4-Day Mount Meru Trek in Tanzania with Summit Sunrise Views

• In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and, after a 45-minute drive, arrive at the Arusha National Park Gate. At the gate, your guide will complete the obligatory entry forms; while this is being done, you can peruse the national park information boards. Once the formalities have been completed and the hiking team, consisting of porters from the surrounding villages, has been formed, you will be driven a little further to Momela Gate. An armed park ranger will accompany you as you start your hike and get a first glimpse of the wonderful giraffes and buffalos. Once you have left the buffalo herds and giraffes behind, you will enter the acacia forest and follow the Southern Route. After a steady 2-hour climb, you will reach Maio Falls and some picturesque meadows that are a perfect place for a picnic.
• After a rest, you will proceed with the climb and soon reach the well-known 'Arched Fig Tree'. Here, your park ranger will tell you about the formation of this tree and how it gained its shape, forming an arch over the path. After another 1:30-2 hours, you will reach Miriakamba Hut. Evening meal and overnight stay at Miriakamba Hut.

Elevation (m): 1,387 m to 1,500 m

Elevation (ft): 4,921 ft to 3,000 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

• In the morning, you will leave Miriakamba Hut behind and follow a steep track with wooden steps upwards. Due to the gain in height, it will be noticeably cooler than the previous day, and because of this, the hike will seem easier. The clouds also often hang in the rainforest and dip the lush vegetation in a moody atmosphere. After approximately 2 hours, you will reach the vantage point 'Mgongo wa Tembo' (Elephant Back) at an elevation of 3200 m, where you will enjoy a well-earned break.
• After another hike, during which the vegetation changes from rainforest into airy bushland, you will reach Saddle Hut (3550 m) at mid-day for a relaxing lunch break. During the afternoon, you have the option of a side trip to Little Meru (3820 m), which takes approximately 1 to 1:30 hours and offers wonderful views of Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro, about 80 km away. Back at the hut, a warm dinner awaits you before the final preliminary talk in preparation for the following day's climb to the summit.

Elevation (m): 2,514 m to 3,570 m

Elevation (ft): 8,250 ft to 11,712 ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 3-5 hours

Habitat: Forest and Moorland

• After an early start with tea and biscuits, you will leave for the summit at 02:00 AM. By torchlight, you will follow the trail through bushland to the so-called Rhino Point (3821 m), where the path turns into a slightly more challenging trek with occasional light climbs. You will follow the north ridge to the summit, walking on ground that alternates between lava ash and rock.
• After approximately 4-5 hours, you will have the summit and the Tanzanian flag in your sights. From the summit, you will be able to enjoy the sun rising above Kilimanjaro and the fantastic view of Mount Meru's crater, with its steep sides and the "Ash Cone" in the middle. The descent follows the same route back to Saddle Hut (3550 m), where you will take a well-deserved long break and recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once refreshed, you will continue the descent.
• During the early afternoon, you will reach Miriakamba Hut (2500 m) - tired but happy. At Miriakamba Hut, you can relax and reflect on the last stage you have completed. Evening meal and overnight stay at Miriakamba Hut (2500 m).

Elevation (m): 3,570 m to 4,565 m to 2,514 m

Elevation (ft): 14,977 ft to 11,712 ft to 8,250 ft

Distance: 5 km up, 13 km down

Hiking Time: 10-12 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert, Moorland, and Montane Forest

• After breakfast, you will follow a 2-3 hour trek over the so-called Northern Route back to Momella Gate. The descent is shorter than the ascent, but there is still the chance to see elephants, buffalos, giraffes, and the black and white Columbus monkeys. At the gate, you will say farewell to your hiking crew, and your driver will take you back to Arusha.

Elevation (m): 2,514 m to 1,500 m to 1,387 m

Elevation (ft): 4,921 ft to 8,250 ft to 4,921 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 2-4 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest