Mount Meru is an active (but dormant) volcano located north of Arusha in Tanzania.
At 4562 metres it is Tanzania's second highest mountain and the fourth highest mountain in Africa.
The mountain became well known mainly because it is only 70 km from Mount Kilimanjaro: Mt. Meru has become a popular "warm up" trek for Kilimanjaro climbers.
High in the mist-wreathed hills of western Kenya is a towering volcanic giant, crowned by a vast caldera etched by glacial tarns, honeycombed by labyrinthine caves, fissured by valleys and cascaded by streams. Visitors can explore the forest, see the elephant caves and also enjoy biking, hiking, and rock on the eighth highest mountain in Africa, Mount Elgon.
Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route
Mt Kilimanjaro climbing Marangu Route ,Trekking and Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro at Mt Kilimanjaro National park. The Mount Kilimanjaro - Marangu Route climb, is the easiest and most popular We highly recommend for young and old trekkers to Marangu Route - Mount Kilimanjaro climb.
Marangu route on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Marangu route info, climbing and hiking guide, maps via the Mandara, Horombo, Mawenzi, Kibo huts and camps
.Day 1 : Nairobi – Arusha ( Approx. 4Hrs Drive)
07.15 am - 8.00 a.m. Depart for Arusha aboard the shuttle bus, lunch enroute. Spend the afternoon organizing any gear you may require for the trek. Overnight at Arusha or Moshi Hotel booked on bed and breakfast basis. Lunch and dinner on own arrangement.
Day 2: Arusha - Mandara Hut
Elevation :1700m to 2740m
Walking Time:4-5 hours
Distance: 7kms
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment located at 9000 ft / 2740 m. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colubus monkeys.
Day 3 :Mandara hut – Horombo Hut
Elevation:2700m to 3700m
Distance:11 km
Walking time: 6-8 hours
Habitat:Heathland
After about 1 hour, you will leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You will start to feel the affects of the altitude. If you wish to extend you trek, here you can spend an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.
Day 4: Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut
Elevation:3700m to 4700m
Distance:10 km
Walking time: 6-8 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into "moonscape". Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.
Day 5: Kibo Hut –Summit(Uhuru Peak 5895m) – Horombo Hut
Elevation:4700m to 5895m to 3700m
Distance: 4 km up / 14 km down
Walking time :10-15 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's point located on the crater rim at 18640 ft / 5861 m (4-7 hours). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa: 19340 ft / 5895 m (1-2 hours). Unbelievable views at every turn. Get your picture taken at the summit to show your friends. From here, we now descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment for dinner and a tired but happy overnight (1-2 hours).
This beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by far, the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. "Pole pole" and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
Day 6: Horombo Hut –Arusha or Moshi
Elevation:3700m to 1700m
Distance:18km
Walking Time: 5-7 hours
After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m / 8858 ft), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1830 m / 6004 ft). At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to the Arusha or Moshi Hotel .Dinner on own
Chogoria route on Mount Kenya Climb, Chogoria route is the most scenic route and has beautiful access to point Lenana the third highest peak at Mt Kenya. On this Mount Kenya climbing experience, you ascend via the dry and little used Sirimon Trail and descend on the scenic Chogoria Trail. You reach point Lenana (4985 m), the highest point accessible to walkers, and return to base. Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain. Above the habitable altitude, you find a rainforest zone, abundant with many tree species and wildlife too. Further up is open moorland, and beyond is the snow line where vegetation is sparse. Finding snow on the equator was a great surprise for the first Europeans to get to East Africa.
Mount Kenya Climbing Chogoria Route Itinerary
Climbing Mount Kenya Chogoria route out Naro Moru gate
Day 1: Nairobi- Chogoria
After breakfast we depart Nairobi and drive on to Chogoria town arriving in time for lunch at the Transit hotel. The journey takes 3 to 3.5 hours. Afternoon will be spent walking around the town for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight at the Transit Hotel.
Mt Kenya trekking
Day 2: Chogoria - Meru Mount Kenya Lodge (Bandas)
After breakfast we take 4x4 and drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for distance of 10 km up to the Bandas for lunch. Afternoon will be spent walking around the lodge with a view of beautiful sceneries. Dinner and overnight at the Bandas. (accommodation at Bandas is of single beds. hot shower and bon fire self catering bandas)
Day 3: Meru Mount Kenya Lodge (Bandas) to Mintos Hut
After breakfast leave the lodge for Mintos Hut for a distance of 15 km. Uphill having our lunch enroute. Dinner and overnight at Mintos Campsite.
Day 4: Mintos to Summit - Mackinders
After pre dawn breakfast we leave the campsite at 2.00 am. For the summit arriving at 6.30 am for sunrise, Kilimanjaro and the coast Sunrise Mt Kenya line Views. After 10 to 15 minutes of photography we descend via Austrian Hut to Mackinders camp for breakfast hence spend the whole day enjoying beautiful views. Dinner and overnight at Mackinders Camp.
Day 5: Mackinders Camp to Met Station
After breakfast leave the camp and descend to Met Station via the Moor land and the vertical borges arriving in time for lunch. Dinner and overnight at the Met Station Lodge.
Day 6: Met Station - Gate - Nairobi.
After breakfast leave Met Station and descend to the Naro Moru Park Gate a distance of 10 km to connect your transport back to Nairobi arriving afternoon. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
