4 Days Mount Meru Climb

Day 1 – Momela Gate (1,500m) to Miriakamba Hut (2,514m)
Elevation Gain: 1,500m to 2,514m | Distance: 10km | Hiking Time: 4-6 hours | Habitat: Montane Forest | Meals: Full Board

After departing from Moshi or Arusha, you’ll drive to Momela Gate where you’ll complete a brief registration with park authorities before beginning your adventure accompanied by a fully armed ranger who will ensure your safety in this wildlife-rich environment. The trail ascends steadily through beautiful montane forest where you’ll have exceptional opportunities to spot wild animals including elephants, giraffes, zebras, various monkey species, antelopes, and numerous bird species—making this one of the few mountain climbs in the world where big game encounters are part of the experience. As you climb higher through the lush forest with sunlight filtering through the dense canopy, you’ll eventually arrive at Miriakamba Hut nestled at 2,514 meters, where you’ll enjoy dinner and spend your first night on the mountain surrounded by the enchanting sounds of the African wilderness.

Day 2 – Miriakamba Hut (2,514m) to Saddle Hut (3,570m)
Elevation Gain: 2,514m to 3,570m | Distance: 8km | Hiking Time: 3-5 hours | Habitat: Forest and Moorland | Meals: Full Board

Today’s trek from Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut is relatively short in distance but involves a steep and sustained climb as you leave the forest zone behind and emerge into the moorland habitat with increasingly spectacular views opening up around you. The trail takes you slowly along a dramatic ridge offering breathtaking views into the massive Meru Crater and the impressive Ash Cone rising from the crater floor—a volcanic landscape that rivals any in East Africa. After arriving at Saddle Hut and enjoying a hot lunch in the early afternoon, you have the option to make a rewarding short climb to the summit of Little Meru (3,820m) for superb panoramic views and a spectacular sunset that paints the surrounding peaks in golden hues, before returning to Saddle Hut for dinner and overnight rest as you continue acclimatizing for tomorrow’s summit attempt.

Day 3 – Summit Day: Saddle Hut (3,570m) to Socialist Peak (4,566m) to Miriakamba Hut (2,514m)
Elevation: 3,570m to 4,566m to 2,514m | Distance: 5km up, 13km down | Hiking Time: 10-12 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert, Moorland, Montane Forest | Meals: Full Board

Your summit day begins in the early hours around 1:30 AM with a steep climb through the darkness to Rhino Point (3,800m), then continuing upward through the alpine desert to Cobra Point (4,350m) as the eastern horizon begins to glow with the approaching dawn. The final dramatic ascent follows a spectacular narrow ridge line—with sheer inner cliffs dropping hundreds of meters into the crater on one side and the sloping outer wall on the other—leading you to Socialist Peak at 4,566 meters, where you’ll arrive just in time to witness a breathtaking sunrise and, on clear mornings, the magnificent sight of Mount Kilimanjaro towering majestically above the clouds. After savoring your hard-earned achievement at the summit and capturing photographs of the stunning 360-degree views, you’ll begin the long descent back to Saddle Hut for a well-deserved rest and brunch before continuing down through the moorlands and forest to Miriakamba Hut, where you’ll enjoy dinner and a celebratory night’s rest after your incredible summit success.

Day 4 – Miriakamba Hut (2,514m) to Momela Gate (1,500m) to Moshi/Arusha
Elevation Loss: 2,514m to 1,500m | Distance: 10km | Hiking Time: 2-4 hours | Habitat: Montane Forest | Meals: Full Board

Your final morning on Mount Meru begins with a short and pleasant descent through open grassland and mixed forest, offering one last opportunity to spot wildlife including buffalos, warthogs, and various antelope species before emerging from the wilderness. The relatively fast descent takes you back through the montane forest where you began your journey, and you’ll reach Momela Gate by late morning to complete park formalities and bid farewell to your mountain crew. Your transfer vehicle will be waiting at the gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, where you can relax and reflect on your successful Mount Meru adventure with incredible memories of summiting Tanzania’s second-highest peak and experiencing one of Africa’s most unique wildlife-mountain combinations.