4 Day Mount Meru Trekking

Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing

If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi/Arusha. You will meet your Guide for Pre- trek briefing at your Moshi/Arusha hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend the day having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed at a store.

Day 1: Hotel – Momella Gate –Miriakamba Hut

• Start: Momella Gate Elevation: 1,500 m/4,921ft
• Finish: Miriakamba Hut: 2,500 m/8,202ft
• Altitude Gain: 1,000 m/3,280ft
• Distance: 14km /8.5 mi
• Hiking time: 4-5 hrs.
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Huts

In the morning at around 08:00 am you will be met at your hotel and after a briefing about the upcoming trek, transferred to Arusha National Park to register before setting off with your guide and ranger, required because there is an abundance of wildlife in the forest! Walking through the grasslands of the acacia forest on the southern route, you may spot giraffes and buffalo. After roughly 2 hours you will reach the Maio Falls, where you can enjoy a break, then continue through the ‘fig tree arch’ an unusual tree formation created by the wild fig Ficus Thonningii. After approximately 4 to 5 hours of trekking, you will reach a spectacular viewpoint, before heading on to the huts. Where afternoon tea and snacks await you. The night will be spent at the Miriakamba Hut.

Day 2: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut

• Start: Miriakamba Hut: 2,500 m/8202ft – 3500m/11483ft
• Finish: Saddle Hut:3,500m/11,483ft
• Altitude Gain: 1,050 m/3,444ft
• Distance: 6km/3.5 mi
• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: In Huts

After breakfast today you will continue on wooden steps along a steep track. The shift in altitude brings about a noticeable drop in temperature and walking may seem easier. The low-hanging clouds often shroud the rainforest in mist, creating a moody atmosphere in the lush vegetation. Your uphill trek will take you to “MGONGO WA TEMBO” (elephants back) at a height of 3,200 m/10498ft after approximately 2 hours, where you can take in the view and rest, before heading onward to saddle Hut (3,550 m/11483ft). On the way, you will see the vegetation changing from rainforest to heather and moorland. After reaching Saddle Hut you can opt to hike to Little Meru (3,820m/12,532ft), a 1 to 1 ½ hours hike from where you will have a fantastic view over Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro about 80 km away. A warm meal and an early night await you back at Saddle Hut as your wake–up call is just midnight.

Day 3: Saddle Hut – Socialist Peak – Miriakamba Hut

• Start: Saddle Hut: 3,550 m/11,483ft – Socialist Peak – 4,562m/14967ft
• Finish: Miriakamba Hut:2,500m/8,206ft
• Altitude Gain:   1,012m/3,320ft
• Altitude Lose: 2,062m/6,765ft
• Hiking time: 10 -14 hrs.
• Distance: 19km/12 mi
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Accommodation: In huts

You will be awakened with a small snack and warm tea, after which you will start your final ascent. Headlamps light your way as you follow the trail through bushland to Rhino Point (3,821m/12,536ft). The path becomes more challenging and occasionally climbing will be required. Following the crater rim, you will walk on frozen volcanic ash and rocks, before reaching the summit, socialist peak, in about 4 -5 hrs. Standing at the peak you will enjoy the breathtaking view of the sun rising above Mt. Kilimanjaro as well as have a fantastic view of Mt. Meru’s crater with its steep sides and the “ash cone” in the middle. After taking a few deep fresh breaths you will start your descent on the same route back to Saddle Hut (3,550m/11,483ft) where you can recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once rested, you will continue the descent to Miriakamba Hut (2,500m/8,202ft). tired and happy you will have your evening meal and doze off with the views of the day filling your thoughts.

Day 4: Miriamkamba Hut – Momella Gate – Hotel

• Start: Miriakamba Hut – 2500 m/8202ft to 1500 m/4921ft
• Finish: Momella Gate – 1,500 m/4921ft
• Altitude Lose: 1,000 m/3,280ft
• Hiking hrs:2 -3 hrs.
• Distance: 6km /3.5 ml
• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, you will start the final stretch on the so-called “northern route back to Mamella gate.

On these 3 hours of trek, you will once again have the chance to see giraffes, buffaloes’ elephants as well as the black and white colobus monkeys. Arriving at the gate you will say farewell to your hiking crew, Kilele Climb’s vehicle will be waiting for you at Momella gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi/Arusha.