Mt. Meru is located in the heart of Arusha National Park and it is 50 miles west of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Mt. Meru is a massive volcano reaching 14,980 feet (4,565 meters). This trek serves as an ideal warm up for Mt. Kilimanjaro due to its altitude acclimatization and hiking distances. This trek is also geared towards hikers that prefer less crowds and a challenging ascent.

Because Mt. Meru is located in Arusha National Park, hikers must climb with an armed ranger due to the wide range of wildlife living on the mountain. On the lower slopes of the mountain, hikers are more likely to see elephants, giraffes, and buffalo! As hikers continue their ascents, the trail follows the north rim of the volcano’s crater along a dramatic ridge line. Throughout the climb, hikers sleep in designated huts along the trail. Hikers reach the summit as the sun is rising and they will have spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and of the Mt. Meru Crater.

Day 1: Arusha – Momella Gate – Mariakamba Hut (4,921ft – 8,250ft, 10 km, 4 – 6 hrs)

After getting our breakfast from our lodge in Arusha we drive to Momela Gate. After a short registration at the Gate our walk will begin with full armed ranger escorting us, simply we can see along the way the wild animals including elephants, zebras, and giraffe , monkeys, antelope, and often elephants along the route, dinner and overnight night at Miriakamba Hut.

Day 2: Mariakamba Hut – Saddle Hut (8,250 ft – 11,712ft, 8 km, 3 – 5 hrs)

After breakfast we walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep climb. The walk will take us slowly along the ridge for a spectacular view of the Meru Crater and the impressive Ash Cone. After hot lunch at Saddle Hut we can make a short climb to the summit of Little Meru (12,533ft) for superb views just before sunset, dinner and overnight night at Saddle Hut.

Day 3: Saddle Hut – Summit – Mariakamba Hut (11,712ft – 14,977ft – 8,250ft, 5 km ascend, 13km descend, 4 – 6 hrs ascend, 4 – 6 hrs descend)

We start early at around 12:00 a.m. or 1:30 a.m. to climb steeply to Rhino Point (12,467ft) and on to Cobra Point (14272 ft). We reach the summit (4,566 m / 14,980ft) on time for sunrise there is a possibility to see Kilimanjaro Peak above the clouds. The final part of the climb is along a spectacular narrow ridge line between the sheer inner cliffs and the sloping outer wall of the crater. We take a short rest and brunch at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to the Mariakamba Hut for our final dinner and overnight on the mountain.

Day 4: Mariakamba Hut – Momella Gate – Arusha ( 8,250ft – 4,921ft, 10km, 2 – 4 hrs)

We take a short and fast descent way through open grassland and mixed forest, with possibility of seeing wildlife before reaching Momella Gate in the late morning. Our vehicle will be waiting at the Momella Gate to pick us to Arusha for dinner and overnight in our hotel / lodge.