Mt Meru crater as seen from peak

4-day hike

Trips/Climb Meru

6 days

Mt Meru is a towering dormant volcano that makes for a tough, exciting trek. You hike through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert to reach the summit on the crater rim. From here the view of Arusha below and Mt Kilimanjaro beyond is epic! The four-day version of this climb lets you take longer on the downhill, which protects your knees and lets you savour the scenery and spot more wildlife.

Detailed Itinerary

Mt Meru map

Day 1: Arrival day

Today is about getting settled in and ready for the start of your Mt Meru climb tomorrow. We can fetch you from Kilimanjaro International Airport if you like, and drive you to the hotel. Here you can freshen up, relax after your travels, and meet with your Follow Alice guide, who will brief you on the adventure to come!

Mt Meru and Arusha city in Tanzania

Day 2: Begin the climb!

This morning we drive you to Arusha National Park. After your Follow Alice guide has registered everyone, you drive west through the park to the trailhead and can do some game spotting en route! You then start the climb. Today you ascend into the mountain's thick and beautiful rainforest. It takes about five to seven hours to reach Mariakamba Hut at 2,500 m above sea level.

Moorland zone with trekker on Mt Meru in Tanzania

Day 3: Climb to Saddle Hut

Today you wake โ€“ if the weather is clear โ€“ to the most beautiful sunrise coming from behind Mt Kilimanjaro! You then embark on a steep climb through lush vegetation. You eventually reach the gorgeous moorland band of the mountain. It takes three to five hours to reach Saddle Hut (3,500 m), where you overnight. In the late afternoon, after having spent time relaxing at camp, you go on an acclimatisation hike to Little Meru (3,800 m), a lower peak on the mountain and great view spot.

Mt Meru crater rim seen from side of mountain

Day 4: Summit day!

It's an early start today โ€“ 2 am โ€“ so that you can reach Socialist Peak (4,566 m) in time to watch the sun emerge from behind nearby Kilimanjaro. What an incredible view and amazing achievement! After going snap happy on the summit, you descend and can appreciate the stark alpine desert scenery you climbed hours earlier in the dark. You hike all the way down to the now-familiar Miriakamba Hut for the night.

Ours. Mount Meru carter, from Little Meru, Tanzania

Day 5: Last day on the mountain

This morning you complete the descent down the remainder of the mountain. But you take a different route from the ascent, which lets you enjoy some different scenery! This includes visiting the famous Fig Tree Arch and the waterfall on Tululusia River, where you can take a dip if you're hot. From here it's a short distance to the trailhead where your vehicle is waiting to take you to your hotel.

Misty early morning in forest on Mount Meru

Day 6: Departure day (or is it?)

Today is your last day, and we can drive you to the airport if you'd like. However, if you're keen to go on safari, or if Mt Meru was an acclimatisation climb for Mt Kilimanjaro, we can link this itinerary with your next one, and your Tanzania adventure continues!

Mt Meru as seen from Arusha Airport with small aircraft and runway in foreground

Inclusions

Price Includes

Dedicated trip manager

In-depth preparation documents

Pre-climb Zoom meeting with trip manager and other climbers

Beautiful lodging with dinner and breakfast the day before and day after your climb

Briefing at lodge with climb lead guide before the climb

Private transport to and from trailhead

Price Does Not Include

Airfares

Airport transfers

Tanzanian tourist visa

Traveller's insurance (mandatory)

Tips for mountain crew (customary)

Use of a Follow Alice down winter jacket (US$40 flat rate)

Where you'll stay

Lindrin Lodge Rooms

Lindrin Lodge

Lindrin Lodge in the town of Moshi offers chalet accommodation in a pretty and well-maintained garden setting.

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Jul 2024

4 Day Trek

Jul 30, 2024

fromUSD1,595
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Aug 2024

4 Day Trek

Aug 10, 2024

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4 Day Trek

Aug 20, 2024

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Sep 2024

4 Day Trek

Sep 7, 2024

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4 Day Trek

Sep 28, 2024

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Oct 2024

4 Day Trek

Oct 8, 2024

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Nov 2024

No departures this month

Dec 2024

4 Day Trek

Dec 10, 2024

fromUSD1,595
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4 Day Trek

Dec 17, 2024

fromUSD1,595
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4 Day Trek

Dec 24, 2024

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Gallery

Kilimanjaro as seen from Arusha National Park
Aerial view of Mount Meru, Arusha National Park, Tanzania. Mount Meru partly covered by clouds seen from Little Meru, , Arusha National Park, Tanzania
Side of Mt Meru crater draped in mist
Giraffe on Mt Meru, Tanzania
sun rising over Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, view from Saddle Hut on Mount Meru