Mount Meru Trekking Tour

Mount Meru, the second-highest peak in Tanzania, stands at 4,566 meters (14,980 feet) and offers a unique and captivating trekking experience. Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is a stunning volcanic mountain located within Arusha National Park. Its lush slopes, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking views make it an ideal destination for both novice and experienced trekkers.

Mount Meru is an active stratovolcano with a distinct cone and a history of significant eruptions. The last major eruptions. The last major eruption occurred over a century ago, creating a stunning caldera and a unique landscape for exploration.

Trekking Mount Meru is a journey through diverse ecological zones, each with its own unique flora and fauna:

Mount Meru offers a single route to the summit, known as the Momella Route. This route is renowned for its stunning scenery, diverse wildlife encounters, and challenging terrain.

Starting from Momella Gate, this route takes trekkers through lush forests, across open moorlands, and along the dramatic caldera rim to the summit. The trek typically takes 4-6 days, with accommodations in designated huts along the way.

Climbing Mount Meru is a rewarding adventure that requires no technical climbing skills but demands good physical fitness and acclimatisation to handle the altitude and challenging conditions.

Mount Meru is often overlooked, which means fewer crowds and a more peaceful trek. Our route begins in Arusha National Park, where you may spot giraffes, buffalo, and warthogs on foot. You will be guided by experienced rangers who are there to keep you safe.

The trail climbs through forest and heathland, with monkeys overhead and birdsong all around. As altitude increases, the landscape opens up. You’ll sleep in mountain huts, enjoy warm meals, and (if the skies are clear) catch views of Kilimanjaro in the distance.

Summit day begins early with a steep ascent along the crater rim. At 4,566 metres, Socialist Peak offers sweeping views and a striking volcanic ash cone below. The climb is non-technical but physically demanding, typically completed over a period of 4 days.

Mount Meru is an excellent choice for trekkers seeking a quieter alternative to Mount Kilimanjaro, offering impressive wildlife, varied terrain, and rewarding views to boot.

There’s one main trail up Mount Meru: the Momella Route. It’s a straightforward yet rewarding path that can be completed in 4 days.

Most people hear the name “Tanzania” and picture Mount Kilimanjaro. That’s unsurprising. Kilimanjaro is an imposing mountain that’s always got a line of trekkers waiting to ascend to the summit.

Meru is something else entirely. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t come with a queue of trekkers stretching from base to summit. What it gives you instead is space and peace of mind. You climb through ecosystems that shift fast, going from dense jungle to weathered ridges to alpine desert, all in a matter of hours.

And then there’s the crater. It’s massive, hollowed, and alive in a way that feels ancient. You don’t just stroll past the crater; you walk beside it, taking in all of its majestic beauty.

We love Kilimanjaro, but we adore the unique beauty of Meru, too.

Meru doesn’t wait for you to get fit halfway up, so start training now.

You don’t need to be an athlete, but you do need legs that won’t ache when the path turns steep (and lungs that don’t struggle when the air starts to thin). Training with stairs helps. We also recommend loading up a backpack, taking a walk, and observing how your body responds after two hours of movement.

Pack light, but pack smart. Layers matter more than looks. Mornings can be chilly, afternoons are hot, and the wind at the top cuts straight through anything flimsy. Bring gloves, a decent rain jacket, and socks that don’t bunch.

Break in your hiking boots now. Meru is not the place to discover they rub.

Water is your friend. You’ll need to drink more than usual. Your guide will remind you, but do it anyway. Altitude can do weird things to people, and dehydration makes the symptoms worse.

And if you experience altitude sickness? Don’t worry! It happens to the best of us. Tell your guide if something feels off. Headaches, nausea, and weird dreams are common. Most of the time, they pass. If they don’t, your guide will recommend that you descend.

Either way, rest assured that you’re safe and in good hands.

You don’t have to wait for the summit to see something wild. Here is what you can expect to see and where:

The lower slopes are green, dense, and alive. You step into the forest, and it wraps around you. Gig trees with roots like muscle, moss growing on everything that doesn’t move.

You are likely to see some colobus monkeys. They’re black and white with tails like banners. You will hear them before you see them, crashing through the canopy in groups, calling to each other. You might see some blue monkeys hanging back and watching, too.

You might spot bushbucks. Maybe a dik-dik. Occasionally you might even spot a giraffe between the trees or a buffalo standing still and certain in a clearing.

Higher up, the forest gives way to heathland. The air dries. The ground crunches. Giant heathers twist into shapes that look like they’ve been caught in the wind for decades. Sunbirds dart past in streaks of colour.

Further still: moorland. Shrubs, rocks, open sky. The views stretch. You see Arusha far below, a smudge of city in a sea of green. And on clear mornings, Kilimanjaro appears behind you.

Dry season gets the spotlight. But it’s not the only time worth going.

The weather holds with clearer skies, and the ground is solid underfoot. That’s when most people show up. And for good reason: it’s crisp, it’s open, and Kilimanjaro usually pops up in the distance.

This time is quieter, but the weather is still dry and reliable. The light hits different, especially in the afternoons. You get softer shadows, longer views, and cooler air.

These are the wet seasons. The weather can be patchy, but it can also be brilliant. Forests glow. Trails are empty. Clouds come and go like.

The real trick? Decide what kind of walk you want. Stillness or clarity. Lush or sharp. Then give yourself a few months’ lead time to grab permits.

Prices shift. It all depends on who you go with, when you book, and how much you want folded in. But most Mount Meru treks fall between $900 and $1,200 per person.

Here’s what’s in:

If this is your first proper trek, you’ve picked the right mountain.

There’s no altitude rush, tent stress, or crowd at the summit taking turns for a photo.
You start low and rise slowly. The huts are dry. Meals come hot. There’s time to breathe and time to rest. That makes all the difference.

Guides watch your walk, adjust the pace, know when you’re bluffing, and when you’re just tired. And they’ve taken first-timers to the rim more times than they can count.

Meru is a real mountain, but it doesn’t try to break you. It simply asks you to keep moving when you can.

Mauly Tours is dedicated to providing a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable experience on Mount Meru. Our experienced guides, comprehensive support, and commitment to responsible tourism ensure that your adventure is well-supported and enriching.

Join us at Mauly Tours for an extraordinary journey to the summit of Mount Meru, where breathtaking landscapes, personal triumphs, and the adventure of a lifetime await. Contact us today to start planning your ascent to one of Tanzania’s hidden gems!