Overview
Mount Meru is Tanzania's second-highest peak, and a genuinely worthwhile climb in its own right — shorter and considerably less crowded than Kilimanjaro, with a summit trail that passes through Arusha National Park's forest and moorland before a steep final push to Socialist Peak.
This 4-day itinerary is a solid, well-paced way to reach the 4,566m summit, with two nights of ascent, a summit push before dawn on day three, and a full descent to close out the trip. Along the lower slopes, it's common to see giraffe, buffalo and colobus monkeys before the trail climbs into more exposed volcanic terrain higher up.
Meru is also a popular acclimatization climb for travelers preparing for Kilimanjaro afterward, giving a genuine taste of high-altitude trekking on a shorter, lower-stakes mountain first.
See our guide to combining Meru with a safari, or contact us to book your climb.
| Accommodation | Confirmed together with you — see the Rates tab for general comfort levels we work with. |
|---|---|
| Meals | Full board on safari days; meals as specified for any city/beach nights, per your final itinerary. |
Day by Day (6 days)
We will arrange for a driver to transport you from the airport to your hotel. Orientation about your trek will take place at the hotel. Your guides will provide information about the trek and perform a comprehensive inspection of your gear. They will also clarify any further questions.
We will depart from the hotel in Arusha in the morning. Our expedition begins with a drive to Arusha National Park which takes approximately one hour. The lively vegetation in the park is extremely versatile. The infamous film Hatari starring Hollywood’s Hardy Kruger and John Wayne was shot in the park. Once we have completed the necessary park formalities, our trek will officially commence close to the Ngarenanyuki River.
We will start the day with an energy-dense breakfast and then we will follow the steep path to the Saddle Hut. The trek to little Meru can be completed once you arrive at the Saddle Hut. We will return to the Saddle hut and have dinner. Due to the fact that you will wake up at midnight to hike to the summit of Mount Meru, it is recommended that you attempt to fall asleep shortly after dinner.
The Mount Meru trekking excursion begins shortly after midnight. For the next five hours, the light of your headlamp will guide you on the path. Ascending to the summit is the most difficult part of the trek. The high altitude makes climbing to the top an arduous task. Once you reach the peak we will give you an opportunity to snap some pictures and recollect yourself. The downward journey is absolutely mesmerizing because there are scenic views of the luscious mountains and vibrant landscapes. We have a leisurely lunch at the Saddle Hut but the journey is not over yet. We will walk for roughly two hours until we reach the Miriakamba Hut, where we will spend the night.
We will enjoy a hearty breakfast at the camp and then we will commence the final part of the trek. The hike requires us to travel amid Meru’s cloud forest – which resembles an enchanted forest in a whimsical novel. The steep incline on the way to the Momela gate tends to be slippery, we urge you to step cautiously. When you arrive at the Momela Gate there will be an opportunity to buy sodas and Mount Meru trekking t-shirts. The Abakombe Tours vehicle will transport you back to where you started.
A driver will transfer you to Kilimanjaro Airport, from where you will take your flight. If you’ve decided on a safari or Zanzibar beach holiday – well, that’s a another adventure and we’ll be happy to put it together for you!
Rates Per Person
See "Accommodation & Meals" on the Overview tab for the general comfort levels available — send us your dates and group size for an exact quote.
Next: Inclusions →Inclusions
Included
- Private vehicle with your own driver-guide
- Park entry and conservation fees
- Accommodation as specified in your itinerary
- Meals as specified per day (full board on safari days)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
Excluded
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Getting There
Tour Start & End
This trip starts in Mount Meru and ends in Mount Meru.
Airport Information
Kilimanjaro International Airport and Mwanza Airport are the most common arrival points, depending on your route.
Transfer Information
Airport pickup and all transfers between destinations are included and arranged by our team.
Accommodation Before/After
Need a night in Mwanza or Arusha before or after this trip? We can arrange that on request.