MOUNT MERU TREK

OVERVIEW
Located in Arusha Tanzania just a few kilometers from Arusha city. This is the fifth-highest mountain in Africa. t is a great mountain to climb that offers spectacular scenery, including a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro. The mountain is unspoiled and less populated as compared to its Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya counterparts. These 4 days of mount meru climb will wow you with amazing wildlife, history and the spectacular hiking experience
Arrival & Briefing
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be taken to your accommodation in either Arusha or Moshi where your guide will meet you for a full briefing and equipment check. This is also an opportunity to meet your fellow travellers if you are booked to join a group. As you prepare your bag for the morning departure ensure it does not exceed the stipulated weight limit of 15 kg. The bags will be weighed in the morning to check. A small bag of clothes that you don�t need for the trek can be deposited at your lodge. The tour includes a full board but you may want to take along some favourite snacks.
Trek Days note:
� The hiking times given for each day do not include breaks.
� Altitudes gained relate to the altitude difference between camps. It does not reflect the meters we ascend each day as to support acclimatization we will be going up and down and spending several nights at a roughly similar altitude.
TREK DAY 1
ARUSHA MOMELA GATE (1400 M) TO MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2500 M)
Early in the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Momella Gate in Arusha National Park. At this time the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). The first day of hiking is similar to a walking safari you should expect to see giraffes, zebras, antelope, buffalo and potentially elephants near the trail. Due to the high possibility of spotting wildlife an armed ranger, hired through the National Park is required to hike with our team for the duration of the hike. As you continue hiking you will pass the Ngarenanyuki River and a beautiful waterfall at the base of Mt. Meru. Upon arriving at Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) your chef will prepare a hot dinner and warm water for you.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
o Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
o Drink over 3 litters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
o DISTANCE:10 km
o HIKING TIME:4-5 hours
o HABITAT: Meadows and rainforest
o Altitude gained:1100m
TREK DAY 2
MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2500 M) TO SADDLE HUT (3500 M)
After breakfast you will start ascending up the steep trail along the ridge of the saddle. You may see various wildlife along the way. The trail has amazing views of Meru Crater and the Ash Cone. When you arrive at camp you have the option of hiking Little Meru (3,820 m) with your guide to further acclimate. You will be served an early dinner so you can receive ample rest before your midnight summit attempt.
o DISTANCE:5 km
o HIKING TIME:3-4 hours
o HABITAT: Moorland and heath
o Altitude gained:1000m
TREK DAY 3
SADDLE HUT (3500 M) TO SUMMIT ATTEMPT (4566 M) DESCEND TO MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2500 M) Your guide will wake you at 00:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt at 1:30 am. The trail starts off on a steep grade from Rhino Point (3800 m) to Cobra Point (4350 m). n the last hour of the hike you will scramble on a rocky ridge between the crater and the inner cliffs of Meru. You will reach the summit of Meru (4565 m) at sunrise with spectacular views of Mt. Meru Ash Tray and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Enjoy your views then descend to Saddle Hut for a short break. You will then continue descending to Miriakamba Hut (2500 m) for dinner and overnight.
o HIKING TIME:8-12 hours
o DISTANCE:19 km
o HABITAT: Alpine, heath, moorland
o Altitude gained: / lost: (1066 M) to Meru Peak then (2066m) Meru Peak to Miriakamba Hut
TREK DAY 4
MIRIAKAMBA HUT (2500 M) TO ARUSHA MOMELA GATE (1400 M)
After breakfast you will begin your final descent to Momella gate. You will be using the southern route to descend. During your descent you will pass through the montane forest where you will pass the amazing Fig Tree Arch. Upon arrival at the Momella gate you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel back in Moshi town.
DISTANCE: 7 km
HIKING TIME: 2-3hours
HABITAT: Rainforest
The climb cost includes
� All transfers to the mountain and back to your Arusha hotel
� Professional, experienced, mountain guides
� Guides, Porters, Cook, salaries and park fees
� Accommodation in wooden dormitory-style huts
� Sleeping Mattress
� Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
� All meals while on the Mountain
� Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food clean, purified drinking water
� Conservation fees (part of park fees)
� Rescue fees (part of park fees)
� VAT (18% charged by the Government)
The climb cost Excludes
� Tanzania Visa
� International and domestic flights
� Hotel (available as an optional addon)
� Transfers (available as an optional addon)
� Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
� Tips and gratuities
� Travel insurance
� Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)