The Ultimate Guide to the Best 3-Day Mount Meru Hiking Tours from Arusha or Moshi

Discover our top-best 3-Day Mount Meru Hiking Tours from moshi or Arusha that offers an exciting and challenging adventure through Arusha National Park, perfect for those looking to prepare for Kilimanjaro or simply seeking a memorable trek. The journey takes you through diverse landscapes, including lush forests, rocky ridges, and stunning viewpoints. The highlight is reaching the summit, where you can enjoy a breathtaking sunrise with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. However, reaching the summit is not easy—it involves scrambling over rocks and enduring high-altitude hiking for up to 10 hours on the final day. For a less intense experience, you can opt for a hike to Rhino Point, where you’ll still get magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. The hike requires a certified guide and an armed ranger for safety, as mandated by Arusha National Park. Porters will also be provided to carry your gear, ensuring a smooth journey. While the trek can be done in a private group, the park may combine multiple groups for logistical reasons. This trek offers an incredible way to experience Mount Meru's beauty and challenge, and it’s perfect for those seeking a unique and rewarding adventure. Contact Tanzania Natural Tours to book your 3-day hiking adventure today.

Day 1: From Arusha| Moshi to Momela Gate to Miriakampa Hut

• Elevation (m): (1,387m to (1,500m)

• Elevation (ft): 4,921ft) to 3,000ft )

• Distance: 10 km

• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

• Habitat: Montane Forest

• Budget Lodging: Miriakampa Hut

Starting from Arusha or Moshi to Momela Gate, the track passes through open grassland with cape buffalo and warthogs. With luck you may also see giraffe and elephants. Continue a steady climb through montane forest. You can have your lunch at the famous “Fig tree”. After lunch, the trek continues through less dense forest, where there are lots of birds and monkeys including the black and white colobus. By mid-afternoon, you will have your first close views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. Miriakampa Hut, situated in idyllic grassy glade, is reached in time to enjoy the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro.

Day 2: Miriakampa Hut to Saddle Hut, afternoon hike up Little Meru

Elevation (m): 2,514 m to 3,570 m
Elevation (ft): 8,250 ft to 11,712 ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitat: Forest and Moorland
Budget Lodging: Saddle Hut
The walk from Miriakampa Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a steep sustained climb all the way. Starting through beautiful and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Back Ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut for lunch. In the afternoon, you can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820m) for superb views just before sunset. Dinner and overnight at Saddle Hut.

Day 3: Summit then down to trail head, return to Arusha

Elevation (m): 3,570 m to 4,565m to 2,514m
Elevation (ft): 14,977ft to 11,712 ft to 8,250ft
Distance: 5 km up 13 km down
Hiking Time: 12 – 14 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert Moorland and Montane forest

Summit day has an early start at around 12:00AM. There is a 1-hour steep climb to Rhino Point, then the path continues along a ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point. The summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m) is an hour further on a steep path with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. Depending on your speed, you can enjoy sunrise at Cobra Point or the summit. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, and the Rift Valley. The route back to Rhino Point in the sharp morning light along a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. Brunch and a brief rest is taken at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to