through a detailed itinerary, conduct a complete kit check, and discuss crucial health and safety elements for our time on Mt. Meru. We will have the chance to collect any additional equipment from town, exchange money if required, acclimatise to the local climate and overcome any tiredness from the journey. This day also serves as an additional arrival day for late-comers or lost luggage. As we will be returning to this hotel we will be able to leave any luggage not required for our time on the mountain.
10th September - Trek Day 1: Arusha > Momella gate > Miriakamba huts (1 night on Mt. Meru)
We start the day by taking a game drive from Arusha to the Momella gate (1500m), and the start of our trek. Our trek begins with a gentle journey from Momella gate (1500m) to the Miriakamba huts (2500m). We journey via the southern route, under the cover of dense montane forest, via the 'Kili viewpoint' and the 'fig tree'. During our journey it is very likely that we will see wildlife, including colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, bush buck, dikdik, and buffalo, hence the need for an armed ranger during this part of the trek.
11th September - Trek Day 2: Miriakamba huts > Saddle huts (Little Meru) (1 night on Mt. Meru)
Our armed ranger will accompany us for a short while initially today. We trek from Mirikamba huts (2500m) to Saddle huts (3500m) in the morning, using a series of well travelled switch-backs to gain height easily up the steep ridge viewed from camp. Soon the montane forest is left behind and we enter into the moorland zone. During our journey we get fabulous views across to Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895m) and the cities of Arusha and Moshi, as well as our goal of Mt. Meru (4566m). After arriving at Saddle huts (3500m) we have a few hours rest before enjoying a short acclimatisation trek to the summit of Little Meru (3800m) from where we can see across to our journey for the day ahead.
12th September - Trek Day 3 (Summit Day!): Saddle huts > Rhino Point > Mt. Meru (Socialist Peak) > Miriakamba huts*
The day we have all been waiting for. An early start sees us heading out under the cover of moonlight. Fortunately our day starts gently and we warm up by trekking along relatively-flat, undulating terrain. We then begin our ascent to Rhino Point (3800m), once again on switch-backs, gradually taking us up and out of the moorland zone and into the alpine desert. From Rhino Point (3800m) we make a short descent before beginning our final ascent to the summit. Skirting the edge of the crater, our ascent follows sandy and rocky tracks, before culminating in an exciting yet simple rock band, which we negotiate easily to the summit of Mt. Meru (Socialist Peak) (4566m). After enjoying the sunrise and soaking up the views, we begin our descent in reverse, back to the welcoming sight of Saddle huts (3500m). We rest for a couple of hours before taking the journey back down to the Miriakamba huts (2500m), where a well-deserved shower awaits.
*Shorter itineraries may involve descending all the way down to Momella gate (1500m) on this day, either on foot or by taking a jeep from the Miriakamba huts (2500m).
13th September - Trek Day 4: Miriakamba huts > Momella gate > Arusha // Ash Cone Special Itinerary* (1 night at Rivertrees Country Inn)
Today we are once again accompanied by an armed ranger as we journey back down from the Miriakamba huts (2500m) to the Momella gate (1500m), before heading back to our hotel in Arusha. This time we go direct, taking the faster northern route. The route is steep initially and never under the cover of the montane forest, so an early start sees us back at the gate before the day is too hot. Once again it is likely that we will see wildlife during this day, and as we are no longer in the dense montane forest, it means we have the chance of spotting giraffe, zebra and elephant. Afterwards, we head back to our hotel in Arusha.
*Special itineraries on this day will have the chance to take the round-trip from the Miriakamba huts (2500m) to the rarely-visited ash cone (3600m), an exciting opportunity to stand at the very edge of the mountain's history; a glimpse into what was once a very real and active volcano. Very few people get the chance to visit this stunning spot. Descend either on foot or by taking a jeep from the Miriakamba huts (2500m).
14th September - Optional Safari Day (1 night at Rivertrees Country Inn)
Today we celebrate our achievements by heading out on Safari. Although this means another early start, it will be totally worth it. Both the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area or the Tarangire National Park serve as an opportunity to see even more wildlife, including the 'Big 5' (lion, leopard rhino, elephant, buffalo), cheetah and hippo. Today will also serve as an early departure day for those that need to.
15th September - Depart Arusha > Arrive UK/USA // Mt. Kilimanjaro extension
Our final day provides a chance to purchase souvenirs and share goodbyes, before we make our journey home. This day also serves as the arrival day for Mt. Kilimanjaro expeditions, and thus if you have chosen to extend, then you will have the chance to rest whilst awaiting the arrival of friends, before embarking on another life-enriching expedition! You could even go on another safari while you wait!
Our first day on expedition! Today we depart to Africa. Dependant upon your arrival time you may have the chance to explore the local area, or soak up the rays by the pool.
9th September - Preparation Day in Arusha // Alternative arrival day (1 night at Rivertrees Country Inn)
This day is extremely useful for a number of reasons. We will go through a detailed itinerary, conduct a complete kit check, and discuss crucial health and safety elements for our time on Mt. Meru. We will have the chance to collect any additional equipment from town, exchange money if required, acclimatise to the local climate and overcome any tiredness from the journey. This day also serves as an additional arrival day for late-comers or lost luggage. As we will be returning to this hotel we will be able to leave any luggage not required for our time on the mountain.
10th September - Trek Day 1: Arusha > Momella gate > Miriakamba huts (1 night on Mt. Meru)
We start the day by taking a game drive from Arusha to the Momella gate (1500m), and the start of our trek. Our trek begins with a gentle journey from Momella gate (1500m) to the Miriakamba huts (2500m). We journey via the southern route, under the cover of dense montane forest, via the 'Kili viewpoint' and the 'fig tree'. During our journey it is very likely that we will see wildlife, including colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, bush buck, dikdik, and buffalo, hence the need for an armed ranger during this part of the trek.
11th September - Trek Day 2: Miriakamba huts > Saddle huts (Little Meru) (1 night on Mt. Meru)
Our armed ranger will accompany us for a short while initially today. We trek from Mirikamba huts (2500m) to Saddle huts (3500m) in the morning, using a series of well travelled switch-backs to gain height easily up the steep ridge viewed from camp. Soon the montane forest is left behind and we enter into the moorland zone. During our journey we get fabulous views across to Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895m) and the cities of Arusha and Moshi, as well as our goal of Mt. Meru (4566m). After arriving at Saddle huts (3500m) we have a few hours rest before enjoying a short acclimatisation trek to the summit of Little Meru (3800m) from where we can see across to our journey for the day ahead.
12th September - Trek Day 3 (Summit Day!): Saddle huts > Rhino Point > Mt. Meru (Socialist Peak) > Miriakamba huts*
The day we have all been waiting for. An early start sees us heading out under the cover of moonlight. Fortunately our day starts gently and we warm up by trekking along relatively-flat, undulating terrain. We then begin our ascent to Rhino Point (3800m), once again on switch-backs, gradually taking us up and out of the moorland zone and into the alpine desert. From Rhino Point (3800m) we make a short descent before beginning our final ascent to the summit. Skirting the edge of the crater, our ascent follows sandy and rocky tracks, before culminating in an exciting yet simple rock band, which we negotiate easily to the summit of Mt. Meru (Socialist Peak) (4566m). After enjoying the sunrise and soaking up the views, we begin our descent in reverse, back to the welcoming sight of Saddle huts (3500m). We rest for a couple of hours before taking the journey back down to the Miriakamba huts (2500m), where a well-deserved shower awaits.
*Shorter itineraries may involve descending all the way down to Momella gate (1500m) on this day, either on foot or by taking a jeep from the Miriakamba huts (2500m).
13th September - Trek Day 4: Miriakamba huts > Momella gate > Arusha // Ash Cone Special Itinerary* (1 night at Rivertrees Country Inn)
Today we are once again accompanied by an armed ranger as we journey back down from the Miriakamba huts (2500m) to the Momella gate (1500m), before heading back to our hotel in Arusha. This time we go direct, taking the faster northern route. The route is steep initially and never under the cover of the montane forest, so an early start sees us back at the gate before the day is too hot. Once again it is likely that we will see wildlife during this day, and as we are no longer in the dense montane forest, it means we have the chance of spotting giraffe, zebra and elephant. Afterwards, we head back to our hotel in Arusha.
*Special itineraries on this day will have the chance to take the round-trip from the Miriakamba huts (2500m) to the rarely-visited ash cone (3600m), an exciting opportunity to stand at the very edge of the mountain's history; a glimpse into what was once a very real and active volcano. Very few people get the chance to visit this stunning spot. Descend either on foot or by taking a jeep from the Miriakamba huts (2500m).
14th September - Optional Safari Day (1 night at Rivertrees Country Inn)
Today we celebrate our achievements by heading out on Safari. Although this means another early start, it will be totally worth it. Both the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area or the Tarangire National Park serve as an opportunity to see even more wildlife, including the 'Big 5' (lion, leopard rhino, elephant, buffalo), cheetah and hippo. Today will also serve as an early departure day for those that need to.
15th September - Depart Arusha > Arrive UK/USA // Mt. Kilimanjaro extension
Our final day provides a chance to purchase souvenirs and share goodbyes, before we make our journey home. This day also serves as the arrival day for Mt. Kilimanjaro expeditions, and thus if you have chosen to extend, then you will have the chance to rest whilst awaiting the arrival of friends, before embarking on another life-enriching expedition! You could even go on another safari while you wait!
"Alex has a real passion for adventure and exploration, and that shows in his work. He always had a huge smile on his face and kept the team morale very high throughout the expedition. His knowledge and experience made sure that every member of the team was well looked after and that we all knew what was around the corner. His jokes could improve though... All in all, he's a brilliant leader and I hope to someday go on another expedition with him at the helm."
W. Dunn (Mt Kilimanjaro Expedition, 2016)
W. Dunn (Mt Kilimanjaro Expedition, 2016)
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