Route Overview
Mt. Meru which is Tanzania’s second highest mountain standing tall at 4,566m. It is located in Arusha National Park and offers some of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife diversity of any mountain in Tanzania. Mt. Meru is a challenging trek due to its steepness, but is a great way to acclimattize before attempting Mt. Kilimanjaro. Climbers are accompanied by an armed ranger due to the abundance of wildlife on the lower slopes. Mt. Meru also has some historical significance to it whereby some have suggested that it was the resting place of Noah’s Ark when it came to rest after the biblical flood receded.
Mt. Meru is a great trekking option for those who want to take on a climbing challenge and get the sense of being out in the wild, but are not quite ready to tackle Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Arrive in Tanzania
Welcome to Tanzania!
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you will be greeted by a representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, where you will meet your guide for a briefing and gear check.
Relax and acclimatize for the rest of the day.
Hotel to Momella gate to Miriakamba Hut
Drive from Arusha to Momella Gate takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Once at the gate we will finish all the procedures and depart for the trek.
The trek takes you through places from where you can catch breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the renowned Momella lakes. Trekkers encounter wildlife like Bushbucks, Cape Buffaloes, Giraffes, and Warthogs during this day. We continue a short distance until we reach the Miriakamba hut.
- Elevation: 1500m/4921ft to 2500m/8202ft
- Distance: 6km/3.5mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
Today we trek through the steep path along the ridge of the saddle. On the way, you can witness the stunning Meru crater, the ash cone, and little Meru. There are chances of us encountering wildlife like Cape Buffaloes and the black and white Colobus monkey. We will end the trek up at Saddle hut. Once you have settled at the camp we will set off on a short trek to little Meru (3810m) for acclimatization purpose and return to Saddle hut.
- Elevation: 2500m/8202ft to 3500m/11483ft
- Distance: 6km/3.5mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak to Miriakamba Hut
We wake up just after midnight and have a light meal to keep our energies high. Once done with the meal we start the final ascent to Socialist Peak. This ascent will be steep and we will be making our way through gravel and rocky cliffs. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. Once at the summit, you will enjoy the magnificent views of the Meru Crater and the Ash cone. There are chances that one might catch a glimpse of wildlife like mountain Reedbucks and Klipspringers over the rocky ridge.
From the summit, we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Miriakamba hut.
- Elevation: 3500m/11483ft to 4562m/14967ft
- Down to 2500m/8202ft
- Distance: 19km/12mi
- Hiking Time: 10-12 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Miriakamba Hut to Momella gate
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Momella Gate, we will change the route and take the southern route down hence the change in distance trekked on this day. We will also pass through the astonishing Fig tree Arch.
Monkey Adventures vehicle will be waiting for you at Momella gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha (around 1 hour and 30 minutes).
- Elevation: 2500m/8202ft to 1500m/4921ft
- Distance: 14km/8.5mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Departure Day
On your departure day, Esikar Tour and Safaris organizes a timely transfer from your lodge to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Reflect on your unforgettable safari as you bid farewell to the enchanting landscapes of Tanzania.
Depart with cherished memories and a heart full of the African spirit, marking the conclusion of your Mount Meru adventure.
INCLUDED
- Private transport to & from airport to your accommodations in Arusha.
- 2 nights of accommodation in Arusha in FULL BOARD (FB).
- Transportation to & from the Arusha National Park gate
- Park entry fees,
- Camping fees
- Crater fee (if any)
- Team Meru Rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 4 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats 4 inches (10cm) thick
- Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
- Hot water for washing
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
- Government taxes
- Portable oxygen tanks
- Ox meter
- Emergency first-aid kit
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet and tent
- Mountain climbing certificates
EXCLUDED
- Drinks at your hotel before and after the climb.
- Travel Insurance
- Flights
- Laundry (Available at the hotel)
- Personal items and toiletries
- Tips for guides, porters and cook
