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Highlights
Experience Tanzania’s volcanic Mount Meru on a 4-day guided trek
Hike volcanic Mount Meru, the second-highest peak in Tanzania
Discover the Momella lakes and Meru Crater along scenic trails
Spot monkeys, giraffes, and other African wildlife in their natural habitat
Watch the sunrise over Mount Kilimanjaro from the summit of Socialist Peak
Only an hour and a half hour’s drive from Arusha sits Tanzania’s second-highest peak, Mount Meru. This 4-day guided trek will show you another side of the African landscape. You’ll experience a wide variety of trails and views, including the famous Arusha National Park wildlife.
The Mount Meru Trek tour includes expert guides, porters and cooks so that you can focus on taking it all in. At the end of the day, you can rest your feet at the rustic but welcoming Mirikamba and Saddle huts. Don’t forget your headlamp because your final ascent starts at midnight so that you can make it to the top in time for the sunrise of your life. When you get back down your driver will be waiting to return you to Arusha so you can continue your journey or head back home. Ready to take on the mountain? Book the Mount Meru Trek today!
Only an hour and a half hour’s drive from Arusha sits Tanzania’s second-highest peak, Mount Meru. This 4-day guided trek will show you another side of the African landscape. You’ll experience a wide variety of trails and views, including the famous Arusha National Park wildlife.
The Mount Meru Trek tour includes expert guides, porters and cooks so that you can focus on taking it all in. At the end of the day, you can rest your feet at the rustic but welcoming Mirikamba and Saddle huts. Don’t forget your headlamp because your final ascent starts at midnight so that you can make it to the top in time for the sunrise of your life. When you get back down your driver will be waiting to return you to Arusha so you can continue your journey or head back home. Ready to take on the mountain? Book the Mount Meru Trek today!
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Mount Meru Trek Itinerary
Day 0 Meeting and briefing
Arrive the day before your trek starts. You’ll meet the guide for the pre-trek briefing so that you are ready to depart first thing the next morning. During this meeting, your equipment will be checked, and any necessary rentals can be arranged locally. Please note that the accommodation or airport transfers for this day are not included but can be booked as a supplement.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 1 Momella Gate and trek to Miriakamba Hut
Your day begins with a drive from Arusha to the Momella Gate. After some brief registration procedure on arrival, your trek begins! The hike to Miriakamba Hut is relatively short but the wildlife viewing opportunities are plentiful. The spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Momella Lakes will be punctuated by possible sightings of bushbucks, Cape buffaloes, warthogs, and even giraffes.
Overnight Location: Miriakamba Hut
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 6 km, 1000m elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Little Meru and trek to Saddle Hut
This morning your trail will be along the dramatic ridge of the saddle. Along the way you’ll see the Meru Crater, the ash cone, and if you’re lucky, some black and white colobus monkeys. You’ll be able to settle into the Saddle Hut before completing the roundtrip hike to little Meru. This short hike will help you adjust to the elevation and will reward you with some incredible views.
Overnight Location: Saddle Hut (3,570m / 11,712ft)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 6 km, 1000m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Final ascent to Socialist Peak
After a midnight wake up call and a light meal you’ll be on your way to Socialist Peak. The trail through the rocky cliffs is steep and will be the toughest leg of your journey. Your reward will be the spectacular sunrise and stunning views from the top before beginning your descent back to Miriakamba Hut for the night.
Overnight Location: Miriakamba Hut
Distance: 10 to 12 hours, 19 km, 1062m of ascent and 2062m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Southern route to Momella gate
Today you’ll take a different route back down the mountain so you can experience new views and have a chance to pass through the Fig Tree Arch. A transfer vehicle will be waiting for you at the Momella Gate for the drive back to your Arusha hotel.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 14 km, 1000m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Mount Meru Trek Price and Dates
This guided climb of Mount Meru in Tanzania is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price always depends on the number of people in your group.Prices below are per person:
- Guided group of 4: from USD1085* per person
Accommodation on the Mount Meru Trek
This tour has the option to add a hotel in Arusha at both the beginning and end of the itinerary. Otherwise, all accommodations are multi-share mountain huts.
The mountain huts on this trip are a series of small buildings that are rustic but spacious. Bunkhouses sleep four and are shared dormitory-style. There is also both an indoor and outdoor communal dining area, and very basic toilet facilities.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Single rooms on this tour are not available as mountain huts only have shared accommodations.
What’s Included in the Mount Meru Trek?
Meals
3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations in mountain huts for 3 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for you and your luggage between Arusha and the trailhead is included.
Also Included
- Experienced mountain guides, porters and cooks
- All park fees (including conservation fees, camping fees, and rescue fees)
- Sleeping mattress rental
- Purified drinking water
- Emergency oxygen cylinder
- VAT (18% charged by the government)
Not included
- Visa if required
- Flights to and from Tanzania
- Personal expenses and equipment
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed as ‘included’
Not included
- Extra nights in Arusha before or after the tour
- Any additional rental equipment required
- Airport transfers
- How hard is the Mount Meru Trek tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Tanzania?
- Are meals included on the Mount Meru Trek?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Arusha to start this tour?
- Is the Mount Meru Trek in English?
- Where does the Mount Meru Trek end?
- Can I rent hiking equipment?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Tanzania?
- Do the accommodations have power?
- Do I have to carry my own backpack?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Tanzania?
- When is the best time to travel to Tanzania for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 5 / 5. This is a mostly moderate trek, with some steep climbs and challenging scrambles, especially on your final ascent. You should be a fit hiker to get the most out of this tour.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, and purified drinking water are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly to Arusha Airport. Flying to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is also an option, however, the driving distance difference is significant.
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
Your tour will finish by dropping you off at your hotel in Arusha. You can add a transfer to the airport for an additional fee.
Yes, if you require any rental equipment it is recommended that you arrive the day before the tour commences. During your pre-tour briefing, your equipment will be assessed and your guide can assist you in sourcing any rentals needed locally.
Check with your family doctor.
There will be solar lights but no electrical outlets.
Your tour includes porters who will be able to help you carry a limited amount of weight. You will be carrying your own day pack which should include anything you’ll need on the trail, including water, snacks, and clothing items.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to climb Mount Meru is from December to February when the weather is warm and dry.
Customer Ratings
Monkey Adventures is an East African (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) operator offering Safari Tours, Kilimanjaro climbs, and Gorilla tracking (Uganda). They have offices in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda. The company offers Kilimanjaro climbs over different routes with a duration of 5 days to 9 days and all their departures are guaranteed. You can opt for a group joining trek (depending on if there is a group on that day) or a private trek just for your group.
Monkey Adventures is proud to share that the Tanzania National Parks Authority, Government of Tanzania recently presented them with the “Best Tour Operator” award for 2018/2019 and the company has also been recognized as the Travellers’ Choice Winner – 2020 by Tripadvisor. In the past, Monkey Adventures have also won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2018 and 2019.
Monkey Adventures guides hold certifications such as Kilimanjaro Guide Licence, Wilderness First Aid Responder, Tourism College Certificates, Kilimanjaro search and rescue, High altitude Medicine Skills Acquisition Program for Mountain Guide, and more.
