Why this itinerary?
A beautiful mountain to hike, great for pre Kilimanjaro acclimatization or as part of a trilogy of East Africa's highest peaks. Also superb pre safari for hikers or the adventurous.
Description
A 4 day hike to the summit of Mt Meru through verdant afromontane forest into high altitude alpine desert with stunning views of a dormant volcano.
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 under rated hikes in East Africa.
Day 1: MT MERU / MIRIAKAMBA
In the morning we are collected from your hotel and transfer to Arusha National Park. At the Momella gate we finish 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 we reach a viewpoint before heading onto Miriakamba hut for Dinner.
Day 2: MT MERU / SADDLE
We set off from Miriakamba initially still in the forest zone but in a few hours as we reach Saddle hut for lunch in the alpine desert zone. In the afternoon a walk to the summit of Little Meru can be taken for stunning views before heading back to Saddle Hut for dinner.
Day 3: MT MERU SUMMIT / MIRIAKAMBA
We rise early and our 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. We return back and after some brunch at Saddle Hut, we continue down to Miriakamba hut for dinner.
Day 4: ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK / ARUSHA
The final section takes up to 3 hours to return to our vehicles where we 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!
END OF SERVICESItems included:
Transfer to/from Arusha National Park
Overnight stays in Mountain Huts
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
All Park fees
All meals while on the Mountain
Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
Clean, purified drinking water
Items not included:
Accommodation in Arusha ( Can be arranged upon request )
Tanzania Visa
Gratuity
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.
NOTE: Mountain Climbing Permits duration time is 12 HOURS
