Mount Meru

Day 0: arrival

After checking in at the airport (JRO) you will meet your driver who will take you to the hotel in Moshi. For the rest of your day, you can do anything you want such as relaxing by the pool or you can explore more of Moshi. Your guide will meet with you in the evening and they will check all of your equipment as well as giving you a briefing about the climb.

Day 1: ascent from Momela Gate (1,387m) to Miriakamba Hut (2,500m)

Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours

After having had breakfast in the hotel, we will take you to the Arusha National Park and to the Momela Gate which is 1,387 metres above sea level. The journey will take about 2 hours. After completing the paperwork that is necessary for you to fill in so that you can climb, your ascent can begin. On the first day, in the open grassy savannah you may be able to see lots of different sorts of wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, leopards, monkeys, antelopes and more. Due to this, in addition to all of the crew there will be an armed ranger, who is an employee of the park. If the weather is good, you will be able to see beautiful views of Arusha National Park and the tallest point in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. About 4-5 hours later, you will arrive at Miriakamba Hut. You will now be in a rainforest.

Day 2: ascent Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) to Saddle Hut (3,550 m)

Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours

After an early breakfast, you will set off on a path that will initially lead you through the rainforest, which will gradually transform into a bushy landscape. You will gain altitude quickly and the vegetation will gradually decrease. Lunch will be prepared at the Saddle Hut at an altitude of 3,550 meters above sea level. In the afternoon you can climb Little Mt. Meru which is 3,820 meters above sea level. On your return, you can rest, relax and enjoy the views of the surrounding Mount Meru crater for the rest of the day. The total ascent time is 3 to 4 hours.

Day 3: ascent from Saddle Hut (3,550m) to. Socialist Peak (4,562m) and descent to Miriakamba Hut

Distance: 13.5 km
Hiking time: 10-12 hours

This is the day where you will climb to Socialist Peak – the highest peak of the Meru Mountains. We will wake you up before midnight and shortly after you will start the final ascent with headlamps on after a small snack. The ascent is lengthy, it leads along the edge of an old crater, but it is essentially a pedestrian terrain in a high-altitude semi-desert, with occasional more technically demanding sections. Care must be taken when climbing over rocks. At this altitude, the lack of oxygen in the air can really show, and therefore it is necessary to go slowly. After about six hours of climbing, you will reach the top. From the summit you will be able to enjoy the sunrise over Kilimanjaro and a fantastic view of the crater of Mount Meru, with its steep cliffs and cinder cone in the middle.

You will return by the same route to the Saddle Hut, where you will rest, have refreshments and then continue the descent. In the afternoon you will reach Miriakamba Hut, where you will spend the last night. In total, you will spend ten to twelve hours walking on this day.

Day 4: descent from Miriakamba Hut 2,500 m above sea level. to Momela Gate 1,387 m a.s.l.

Distance: 6.5 km
Hiking time: 2-3 hours

The final day on the mountain awaits you after breakfast, just an easy descent back to the park gate. During the descent you can again admire the surrounding landscape and wild animals. The total descent time is 2-3 hours.

After saying goodbye to your team, you will be driven to your hotel in Moshi. You can rest and recover for the rest of the day and also feel good about your performance.

Departure day:

It is your final day. You’ll have breakfast in your hotel and then after checking out, we’ll transfer you to the airport.

Board: breakfast