4 Days Mount Meru Trekking

This morning we take a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, before setting out in our vehicle at around 08.00 to allow for a scheduled arrival at Momela Gate 1500 meters at 10.00. Before reaching that start point, we stop at the Momella Park entrance to complete formalities; from, there it is a further 15km drive to Momela. You will be introduced to your expert mountain team: the guides, porters, and everyone else who will take you safely up the mountain. And crucially, we will be accompanied by an armed ranger – proof indeed that the wildlife is close by!

Today’s walk is a fairly long one: in pure numbers, you gain just over 1000 meters in altitude during your 14km/9 miles of walking. Keep your eyes peeled in the first hour or so, as the wildlife here is abundant. Maybe you’ll spot a troop of baboons or some dik-dik. The scenery is varied as you ascend, with forest and the well-known Meru’s Garden marshland, as well as the extraordinary Arched Fig Tree and then the Maio Falls further on.

Various viewpoints on the ascent provide excellent photo opportunities to capture the magic of the stunning landscape around Mount Meru. Finally, we will see the welcome sight of Miriakamba Huts 2500 meters, our resting place tonight.

Accommodation: At Miriakamba Huts

Meal Plan: Breakfast at the hotel, picnic lunch box, and dinner

Journey time and Altitude: 5 – 6 hours’ walking, from 1500m at Momela Gate to 2500m at Miriakamba Huts.

Walking distance: 14km/9miles

Although today’s stage is much shorter in distance, we will ascend significantly to Saddle Huts 3500 meters. Shorter and steeper than yesterday, today will be a challenge, so we will obey the golden rule of the mountain: pole pole, or ‘slowly, slowly.’

We will transition today from rain forest into heathland, and views of the marvelous Meru Crater, distinctive Ash Cone, and the stunning white-capped peak of Kilimanjaro in the distance will provide us with some highlights. And don’t be surprised to see an elephant today, even at this increased altitude.

This afternoon, if you have some energy to spare, you will have the option to hike up Little Mount Meru, thus helping you to acclimatize. At 3820 meters, it is not really that little and you’ll get some super views from its summit.

Accommodation: at Saddle Huts

Meal Plan: Breakfast at Miriakamba Huts, picnic lunch box en route, dinner at Saddle Huts.

Journey time and Altitude: 4 – 5 hours’ walking, from 2500m at Miriakamba Huts to 3500m at Saddle Huts

Walking distance: 6km/4miles

Today is the day: ‘summit day’ of course! To make the most of our summit experience, we will be awake early – around midnight – with another short and very steep ascent. First, you will notice that we leave the large vegetation specimens of yesterday behind as we cross the saddle and reach Rhino Point at 3874 meters. Briefly, the stage profile flattens, before we ascend once again towards the peak at 4566 meters. After we have achieved our goal and of course, celebrated the moment – we will descend once more to overnight at the familiar Miriakamba Huts.

Accommodation: at Miriakamba Huts

Meal Plan: Breakfast at Saddle Huts, picnic lunch box en route, dinner at Miriakamba Huts

Journey time and Altitude: 10-12 hours walking, from 3500m at Saddle Huts to the summit at 4566m, then descend again to Miriakamba Huts at 2500m

Walking distance: 18km/12.5miles

After the exertions and exhilarations of yesterday’s summit, today should be comparatively leisurely, with a short but steepish descent back down to the Momela Gate 1500 meters. Note that the route today is different from the one you took while ascending on Day 2. You still have to descend over 1000 meters, of course, but we will do this in about half the distance you took on the upward journey.

Walking time will be a little over two hours, though your guide may choose Tululusia Falls which are only a short distance from your path.

Towards the end of this short stage, you will cross the Meru Plain, on the lookout for warthog and the grumpy buffalo who call this place home.

Momela Gate 1500 meters will be where you are given your certificate to show that you have really conquered Tanzania’s second-highest mountain. It’s also time to tip your porters and guides. The only question left to answer may be: ‘Have you now got the appetite for Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak?’

That’s perhaps something to ponder while your vehicle takes you back to Arusha and the comfort of your hotel!

Accommodation: Planet Lodge Hotel, Arusha

Meal Plan: Breakfast at Miriakamba Huts, Picnic lunch box at Momela Gate, Dinner at the Planet Lodge Hotel, Arusha

Journey time and Altitude: 2-4 hours’ walking, from 2500m at Miriakamba Huts to Momela Gate at 1500m; then, by vehicle to Arusha

Walking distance: 7km/4miles

After a good night’s rest at your lodge, you will take breakfast ready for the scheduled check-out by 10.00hrs. (If you wish to remain in the hotel during the day, please advise us of this when you book your trip and we will inform you of the cost for a ‘day room’ which allows you to stay until 18:00hrs, and then make the booking on your behalf.)

If you have booked a transfer to the airport, you will be collected from your hotel and dropped off at the airport. For those travelers who have booked to go on safari, our Easy Travel guide will be meeting you in the evening to provide you with a briefing.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Journey time and Distance: 1 hour, 55 km drive from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport