Mount Meru Trek – 4 Days
Overview
Mount Meru is Tanzania’s second-highest mountain and an excellent warm-up trek before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Rising to 4,566 meters (14,980 feet), Mount Meru offers spectacular scenery, a rich diversity of wildlife, and stunning views of Kilimanjaro from the summit. The trek takes you through lush forests and open grasslands, culminating in a challenging ascent up to Socialist Peak. Unlike Kilimanjaro, this trek is less crowded and gives you the chance to experience the wilderness of Arusha National Park.
Itinerary
Includes
Excludes
Important Information
Itinerary
Day 1: Moshi to Momella Gate – Miriakamba Hut
- Elevation: 1,500m to 2,514m (4,921ft to 8,250ft)
- Hiking Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel in Moshi/Arusha and driven to Arusha National Park. Upon arrival at Momella Gate, your guide will complete the necessary park formalities, and you’ll begin your trek. The trail passes through grasslands and rainforest where you may encounter giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and monkeys. A park ranger will accompany the group due to the presence of wildlife. The trek continues through the forest to Miriakamba Hut, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 2: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
- Elevation: 2,514m to 3,570m (8,250ft to 11,712ft)
- Hiking Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
- Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest and Heath Zone
- After breakfast, you’ll begin the steep ascent to Saddle Hut. The trail leads through lush rainforest, eventually giving way to heath and moorland. Along the way, you’ll have great views of Mount Meru Crater, and you might spot wildlife like bushbucks and colobus monkeys. You’ll reach Saddle Hut by the afternoon, where you’ll rest before taking a short hike to Little Meru (3,820m) for acclimatization and stunning views of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscape.
Day 3: Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak to Miriakamba Hut
- Elevation: 3,570m to 4,566m (11,712ft to 14,980ft), then down to 2,514m (8,250ft)
- Hiking Distance: 16 km (9.9 miles)
- Hiking Time: 10-12 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert to Montane Forest
- Your summit day starts early, with a pre-dawn departure. The trail ascends steeply up to Rhino Point and continues along a narrow ridge with thrilling views of the crater. The climb becomes more challenging as you approach the summit, but upon reaching Socialist Peak, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Great Rift Valley, and the surrounding plains. After celebrating at the summit, you’ll descend back to Saddle Hut for a rest, then continue down to Miriakamba Hut for the night.
Day 4: Miriakamba Hut to Momella Gate – Return to Moshi
- Elevation: 2,514m to 1,500m (8,250ft to 4,921ft)
- Hiking Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
- Hiking Time: 2-4 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- After a relaxed breakfast, you will descend through the rainforest to Momella Gate. Along the way, you may spot wildlife such as buffaloes, giraffes, and elephants. Upon reaching the gate, you’ll be awarded your trekking certificates and transferred back to your hotel in Moshi/Arusha
Includes
- Airport transfers from and to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Transfers to and from Arusha National Park.
- Arusha National Park entry fees.
- Professional, experienced guides, porters, and cook.
- Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
- Accommodation in huts along the trek.
- Drinking water and hot drinks.
- Emergency oxygen and first-aid kit.
- Salaries for the mountain crew.
Excludes
- International and domestic flights.
- Tanzanian visa fees.
- Tips for the mountain crew (guides, porters, and cook).
- Personal trekking gear (available for rent).
- Travel insurance.
- Additional meals and drinks at the hotel.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, and beverages
Important Information
- Best Time to Climb: The best months to trek Mount Meru are from June to February, with clear views of Kilimanjaro between December and February.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to challenging. Mount Meru is less strenuous than Kilimanjaro but still requires good fitness and stamina, especially for summit day.
- Success Rate: High. The 4-day itinerary offers good acclimatization and a manageable ascent to Socialist Peak.