Akaro Tours | Wildlife Safari | Mountain Climbing

Mountain Climbing :-Mount Meru

Climbing Mt. Meru is usually skipped in favour of its bigger neighbour Mt. Kilimanjaro to the west, but the sheer beauty and challenge of this three-day climb makes it a must-do for obliging itineraries. The early parts of the trail pass through lush rainforests of fig trees and colubus monkeys high in the canopy.

As you climb higher, the cloud forest clears in the late afternoon to reveal striking vistas of Kilimanjaro and the volcano chain on the edge of the Rift Valley. The last distance before the summit passes over the crater ridge – an exhilarating experience, and not one for the faint-hearted.

So while Kilimanjaro offers the chance to scale to the ‘roof of Africa,’ its slightly smaller neighbour is certainly not lacking in adventure.

ITINERARY

Overshadowed by its majestic, collapsed volcano remains littl known to climbers. Mt. Meru is 50 kms from kilimanjaro and reaches a height of 4,565m. Mount Meru is the third highest peak in Tanzania. Although the climb is not as relentless as Kilimanjaro, the challenge can be equally rewarding. Compared to Kilimanjaro's mild slope, Meru's pitch can offer quite a challenge. It can be a shorter but equally magnificient alternative to Kilimanjaro or climbed as preparation for a later ascent up Kilimanjaro. There is only one non-technical route up Meru. although less ofyten climbed than Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru has an equally comfortable hut system. Uor guides will tell you that the bush to the summit along the crater rim is one of the most exhilirating journeys in Tanzania.

DAY 01: MOMELLA GATE TO MIRIAKAMBA HUT
You start walking through the forest to the crater floor and then turn steeply up to Miakamba Hut a possible diversion to the crater floor. after ascending 1,000m and walking 10km about 5-6 hrs you arrive at Miriakamba Hut.

DAY 02. MIRIAKAMBA HUT TO SADDLE HUT
Starting with a gentle hill you turn on a path which climbs steeply through a pleasant gladded forest. After crossing several streambeds you will reach the saddle Hut at 3,570m. You will ascend 1,050m in 4km of walking (Usually abiut 2-4 hrs). Clients may walk another 2 hrs to and from little Meru Peak for acclimatization.

DAY 03. SADDLE HUT TO MERU SUMMIT AND BACK
You will wake early for 0200 hours departure. the walk up to the summit takes a very narrow ridge along the slope of outer wall of te crater and the sheer cliff of the inner wall. This is one of most exhilirating and dramatic sections of hiking. You reach the peak after 1,000m vertical in 5km of hiking (About 4-5 hrs). The descent back down to the saddle Hut takes approxomately 2-3 hours.

DAY 04. SADDLE HUT TO MOMELLA GATE
You start by retracting your route to Miriakamba Hut. after an altitude loss of 2,000m you arrive back at Momella Gate

3 Days Safari-USD $ 570

4 Days Safari-USD $ 760