MT MERU CLIMBS
Mt Meru is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, reaching 4,566m. The mountain is located inside of Arusha National Park, just a one-hour drive from Moshi. This mountain is typically climbed using a four-day itinerary, but it can also be done using an exhausting three-day itinerary. Like Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru is a dormant volcano with a collapsed volcanic cone. There is only one climbing route on the mountain. Overnights are spent in simple mountain huts with solar lighting. Due to the presence of wildlife at the lower altitude, all climbs are accompanied by an armed park ranger. Depending on the availability of park rangers, groups from different companies are sometimes paired together so one ranger can accompany them. This is the decision of Arusha National Park and not of Dotcom Safaris. Each company would still have its own guide, cook, and porters looking after their specific clients.
A Mt Meru trek is often used as an acclimatization trek before attempting a Mt Kilimanjaro climb. This is a very effective way to acclimatize But Mt Meru is also a wonderful trek in its own right with lovely scenery. The packing list for this climb is the same as a Mt Kilimanjaro climb, but some of the quantities can be adjusted for the fewer days spent on the mountain. Mt Meru is a steeper climb compared to most Mt Kilimanjaro routes (Umbwe Route being the exception) and altitude sickness is less of an issue on Mt Meru.
The packing list and preparations for a Mt Meru climb are the same as Mt Kilimanjaro Marangu Route climb. Info can be found on our Mountain Climb Tips page.
Mt Meru Climb Itinerary
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport
Welcome to Tanzania! You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town.
You will meet the company representative and your mountain guide who give you a thorough climb briefing, answering all your questions.
There will also be an equipment check. Any items that you are lacking may be rented locally of good quality at a fair rate.
If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing and equipment check may happen early the next morning instead.
No meals are included in the itinerary for this day.
Day 1: Momela Gate to Miriakamba 1500m to 2514m.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven one hour to Momela gate and meet with the park ranger to accompany the group then start walking, passing through some open grassland with a great chance to spot some wild game – especially cape buffalo and warthogs. The trail then passes through less dense forest where there is an abundance of birds and monkeys including black and white colobus monkeys.
Approximately 5 to 6 hours walking.
Dinner and overnight at Miriakamba Hut.
Day 2: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut 2514m to 3570m
The walking today is short, but a considerably steep and sustained climb all the way. Starting through attractive open and lush montane
forest through Elephant Ridge and giants heather and moorland vegetation to Saddle Hut. Arrive at approximately 2pm. There will be an
acclimatization hike to Little Meru Peak. Return for dinner.
Sleep for approximately 5 hours.
Day 3: Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak to Miriakamba Hut, 3570m to 4566m to 2514m
Wake up at 1am to start to the summit. Watch sunrise between Cobra and Socialist Peak. Summit approximately 7am. Return to Saddle Hut for a meal and packing. Depending on timing, possible 1 hour of sleep. Now we make our way to Miriakamba Hut for overnight.
Day 4: Miriakamba Hut to Momela Gate 2514m to 1500m
Start at Miriakamba through the forest route where there is a waterfall for a short visit. Walk through the open plain where you can see the
buffalo and possibly giraffe. Proceed to Momela Gate to sign out. Our vehicle will be there to transport you to the hotel.
Departure Day
Our driver will be available to take you to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) at any time you require. If you have a safari planned through Dotcom Safaris,
your safari guide will pick you up at the pre-arranged time. If you have planned for time in Zanzibar, we will have gone through the arrangements
with you. Your breakfast is included in your itinerary this day as long as your departure is not before the hotel’s scheduled breakfast hours.
Hotel checkout is at 10am but if you have a later departure we can try to arrange a late checkout or a day room (extra cost for day room).
On the 3 Day Itinerary, days 3 and 4 are combined – reaching the summit and descending to the park gate all in the same day.
4 Day Itinerary Prices
All prices are in USD per person based on double occupancy hotel accomdations before and after the climb. If you desire a single hotel room before or after the climb, add $15/night to the listed price. For groups with an odd number of participants, one single supplement has bee factored into the price already.
1 person: $1850 2 people: $1310 3 people: 1050 4 people: $920 5 people: $905 6+ people: $899
3 Day Itinerary Prices
Airport pick up and drop-off
• 2 nights at a hotel bed & breakfast plan
• Professional guides & dedicated crew
• Transfers to and from the mountain
• All Meals as per daily itinerary
• Activities as per the itinerary
• National park fees and taxes
• Purified drinking water
• Dry bag to protect your duffel bag
• Oxygen bottles for emergency
• Official Summit Certificate for those who qualify
• Airfare to and from Tanzania
• Personal travel insurance
• Tanzania entry visa
• Tips for the support team
• Sleeping bags and other personal gear
• Rental gear
• Lunch and dinner at the hotel
• Drinks and snacks
• Additional airport or gate transfers
• Extra nights at the hotels
• Expenses of a personal nature (souvenirs, etc.)