6-Day Mount Meru Climb
Tanzania’s second-highest mountain, climbed through the wildlife of Arusha National Park to Socialist Peak (4,562 m), with sunrise views across to Kilimanjaro.
- Length
- 6 days, 5 nights (4 days on the mountain)
- Starts and ends
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- Route
- Momella Route, southern trail up and northern trail down
- Sleeping
- Mountain huts; hotel before and after
- Summit
- Socialist Peak, 4,562 m
- Group size
- From 1 climber
- Fitness
- A good head for heights and sure footing for a few easy scrambles near the summit
- Best months
- We advise when you enquire
From
US$1,600
per person
Starting price per person.
Prices are a guide. Park fees and availability change, so we always confirm your exact price in a personal quote before you book. Your price depends on your group size and travel dates. Request a quote at any time, with no obligation to book.
Includes park and hut fees, guides, crew and meals on the mountain. A 30% deposit confirms your booking; the balance is due 30 days before you travel.
Overview
Mount Meru is a superb climb in its own right and an ideal way to acclimatise before Kilimanjaro. You walk with an armed ranger through the forests and grasslands of Arusha National Park, where giraffe, buffalo and colobus monkeys are often seen, then climb to Saddle Hut with an optional side trip up Little Meru. Summit night follows the crater rim to Socialist Peak in time for sunrise behind Kilimanjaro.
Highlights
- Walking with an armed ranger among giraffe and buffalo
- Maio Falls and the fig tree arch
- An optional hike up Little Meru (3,820 m)
- Sunrise from Socialist Peak, with Kilimanjaro on the horizon
- A view deep into Meru’s crater and ash cone
Route
Kilimanjaro Airport → hotel → Momella Gate → Miriakamba Hut → Saddle Hut → Socialist Peak → Miriakamba Hut → Momella Gate → hotel → Kilimanjaro Airport
Day by day
Arrive and get ready
Our driver meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and takes you to your hotel. Later, our mountain coordinators and your guide give you a full briefing on the climb.
Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut
Register at Arusha National Park and set off with your guide and an armed ranger, required because of the wildlife in the forest. The southern trail crosses grassland where giraffe and buffalo graze, reaches the Maio Falls after about two hours, passes through the fig tree arch and climbs to a viewpoint before the huts.
Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
A steep climb to Mgongo wa Tembo, “the elephant’s back”, through misty forest into heather and moorland. After lunch, an optional 1½-hour hike up Little Meru (3,820 m) helps you acclimatise and, on a clear day, looks out over Arusha National Park to Kilimanjaro.
Summit day: Socialist Peak, then down to Miriakamba
Start around midnight by headlamp, past Rhino Point (3,821 m) and along the crater rim on frozen volcanic ash to Socialist Peak, about 4 to 5 hours, in time for sunrise behind Kilimanjaro. Descend to Saddle Hut for soup and tea, then on to Miriakamba Hut. The summit stage has a few easy but unsecured scrambles, and the park ranger may call off the attempt in bad weather.
Down to Momella Gate
A walk of 2 to 3 hours down the northern trail, with more chances of giraffe, buffalo, elephant and black and white colobus monkeys. Say goodbye to your crew at the gate and transfer to your hotel.
Fly home, or continue your trip
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, or continue to Kilimanjaro, a safari or Zanzibar.
Where you sleep
| Night | Camp, hut or hotel | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hotel | Springlands Hotel or Kili Villa |
| 2 | Miriakamba Hut | 2,500 m |
| 3 | Saddle Hut | 3,550 m |
| 4 | Miriakamba Hut | 2,500 m |
| 5 | Hotel |
Included
- Transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- Professional, experienced mountain guides, porters and cook
- National park, conservation, hut and rescue fees
- All meals and purified drinking water on the mountain
- Emergency oxygen
- A Mount Meru summit certificate
- VAT
- Hotel nights
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your guide and crew
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Personal trekking gear (available to hire)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
Make it yours
Then climb Kilimanjaro
Add a safari
Add Zanzibar
Request a quote for this climb
Tell us your dates and how you like to travel. We will confirm availability and an exact price for your group. No obligation to book.
We reply within 24 hours.
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Adventure That Gives Back
Private safaris, treks and beach holidays across Tanzania, planned by a Tanzanian team.
Forest Hill, Kihimbwa St, Morogoro, Tanzania
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