WHY THIS ITINERARY?
A beautiful mountain to hike. Great as a pre-Kilimanjaro acclimatization or as part of a trilogy of East Africa’s highest peaks. Also, a superb pre-safari for keen hikers or the adventurous. This 3-day version requires a high level of fitness due to its very long summit day.
DESCRIPTION
A shorter 3-day version of the hike to the summit of Mt Meru, the third highest peak in Tanzania, through verdant afromontane forest into high altitude alpine desert with unparalleled views of a dormant volcano. This itinerary misses out on the last night on the mountain. Instead, after summiting, the walk continues all the way back to Momella Gate. Please note: the first 2 days require an armed ranger due to wild animals. There are simply NOT ENOUGH rangers to go around and this means for the first 2 days guests have to walk together / start together. This has proven frustrating to guests that are not informed. Please inform all guests of this point.
HIGHLIGHTS
Signs and possible sightings of wildlife on foot, afromontane forest, less busy than Kilimanjaro, excellent bird life, and game drives in Arusha National Park. One of the most underrated hikes in East Africa.
DAY 1 – MIRIAKAMBA HUT
START – 4,922FT / 1500M
END – 8,248FT / 2514M
DISTANCE – 9 MILES / 14KM
TIME – 6-8 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
In the morning you are collected from your hotel and transferred to Arusha National Park. At the Momella Gate, we complete registration formalities before setting off with your guide and armed ranger – there is abundant wildlife in the forests! The forest section is especially scenic with strangler figs and the possibility of seeing buffalo grazing in one of the clearings. In the late afternoon, you reach a viewpoint before heading on to Miriakamba Hut for dinner.
DAY 2 – SADDLE HUT
START – 8,248FT / 2514M
END – 11,713 / 3570M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 6KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
You set off from Miriakamba Hut, initially still in the forest zone, but in a few hours as you reach Saddle Hut for lunch in the alpine desert zone. In the afternoon a walk to the summit of Little Meru (Alt: 12,532ft, 3820m) can be taken for stunning views before heading back to Saddle Hut for dinner.
DAY 3 – SUMMIT BID / MIRIAKAMBA
START – 11,713FT / 3570M
END – 8,248FT / 2514M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM
TIME – 12 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT / AFROMONTANE FOREST
You rise early and your hard work is rewarded at dawn as the sun rises to the East. Kilimanjaro is normally clearly seen from here and the sheer cliffs of the crater fall dramatically 1000 feet or more. After taking photos at Socialist Peak (Alt: 14,978ft, 4,565m) you return to our base camp at Saddle Hut. After some brunch, you continue down to Miriakamba Hut for dinner.
DAY 4 – ARUSHA
START – 8,248FT / 2514M
END – 4,922FT / 1500M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
The shorter final section takes up to 4 hours to return to our vehicles where you say farewell to our crew and have time for a short picnic lunch and game drive before returning to Arusha for a well deserved shower!
