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Guided Climb of Mt. Meru in Tanzania: Momela Route

Kilimanjaro’s little brother? Please. Mt. Meru is the real deal—wild, rugged, and way less crowded. We’ll kick things off with a walking safari (because why not start a mountain climb with some zebras?), then power through lush rainforest, volcanic ridges, and the kind of steep trails that separate hikers from legends. And our grand finale, the summit push? Midnight start, headlamps glowing, legs burning, and one final, glorious sunrise reveal: Kilimanjaro floating on a sea of clouds. If every bucket list adventure hit like this, we’d need a bigger bucket.

Adventure highlights

  • Safari start
    Hike past zebras, giraffes, and buffalo before the climb even begins
  • Summit showdown
    A midnight scramble leads to a sunrise you’ll never forget
  • Ridge thrills
    Straddle the crater rim with sky-high views in every direction

Itinerary

Mount Meru isn’t just a warm-up for Kilimanjaro—it’s a wild, untamed adventure in its own right. We’ll start where most treks don’t: with a walking safari, strolling past giraffes and buffalo before trading savannah for steep ridges and volcanic craters. The summit push? It’s an all-night scramble under the stars, with Kilimanjaro waiting at sunrise like a scene straight out of a dream. This is high-altitude trekking at its finest—fewer crowds, more wildlife, and the kind of challenge that leaves you breathless in all the best ways.

  • On the arrival day, you will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town/Arusha town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on the upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear.

    Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi/Arusha

    Arusha aerial view
  • After an early morning breakfast, we will be picked up from the hotel and brought to the Momella Gate in Arusha National Park. At this time, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while we register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). We will then begin our ascent in Arusha National Park.

    The first day of hiking is similar to a walking safari; expect to see giraffes, zebras, antelope, buffalo, and potentially elephants near the trail. Due to the high possibility of spotting wildlife, an armed ranger, hired through the National Park, is required to hike with us for the duration of the hike. As we continue hiking, we will pass the Ngarenanyuki River and a beautiful waterfall at the base of Mt. Meru. Upon arriving at Miriakamba Hut, our chef will prepare a hot dinner and washing water.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Hiking: 5-7 hours
    Accommodation: Miriakamba Hut

    Arusha National Park
  • After breakfast, we will start ascending up the steep trail along the ridge of the saddle. We may see various wildlife along the way. The trail has views of Mt. Meru Crater and the Ash Tray. When we arrive at camp, we’ll have the option of hiking Little Mt. Meru (3,820 m / 12,532 ft) with the guide to further acclimate. We will be served an early dinner, so we can get ample rest before our midnight summit attempt. Get to sleep by 7pm.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Hiking: 3-5 hours
    Accommodation: Saddle Hut

    Little Mount Meru
  • The guide will wake us at 12:30am for tea and biscuits. We will then begin our summit attempt at 1:30am. The trail starts off on a steep grade to Rhino Point (3,800 m / 12,467 ft) to Cobra Point (4,350 m / 14,271 ft). For the last hour of the hike, we will scramble on a rocky ridge between the crater and inner cliffs of Meru. We will reach the summit of Meru (4,565 m / 14,977 ft) at sunrise, with spectacular views of Mt. Meru Ash Tray and Mt. Kilimanjaro. We’ll enjoy the view, then descend to Saddle Hut for a short break. We will then continue descending to Miriakamba Hut for dinner and overnight.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Hiking: 10-12 hours
    Accommodation: Miriakamba Hut

    Climbing to the summit
  • After a long rest and breakfast, we will begin our final descent to Momella gate. We will hike through forest and meadows where it is very likely we’ll spot wildlife. At the base of Mt. Meru, we will be greeted by a driver who will take us back to our hotel in Arusha/Moshi.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Hiking: 2-3 hours
    Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha/Moshi

    Zebras grazing in Arusha
  • The last day is left free to wind down after the trek and before the flight back home. Depending on flight times, you can go and explore the nearby town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

    Moshi aerial view
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Meet your guide

Incredible Africa Adventures
5.00
Incredible Africa Adventures
Incredible Africa Adventures is a renowned sustainable tour company based in Moshi, Tanzania, offering unforgettable travel experiences across Tanzania and East Africa. Specializing in ethical Mount Kilimanjaro climbs, Mount Meru treks, wildlife safaris, cultural tours, cycling adventures, and Zanzibar beach holidays, the company is known for its expert team and high-quality service. With personalized itineraries tailored to individual preferences, budgets, and schedules, Incredible Africa Adventures ensures exceptional hospitality and expertly guided trips.

Food

Things to know

  • Included:

      • Experienced, local hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area
      • Porters and a cook
      • 6-day Mount Meru guided climb in Tanzania
      • Transport to/from Arusha National Park
      • All meals while on the mountain
      • Overnight stays in mountain huts while on the mountain
      • Two nights in a hotel before and after the climb
      • All park fees and rescue fees
      • Clean, purified drinking water
      • Crisis management and safety procedures
      • Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
      • Emergency first-aid kit

    Not included:

      • Flights
      • Meals not indicated in the itinerary (lunches, dinners, and drinks at the hotel before and after the climb)
      • Laundry service (available at the hotel)
      • Personal items and toiletries
      • Guide, porter, and cook gratuities — optional
      • Travel and medical insurance — optional
  • This Mount Meru guided climb is rated moderate to challenging, which means that anyone with a very good fitness level can participate. Expect hiking up to 10 hours per day with a maximum elevation of 4,565 meters (14,977 feet).

    For more guided adventures in Tanzania, click here!

  • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

    Technical clothing:

      • Waterproof jacket, breathable with hood
      • Insulated jacket, synthetic or down
      • Soft jacket, fleece or soft-shell
      • Long sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
      • Short sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
      • Waterproof pants, breathable (side-zipper recommended)
      • Hiking pants
      • Fleece pants
      • Shorts (optional)
      • Long underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
      • Underwear, briefs (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
      • Sport bra (women)

    Headwear:

      • Brimmed hat, for sun protection
      • Knit hat, for warmth
      • Balaclava, for face coverage (optional)
      • Bandana (optional)

    Hand wear:

      • Gloves, warm
      • Gloves, thin

    Footwear:

      • Hiking boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in
      • Gym shoes, to wear at camp (optional)
      • Socks, wool or synthetic
      • Sock liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (optional)
      • Gaiters, waterproof (optional)

    Accessories:

      • Sunglasses or goggles
      • Backpack cover, waterproof (optional)
      • Water bottle (Nalgene, 32 oz.)
      • Water bladder (Camelback type, 3 liters)
      • Towel, lightweight, quick-dry (optional)
      • Pee bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (recommended)
      • Stuff sacks, dry bags or plastic bags, various sizes, to keep gear dry and separate

    Equipment:

      • Sleeping bag, warm, four seasons
      • Trekking poles, collapsable (highly recommended)
      • Head lamp, with extra batteries
      • Duffel bag, 50-90L capacity, for porters to carry your equipment
      • Daypack, 30-35L capacity, for you to carry your personal gear

    Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

    Important note: The most common mistake that climbers make is that they over pack and bring way too much gear. Be selective in what you take with you. Please note that the porters are limited to carrying 33 lbs (15 kgs) of your personal belongings. Everything the porters will carry for you between campsites should be placed into the duffel bag, including the sleeping bag, but it is an option to pack the sleeping bag separately if necessary.

    The porters will place your duffel bag and sleeping bag into a large, sturdy, waterproof bag with a roll-top closure. If you have excess weight, you will be required to hire an additional porter.

  • Group sizes and pricing

      • For this Mount Meru guided climb, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 2:1.
      • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 15 participants.
      • The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family!

    A Mount Meru guided climb can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Mount Meru guided climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • The starting point of your Mount Meru guided climb is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

    Once you’re there, your guides will pick you up at a predetermined time and transfer you to the accommodation in Moshi/Arusha. The guides will provide more details before the adventure starts.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

    Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

    Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

  • Deposits
    Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

    Cancellations
    Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

    Basic

      • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

    Flexible

      • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If canceled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

    Super Flexible

      • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If canceled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
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