3-Day Mount Meru Summit Trek
Arusha Momella Gate Miriakamba Hut Saddle Hut Socialist Peak
From, per person$768
Mount Meru trek
4-Day Mount Meru Trek
Overview
Mount Meru is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, a dormant volcano that rises to 4,566 m (14,980 ft) inside Arusha National Park. Seen from Arusha it is a dark, forested cone; up close it is a huge horseshoe-shaped crater with a sheer inner wall and a young ash cone at its heart. On the summit at dawn, Kilimanjaro stands on the eastern horizon.
Four days is the comfortable way to climb it. The first morning feels like a walking safari, as the trail crosses open grassland where buffalo, giraffe and warthog graze, with an armed park ranger walking alongside the group. You sleep in mountain huts, climb Little Meru on the second afternoon to help your body adjust, and reach Socialist Peak at sunrise on day three. The descent is split over two days, so your knees get a break.
Many hikers use Meru as a warm-up before Kilimanjaro, and it is a fine climb in its own right. Tanzania Tourism Safaris includes airport transfers and a hotel night in Arusha before and after the trek.
Tour highlights
- Grassland and forest with buffalo and giraffe
- Armed ranger escort through Arusha National Park
- Afternoon climb of Little Meru
- Sunrise on Socialist Peak, 4,566 m
- Views into the crater and its ash cone
- A strong warm-up before Kilimanjaro
Day by day
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Day 1 Momella Gate – Miriakamba Hut Stay Dormitory-style mountain hut at MiriakambaMeals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a night at your Arusha hotel, you drive to Momella Gate in Arusha National Park. With permits sorted, you meet your guide, cook, porters and the park ranger, then set off across open grassland where buffalo, warthog and giraffe are often close by. The path crosses the Ngare Nanyuki River and climbs into mountain forest, home to colobus monkeys and many birds. Dinner and the night are at Miriakamba Hut.
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Day 2 Up to Saddle Hut and an Afternoon on Little Meru Stay Dormitory-style mountain hut at Saddle HutMeals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is short but steep. The trail climbs through forest and giant heather to a viewpoint on Elephant Ridge, where you get your first proper look into the crater. You reach Saddle Hut, at about 3,570 m (11,700 ft), in time for lunch. In the afternoon your guide leads a walk up Little Meru, a minor summit beside the hut, for views across to Kilimanjaro and the main peak. Back at the hut, eat early and get to bed.
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Day 3 Summit at Sunrise, Then Down to Miriakamba Stay Dormitory-style mountain hut at MiriakambaMeals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The alarm goes off between 1 and 2 a.m. You climb steeply by headlamp to Rhino Point, then follow a narrow ridge along the crater rim to Socialist Peak, aiming to arrive as the sun rises behind Kilimanjaro. In ice or strong wind the ridge is not safe, and your guide will decide whether to go on. After summit photos you walk back to Saddle Hut for a rest and a meal, then continue down to Miriakamba for the night.
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Day 4 Miriakamba Hut – Momella Gate – Arusha Stay Upscale hotel in ArushaMeals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The last morning is a gentle walk down. You can take the shorter path or a longer route that passes more wildlife and views of the ash cone, depending on how your legs feel. At Momella Gate you say goodbye to your guide, ranger, cook and porters, then drive back to Arusha for a shower and a night at your hotel. A transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport follows the next day.
Prices by season
Per person in US dollars. The price depends on when you travel and how many travelers share the trip.
| Season | 1 traveler | 2 travelers | 4 travelers | 6 travelers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season 1 Mar – 31 May | $1,694 | $1,410 | $1,128 | $940 |
| High season 1 Nov – 20 Dec and 6 Jan – 29 Feb | $1,798 | $1,485 | $1,188 | $990 |
| Peak season Now 1 Jun – 31 Oct and 21 Dec – 5 Jan | $1,998 | $1,650 | $1,320 | $1,100 |
Tour price includes
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- A hotel night in Arusha before and after the trek
- Transfers between Arusha and Momella Gate
- Arusha National Park, hut and rescue fees
- Professional mountain guide, cook and porters
- Wages and park fees for the crew
- All meals on the mountain and purified drinking water
- Pulse oximeter, first-aid kit and emergency oxygen
Tour price excludes
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips for your guide, ranger, cook and porters
- Souvenirs and personal spending
Questions about this trek
How hard is the summit day on Mount Meru?
It is the toughest part of the trek. You start in the middle of the night, climb steeply to Rhino Point and then follow a narrow, exposed ridge to the top. No ropes are needed, but you should be steady on your feet and comfortable with drops beside the path. Your guide turns back if ice or wind make the ridge unsafe.
Why climb Mount Meru before Kilimanjaro?
Reaching 4,566 m gives your body a first taste of real altitude and shows you how you cope with it, close to where a Kilimanjaro climb begins. Many hikers find a few days on Meru make the bigger mountain feel more familiar. Ask us about combining the two.
Where do we sleep on the mountain?
In the park’s mountain huts at Miriakamba and Saddle, which have shared dormitory rooms. Your cook prepares all meals there. Nights at Saddle Hut are cold, so bring a warm sleeping bag and layers for the evening.
How does this differ from the 3-day Meru trek?
The extra day makes everything less rushed. You have time to climb Little Meru, and after the summit you sleep at Miriakamba instead of walking all the way to the gate. The 3-day trek packs the summit and the full descent into one long day.
Before you go
Where you will go
Parks on this safari
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