4 Day Mount Meru Trek via the Momella Route
Overview
Tanzania's second-highest peak, climbed in four days.
Mount Meru rises to 4,566 m inside Arusha National Park, and the Momella Route takes you up through forest, open moorland and a narrow crater-rim ridge to Socialist Peak. Along the way you'll walk with an armed park ranger, pass giraffe and buffalo on the lower slopes, and overnight in mountain huts. It's a rewarding climb in its own right, and also a popular acclimatization trek before Kilimanjaro.
Trek Highlights
Itinerary
Where you go, what you do, and where you sleep each night.
Four days on the Momella Route, with an overnight summit push from Saddle Hut.
Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut
After pick-up in Arusha, you'll drive to Momella Gate, complete park registration, and meet your guide and armed ranger. The trail climbs steadily through montane forest, with a good chance of seeing buffalo, giraffe and colobus monkeys, before reaching Miriakamba Hut in the afternoon.
Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
A steeper day as the forest gives way to open moorland. You'll reach Saddle Hut by early afternoon, leaving time to rest and, if you're feeling strong, take the optional acclimatization hike to Little Meru (3,820 m) for views across to Kilimanjaro. Dinner is early, as you'll be up around midnight for the summit.
Summit Day: Socialist Peak
Setting off around 1:00 am by headlamp, you'll follow the narrow crater rim to Socialist Peak, reaching the summit around sunrise with Kilimanjaro glowing in the distance. After photos and a short rest, you'll return to Saddle Hut for breakfast, then continue down to Miriakamba Hut for your final night on the mountain.
Descent & Departure
After breakfast, you'll walk the final stretch down through the forest to Momella Gate, where you'll receive your summit certificate. Your driver then takes you back to Arusha, marking the end of your trek.
Price
What you'll pay, no hidden extras.
| Option | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4-day Mount Meru trek 3 nights in mountain huts, meals as listed, park & hut fees included | $1250 | Per person, based on group size |
Payment & extras
A deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due before departure. Full terms are on our booking policy page.
Prefer to combine the trek with a safari or a Kilimanjaro climb? Ask us and we'll build a custom quote.
Inclusions
What's covered, and what's not.
- •Pick-up & drop-off in Arusha
- •Arusha National Park entry & camping/hut fees
- •3 nights in mountain huts (Miriakamba & Saddle Hut)
- •Licensed English-speaking mountain guide
- •Armed park ranger (required by the park)
- •Porters and cook
- •All meals on the mountain, plus drinking water, tea and coffee
- •Summit certificate
- •International flights
- •Tanzania e-Visa
- •Travel & medical insurance (required)
- •Personal trekking gear (available to rent)
- •Sleeping bag rental
- •Alcoholic & bottled soft drinks
- •Tips for your guide, ranger & porters
- •Additional accommodation before or after the trek
Important to know before booking
- Meru is a steep, demanding climb. Good fitness and some hiking experience are recommended, especially for the night summit push.
- Pack warm layers, waterproofs, a headlamp and trekking poles. Summit night is cold and windy.
- The best trekking seasons are June to October and December to February. March to May brings heavy rains.
- A Tanzania e-Visa is required for most nationalities — apply at immigration.go.tz at least 3 weeks before travel.
Ready to climb Mount Meru?
Reach out and we'll confirm availability for your dates and send you a full quote.
FAQs
Questions we get asked most often.
Meru is shorter than Kilimanjaro but steep, with a long summit night along an exposed ridge. Most reasonably fit hikers can do it with good preparation and a steady pace.
The lower slopes are inside Arusha National Park, home to buffalo, elephant and other wildlife, so a park ranger accompanies every group for safety. Their fee is already included in your price.
Yes. Many climbers do Meru first to help their body adjust to altitude before Kilimanjaro. Ask us about combining both in one trip.
Most nationalities need a Tanzania e-Visa, available at immigration.go.tz. A yellow fever certificate may be required depending on your transit country.
We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you confirm your booking. Full cancellation and payment terms are on our booking policy page.