Overview
Unveiling Kilimanjaro's Majesty: The Enchanting 4-Day Mt. Meru Trek
Embark on an unforgettable 4-day adventure to Mt. Meru, renowned for its stunning scenery, diverse landscapes, and gradual ascent to the summit of Kilimanjaro, Africa's rooftop. This moderate-paced journey offers ample time for acclimatization, increasing your chances of reaching the peak while immersing you in the mountain's breathtaking beauty.
Why Choose the 4-Day Mt. Meru Route:
Unparalleled Acclimatization: Enjoy a gradual climb with extra acclimatization days, significantly boosting your summit success rate.
Untamed Wilderness: Traverse lesser-traveled paths, encountering diverse ecosystems and fewer crowds for a more immersive experience.
Scenic Diversity: From lush rainforests to volcanic landscapes and alpine meadows, witness Kilimanjaro's breathtaking spectrum.
Comfortable Camping: Rest in well-equipped camps with tents, meals, and professional support throughout your journey.
Experienced Guides: Rely on certified professionals who ensure your safety, well-being, and enjoyment on the climb.
What to Expect
Mt Meru Treks
Overview
Mt Meru (4,566m / 14,980ft) is the second highest mountain in Tanzania, located inside of Arusha National Park, just a one hour drive from Moshi. Similar to Mt Kilimanjaro, it is a dormant volcano and scaling Mt Meru does not require any technical equipment or climbing techniques. Many people choose to climb Mt Meru as an acclimatization trek before attempting Mt Kilimanjaro. But Mt Meru is a wonderful and beautiful trek in its own right. The most common itinerary is a four day trek, but a three day trek is possible but exhausting. There is only one route on the mountain and overnights are in simple mountain huts with solar lighting. There is plenty of wildlife at the lower elevations so each climbing group must be accompanied by an armed park ranger. Depending on the availability of park rangers and the number of groups, the park has the right to have several climbing groups from various tour companies merge together for one park ranger to accompany them. Each company will still have its own guide, cook, and porters serving their clients only but the trekking pace set by the park ranger may not be exactly as you would like if you were trekking by yourself. Hike Talk Stay Adventures has no authority in this matter. The packing list for a Mt Meru trek is identical to that of a Marangu Route trek on Mt Kilimanjaro but the quantity of some items can be reduced due to the fewer days on the mountain. Acclimatization is a lesser problem on Mt Meru due to the lesser height – 1,329m/4,361ft lower than Mt Kilimanjaro. Mt Meru has far fewer people climbing it compared to Mt Kilimanjaro – around 5,000 trekkers/year compared to over 30,000/year for Mt Kilimanjaro. Most everyone who has trekked on Mt Meru has enjoyed the experience tremendously.
Price Includes
Guided hiking tour led by certified lead guides
Airport Transfers:
Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) to accommodation in Moshi;
Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
Trip Safety: Helicopter Rescue
A helicopter rescue service will be provided to air transfer you (during daylight hours only) in an emergency from the mountain to hospital in Moshi. Note that this service will only be applicable if you have medical insurance which covers high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters, and this service is always subject to weather conditions.
Trip Crew:
Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are well-equipped to handle medical emergencies as they have undergone various High-Altitude Medical Emergency Training to save the lives of climbers who fall sick on the mountain.
Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
Accommodations:
One night at 3* Marididi hotel https://themaridadihotel.com/ before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool). Some rely on generators.
Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents, Mountain Hardwear Trango 3/4 or equivalents).
Please Note:
All hotel accommodation is based on a sharing basis (i.e. you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room. If you travel solo on a group expedition, we will room you with a same-sex participant unless you purchase a single supplement. Single occupancy in a hotel is available upon request and extra charges apply and can be purchased through our online store under single supplement.
Meals:
Breakfast in the hotel before and after the trek.
All meals on the trek. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. In our menu you will find different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost. Also options for lactose free are available upon request.
All drinks on the trek (juices, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water). We will stop coffee to reduce blood pressure prior to summit night.
We send a resupply of fresh food from our office to your camp on Day 5.
Entrance Fees:
All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, rescue fees and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority). These are subject to increase on or before July 1st every year and are now required to be paid in TSH/TZH instead of other currencies.
Hiking and safety equipment:
2-inches thick and comfortable sleeping mattresses.
All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, dining sets and cutlery).
Dry bag (to protect your duffel bag).
Portable toilets (one unit can be comfortably shared between up to 6 people). For more than 6, we will provide a 2nd toilet.
Bottled oxygen, blood pressure kit and pulse oximeter.
GPS-tracking service.
Complete medical kits including Diamox and Dexamethasone.
Future offering (Starting January 2025) Satellite Internet for the group setup at campsites.
Awards:
We have very high success rates and your trip includes a Certificate of Achievement if you make it to the summit at Uhuru Peak (19,341 feet). But your trip includes a Certificate of Achievement even if you only reach Stella Point at 18,885 feet.
We will bake a celebratory cake for the group if all make it to the summit together.
We will provide glow sticks on summit night to make the trek more fun!
Price Excludes
Personal gear and equipment
Travel Insurance (now required in Zanzibar for all trips and required for all Kilimanjaro Treks by our company)
Visa costs (only obtain online starting Nov 2024)
Roundtrip airfare/flights
Tips for Guides/Porters
Dinner on the Day before the trip and the final night after the trip at the hotel
Single Supplement/accomodations
Itinerary
Mt Meru 4 Day Itinerary
Arrival & Preparation Day: Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi
Greet and pickup at Kilimanjaro Airport & transfer with your luggage to Maridadi Hotel (https://themaridadihotel.com/ - in cases of room unavailability an alternative hotel of similar quality may be substituted)
Trip briefing either same day or tomorrow morning
Gear check to ensure you are prepared and safe for the trip
Storing of valuables in the safe and additional luggage not needed for the trek locked in the hotel safe.
Day 1: Moshi to Momela Gate to Miriakamba Hut.
Elevation: 1200m to 1500m to 2514m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast at the hotel, you are driven to Arusha National Park and are properly checked in for the climb at the park gate; we proceed with the trek along with a park ranger up to Miriakamba Hut, at 2470m. Along the way there are many spectacular views; including Mt Kilimanjaro from Miriakamba Hut. You will as well walk very close to different varieties of wildlife and some lovely glades. the trek on this day is not difficult because the terrain is a gentle slope. Dinner and over night rest at Miriakamba Hut.
Day 2: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut.
Elevation: 2514m to 3570m
Distance: 5km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Forest to Moorland and heather
The path passes through fine forests and heather to the Saddle Hut (3570m) 3 hours walking it is a steep day as you will gain 1056m. After reaching to Saddle Hut, an ascent to Little Meru is possible in the afternoon as not only a nice trek but a valuable altitude acclimatization. This day you will be having a very early dinner then half night sleep at Saddle Hut.
Day 3:Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak, descend to Miriakamba Hut.
Elevation: 3570m to 4566m to 2514m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 9-10 hours
Habitat: Moorland and heath, barren rock and forest
A very early start the days trek around 2:00am taking us first to a superb viewpoint called Rhino Point on the crater rim. From there the route follows an airy ridge which leads up to the summit. This portion of the trek will take about 5 hours then we descend back to Saddle Hut for a short rest and lunch. Afterwards the descent continues to Miriakamba Hut where dinner and overnight will take place.
Day 4: Miriakamba Hut to Momela Gate to Moshi
Elevation: 2514m to 1500m to 1200m
Distance: 10km
Hiking time: 2 hours
Habitat: Forest Walk back to the park gate, approximately 2 hours. Reaching back to the gate will be presented your certificate. From there our vehicle will return you to your hotel. The meals for the rest of this day is not included in the trek package.
Departure Day:
Whether you go on a safari with us, or fly to Zanzibar or any other destination, our vehicle will be ready for your airport transfer at a time of your choosing.
Breakfast is included with your hotel package if your departure time is not before the hotel breakfast serving hours. Hotel checkout time is 10am. If you have a later departure we can try to arrange a late checkout time or use of a day room (extra charge).
Mt Meru 3 Day Itinerary
Arrival & Preparation Day: Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi
Greet and pickup at Kilimanjaro Airport & transfer with your luggage to Maridadi Hotel (https://themaridadihotel.com/ - in cases of room unavailability an alternative hotel of similar quality may be substituted)
Trip briefing either same day or tomorrow morning
Gear check to ensure you are prepared and safe for the trip
Storing of valuables in the safe and additional luggage not needed for the trek locked in the hotel safe.
Day 1: Moshi to Momela Gate to Miriakamba Hut.
Elevation: 1200m to 1500m to 2514m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast at the hotel, you are driven to Arusha National Park and are properly checked in for the climb at the park gate; we proceed with the trek along with a park ranger up to Miriakamba Hut, at 2470m. Along the way there are many spectacular views; including Mt Kilimanjaro from Miriakamba Hut. You will as well walk very close to different varieties of wildlife and some lovely glades. the trek on this day is not difficult because the terrain is a gentle slope. Dinner and over night rest at Miriakamba Hut.
Day 2: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut.
Elevation: 2514m to 3570m
Distance: 5km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Forest to Moorland and heather
The path passes through fine forests and heather to the Saddle Hut (3570m) 3 hours walking it is a steep day as you will gain 1056m. After reaching to Saddle Hut, an ascent to Little Meru is possible in the afternoon as not only a nice trek but a valuable altitude acclimatization. This day you will be having a very early dinner then half night sleep at Saddle Hut.
Day 3:Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak, descend to Momela Gate – Transfer to Moshi.
Elevation: 3570m to 4566m to 1500m
Distance: 25km
Hiking time: 12 - 14 hours
Habitat: Moorland and heath, barren rock and forest
A middle of the night start taking us first to a superb viewpoint called Rhino Point on the crater rim. From there the route follows an airy ridge which leads up to the summit. This portion of the trek will take about 5 hours then we descend back to Saddle Hut for a short rest and lunch. Afterwards the descent continues to Momela Gate where you will be presented with your climbing certificate and then be transported to your hotel in Moshi. The meals for the rest of this day is not included in the trek package.
Departure Day:
Whether you go on a safari with us, or fly to Zanzibar or any other destination, our vehicle will be ready for your airport transfer at a time of your choosing.
Breakfast is included with your hotel package if your departure time is not before the hotel breakfast serving hours. Hotel checkout time is 10am. If you have a later departure we can try to arrange a late checkout time or use of a day room (extra charge).
Upcoming Tours Schedule
Departure Date