How long does it take to climb Mount Meru?

How long does it take to climb Mount Meru? Mount Meru can be climbed by the Momella Route, which is the official route. It begins on Mount Meru’s eastern flank and climbs to the peak, Socialist Peak, following the crater’s northern rim. Miriakamba, the first hut (at 8,248 feet/2,514 meters), can be reached in two ways. A slower, more gradual rise or a shorter, harsher ascent are your options. With good views of the crater along the route, you can trek to Saddle Hut (at 11,712 feet/3,570 meters) in four to six hours the next day. After climbing for about five hours on the third day, you get back to Saddle Hut in time for lunch before making your way down to Miriakamba for the last night.

One of Africa’s most breathtaking excursions is thought to be the stroll along the crater rim. The comprehensive schedule for climbing Mount Meru via the Momella Route is shown below.

Day 1:Momela Gate to Miriakampa Hut

The track begins at Momela Gate and travels through wide grassland where warthogs and cape buffalo can be found. If you’re lucky, you might also spot elephants and giraffes. Keep climbing steadily into the montane forest. You can eat lunch at the well-known fig tree. The walk continues into a less dense forest after lunch, where the black and white colobus and other birds and monkeys can be seen in plenty. You will get your first up-close looks at the Ash Cone and the soaring cliffs by mid-afternoon. Reached in time to take in the afternoon sun and stunning views of the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro, Miriakampa Hut is located in the picturesque grassy glade.

Day 2: Miriakampa Hut to Saddle Hut

It is a difficult, continuous ascent from Miriakampa Hut to the saddle beneath Little Meru. The trail begins in a lovely, verdant montane forest and continues past Elephant Back Ridge’s halfway point, climbing through enormous heather and other moorland plants to lunch at Saddle Hut. For amazing views in the afternoon, you can ascend the short distance to the adjacent summit of Little Meru (3,820 m/12,533 ft). Walking up and down takes around one hour and thirty minutes, respectively. It is 1,056 meters (3,465 feet) high.

Day 3: Summit and down to Miriakampa Hut

The start time for Summit Day is early, at roughly 12:00 AM. After a difficult one-hour ascent to Rhino Point (3,800m/12,467ft), the trail continues over a rock and ash ridge to Cobra Point (4,350m/14,272ft). An hour’s drive takes you to the top of Socialist Peak (4,566 m), which offers breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro. You can see the sunrise at the summit or at Cobra Point, depending on how quickly you go. Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, the Rift Valley, the Ash Cone rising from the crater floor, and the rocks of the Crater Rim are all breathtaking sights. One of the most breathtaking and thrilling journeys in Africa leads back to Rhino Point in the brisk early light along a short ridge between the crater’s high cliffs on the inner wall and its sloping outer wall. Before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut, brunch and a quick rest are enjoyed at Saddle Hut.

Day 4: Hike to Trailhead and Return to  Moshi Arusha

From here, there are two ways down. You have the option of walking down the jeep road that leads to the lower crater floor or descending the way you came up. You may see an amazing waterfall tucked away in a gully not far from the road after passing by the famous Fig Tree Arch. There is a considerable chance of viewing wildlife throughout the quick descent through open grassland and mixed forest. This hike offers great views over the National Park’s grasslands and back towards the crater. By late morning, we arrive at Momela Gate.

You can continue your journey to other Tanzanian national parks, Rwandan or Ugandan gorilla trekking safaris, or Masai Mara Wildlife safaris in Kenya after completing the Momella Route for climbing Mount Meru.

How to Get to Mount Meru

Arusha National Park is where Mount Meru is situated. Kilimanjaro International Airport is 60 kilometres (35 miles) distant and is where most tourists fly in. The primary entry point to every location in the northern circuit. Kilimanjaro International Airport serves flights operated by the majority of airlines visiting Tanzania, including KLM, Brussels Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Precision Air, Qatar Airways, Rwandair, Turkish Airlines, and Tanzania’s pride, its flagship carrier, Air Tanzania. The majority of consumers arrive in Nairobi or Kigali, where they connect with Kenya Airways, Precision Air, Air Tanzania, and Rwandair, who operate direct flights throughout the area. Additionally, Tanzania has access to domestic flights operated by Air Excel, Auric Air, Regional Air, Coastal Aviation, and ZanAir.

There are various places in Tanzania and Kenya from where you can take a domestic aircraft or a long-distance bus to Arusha. As part of a multi-country itinerary, it is also feasible to arrive in Tanzania by land. In addition to the Indian Ocean, Tanzania shares borders with Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Zambia, and Uganda.

The Best time to Climb Mount Meru

The best period of time to climb Mount Meru is during the dry season, which runs from June to early March, but it is possible to traverse the peak throughout the year. Discover the Ideal Time to Scale Mount Meru here. If you’re thinking about going on a Mount Meru trekking trip in November or December, be prepared for sporadic showers during these months. Our recommendation is to schedule your Meru trek during January in order to get the greatest views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s snow-capped rooftop.

There are breathtaking views of the Ash Cone, which is located in the crater several thousand feet below, from the narrow, bare slope that leads to the summit. Kilimanjaro is visible in the West if the weather permits. Climbers on the mountain have access to two shelters, and firewood is provided. Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano in Tanzania that is typically 70 kilometres (43 miles) west of Mount Kilimanjaro. Per definition, it is the fifth highest mountain in Africa, standing at 4,562.13 meters (14,968 feet) and visible from Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day.

The city of Arusha is not far north of Mount Meru. In Tanzania, it is the second-highest mountain after Kilimanjaro. Mount Meru can be climbed to the summit via the Momella path, which begins at Momella gate on the mountain’s eastern flank. The most recent minor eruption of Mount Meru occurred in 1910, after a summit fall approximately 7,800 years ago caused much of its bulk to be lost. The numerous little cones and craters that can be spotted nearby most likely represent multiple volcanic eruptions. Although Mount Meru is the focal point of Arusha National Park, small farms and Maasai ranchers graze their flocks on the surrounding savannah and lower forested slopes. The ash cone and crater rim of Mount Meru are also within the protected area. For Meru and Arusha’s native inhabitants. With its rivers, waterfalls, rich, ash-fertile soil, and life-giving mists, Mount Meru is the home of the rain deity.

Rising above the surrounding savannah, Mount Meru’s fertile slopes are home to a diverse range of animals, including about 400 different kinds of birds, as well as buffalo, leopards, giraffes, and various monkey species, including baboons and colobus monkeys. Anyone thinking about Mount Meru trekking excursions is particularly drawn to the chance to see wildlife in its native environment.