4-Day Mount Meru Itinerary
A 4-day Mount Meru trekking itinerary starting from Moshi or Arusha, designed around the standard route (Momella Gate → Miriakamba Hut → Saddle Hut → Socialist Peak → Miriakamba → Momella Gate).
✅ Included highlights:
Trekking through varied ecosystems (forest, moorland, alpine desert)
Wildlife encounters (buffalo, giraffe, monkeys, birds)
Views of Kilimanjaro, Meru Crater, and the Ash Cone
Summit sunrise at Socialist Peak (4,566 m)
Itinerary
Day 1: Moshi/Arusha → Momella Gate (1,500 m) → Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
Drive: Moshi → Arusha National Park (about 3–4 hrs)
Arusha town → Arusha National Park (about 1 hr)
Trek: ~5–6 hours, 10 km
Route: Momella Gate → through montane forest, chance to see giraffes, buffalo, bushbuck, colobus monkeys, and birdlife.
Elevation gain: +1,000 m
Overnight: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
Day 2: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) → Saddle Hut (3,570 m)
Trek: ~3–4 hours, 6 km
Route: Steady climb through montane forest and moorland.
Optional acclimatization hike: Little Meru (3,820 m) in the afternoon (~1–2 hrs round trip).
Elevation gain: +1,070 m
Overnight: Saddle Hut (3,570 m)
Day 3: Saddle Hut (3,570 m) → Socialist Peak (4,566 m) → Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
Summit day!
Start: Around 1:00–2:00 am.
Trek: 10–12 hours (up to summit and descent to Miriakamba).
Route: Saddle Hut → Rhino Point (3,800 m) → Cobra Point (4,350 m) → Socialist Peak (4,566 m).
Highlights: Sunrise over Kilimanjaro, dramatic cliffs of the Meru Crater, Ash Cone view.
Descent: Return via Saddle Hut (short rest) → continue down to Miriakamba Hut.
Elevation gain/loss: +996 m up, –2,066 m down
Overnight: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
Day 4: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) → Momella Gate (1,500 m) → Arusha/Moshi
Trek: ~2–3 hours, 7 km
Route: Descend via a different trail for more wildlife viewing.
Exit: Momella Gate, collect summit certificates.
Drive: Return to Arusha (1 hr) or Moshi (3–4 hrs).
Trek Booking
- Park Fees & Permits
- Arusha National Park entry fees
- Camping/hut fees (Miriakamba Hut & Saddle Hut)
- Rescue fees (mandatory)
- Accommodation & Meals
- Overnight in mountain huts
- 3 meals per day while on the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Drinking water (treated/boiled)
- Dining equipment (tables, chairs, cutlery)
- Logistics & Crew
- Professional, English-speaking mountain guide(s)
- Mandatory armed ranger (provided by park)
- Porters and cook to carry gear and prepare meals
- Transfers
- Private transport to/from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi → Momella Gate (start point) → back
- Equipment (shared)
- First aid kit & emergency oxygen (guide’s)
- Hut Matresses
- Travel Logistics
- International flights to Tanzania
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Airport transfers (unless arranged separately)
- Accommodation off the mountain
- Hotel nights in Moshi/Arusha before & after the trek
- Personal Expenses & Gear
- Personal trekking gear (clothing, boots, sleeping bag, poles)
- Snacks, energy bars, bottled drinks, alcohol
- Travel/medical insurance
- Tipping (customary)
- Tips for guides, porters, and cook (standard: 20 per guide per day, $10 per porter per day / cook $15 per day)