3-Day Mount Meru Expedition

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut

We will pick you from your hotel and transfer to Momella Gate where you meet your crew and an armed ranger. The first leg of the journey is a unique walking safari through open grasslands and montane forests. Keep your camera ready, as it is common to see herds of Cape buffalo, warthogs, and giraffes grazing nearby. You will stop for lunch under the shade of the famous "Fig Tree Arch," a natural wonder large enough for a vehicle to drive through. Afterward, the trail climbs steadily through the forest canopy, home to vibrant birdlife and the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkeys. By the time you reach Miriakamba Hut, the forest thins out to reveal the towering cliffs of the crater rim and the distant shimmering silhouette of Kilimanjaro. The afternoon is spent enjoying the golden sun over the plains from the comfort of the wooden huts.

Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Elevation: 1,500m - 2,500m.

Main Destination:

Mount Meru

Accommodation:

Mariakamba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Meru

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut (plus Little Meru)

The climb from Miriakamba to Saddle Hut is a steep and sustained ascent that will test your cardiovascular fitness. You’ll leave the lush forest behind and enter the "Elephant Back Ridge," where the vegetation transitions into giant heather and moorland. The air becomes noticeably cooler and thinner as you zigzag up the trail. Upon arriving at Saddle Hut, you will be served a hot, energizing lunch. To aid in your acclimatization, the afternoon includes a short but rewarding hike to the summit of Little Meru (3,820m). This trek takes about 90 minutes round-trip and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Arusha National Park and the jagged main peaks of Meru. Afterward, you’ll return to camp for an early dinner and some much-needed sleep before the midnight summit push begins.

Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3–5 hours
Elevation: 2,500 - 3,500m (Little Meru at 3,820m).

Main Destination:

Mount Meru

Accommodation:

Saddle Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Meru

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak to Momella Gate

The summit push begins at midnight with a steep climb to Rhino Point. From here, the trail becomes an exhilarating walk along a narrow, rocky ridge between the sloping outer wall and the sheer drops of the inner crater. You’ll pass Cobra Point and continue the final scramble to reach Socialist Peak (4,566m) just as the sun rises. The view of the Ash Cone inside the crater and the sun rising behind Mount Kilimanjaro is arguably the most beautiful sight in Africa. After celebrating, you’ll descend back to Saddle Hut for a well-deserved brunch and then continue all the way down to Momella Gate. The final descent is fast and knee-taxing, but the sight of wildlife in the lower forest provides a final boost of energy before your vehicle takes you back to Arusha.

Distance: 19 km
Hiking Time: 10–12 hours
Elevation: 3,500m - 4,566m - 1,500m.

Main Destination:

Mount Meru

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.