Mount Meru Trek 3 Days and 1 Night in Arusha
Your Safari Experience
Mount Meru is Tanzania’s second highest peak and one of the best trekking experiences in East Africa. Located inside Arusha National Park, this climb is perfect for travellers seeking a scenic mountain adventure with wildlife encounters, forest trails, and incredible summit views. The trek is shorter than Kilimanjaro, but still delivers a rewarding challenge with a real summit at 4,566 meters.
This itinerary is ideal as a standalone trekking holiday or as an acclimatization climb before Mount Kilimanjaro. With Kiota Adventures, you enjoy professional mountain guides, an armed ranger for safety, comfortable hut accommodation, and full board meals during the trek.
Safari Highlight
Day 1: Airport pick up and transfer to Arusha
When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, our team will greet you and take you to your hotel in Arusha. If you arrive early, you can join an optional city tour to see the Cultural Heritage, the local market, and the colorful Maasai Market.
Main Destination: Arusha City
Accommodation: Karibu Heritage House or similar budget hotel in Arusha
Meals: Breakfast included (lunch and dinner not included)
Drinks: Drinking water included (other drinks not included)
Day 2: Arusha National Park to Miriakamba Hut
After breakfast in Arusha, we drive to Momella Gate in Arusha National Park to register. The trek starts with an armed ranger, since this area is full of wildlife. On the way, you might see giraffes, buffalo, zebras, warthogs, monkeys, and many kinds of birds. Sometimes, you may even spot elephants.
The trail gently ascends through green montane forest, delivering a peaceful start to Mount Meru. By afternoon, you’ll reach Miriakamba Hut, where you can relax, have dinner, and get ready for the next part of the trek.
Main Destination: Mount Meru
Starting Point: Momella Gate
Accommodation: Miriakamba Hut
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Drinks: Non alcoholic drinks included
Day 3: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
Today, you’ll hike through a forest that slowly turns into open moorland as you climb higher. The path gets steeper, but we keep a steady, comfortable pace so you can adjust to the altitude. Along the ridge, you’ll see great views of the Meru Crater, the Ash Cone, and the wide scenery of Arusha National Park.
You’ll reach Saddle Hut in time for lunch and have the afternoon to rest. If you feel up to it, you can take an optional hike to Little Meru at 3,820 meters. This short climb is a great way to see sunset views and get ready for summit day.
Main Destination: Mount Meru
Accommodation: Saddle Hut
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3 to 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Drinks: Non alcoholic drinks included
Day 4: Mount Meru Summit and return to Arusha
Summit day starts just after midnight. You’ll begin the steep climb from Saddle Hut, pass Rhino Point, and continue to Cobra Point as the trail gets narrower along the crater rim. The last part is one of the most exciting sections, with a dramatic ridge and amazing views on both sides.
Standing on Socialist Peak at 4,566 meters is a moment you’ll never forget. At sunrise, you might see Mount Kilimanjaro above the clouds in the distance. After taking photos and enjoying your achievement, you’ll head back down to Saddle Hut for a short rest and breakfast.
After that, you’ll hike down to Miriakamba Hut for lunch, then finish the last part of the descent to Momella Gate. Once you get your summit certificate, our driver will take you back to your hotel in Arusha.
Main Destination: Mount Meru
Saddle Hut to Summit
Elevation: 3,570 m to 4,566 m
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Summit to Momella Gate via Miriakamba Hut
Distance: 13 km
Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Drinks: Non alcoholic drinks included
End of Tour
By mid-afternoon, you’ll arrive back at Momella Gate and drive to Arusha. If you like, Kiota Adventures can arrange extra accommodation in Arusha or take you straight to the airport for your next flight.
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost
Airport drop off available on request
Included in the price
Includes:
- Mount Meru / Arusha National Park entry fees
- All government taxes and park conservation fees
- Professional English-speaking mountain guide
- Armed park ranger (required for Mount Meru treks)
- Mountain porters and cook
- Fair wages for guides and porters
- Hut accommodation on the mountain (Miriakamba Hut and Saddle Hut)
- One night accommodation in Arusha before the trek
- All meals during the trek as listed in the itinerary
- Drinking water during the trek
- Transfer from Arusha to Momella Gate and return
- Airport pick-up on arrival
- Summit certificate for successful climbers
- Basic first aid kit and safety equipment
Included in the price
Excludes:
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides, porters, and cook
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Sleeping bag
- Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Additional accommodation in Arusha after the trek
- Airport drop-off (available on request)