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6 Days Mount Meru Climbing

6 Days Mount Meru Climbing

Trip Overview

Climb Tanzania’s second summit, an untamed trail with wildlife, views, and rewarding high-altitude adventure.

You may not be quite ready to tackle the six to eight-day experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, or maybe you’re in preparation for your climb up Africa's highest peak and want to ease into things with a more manageable climb. Whatever your reasons for wanting to climb Tanzania's second highest mountain, standing at 4,562 metres (14,968 feet) high, African Scenic Safaris has been taking clients to the peak of Mount Meru for over 10 years so rest assured you’re in excellent hands!

6 Days Mount Meru Climbing
6 Days Mount Meru Climbing
6 Days Mount Meru Climbing
6 Days Mount Meru Climbing

Highlights

  • Guided summit night trek
  • Scenic acacia forest hike
  • Wildlife sightings en route
  • Crater rim ridge walk
  • Overnight in rustic mountain huts

At a glance

  • 5 Nights
  • Mount Meru
  • Trekking

Download Full Mount Meru Itinerary

Get your detailed 6-day Mount Meru trek itinerary. Includes elevation stats, route details, overnight info, and highlights—your guide to planning the perfect mountain escape.

Route Landmarks

  • Momella Gate
  • Maio Falls
  • Fig Tree Arch
  • Rhino Point
  • Socialist Peak

Replanting native trees to restore Kilimanjaro’s fragile ecosystem.

Offsetting carbon footprint by funding renewable energy projects.

Creating fair jobs and supporting local mountain communities.

Details Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival & Briefing

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be transferred to your accommodation where your guide will meet you for a full briefing and equipment check.

Overnight Kili Villa, Superior Villa – full board (www.kilivilla.com)

Day 2 : Kili Villa to Momella Gate (1,580m/5,180 ft) to Miriakamba Hut (2,500m/8,200ft)

Elevation Gain: 920m/3,020ft

In the morning you will be transferred to Arusha National Park to register before setting off with your guide and ranger, required because there is an abundance of wildlife in the forests! Walking through the grasslands towards the acacia forest on the southern route, you may spot giraffe and buffalo. After roughly 2 hours you will reach the Maio Falls, where you can enjoy a break, then continue through ‘fig tree arch’. After approximately 4-5 hours of trekking, you will reach a spectacular viewpoint, before heading on to the huts.

Overnight Miriakamba Hut

Day 3 : Miriakamba Hut (2,500m/8,200ft) to Saddle Hut (3,550m/11,650ft)

Elevation Gain: 1,050m/3,450ft

Continue your trek along a steep track reaching “Mgongo wa Tembo” (elephant back) after approximately 2 hours. Low lying clouds often shroud the rainforest in mist, creating a moody atmosphere. Take in the scenery before heading to Saddle Hut. The vegetation changes from rainforest to heather and moorland. After lunch you may choose to hike Little Meru (3,820m), taking approximately 1½ hours. This is great for acclimatisation and, weather permitting, will reward you with fantastic views over Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro. A warm meal and early night await you back at the huts.

Overnight Saddle Hut

Day 4 : Saddle Hut (3,550m/11,650ft) to Socialist Peak (4,562m/14,968ft) then descending to Miriakamba Hut (2,500m/8,200ft)

Elevation Gain: 1,012m/3,318ft

Elevation Loss: 2,062m/6,768ft

You will be awakened around midnight to start your final ascent. Headlamps light your way as you follow the trail through bush to Rhino Point (3,821m) where the path becomes more challenging. Occasionally some scrambling will be required. Following the crater rim, you will walk on frozen volcanic ash and rocks before reaching the summit after approximately 4 to 5 hours. Enjoy breathtaking views of sun rise behind Kilimanjaro and look deep into Mount Meru’s crater. Start your descent via the same route to Saddle Hut where you can recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once rested, continue to Miriakamba Hut.

Please note, the summit stage contains a few easy but unsecured scrambling passages. A good head for heights and sure-footedness are necessary. In adverse weather conditions the park ranger may call off the summit attempt.

Overnight Miriakamba Hut

Day 5 : Miriakamba Hut (2,500m/8,200ft) to Momella Gate (1,580m/5,180 ft)

Elevation Loss: 920m/3,020ft

After breakfast start your final stretch on Meru, via the ‘northern route’ to Momella Gate. On this 2 to 3-hour trek you may once again be lucky enough to see giraffes, buffalo and elephants, as well as black and white Colobus monkeys. Arriving at the gate, say farewell to your hiking crew and travel to your accommodation to rest for the night.

Overnight Kili Villa, Superior Villa – full board (www.kilivilla.com)

Day 6 : Departure

Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport in time for your flight, or if you’ve decided to extend your Tanzanian adventure, begin the next part of your journey!

Included & Excluded

  • Park fees; hut fees; rescue fees; head guide, assistant guides, ranger, cook, & porters’ salaries; food; drinking water; emergency oxygen; transport to/from park entry gate & 18% VAT tax.
  • Other Inclusions:
    Accommodation at Kili Villa pre-climb on a full board basis and post-climb on a bed & breakfast basis, plus a complimentary celebration dinner from African Scenic Safaris; two airport transfers
  • Hiring of personal equipment, including clothing, sleeping bags, walking poles etc.
  • Tipping to your crew. The standard recommendation for this is USD$20 per day to the head guide, $12 per day per ranger, $12 per day per assistant guide, $12 per day to the cook and $5-7 per day per porter. Porter to client ratio approximately 3 porters per 1 client.
  • Other Additional Costs : Visas; vaccinations; spending money; drinks at Kili Villas

Trip Map

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Other Route Options

Climb not to escape life, but to find moments where life feels incredibly alive and real.

Explore alternative Kilimanjaro routes designed for different experience levels, scenery preferences, and acclimatisation comfort. Every route gives a unique perspective of the mountain, through forests, moorlands, and alpine zones, while increasing your chances of a successful and rewarding summit experience.

What Our Guests Say

Trip AdvisorAfrican Scenic Safaris #1 on TripAdvisor

Every trek has a story to tell. Some are about getting to the top, while others are about the way they got there. It's not just about hiking Kilimanjaro—it's about who you walk with and how it makes you feel. Our guests share honest moments, helpful tips, and warm memories that remind us of this.

Popular Questions Answered

The mountain is steep, the views rewarding—your questions make the climb more confident and clearer.

We know you have questions about the Mount Meru climb—how hard it is, what to pack, or if you're ready for it. In this section, we walk you through the most common and useful queries our travellers ask, so you can prepare wisely and enjoy the journey fully.

Yes, Mount Meru is great for first-timers. It's hard enough to feel good, but not too hard for fit people. A lot of hikers use it to get ready for Kilimanjaro.

Starting in Arusha National Park, Mount Meru is a one-of-a-kind adventure. Giraffes, buffalo, Colobus monkeys, and maybe even elephants can be seen, especially near the lower forest paths.

You don't need any special climbing gear. For the high-altitude parts, though, a good pair of climbing boots, warm layers, rain gear, and trekking poles will be very helpful.

The best times to climb Mount Meru are during the dry seasons, which are January through early March and June through October. The weather is stable during these times, and you can see the trail better.

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