Mount
Meru Climb.
Mount Meru is within Arusha National
Park. The mountain’s rim is horseshoe shaped creating a
natural amphitheater called Meru crater and contains a large
ash cone.
Day 1: We take an early breakfast and drive to
Momella gate, where we meet with our porters and an armed
ranger is needed due to presence of wild animals. We prefer
the longer and more scenic route, hiking will take us 4
hours, lunch on the way, to reach Miriakamba hut 2500m for
dinner and overnight. There are of course 2 large Dormitory
houses at Miriakamba hut each with a dining/leisure room
with sit down toilets.
There is running water from faucets and solar panels to
provide electricity until 9pm. Bottled water can be bought
here subject to availability.
Day 2: Today’s goal is saddle hut
3500m, on the way we may stop at Tope la Mbogo (Buffalo
swamp) and Mgongo wa Tembo (Elephant Ridge) view point. The
hike from Miriakamba hut to saddle hut crossing little Meru
is short but very hard (steep) it take us 3-5 hours.
The hike leads us through giant heather and fascinating
moorland vegetation before reaching saddle hut 3500m for
lunch.
After lunch we can hike to the summit of little Meru 3770m
to see the spectacular views of Mt. Meru’s peak and the
sheer cliffs of the crater’s inner wall. During sunset, we
can watch the glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro turning
different hues of orange and red. The huts are similar to
that of Miriakamba except having 4-12 bunk bedrooms rather
than large dormitories. Water is not available, in that case
our porters will provide enough water for cooking, drinking
and washing.
Day 3: For professionals, like
Untamed Safaris, we recommend to start the last hike at
5.00am to experience the sunrise from Rhino point 3860m.
This allows the climber to take pictures. It is a steep hour
long climb to Rhino point on a slightly down hill path
before reaching the narrow ridge of the crater to the peak
at 4600m which we may reach at 10am. Spend 30 minutes here
taking different pictures then as it is now getting warmer
you can wear sunglasses and sunscreen.
During clear weather, you can see the far volcanic mountain
Oldonyo Lengai to the west, Arusha town to the south and
beyond Arusha town the Maasai steppe. Hiking back to saddle
hut by 1:30pm for lunch and a short rest. Then push down
descending to Miriakamba hut for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: After breakfast, we complete the descent from
Miriakamba hut to Momella gate through wide open grassland
and mixed forest with great possibilities of watching
different animals on the way. We reach Momella gate and
collect our certificates of achievement, meet our vehicle
and say bye to our hard working staff (porters) and drive to
Arusha for hot shower, lunch and long rest. Early dinner
transfer to Airport to fly back home.
