Trip Details

Mount Meru Climbling - 3 Days

Mount Meru is one of the major attractions of Arusha national park, the full ascent requires at least 3 days. The route takes climbers through a series of natural environments with a variety of flora and fauna and interesting mixture of nature and culture. Climbing Mount Meru can be of a bit difficult that climbing mount kilimanjaro...

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Highlights

Trip Dates:2010
- To be published soon

Price: 2010

$ 900 solo
$ 800 pp 2-4 climber
$ 580 pp 5+ climbers

Duration: 3 Days

Group Size:

2 -16

Activities:
- Non-technical Climbing
- Sigh Seeing

Accomodation:
Mountain Huts, 2 nights; Lodges/hotels, 2 nights

It is recommended that you allow four days for the full ascent in order to obtain acclimatization and avoid altitude sickness as well as to enjoy the sunrise on both the summit and Rhino Point.

Day 1:
After breakfast, we depart Moshi for Momella Gate.

Momella Gate is located near Shamba La Mbogo, a natural glade in the Mt. Meru Game Reserve. It is situated at 1,500m above sea level. Two routes are available from Momella Gate: The first route goes through the forest towards the crater floor and then steeply up to Miriakamba Hut. The second option climbs gradually through the grassland direct to Miriakamba Hut.

After all formalities, we begin trekking accompanied by an armed ranger. We will ascend up to Miriakamba Hut situated at 2,500m above sea level. The trekking takes approximately 3 hours. We will be walking amidst the montane forest where various species of flora and fauna can be found on this part of the mountain. There are beautiful views of Arusha National Park's various landscapes that can be seen from this trek and, weather-permitting, spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro can also be seen.

Day 2:
From Miriakamba Hut the path is steep compared to other mountains in the region. We continue our ascent on a narrow winding trail through a thick montane forest, where various species of vegetation can be seen. There are water streams that we cross before approaching the moorland zone. A good view of Little Meru can be seen on a clear day, just as you approach Saddle Hut.

Buffalo footprints can be seen. Some bird species, and plenty of Africana Masaica, a shrub plant that stings can also be seen on both sides of the trail . The ascent takes approximately 4 hours. After our arrival at Saddle Hut (3,500m), you have the option to embark on a 45 minute walk to Little Meru (3,820m). it has a meandering trail which is aided with good grass cover to give you good grip. One can see the Kenyan border from the peak of Little Meru, Ngara Nanyuki -a town that lies after the Arusha National Park, as well as gorgeous views of West Mt, Kilimanjaro and Longido.

Day 3:
Our ascent to Big Meru, the summit of Mt. Meru (4,566m) begins at around midnight and takes us from the moorland zone to alpine desert zone. The trek will take approximately 6-7 hours. Along we will pass Rhino Point as we walk around the rim of Meru crater. Conditions are cold and windy and during the rainy season ice and snow can occur in this section of the route.

If sunrise is your thing, you have two options:

You can trek up to the summit in time to watch the sun rising from behind Kilimanjaro or

You can leave Saddle Hut later in the morning and head to Rhino Point, about an hour away. Sunrise here is as impressive and perhaps even more so because you also see the main cliffs of the inner wall of the crater being illuminated by the rising sun. You can always add an extra day to the itinerary in order to appreciate both.

From the summit we return to Saddle Hut for breakfast and then proceed to Miriakamba Hut and eventually down to Momella gate, in the late afternoon, where you will be awaited by our transport.

Gear List

  Printable version     
  Book this Trip

Highlights

Trip Dates:2010
- To be published soon

Price: 2010

$ 900 solo
$ 800 pp 2-4 climber
$ 580 pp 5+ climbers

Duration: 3 Days

Group Size:

2 -16

Activities:
- Non-technical Climbing
- Sigh Seeing

Accomodation:
Mountain Huts, 2 nights; Lodges/hotels, 2 nights

Mount Meru Climb and Safari Gear List

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary - this will help you and the field staff.

Weather
During the Kilimanjaro climb weather can range from 80s during the first day, to below 0 degrees on the summit day. On safari, temperatures are typically in the 70s - 80s during the day, falling to the 50s in the evening.

Weight Limit

Please limit your duffel bag on the climb to 22 pounds of gear or less.

Gear Checklist

Provided Gear

- Tents and sleeping pads
- Cooking and eating utensils
- Waterproof duffel for the climb

Official Papers
- Valid passport
- Visa
- Airline tickets
- International health card with immunizations

Luggage
- Soft-sided suitcase or wheeled duffel for international flight and to store safari gear while on the climb
- Large duffel bag - no wheels or handle - for use on the climb
- Luggage tags and luggage locks (2 sets)
- Passport pouch or money belt
- Daypack, 2,000-3,000 cu. in.
- Rain cover and two large plastic trash bags for your daypack and duffel bag

Camping Gear
- Sleeping bag, rated 0-10�F
- Sleep sheet (optional but nice)

City Clothing
- Bring a few lightweight, easily washable items for travel and when you are not climbing
- Comfortable shoes

Outerwear
- Waterproof, breathable jacket
- Waterproof, breathable pants
- Insulated down or synthetic filled jacket
- Rain poncho

Clothing
- Midweight wool or fleece sweater / jacket
- Fleece or wool pants
- Thermal underwear top and bottom. Synthetic or wool. Two sets: one midweight and one expedition weight
- T-shirts, mix of synthetic and cotton
- Synthetic, long-sleeve shirts
- Synthetic, quick-drying hiking shorts
- Hiking pants (zip-off legs are great for this)
- Casual clothes, for relaxing at camp
- Socks: 6-8 pair, wool or synthetic for the summit day
- Liner socks

Footwear
- Waterproof hiking boots with excellent lateral and ankle support and a rugged sole (well broken in)
- Camp shoes (sneakers or sport sandals)

Clothing Accessories
- Balaclava or neck gaiter
- Gaiters, knee length
- Wool or fleece mittens/gloves
- Thin gloves or mitten liners
- Waterproof glove or mitten shells
- Wool or fleece hat
- Sun hat with brim
- Bandana
- Swimsuit (pools at lodges)

Travel Accessories
- Water bottles (two 1-quart) or a hydration system and two 1-quart water bottles
- Headlamp and spare lithium batteries/bulb (no flashlights!)
- Sunglasses with dark lenses
- Ski goggles
- Toilet paper - 1 roll
- Hand sanitizer gel/wipes
- Collapsible trekking poles - highly recommended
- Favorite energy snacks and powdered drinks
- Sunblock and lip balm with high SPF
- Personal first-aid kit
- Insect repellent with DEET
- Toiletry kit with bio-degradable soap/shampoo, hand lotion
- Travel towel

Optional Field Gear
- Camera, lenses and lots of film/memory cards
- Small binoculars (highly recommended)
- Reading and writing materials
- Earplugs
- Watch with alarm or travel clock
- Water filter or iodine tablets (emergency use only - bottled water provided with additional available for purchase)
- Water bottle insulator for summit day
- Knee supports
- Ziploc bags, to protect camera & binoculars
- Spare contact lenses or prescription glasses
- Windproof shell jacket and/or pants
- Motion sickness remedies
- Travel pillow

Things to Consider
- Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing including your hiking boots and medications in your carry-on baggage in case your luggage is delayed.

- Be kind to your feet! If you plan on purchasing new boots do so well ahead of time and allow yourself time to break them in. A very good way to minimize the risk of blisters is to wear a thin liner sock under your regular thicker hiking socks. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.

- You will be provided with a waterproof duffel bag for use on the climb. You will place your personal duffel, containing your climbing gear and clothing, inside this provided duffel for added protection against the elements.

- Cotton is wonderful in warm weather and will be great once on Safari. However once it becomes wet, it drains your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene�, MTS� and Thermax� for the climb portion of this trip.

- Hydration packs may freeze on the summit climb - even the insulated versions. They are suitable only for the lower mountain. Be sure to bring two one quart water bottles in addition to your hydration pack, if you are using this system.
- If you normally wear contacts, bring a pair of glasses in case of irritation from dust in your eyes.
- Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
- Stuff sacks are great for sorting your gear. Plastic bags are also helpful to separate clean and dirty clothing.
- Many of the roads in Africa are deeply rutted and dusty. It is a good idea to pack camera equipment and binoculars in plastic bags to protect them from the dust. This is in addition to their normal cases. Also bring some lens cleaning material.
- Laundry is difficult on this trip but you can hand wash a few quick-drying items.
- Try to maximize the use of your gear for both the climb and safari. Extra luggage, including clean clothes to wear home, can be left at the hotel in Arusha. Casual attire is acceptable for Africa.

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