Mount Meru Trekking

OVERVIEW

Begin your Mount Meru trekking adventure with a warm welcome at your hotel in Arusha. After a detailed briefing by our experienced guides, your journey starts with a drive to the Momela Gate, the entry point to Arusha National Park. Over the next four days, you’ll hike through the stunning landscapes of Meru, with armed ranger escorts for added security, and get the chance to spot wildlife like Buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and antelope along the way.

As you progress, you’ll pass through the lush Montane Forest, ascend the scenic ridges of the mountain, and enjoy spectacular views of the Ash Cone and Meru Crater. The summit climb to Socialist Peak offers the reward of a breathtaking sunrise and views of Kilimanjaro. After completing the trek, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest. Optional extensions to Kilimanjaro climbing, Zanzibar or safaris are available if wishing to extend your adventure in Tanzania.

Mount Meru Trekking

1 Person

Price From

$ 1,161

Per Person

2-5 Persons

Price From

$ 971

Per Person

6-10 Persons

Price From

$ 925

Per Person

11+ Persons

Price From

$ 875

Per Person

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival

As you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our dedicated driver will be eagerly anticipating your arrival at the airport holding a sign with your name on it, ready to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome. From there, a seamless and comfortable transfer service will whisk you away to our enchanting Springlands Hotel.

Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be served a delicious meal. Later on, our experienced mountain coordinators and your Guide will give you a pre-trekking briefing, an exciting opportunity to learn about the wonders that await you in your upcoming expedition.

Enjoy the relaxing environment of Springland Hotel with a swimming pool, a beautiful garden with a bar and a restaurant.

Springlands Hotel

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Overnight: Springlands Hotel (with lunch, dinner & breakfast) or similer

Day 2

Momella Gate – Miriakamba Hut

After breakfast, transfer from Moshi to Arusha National Park. You’ll check in with park personnel and start your trek in the late morning from the Momella Gate. The trail begins through open grasslands where you’ll have a chance to spot buffalo, warthogs, and giraffes. The route continues with a steady climb through the lush montane forest. You’ll stop for lunch near the famous Fig Tree before heading into less dense forests, where sightings of birds and monkeys, including the black-and-white Colobus, are common. By mid-afternoon, you’ll enjoy closer views of Meru’s towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. The Miriakamba Huts, located in a serene grassy glade, provide an excellent spot to relax and take in the views. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a giraffe wandering through camp.

Altitude: 1,500 m to 2,514 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 4-6 hours time

Day 3

Miriakamba Hut – Saddle Hut

Get an early start for a chance to see Kilimanjaro before the clouds roll in. You’ll begin your steep ascent from Miriakamba Hut to the crater rim, also known as Elephant Ridge. The trail then climbs through lush montane forest, offering spectacular views along the way, before reaching the giant heather and moorland near the saddle between Little Meru and Meru. Upon arrival at the Saddle Hut, enjoy a hot lunch. In the afternoon, you can rest or take an optional hike to the summit of Little Meru (3,820 m/12,533 ft) for stunning views before sunset.

Altitude: 2,514 m to 3,570 m
Hiking distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 3-5 hours time

Day 4

Summit Day (Socialist Peak) – Saddle Hut – Miriakamba Hut

Your summit day begins early at 2 AM with a steep climb to Rhino Point (3,800 m/12,467 ft). Depending on the weather, you may stop here for a spectacular sunrise. If conditions allow, you’ll continue your trek along a rugged ridge, reaching Cobra Point (4,350 m/14,271 ft) just as the sun rises. The views from Cobra Point include the crater rim cliffs, the Ash Cone, Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds, and the expansive Rift Valley. After a further hour of climbing, you’ll reach the summit of Mount Meru. The hike back to Rhino Point in the morning light is equally breathtaking. You’ll then descend to the Saddle Hut for brunch and rest before continuing to Miriakamba Hut for the night (if on a 4-day itinerary).

Altitude: 3,570 m to 4,566 m
Hiking distance: 5 km up, 13 km down
Hiking time: 12-14 hours time

Day 5

Miriakamba Hut – Momella Gate – Moshi

On your final day, you’ll take a different, faster route down through open grasslands and mixed forests, offering great wildlife viewing opportunities. Enjoy excellent views of the crater and the national park’s plains. You’ll reach the Momella Gate by late morning, where you’ll bid farewell to your guides and porters. A vehicle will then transfer you back to Springlands Hotel or a similar hotel in Moshi for a well-deserved celebration.

Altitude: 2,514 m to 1,500 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-5 hours time

Day 6

Departure Day

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure. If you wish to extend your adventure by climbing Kilimanjaro or you may choose to add a day trip to your itinerary, exploring nearby attractions or immersing yourself in local culture. For more details, we invite you to visit our Day Trip page. Alternatively, you can continue your journey with a visit to the stunning island of Zanzibar. Whether you’re seeking relaxation on pristine beaches or delving into the island’s rich culture, Zanzibar offers something for everyone. Explore our Zanzibar page to discover the perfect package for your next excursion. If you’re interested in adding a safari experience, please visit our Safari page for more information on our exciting safari options.

Travel Information

Important Travel Information

Is This Trip For You?

If you arrive at the Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. We recommend at least one rest day before starting your trek. If you are transferring from Nairobi, this can act as your rest day. If you have time, enjoy a guided walk through the local rice fields and rainforest, do a little shopping in the town of Moshi, relax at the swimming pool, or get a massage.

Your guide will provide a briefing the evening before your trek, and you must separate one bag for the trek from your other luggage. Rental equipment is available. Extra luggage can be stored in a locked storage room at your Moshi hotel at no charge.

Travel Companions

Groups are limited to 5-7 people. We will combine groups up to this limit if they are starting the same route on the same day. However, we can also arrange for private groups at no extra cost. We will try to add single travelers to a group if at all possible, but we cannot guarantee it. We can accommodate large groups of any size.

Guide(s)

Tips for guides and porters on Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru:

You will be given an envelope at the Springlands Hotel after your trek for your tip money. You can use U.S. dollars, Euros, TZ shillings, or a combination of these. It helps if you have small bills to tip everyone individually. There is no need to take money on the mountain with you.
The typical tip is $15/day for guides, $10/day for assistant guides and cooks, $7/day for porters. This is from the whole group, not per hiker.
Expect 1 guide per 8 hikers, 1 assistant guide per 3 hikers, and 1 cook per 8 hikers:
Expect porters as follows:
- 2 porters per hiker on the 5-day Marangu Route (minimum of 4 porters)
- 3 porters per hiker on a 6 or 7-day trek (minimum of 5 porters)
- 4 porters per hiker on the 8-day Lemosho Route (minimum of 8 porters)
- Sometimes extra porters are required based on the weight of your luggage.
Budget $200 per hiker for tips for a 6-day trek.
Gifts: Guides and porters also appreciate your warm clothing, shoes, and packs. You may want to bring some older clothing items for this purpose.
Celebration: You are also welcome to invite your guides back to the Springlands Hotel for drinks and/or dinner (on you) as a thank-you in addition to their tip.

Transportation
With the exception of airfare, all Zara trips include all transportation costs and arrangements within the destination country. This includes all transfers and the equipment for all activities listed.

Money

The local currency is Tanzanian shillings. U.S. dollars, Euros, and credit cards may be accepted by larger stores and hotels, but the exchange rate is better with shillings. ATM's are only available in larger towns like Moshi and Arusha. Yahoo Currency Converter

Recommended Gear List

Climber’s Packing List Notes

The pack that the porters carry is limited to 15 kg (35 pounds)
- Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at $5/day
Store electronics in sealed water-proof bags (double sealed if possible)
Wrap clothing in plastic bags
In the day pack, take along water, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, rain pants, and jacket at a minimum.
Add any other items you might need during the day, since you may not see your porters until the end of the day.
Zara Tours is interested in purchasing second-hand gear for rentals.
You may want to bring some older items of warm clothing as gifts for your guides and porters or donations to the Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society.
You can leave extra luggage in a locked storage room at the Springlands Hotel for no charge.
You can leave valuables in a safe deposit box at the Springlands Hotel for $1/day.
See the Zara Equipment list for details on what is provided by Zara Tours.

Baggage

Day pack, for you to carry
Large duffel bag or backpack, for porters to carry
Plastic bags

Clothing You want your inner layer to be wicking – no cotton
Your next layer should be insulating and warm, and your top layer should be water proof but breathable.
You will need clothes for hiking during the day, lounging in the evening, and for sleeping.
Layers are important as temperatures vary greatly.
Kilimanjaro may be near the equator, but it gets cold up there!

Shorts, for first and last day only
Pants, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
Short-sleeved or t-shirts
Long-sleeved shirts, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
Long underwear
Fleece jacket or wool sweater
Fleece pants
Down jacket or ski parka (for temperatures well below freezing plus wind)
Rain jacket, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
Rain pants, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
Underwear
Sport bras, for women

Cold Weather Accessories

Mittens and/or gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered)
Wool or pile hat
Balaclava or neck gaitor
Hand and foot warmers (chemical activated)

Footwear

Be sure to break in your shoes before the hike!
Trekking shoes for hiking during the day, preferrably warm, waterproof, and with ankle-support – not too light and not too heavy
Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
Gaiters
Hiking socks for warmer conditions
Wool socks for colder conditions
Sock liners to wick away moisture

Sleeping

Sleeping bag (Rated -25 degrees C/-10 degrees F or colder is recommended)
Sleeping pad and repair kit
Tents are supplied by Zara at no charge
Foam sleeping pads are provided by Zara at no charge (Thermarest is highly recommended, however)

Other

Water bottles and Camelback (2-3)
- Get 3 liters of bottled water before the trip (available at the Springlands Hotel).
  Your guides will boil water for you along the route, or use steripens for water sanitization.
- To prevent water from freezing on summit day, keep your water source inside your jacket.
  For Camelbacks, blow air back into the bladder after each sip and drink often.
- Gatorade or other drink mix helps with taste and minerals.
Water filter or iodine purification tablets
Sun hat with brim
Sunglasses
Bandana
Money ($400 or more in cash and/or travellers cheques, including some small U.S., Euro, or Tanzanian bills)
Ski or trekking poles
Headlamp or flashlight
Camera, film, tripod
Video camera, tapes
Batteries
- Bring extra sets for headlamp/flashlight and camera as cold weather shortens their life
Binoculars
Notebook, journal, pencil, and pen
Pocket knife
Electricity adapter
Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
Playing cards, games, books, frisbee, football, kite
Chocolate or pens for village children, momentos for guides, porters, and other climbers
Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season, can be purchased in the market for around $2
Plastic bags and zip-lock bags for waterproofing
Sewing kit
Salt, pepper, and spices for bland food
Business cards
Alarm clock
Calculator (for currency conversion)
Swim suit for hotel swimming pool

Toiletries

Toilet paper (and baggie to carry used paper while on trail)
Small towel
Soap
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Handi-wipes (moist towelettes for cleaning)
Hand sanitizer
Lotion
Glasses, contacts, solution (take contacts out each night to prevent blurred vision)
Comb, mirror

Documents

Passport
Yellow fever certificate
Tanzania Visa
Medical insurance
Address book
Vaccination records
Airline tickets
Cash, travellers cheques, credit cards
Maps, guidebooks
Make copies of passport, TZ visa, airline tickets/schedule, and travellers cheques numbers.
Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a separate place in your luggage.

First Aid

Ibuprofin, Aceteminophen, or Aspirin
Throat losenges
Bandaids
Moleskin
Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
Lip balm with sunscreen
Insect repellent
Disinfectant, Antiseptic cream
Bandages and tape
Diahrea medicine
Antihistemines
Ace bandage
Melatonin (1-3mg) or other sleep aid
Malaria pills (talk to your doctor)
Antibiotics (talk to your doctor)
Prescription drugs (talk to your doctor)
Diamox (talk to your doctor)

Gifts for Guides, Porters, Locals

Shoes
Any warm clothing
T-shirts
Hats
Nerf football, frisbees
Candy
Pens

Packing for your flight to Africa

U-shaped neck pillow (blow-up)
Books/magazines
Toiletries
Snacks
Water
Walkman and music
Eye shades, ear plugs
Melatonin or other sleep aid
Critical climbing gear (in case baggage is delayed)

Departure Location

Springlands Hotel
Pembo Road
Moshi
Tanzania, United Republic of

Pickup Locations

The following locations are available:

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Nairobi Airport Jomo Kenyatta International

Additional Details

We Accept:

Category:

Trekking

Destination:

Tanzania

Skill Level:

Intermediate

Adventure Matrix:

Cancellation Information

Cancellation of a booking or failure to join a tour will result in a retention of funds by ZaraTours Inc. as follows: Upon receipt of written cancellation by any member of the tour indicated on this reservation 30 days or longer prior to departure, 20% of the reservation of the canceling party will be retained by ZaraTours and the balance of the package price refunded. If a cancellation is received at least 14 days and up to 29 days prior to departure, 50% of the package price will be retained by ZaraTours Inc.

If a cancellation is received less than 14 days prior to departure, 100% of the total package price will be retained by ZaraTours Inc. and all outstanding payment will become payable immediately. Should the canceling party be able to find a replacement for themselves no less than 14 days prior to departure and the replacement completes this booking form individually, no retention of funds will take place.

However, should no replacement be found by 14 days prior to departure, a 100% cancellation penalty will apply to the canceling party. ZaraTours Inc. and its agents reserve the right to terminate, at their discretion and with immediate effect, the participation of any person on the tour.

Reservation Information

Payment:

A 20% deposit is due at time of reservation.
Final payment is due 60 days prior to arrival.
We accept Visa, AMEX, and Mastercard.
You can also wire transfer your money directly to our bank.
Please review our Cancellation Policy.

Price Increases:

Price increases are permitted when an itinerary is changed at the request of customer(s)
Prices will remain quoted unless otherwise add-ons and or other changes are requested and availed by customer(s) and such requests are provided by Zara Tours Inc.

Forms and Other Documents Required by all Passengers:

VISA (as detailed below)
All passengers must sign the waiver form and return to us.
Your passport must be valid for six months.
Entry to another country may be refused even if the required information and or travel documents are complete

VISA:

Visas can be obtained upon arrival at Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar International Airport and the border posts of Namanga, Tunduma, Taveta and Holili.
All Canadian Citizen who hold Canadian Passports are required to pay US$50.00 for the purpose of obtaining an ordinary VISA.
All United States Passport holders are required to pay US$100.00 for the purpose of obtaining an ordinary VISA.
All Passport holders with EU Citizenship are required to pay US$50.00 or €50.00 for the purpose of obtaining an ordinary VISA.
For additional information on obtaining a VISA to Tanzania please go to https://reveccs.com/resources/

Living Standards:

Living Standards and practices at the destination and the standards and conditions with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation may differ from those found universally.

Insurance:

In order to obtain travel Insurance coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage loss and or other travel insurance related matters, kindly follow the link to reach World Nomads, who provide such insurance coverage services

Cancellation Policy:

Zara Tours Cancellation policy applies to the package offered, upon payment of deposit and confirmation of reservation.

Cancellation of booking or failure to join a tour will result in retention of funds by Zara Tours as described below:

Upon receipt of written cancellation by any member of the tour indicated on this reservation 30 days or longer prior to departure, 20% of the reservation of the cancelling party will be retained by Zara Tours and the balance of the package price refunded.
If a cancellation is received at least 14 days and up to 29 days prior to departure, 50% of the package price will be retained by Zara Tours.
If a cancellation is received less than 14 days prior to departure, 100% of the total package price will be retained by Zara Tours and all outstanding payment will become payable immediately.
Should the cancelling party be able to find a replacement for themselves no less than 14 days prior to departure and the replacement completes this booking form individually, no retention of funds will take place. However, should no replacement be found by 14 days prior to departure, a 100% cancellation penalty will apply to the cancelling party.
Zara Tours and its agents reserve the right to terminate, at the discretion and with immediate effect, the participation of any person on the tour.

Refund Processing Fee:

While processing a refund, a 3% credit card fee is charged to the client's Visa, AMEX, or MasterCard.
When a refund is processed using a Bank Wire payment, bank charges apply.

Disclaimer of Liability:

Kindly check the details of your trip. Please contact us directly for any questions you may have at zara@zaratours.com or at 1-866-550-4447.

Thank you for choosing Zara Tours and you are most welcome again to adventure with us!

TICO Registration No. 50020519