Mount Meru Ascent Extension

Our Mount Meru Climb extension is a great option for those of you who are looking for a moderate, relatively speedy, trekking experience. This trek offers beautiful scenery, taking you from grasslands dense in animal life, at the start, all the way up into the baron crater rim just before you summit. At only 4 days long, this trek offers a truly diverse experience.

What’s Included

ALL LAND COSTS INCLUDED!

• 4 days on Mount Meru
• 2 nights in the award winning Springlands Hotel
• 1 cultural/rest day in and around Moshi prior to climb
• Expert local guide Theophil Karia and Backwoods Adventures guide Joe Koehly
• All transfers to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Minimum 3 pre-departure information conference calls with Backwoods Adventures guide Joe Koehly
• All meals, park fees, and all guide and porter fees

What’s Not Included

• All airfare to and from Tanzania (Inquire to learn more about our flight booking service)
• Personal gear and clothing
• Alcoholic drinks, extra drinks and snacks
• Gratuities
• Extras; laundry, massage, internet

Mount Meru is the second highest mountain/volcano in Tanzania and the 5th highest in Africa. Mount Meru is the only lone standing stratovolcano in the Eastern part of Africa that is still fully active. A gigantic eruption 7,800 years ago blasted Meru’s upper slopes and developed an oblong 8 km/5 mi wide caldera that levels to the east. The major summit is on the caldera’s western side, perched over a impressive Ash Cone inside the caldera. 4 days is ideal to climb Meru, given that it is a sizable elevation gain, this allows time for rest and acclimatization during the climb. There are huts available to trekkers on the mountain where we will sleep, rest, and enjoy our mountain meals. In addition to being a gratifying and beautiful trek in its own right, Meru is a great acclimatization trek for those of you with your sights set on Kilimanjaro.

Meals

At Backwoods Adventures we know that well fed travelers are happy travelers! We aim to please your palate. These examples may not be the exact fare of the day and may change from day to day, but following are a few examples of our daily meals:

Breakfast: Breakfasts are typically eggs, toast, meat, and fruit along with a selection of hot drinks , teas, coffee, hot cocoa, etc.

Lunch: Lunches will be some combination of bread, cheese, cucumbers and tomatoes, fried potatoes, fried bread, fruit, biscuits, and hot drinks. “Tea” is served mid-to late afternoon with peanuts, popcorn, and/or biscuits.

Dinner: Dinners will be served with soup and bread first, followed by pasta, potatoes, or rice with different sauces, which are often tomato-based with meat, beans, and vegetables.

Note: Vegetarian and other special diets can be accommodated. Because of the exercise and high altitude, you should drink 3-4 liters of water a day. The porters will boil water along the route for you.

Accommodations

Our accommodations will vary based upon our location. However, all hotels are among the highest ranked in the nation for both location and amenities. We make every effort to deliver high quality, unique experiences in any country we may find ourselves! The Springlands Hotel, which will be only hotel we will be staying in for this extension portion, received the” “Award of Districts”, “Award for Tidiness” and the Moshi Municipal Council granted Springlands the” “2004 CUP” for maintaining cleanliness in the environment. The Springlands Resort will  be your home base for our Mt. Kilimanjaro trek and Tanzanian photo safari. It’s located just over a mile from the center of Moshi (800m/2600). The rooms are remarkably clean and relaxing; with twin beds, mosquito netting, and bath rooms with hot showers. This is a private hotel located inside its own peaceful enclosure to ensure the best security and privacy. The resort personnel are very friendly and helpful individuals. During the course of the trek we will be staying in huts located on the mountain. All rooms are on a twin-sharing basis, unless otherwise arranged.

Amenities and services include: dining establishment as well as garden bar, massage, pedicure or manicure, swimming pool and sauna, television area, exercise area, guided jungle strolls, gift shop for sundries and tokens, telephone solutions and net accessibility, locked storage containers (while on trek or trip), washing machines, bike rental (to community and back), rental equipment (for the trek), safe deposit box ($ 1/day)

Health

Altitude – Our trip to Mount Meru, and Mount Kilimanjaro if you so choose, will take us to remote regions at high altitude. We always take our time to acclimatize properly by allowing for additional rest days. When gaining in altitude above 10,000 feet, we have included sufficient rest or “layover” days to ensure that you acclimatize properly. While many people may experience minor ill effects from high altitudes, there are some who have persistent symptoms that require returning to a lower altitude or, in extreme cases, emergency evacuation. We do our best to allow a pace for everyone to acclimatize. Listening to your guide will help a great deal. We cannot determine how you will do at altitude, but being in the best shape possible and having a lower body fat percentage will help greatly

The climb of Mount Meru can be a strenuous adventure and should not be undertaken if you have any health conditions which may put you at risk. You are strongly advised to consult your physician for a thorough medical check-up and clearance before attempting the mountain. If you are over 50 years old, talk to your doctor about doing a “stress EKG”. Should you require any medication whatsoever, you must provide your own and be able to administer it yourself. Medical supplies in Tanzania are not reliable or guaranteed though we will have a fully stocked medical kit on the trip.

Talk to your doctor about the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Malaria pills, prescriptions you are currently taking, or should take in case you get sick.

Visa Requirements

U.S. Citizens need a visa for Tanzania. You can get the visa application from the Tanzania Embassy website or call them in Washington D.C. at 202-939-6125, and ask for a visa application. You will need to send:

•Valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry)
•One application per traveler
•One passport-size photo
•$100 money order for each person (no checks)
•Prepaid return envelope to the embassy

Allow 30 days for processing. You might want to consider sending it certified mail or Federal Express both directions to ensure the safety of your passport. You can also get a visa at the Kilimanjaro International Airport once you arrive. You should carry a photocopy of your passport, insurance information and emergency contact numbers with you at all times. You should leave a copy of this information with a friend or relative at home.

Arrival/Departure

You will be arriving and departing from theKilimanjaro International Airport. Backwoods Adventures will be providing all transfers to and from the airport. If there are issues with in-bound or out-bound flights, we will assist in any way possible.