4 days Mount Meru climbing - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )
4 days Mount Meru climbing: Africa Natural Tours (For
Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar) Tanzania safari company in Moshi
Specialized
in: Wildlife safaris, Mountain climbing,
Cultural tourism and Beach holidays in East Africa
Contact
+255 653 679 958
Email: info@africanaturaltours.com
Website: www.africanaturaltours.com
4 days Mount Meru climbing
At 4566m, Mount Meru is the fifth
highest mountain on the African continent and the second highest in Tanzania.
About 250 000 years ago, a massive volcanic blast blew away the entire eastern
flank of the mountain and left it with the characteristic and distinctive
appearance it has today. Last eruption: 1910
At
4566m, Mount Meru is the fifth highest mountain on the African continent and
the second highest in Tanzania. About 250 000 years ago, a massive volcanic
blast blew away the entire eastern flank of the mountain and left it with the
characteristic and distinctive appearance it has today. The Mt Meru ascent
passes through many different vegetation zones. The dry forest of the lower
region gives way to a dense mountain rainforest, which then turns into a
scrubland. Towards the top of the mountain, the vegetation consists of heath
and moorland and is then finally replaced by the stunning baron alpine deserts.
As the flora changes the wildlife does so too, which is diverse and equally
impressive. During the ascent, you will regularly come across large game such as
elephants and buffalos but you may also come across leopards. Due to this, it
is obligatory to be accompanied by an armed park ranger on your tour.
Day 1 Arusha/Moshi - Momella Gate (1500m) - Miriakamba Hut
(2500m)
In
the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and after a 45-minute drive;
you will arrive at the Arusha National Park Gate. At the national park gate,
your guide will complete the obligatory entry forms and whilst he does so, you
can peruse the information boards of the national park. Once the formalities
have been completed and the hiking team consisting of porters from the
surrounding villages is formed, you will then be driven a little further to
Momella Gate. An armed park ranger will accompany you while you start your hike
and get a first glimpse of the wonderful giraffes and buffalos. Once you have
left the buffalo herds and giraffes behind, you will enter the acacia forest in
which you will follow the Southern Route. After a steady 2-hour climb, you will
reach Maio Falls and some picturesque meadows that are a perfect place for a
picnic. After a rest, you will again be on your way and soon reach the
well-known ‘Arched Fig Tree’. Here your park ranger will tell you about the
formation of this tree and how it gained its shape forming an arch over the
path. After another 1½ - 2 hours, you will reach the Miriakamba Hut. Evening
meal and overnight stay at the Miriakamba Hut. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 2 Miriakamba Hut (2500m) - Saddle Hut (3550m)
In
the morning, you will leave the Miriakamba Hut behind and follow a steep track
with wooden steps upwards. Due to the gain in height, it will be noticeably
cooler than the previous day and due to this, the hike will seem to get easier.
The clouds also often hang in the rainforest and dip the lush vegetation in a
moody atmosphere. After approximately 2 hours, you will reach the vantage point
‘Mgongo wa Tembo’ (Elephant back) at an elevation of 3200m, where you will
enjoy a well-earned break. After another hike in which the vegetation changes
from rainforest into an airy bush land, you will reach Saddle Hut (3550m) at
midday for a relaxing lunch break. During the afternoon, you have the option of
a side trip to Little Meru (3820m) which takes approx. 1 - 1 ½ hours and from
where you can have wonderful views of Arusha National Park and of the
Kilimanjaro (approx. 80 km away). Back at the hut, a warm dinner is waiting for
you before you will have the final preliminary talk in preparation for the
following day’s climb to the summit. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 3 Saddle Hut - Socialist Peak (4562m) - Miriakamba Hut
(2500m)
After
an early start with tea and biscuits, you will leave for the summit at 02:00
hrs. By torchlight, you will follow the trail through bush land to the
so-called Rhino Point (3821m) in which the path turns into a little more
challenging trek with occasional light climbs. You will follow the north ridge
to the summit on which you walk on ground alternating between lava ash and
rock. After approx. 4 - 5 hours, you will have the summit and the Tanzanian
flag in your sights. From the summit, you will be able to enjoy the sun rising
above Kilimanjaro and the fantastic view of Mount Meru’s crater with its steep
sides and the “Ash Cone” in the middle. The descent follows the same route back
to Saddle Hut (3550m) where you will take a well-deserved long break and
recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once refreshed, you will continue with the
descent. During the early afternoon, you will reach Miriakamba Hut (2500m) -
tired but happy. At this hut, you can relax and think about the last stage that
you have completed. Evening meal and overnight stay at Miriakamba Hut (2500m).
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 4 Miriakamba Hut (2500m) - Momella Gate (1500m)
After
breakfast, you will follow a 2 - 3 hour trek over the so-called ‘Northern
Route’ back to Momella Gate. The descent is shorter than the ascent but there
is still the chance to see elephants, buffalos, giraffes as well as the black
and white Colobus monkeys. At the gate, you will say farewell to your hiking
crew and your driver will take you back to Moshi. Breakfast
Standard
package Included:
- Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and 18% VAT on tour fees & services which cost nearly 55% of the total cost charged.
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the hotel, 2 nights at the hotel in Moshi which include bed & breakfast.
Not Included:
- Flights
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- A doctor for the group
- Tips to mountain crew
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$100 per toilet + toilet tent
Note:
The summit stage contains a few simple but unsecured climbing passages. A good head for heights and sure footedness are absolutely necessary. In adverse weather conditions (heavy rain, icy rocks and paths or thick fog) the park ranger can call off the climb to the summit. We do not advice climbs in the rain season (April and May).
The summit stage contains a few simple but unsecured climbing passages. A good head for heights and sure footedness are absolutely necessary. In adverse weather conditions (heavy rain, icy rocks and paths or thick fog) the park ranger can call off the climb to the summit. We do not advice climbs in the rain season (April and May).
For
more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com
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