5/5 Client Satisfaction Rating

Home » Itineraries » Mount Meru Trek

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

Duration

Availability

Year round

Tour Highlights

Intermedia Difficulty Hike

Price

Starting from USD 1,344 per person sharing

Duration

4 Days

Day 1

Elevation (ft): 4,921 to 3,000
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitation: Forest

Arusha – Momella Gate

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

Elevation (ft): 8,250 to 11,712
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitation: Forest and Moorland

Miriakamba Huts – Saddle Huts

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

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

Saddle Huts – Mount Meru Summit -Miriakamba Huts

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

Elevation (ft): 8,250 to 4,921
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 2-4 hours
Habitation: Forest

Miriakamba Huts – Momella Gate – Arusha

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