4 Days Mount Meru Day Hike
Mount Meru, one of the eastern mountain ranges of the Great Rift Valley, stands at an elevation of 4566 metres. It’s the second-highest mountain in Tanzania. Mount Meru, located in the Arusha National Park, offers one of the most stunning views and unique wildlife diversity in Tanzania. The Meru trek is quite challenging due to rocky ridges with its very steep ascent to the peak. Mount Meru offers you an opportunity to experience high-altitude trekking. It is one of the best ways to acclimatise for those who want to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa.
4 Days’ Hiking Tour to Mount Meru
Check out the travel blueprint for your 4-day Hiking Tour to Mount Meru
Day 0: Welcome to Kilimanjaro or Arusha International Airport
Day 1: From the Hotel to Momella gate to Miriakamba Hut
Day 2: From Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
Day 3: Saddle Hut to Meru Peak, then back to Saddle, then down to Miriakamba Hut
Day 4: Miriakamba Hut to Momella gate, then to the Hotel
OUR itinery
This safari explores northern Tanzania’s premier national parks, starting with a convenient domestic flight from Zanzibar.
DAY 0
Pre- Briefing
We will pick you up from Kilimanjaro or Arusha International Airport. Then we will take you to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi for a pre-mountain briefing. You must arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. At the hotel, you will spend the day having a pre-trek briefing. Our professionals will also check your equipment and rent any necessary equipment from a local shop.
DAY 1
From the Hotel to Momella gate to Miriakamba Hut
The drive from Moshi or Arusha to Momella Gate takes 1 to 1.5 hours. After arrival at the gate, we will finish all the procedures and depart for the second gate for the trek. The trek takes you through areas offering panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the stunning Momella Lakes. Trekkers encounter wildlife such as Cape Buffaloes, Bushbucks, grey and red duikers, Giraffes, and Warthogs on their way. We continue hiking until we reach the first camp, Miriakamba hut.
Elevation: 1500m/4921ft to 2500m/8202ft
Distance of hiking: 6km/3.5mi
Hiking durations: 4-5 hours
Meals provided: Lunch, hot snacks, and Dinner
Day 2
From Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
We will trek through the steep path along the ridge of the saddle, a kind of switchback trail. On the way, you will see the stunning Meru crater, the ash cone, and Meru. We may have the opportunity to encounter cape buffaloes and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
We will end the trek at the second camp, Saddle Hut. Once you settle into the camp, we take a short trek to Little Meru (about 3790 Msl) for acclimatisation, then return to the Saddle Hut.
Elevation: 2500m/8202ft to 3500m/11483ft
Distance of hiking: 6km/3.5mi
Hiking duration: 4-5 hours
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, hot snacks, and Dinner
Day 3
Saddle Hut to Meru Peak, then back to Saddle, then down to Miriakamba Hut
We wake up at midnight and have a light meal to keep our energies up. After finishing our meal, we began the final ascent to Meru Peak. The ascent trail is steep. We will make our way through gravel and rocky cliffs, which is one of the most mentally and physically challenging phases of the trek. At the summit, you will get mesmerised by the fascinating view of the Meru Crater and the Ash cone. After returning from the summit, we start our descent straight down to the Miriakamba hut.
Elevation: 3500m/11483ft to 4562m/14967ft down to 2500m/8202ft
Distance of hiking: 19km/12mi
Hiking duration: 10-12 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, hot snacks, and Dinner
DAY 4
Miriakamba Hut to Momella gate, then to the Hotel
After breakfast, we continue the descent to the Momella Gate, which will be the end of the trek. The Tanzania Adventures and Safaris vehicle will be waiting for you at Momella gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha (about 1 hour and 30 minutes) or to Moshi (about 2 hours and 30 minutes).
Elevation: 2500m/8202ft to 1500m/4921ft
Distance of hiking: 14km/8.5mi
Hiking duration: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, and Lunch
Make your Dream Safari Come True
Include
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Professional, experienced mountain guides
- Sleeping Mattress
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- hut fees (part of park fees)
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries, and park fees
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Accommodation in wooden dormitory-style huts
- Ranger fee for mountain ascent
Exclude
- Tanzania Visa
- Personal trekking equipment like sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Surcharge for online payment of the advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- International and domestic flights
- Personal expenditure (e.g., laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- The government imposed an increase in taxes
- Hotel (available as an optional addition)
- Tips and gratuities
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages
Private Trek
Please find below the prices for organising a private trek. The prices are based on your group size.
| Solo Trekker | Group of 4 | Group of 7 | Group of 10 and above |
|---|---|---|---|
|
USD 1240 per person |
USD 1050 per person |
USD 1025 per person |
USD 1015 per person
|
FAQ
During your Mount Meru hike, find basic accommodations with us at the park huts, Saddle Huts, and Miriakamba.
Mount Meru stands lower than Kilimanjaro. Yet the Mount Meru trek causes altitude sickness due to its high altitude. Acclimatisation is necessary for the trek.
On your Mount Meru hike, you must pack warm layers, hiking boots, waterproof clothes and shoes, a sleeping bag, and a backpack with all the needed equipment.
Apart from accompanying during the trek, the guides coordinate meals, accommodations, porter assistance, and timing. With the right guidance, the hiking journey feels organised and smooth.
Following a few tips can bring a huge difference in your mountain trek. Some helpful tips you can remember -
- Keeping a low and consistent pace
- Put on layers to cope with the cold
- Keep yourself hydrated and keep having power snacks in between
- Take good preparation before the trek.
