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Apart
from organizing treks on Mount Kilimanjaro and Kenya,
we also plan for mount Meru trek in Arusha. Like Mount
Kilimanjaro and Kenya; Mount Meru is a volcanic mountain
with the height of 4566m, (14,000 ft) altitude above
sea level. It can be conquered with a little bit hardship
in three days. A four day ascent is however achieved
with less hardship and this is highly recommended for
a hiker who wants to attempt this mountain to the summit.
If you plan to conquer the highest point of Africa-Uhuru
Peak / Hans Mayer Peak, you may consider Mount Meru
in order to shape your body in attaining your goal.
The hiking is very exciting as you experience many things
on your way up including games such as Giraffes, buffalos,
warthogs, Zebras, Monkeys and birds.
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Mt. Meru (4,566 m.) is the
second highest mountain in Tanzania and a much underrated
mountain to climb because of its close proximity to
Kilimanjaro. It is a horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater
with a spectacularly narrow ridge and superb all round
views. The cliffs of the inner wall below the summit
are over 1500 m. high, and inside the caldera is a subsidiary
peak called the Ash Cone (3,670 m.) that last erupted
only 100 years ago. There is an immense variety of tree
and plant life, adding considerably to the interest
of the trek.
Mt. Meru is part of Arusha National Park, and the lower
slopes of the mountain shelter a variety of wildlife.
The routes below Miriakamba Hut are more like walking
safaris than mountain climbs and our guide is an informed
and armed park ranger (in case we get too close to some
of the animals!). You are almost certain to see buffaloes,
warthogs, monkeys, and a variety of birdlife. Giraffe
and elephant are also quite common.
Accommodation
is in the two well maintained wooden huts that have
spectacular views of Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds.
The climb of Mt. Meru is very much justified on its
own merits but is also a great way to get acclimatized
for Kilimanjaro. The view of Kilimanjaro from Meru ,
and that of Meru crater itself, gives plenty of inspiration
for another mountain climb!
Though often ignored in favour of its big sister, Kilimanjaro,
Mount Meru is a worthy trekker’s paradise. This massive
volcano towers over 3,000 meters above Arusha town,
which lies at its foot on its south side. The mountain
endured a violent explosion about 200 million years
ago. In its wake the explosion left towering cliffs
in a gaping U shaped ridge on the eastern side. Today
the crater stands in a protected amphitheatre of a sort,
thousands of feet below the summit rocks. The craggy
top lies at the western most point of the summit ridge
and juts boldly into the sky at 4566 mt. (14,979 feet).
From the top, one can look out at Kilimanjaro from the
highest perch possible…. Perhaps there is no better
vantage point to gaze at Africa’s highest mountain,
approximately 80 kilometres to the northeast. The trail
to the summit follows the northern rim of the natural
amphitheatre which forms Meru Crater. The trail skirts
the ridgeline, and above the Saddle (between the summit
and Little Meru Peak (12,533 ft / 3,820 metres). The
route is quite steep, with sections of rock scrambling
on one side. At the summit, the cliffs drop almost 1200
meters to the crater floor.
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