3-Day Mount Meru Trek to Socialist Peak from Arusha

3 Days Round trip from Arusha Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Walk through forest near Momella Gate with chances to spot giraffes, buffalo, and monkeys
02 Stay at Miriakamba Hut and Saddle Hut with wide moorland views
03 Climb to Socialist Peak, the highest point on Mount Meru, for sunrise views
04 See volcanic features including the Ash Cone and Meru crater
05 Take on a rewarding 3-day ascent that is a good test before a bigger climb

A 3-day trek up Mount Meru (4,566 m), the second-highest mountain in Tanzania. Walk through forest, moorland, and volcanic crater landscapes, with views of Kilimanjaro on a clear day. Spend 2 nights in mountain huts as you climb to Socialist Peak for sunrise views over the Ash Cone and surrounding peaks. It is a good test before a bigger climb.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Momella Gate and Trek to Miriakamba Hut

Pick-up: Your driver picks you up from your hotel at about 7:00 AM and drives for about 1 hour to Momella Gate.
Registration: You register and meet your guide.
Trek: You walk for about 3 to 4 hours through the forest, with views of giraffes, buffalo, and monkeys.
Arrival: You arrive at Miriakamba Hut in the afternoon.
Dinner & overnight: Dinner and overnight in the hut.

Day 02

Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut through Moorland

Breakfast: After breakfast, you walk for about 4 to 5 hours up through the moorland to Saddle Hut.
Trek: The path is steep in places, and the views of the Meru crater and the Kilimanjaro peaks are wide.
Rest: You have a rest in the afternoon and an early dinner.
Sleep: You go to bed early because the summit day starts very early.

Day 03

Socialist Peak Summit and Return to Arusha

Start: You start at about 2:00 AM and climb to Socialist Peak, the highest point on Mount Meru.
Climb: The climb takes about 3 to 4 hours.
Sunrise views: At sunrise, you may see the Ash Cone and Kilimanjaro.
Descent: You walk down to Miriakamba Hut, have a short rest, and then continue down to Momella Gate.
Return: Your driver takes you back to your hotel in Arusha in the afternoon.
End: The tour ends.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 3 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
Mount Meru National Park entrance and camping or hut fees
Licensed mountain guide and assistant guide
Cook for the mountain meals
Hut accommodation for 2 nights
Meals as listed
Drinking water on the mountain
Government taxes and VAT

What's Not Included

International flights
Tanzania visa
Travel and medical insurance (must cover high-altitude hiking)
Sleeping bag and gear hire
Tips for the guide, assistant guide, and cook
Drinks (soft and alcoholic)
Personal items (laundry, phone, souvenirs)
Optional activities not listed

What to bring

Documents and money: Passport, small Tanzanian shilling and US dollar notes for tips, and insurance papers.
Clothes: Warm down jacket, waterproof jacket and trousers, thermal base layers, fleece, hiking trousers and shirts, warm hat, gloves, buff, sun hat, and hiking socks.
Gear: Broken-in waterproof hiking boots with ankle support, gaiters, trekking poles, headlamp with spare batteries, warm sleeping bag, 2 litre water bottle, and a small day pack.
Health: Personal medicine, altitude sickness tablets (ask your doctor), blister plasters, hand sanitiser, wet wipes, sunscreen, and lip balm.

Know before you go

Fitness: Moderate to hard. The summit day starts very early and is steep.
Note: Reaching the summit is not guaranteed. It depends on health and weather.
Tips: Train with long, steep walks before you come. Plastic bags are not allowed in Tanzania.

Logistics