Mount Meru Trek
overview
Located in the heart of Arusha National Park, Mt Meru is Tanzania’s second-highest peak after Mt Kilimanjaro, making it one of the most spectacular treks in Africa.
With fewer hikers than on Kilimanjaro, guests can enjoy the undisturbed wildlife that flourishes here, including monkeys, warthogs, buffaloes, around 400 species of birds, as well as the occasional sighting of elephants and giraffes.
Tour Information
Availability
All Year Round
Price
Starting from USD 1,075
per person sharing
Tour Highlights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Hike Difficulty: Intermediate
Duration
4 Days
Day 1
Arusha – Momella Gate
Elevation (ft): 4,921 to 3,000
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitation: Forest
After breakfast at your hotel in Arusha, you are greeted by our guide and transferred to Momella Gate in the Arusha National Park.
On arrival at Momella Gate, you have time to check in and register with the park guides and porters, before we set off walking through the vast open grasslands and viewing spectacular wildlife such as buffalo, warthogs, and elephants as you go.
As we reach the Montane Forest, we pause for lunch under the famous Fig Tree before starting the steady climb through the forest. By noon, we have closer views of Meru’s towering cliffs and Ash Cone as we arrive at The Marikamba Huts in time to enjoy the sunset. If you are lucky, a giraffe may walk through the camp.
Day 2
Miriakamba Huts – Saddle Huts
Elevation (ft): 8,250 to 11,712
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitation: Forest and Moorland
Wake up early to appreciate beautiful vistas of nearby Mount Kilimanjaro. After breakfast, we begin the steep climb to the crater rim known as Elephant Ridge.
We then walk the steep path through the lush Montane Forest to reach the giant heather near the saddle between Little Meru and Meru. After a long afternoon of trekking, a hot lunch is waiting for you when we arrive at the Saddle Huts.
Your afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views, but energetic trekkers can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m/12,533 ft) for superb sunset views. Once here, the air feels cooler and your body starts to acclimatize to the altitude
Day 3
Saddle Huts – Mount Meru Summit -Miriakamba Huts
Elevation (ft): 11,712 to 14,977 to 8,250
Distance: 5km up and 13km down
Hiking Time: 10-12 hours
Habitation: Alpine Desert Moorland and Forest
It’s an early start, as we wake up at 2am and begin the one hour ascent to Rhino Point (3,800m/ 12,467ft).
In icy conditions or in strong winds it may not be possible to progress beyond Rhino Point but sunrise from here is equally as spectacular as from Cobra Point. If the weather permits, we descend slightly and continue along the ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350 m/14,271 ft).
After a short break, we climb a further 4-5 hours towards the top, traversing the exhilarating and narrow crater rim path, before reaching the summit of Meru in time to watch the sunrise.
Once here, enjoy spectacular 360 views over the cliffs of the crater rim with the Ash Cone rising from the crater floor and Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds.
We make our descent, passing through Rhino Point and continuing down to Saddle Huts where we stop for lunch. After a short break, we continue our descent to the Marikamba Huts where we spend the night.
Day 4
Miriakamba Huts – Momella Gate – Arusha
Elevation (ft): 8,250 to 4,921
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 2-4 hours
Habitation: Forest
The fourth day offers an easy few hours as we descend through the forest – where we will once again be able to see the incredible wildlife and flora and fauna that flourish here.
By late morning, we reach the welcomed sight of Momella Gate. Once you’ve had a chance to revel in the glory of completing your trek, we proceed to take you back to your hotel in Arusha.
WHATS INCLUDED
- Return transfers to and from the mountain gates
- All park entry fees
- All camping and rescue fees
- Guide and porters’ fees
- All accommodation on the mountain, including three meals a day
- All cooking and kitchen utensils
WHATS EXCLUDED
- International and domestic flights
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation in Arusha before and after the climb
- Any items of a personal nature such as: telephone calls, drinks, tips for drivers and guides etc
- Sleeping bags and mountain gear – although we can arrange for you to hire these on request
