Tanzania · Trekking

4-Day Mount Meru Climb from Arusha with Sunrise Summit Trek

4 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore montane forest and acacia woodland with chances to spot giraffes and buffalos
02 Ascend to Mgongo wa Tembo for panoramic views from 3200 m
03 Reach Mount Meru's summit at sunrise with Kilimanjaro in view
04 See Mount Meru's crater and the Ash Cone from the summit
05 Descend via the Northern Route through wildlife-rich habitats

Embark on a 4-day adventure conquering Mount Meru's diverse landscapes from Arusha. Hike through montane forest and acacia woodland with chances to spot giraffes, buffalos, elephants, and black and white Columbus monkeys along the way. Ascend to Mgongo wa Tembo and Saddle Hut before making a pre-dawn summit push for sunrise views over Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru's dramatic crater. This is a rewarding trekking experience through Arusha National Park's wildlife-rich habitats.

From the summit, you can 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.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Arusha National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Momella Gate and Miriakamba Hut

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel, and after a 45-minute drive, you will arrive at the Arusha National Park Gate. At the national park gate, your guide will complete the obligatory entry forms; while this is being done, you can peruse the national park's 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 Momella 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 perfect for a picnic.
After a rest, you will continue climbing 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.

Day 02

Climb from Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut

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 can take a side trip to Little Meru (3820 m), which takes approximately 1 to 1:30 hours, and from where you can have wonderful views of Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro, approximately 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.

Day 03

Summit Mount Meru and descend to Miriakamba Hut

After an early start with tea and biscuits, you will leave for the summit at 02:00 a.m. 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 then 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 can 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 descending. 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).

Day 04

Descend from Miriakamba Hut to Momella Gate

After breakfast, you will follow a 2- to 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.