We offer group joining treks to the great Mount Meru is located in the heart of Arusha, Tanzania. It is located within Arusha National Park, a location that offers picturesque views of Mount Kilimanjaro and majestic landscapes. It is a very special place to be as there are few places in the world that have the variety of wildlife and natural beauty. Meru is a splendid location for game viewing, nature photography, walking, and climbing. It is available for trekking throughout the year with the best time to climb being from June to February, although it may rain in November. The climb to the summit passes through parkland, montane forest, a giant heather zone, and moorland. Finally, the summit is reached by a dramatic, narrow ridge. This is a very special place to be with the variety of wildlife and scenery for visitors, so tourists or trekkers are faced with a unique opportunity to explore Arusha National Park while climbing Mount Meru. Our Mount Meru group joining treks is a trekking package designed for budget travelers who may not be primarily focused on conquering the summit of Meru and thus avoid the excessive climbing fees! Group trekkers will experience some of the stunning flora and fauna and the beautiful landscapes on the lower slopes of the mountain, thus still making it a very exciting and enjoyable trip. At the same time, the treks are aimed at tourists who are looking for a game and nature experience in Arusha National Park visiting the Momela Lakes and Ngurduto Crater. The duration of the trip is 3-4 days with the final night being camping within the park. Our group treks can be done in two ways:
Book a group Mount Meru trek here
Our Mount Meru group joining treks are flexible, contact us today to discuss about your expedition to Mount Meru in Tanzania.
4 Days Mount Meru Group Joining Trek
This trek is designed in such a way that gives clients wishing to attempt the summit of Mount Meru the best chance of reaching the top, at an affordable price. By splitting the costs of the climb with other trekkers, it makes the option of a successful summit attempt more feasible for people who are not able to afford the costs of a private trek. The departure dates for these treks are all guaranteed and are ideal for solo travellers or groups who are happy to join up with other like-minded people. We designate the group joining treks as ‘comfort’ in terms of service, as clients will stay in huts at Miriakamba and Saddle, and sleep in our mountain tents on the 3rd night at the top of Little Meru. The main difference between the ‘comfort’ and ‘standard’ treks is that ‘comfort’ clients sleep in huts at Miriakamba and Saddle instead of using our mountain tents. A general outline of the ‘comfort group’ trek is detailed below, with altitudes and times taken from our departure from Momella gate. See the full 4 day Mount Meru trek here
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
- Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania, and transfer to your hotel.
- Meet with your guide for a pre-trek briefing and equipment check.
- Relax and prepare for the start of your Mount Meru trek the following day.
Day 2: Momela Gate to Miriakamba Hut
- Transfer to Momela Gate, the starting point of the trek.
- Begin the hike through lush rainforest, keeping an eye out for wildlife such as colobus monkeys and bird species.
- Reach Miriakamba Hut (2,514 meters), where you’ll spend the night. Enjoy dinner and rest to prepare for the next day’s ascent.
Day 3: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut
- Depart Miriakamba Hut and ascend through Montane forest and heather zones.
- Pass the majestic Fig Tree Arch and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
- Arrive at Saddle Hut (3,570 meters), situated between Little Meru and Mount Meru. Rest and acclimatize before the summit push.
Day 4: Summit Day and Descent to Momela Gate
- Wake up early for the summit attempt, beginning with a challenging ascent in darkness.
- Reach Rhino Point (3,800 meters) and continue along the crater rim to Socialist Peak (4,566 meters), the highest point on Mount Meru.
- Take in breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding plains before descending back to Saddle Hut.
- Descend further to Momela Gate, where you’ll meet your transfer vehicle and return to Arusha.
- Celebrate your Mount Meru summit achievement and reflect on your trekking experience.
Note: The itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions, group pace, and other factors. It’s essential to follow your guide’s instructions and pace yourself to ensure a safe and enjoyable trek
Benefits of Group Joining Treks
Trekking is even more fun if we have company. And when we arrive home, we have yet more people with whom we can share our wonderful experiences. Those vibes were our motivation why Mount Meru Treks introduced Group Joining Treks. Basically, you will trek with other people you don’t know when you book a Group Joining Trek. This option is becoming popular among solo or budget travelers who are looking to share costs for certain things such as park fees, car shuttle to the trailhead, guide, and camping prices. In the group joining treks, we’ll gather all the reservations from different individuals and form one group. This group will have many people with different backgrounds coming from different countries. Solo travelers or small groups will be matched with your similar date booking to form a standard group of approximately 4-6 people. This option will give you the opportunity to meet and chat with new people. The majority of our clients book our regular private climbs. However, general feedback from the clients indicates that they are interested in having the ability to meet and interact with other climbers throughout the climb. In some cases, clients indicate that being on a route with other climbers even provides an enhanced sense of security. While safety is never a promise, it is notably much easier to receive help in various forms from the support staff in multiplayer situations. Hence, the decision to join two small groups to form one large group which will climb at the same time. In an effort to keep continuity on trips with multiple start dates, we will attempt to join any and all groups with similar trip itineraries.
Preparation for the Trek
Essential Gear and Equipment Climbing gear can be rented in Arusha and Moshi. A detailed list of what to bring will be provided upon inquiry or booking. High-quality, well-maintained hiking gear is essential. For the summit, you will need a pair of lightweight boots, lightweight clothing, warm clothing, a down or synthetic-filled jacket, a good quality Gore-Tex jacket, thermal underwear, a hat and gloves, a head torch, and sunglasses. Boots should be well broken in. On the scree slopes when reaching the summit, sand comes loose and tumbles downhill. Gaiters are a very good idea to prevent gravel and soil from entering your boots. An extra pair of socks comes in very handy if your feet get wet. On summit night, temperatures on the crater rim can drop well below freezing. An adequate sleeping bag is required. Furthermore, sleeping mats are also necessary for camping at the reserved huts, as well as for camping in the crater or at ash pit. You will get lunch and hot drinks at the huts, breakfast and dinner will be cooked for you by our staff who will also carry lunches and our tents. (On Lemosho and Rongai routes, we provide a full alpine-style luxury mountain meal service.) Typically, you only need to carry a day pack. Your day pack should be large enough to carry what you will need for the day and perhaps your camera, etc. Recommended items to carry in your day pack are a rain jacket, camera, water bottles, and some of your favorite snacks. On summit day, you will need to carry additional clothing as well as your water and snacks. A lunch stop is provided on summit night. See our Mount Meru gear list here
In order to enjoy your trek to the utmost, it is best that you have a good level of physical fitness. Regular walking, swimming, and general physical fitness training is essential. The more fit you are, the more you will enjoy the trek. Start a program of fitness training about 12 weeks before the trek. Set a goal of being able to comfortably walk at a good pace for 4 hours non-stop. Stair climbing is a good way to improve leg strength and lung fitness. You also should be able to comfortably trek for back-to-back days (while on your training hikes) as this is what is required in the trek itself.
Physical Fitness Requirements
Another thing to remember is that the fitter you are, the better you’ll acclimatize to the altitude. This is because a fit heart and pair of lungs deliver more oxygen to your body’s cells and are therefore more efficient at handling lower atmospheric pressures. High altitude, where the air pressure is much lower and there is far less oxygen, presents a challenge to all trekkers and climbers. If you actively get fit before your trip and do a good amount of training hikes (with your boots and a loaded day pack), you’ll be in great shape for when you get to Tanzania. This provides a sound basis for acclimatization and greatly reduces the risk of altitude sickness and its potential dangerous consequences.
Physical fitness is key to a successful summiting of Mount Meru, and it’s something that should be taken very seriously by any prospective climbers. The trek involves a lot of steep and testing hiking, some long days and a few particularly sustained uphill sections. If you’re not in good shape, you won’t enjoy it, and you won’t make it to the top. While it’s not a technical climb or requiring any great strength, the fitter you are, the easier you’ll find it and the more you’ll get out of it. People commonly underestimate the fitness required – make sure you’re not one of them! See our training plan for mountain treks
Essential Gear and Equipment
The following is a list of items that we recommend for your trek. Should you need to purchase any of these items, they are all readily available in Nairobi and Moshi, and at a much cheaper price than at home, while most of the items are available for hire in Arusha/Moshi. In addition, all these items are also available for purchase upon arrival in the UK, US, and other Western countries.
As with all treks, the right gear, equipment, and clothing are important for a successful trek. As Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya are equatorial, it is easy to make incorrect assumptions about the climate you will face. The days are generally a pleasant temperature; however, the higher altitudes can still be quite cold, while the nights are definitely cold, especially the night you may be attempting the summit. Therefore, it is important that you have the appropriate clothing to keep you warm and dry.
Acclimatization Techniques
High altitude sickness is caused when the body fails to adapt to decreased levels of oxygen at higher altitudes. There are three types: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the mildest form and it is very common. The symptoms can feel like a hangover – dizziness, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, and nausea. The best treatment is to descend to a lower elevation, and the symptoms will generally resolve within a day or two. High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) is a severe form of AMS. Symptoms can include confusion, hallucinations, inability to walk straight (similar to being drunk), and it generally results in coma and death. Immediate descent to lower altitude and medical help are needed. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is the formation of edema in the lungs. Symptoms include breathlessness, even when resting, tightness in the chest, a persistent cough bringing up white, watery, or frothy fluid (pinkish in later stages), and fatigue. HAPE can be rapidly fatal, and the only first aid is to descend and seek medical help. The most important factor in preventing altitude sickness is a slow ascent to permit a gradual change in the body’s physiology. Attempt an altitude increase of no more than 300 meters per day if possible, and plan a rest day to acclimatize every 600 to 900 meters. On rest days, side trips can be done to a higher elevation, but remember to return to sleep at the lower altitude.
Read more about altitude sickness and safety on Mount Meru
The Trekking Experience
The trek is scheduled to begin at Momella gate. It is an easy drive from Arusha on a good tarmac road, about 1 hour with game viewing en route to the gate. During the first day on this Mount Meru climbing, we will walk through the forest to the crater floor. Our walk takes us back through the grassland and forest on the crater floor to Rhino Point and our destination at the end of an inspirational day – Saddle Hut (3800m) with stunning views of the crater floor and ash cone in the south. On the summit day of climbing Mount Meru, we rise early for the tough walk to the crater rim. This is an exposed and steep section, so it is important to be careful not to dislodge any rock. From here, the views are spectacular. It is possible to see the Kilimanjaro glacier in the west, and the towns of Arusha and Moshi can be seen on a clear day. Looking out on the ash cone, it is still difficult to imagine that this was once all part of a huge and highly active volcano. Its activity ceased around 8000 years ago in a massive explosion which destroyed the eastern side of the mountain and has left its characteristic horseshoe shape. The summit of Socialist Peak (4566m) is reached in about 4-5 hours from Saddle Hut. Etienne, Lynda, Shannon, and Que did a fantastic job on the summit day. Coming back down to the Saddle Hut, a hearty brunch is prepared, then we continue on to Miriakamba for a well-earned rest and a special final night on Meru.
Daily Itinerary
You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning by the trekking crew, ready to go. On arrival at Momella Gate for 8.00 a.m., we will get sorted out with the national park formalities and permits then begin the 2 to 3 hour walk to the top of Momella Waterfall for lunch with a view over to Ngarenaro River Valley and down to the plains towards Moshi. In the late afternoon we will arrive at Miriakamba Hut situated in an idyllic grass glade area and in time to possibly view the sunset over the plains. This is also your first opportunity to see many animals and birds within less than 5 minutes walking distance of the hut, for example Buffalo, Warthogs, Baboons and Colobus Monkeys, and also birds that are not tame to the areas most visited by tourists. A brief walk to the North East over the ridge of the hut area, onto Buffalo Ridge has in the past been rewarding with sights of Elephants only 45 minutes from the hut. Proposed pin pointing of these areas will be in the future when the Forest and Buffalo age data is made available to the guides.
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Accommodation and Meals on Mount Meru
Three meals a day are provided on the mountain. Fresh produce is carried up the mountain by the porters and then cooked by a cook. Breakfast consists of a selection of hot drinks, cereal, omelette, pancakes, and bread. Lunch is usually a hot pasta, while dinner is a three-course meal, with the main course usually meat with the odd bit of veg! We have created a balance between a nutritional and enjoyable menu to best prepare you for the following day’s trekking! Our twice-daily snacks consist of popcorn, biscuits, and fruit, providing extra energy and something tasty for all!
Besides being at one with nature, nothing defines a good trek more than the food! Internationally, the Mount Meru brand is on offer in restaurants, and with regional recipes now available, we take along only the very best to supplement this where we are able. Quite often, our guides and particularly our porters (most of whom come from the Kilimanjaro region and have previously been porters and guides on this and Kili) can get the hens, the local honey, the potatoes, etc. All these increase the variety and tastiness of the meals available.
Safety Measures
We always do our best to ensure the safety of our clients in the areas in which we operate. In the mountains and safari parks, we are dealing with unpredictable circumstances and are unable to guarantee complete safety. When staying in towns and cities though, we make sure that accommodation is secure, reliable and well maintained. Our drivers and guides are familiar with the areas in which we operate and therefore able to avoid potentially dangerous areas. Our drivers are competent and drive carefully and defensively. This can be a little unnerving to people used to the aggressive driving styles of their home countries, but is a much safer approach. All our safari vehicles are maintained in good condition and are fitted with seat belts for every passenger. In all areas of operation, our staff are instructed to be aware of and avoid potential risky situations. This relates particularly to the avoidance of excessively steep and icy trails in the mountains.
Safety is obviously a very important aspect of a group tour. Safety is best enforced through good preparation, which is why everyone in the group is required to have medical and rescue insurance. This insurance must be arranged from the individual’s home country. It is very important that clients are forthright about any medical problems before setting out on the trek. This way our staff can be prepared to deal with any problems that may occur.
Join a group to climb Mount Meru in Arusha
For most, climbing high mountains serves as a brief escape from the day-to-day routine. But for others, it is just another event in a continual adventurous lifestyle. If you fall into either category and are planning a trip to Tanzania, there are a few other points of interest. Arusha National Park is a delightful change from the hustle and bustle of the more well-known wildlife parks in Tanzania. The walking safari is a wonderful change from the crowded and mechanized tours in other parks and offers a chance to get up close and personal with the animals. Horseback riding is also available in the park and can be a very enjoyable way to spend a morning.
Achievements and Rewards
At the end of the Mount Meru trek, trekkers are presented with a certificate for reaching the summit. This is a nice touch and a record of a great achievement. It is worthy of framing and a place on the wall. It may serve as a reminder of a good adventure for travellers. Trekkers did a good job and completed a great adventure. It was well worth it, and Meru and Ralph Tours will suggest that it is a top-class trek to all the people looking for adventure at Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro trek reaches high to receive rewards and achievements, but the supreme prize is the view of Africa’s highest mountain, which is truly worthy. Trekkers get a stunning reward after striving to reach the summit. The view of Ash Cone, which features Kilimanjaro’s formation, is beautiful and sits to the north of Mawenzi. After the Meru trek, trekkers walk on the crater floor and find a gem: pools of water situated beneath the saddle. It is truly breathtaking. Now trekkers understand why it is said to be a great view sitting on the floor of the mother of the mountain. It is truly awesome. This is something Kilimanjaro can’t offer. Our standard route takes trekkers back to a wooded ascent on the west side of the mountain.
Continuing the group trek with safari + Mount Kilimanjaro + Zanzibar
Combining your Mount Meru group trek with a safari, Mount Kilimanjaro trek, or Zanzibar beach holiday offers a fantastic opportunity to experience the diverse landscapes and attractions of Tanzania. Here’s how you can create an unforgettable itinerary:
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Mount Meru Trek + Safari:
- Begin your adventure with a Mount Meru trek, immersing yourself in the lush forests and stunning scenery of Arusha National Park.
- After conquering Mount Meru, embark on an exhilarating safari in the renowned Serengeti National Park or the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater.
- Witness the incredible wildebeest migration, spot the Big Five, and explore the vast savannahs teeming with wildlife.
- Stay at luxurious lodges or tented camps nestled amidst the wilderness, offering comfort and stunning views of the African landscape.
- Mount Meru Trek + Mount Kilimanjaro Trek:
- Challenge yourself with a Mount Meru trek, acclimatizing and preparing for the altitude before tackling Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.
- Follow the Machame or Lemosho route on Kilimanjaro, experiencing diverse ecosystems, including rainforests, alpine deserts, and glaciers.
- Summit Uhuru Peak, standing at 5,895 meters, and celebrate your accomplishment with breathtaking views from the Roof of Africa.
- Share stories and camaraderie with fellow trekkers as you conquer two iconic mountains in Tanzania.
- Mount Meru Trek + Zanzibar Beach Holiday:
- After your Mount Meru trek, unwind and relax on the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, known for their turquoise waters and white sand.
- Explore the historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its narrow alleys, bustling markets, and cultural landmarks.
- Indulge in water activities such as snorkeling, diving, or sailing in the crystal-clear Indian Ocean, discovering vibrant coral reefs and marine life.
- Immerse yourself in the rich Swahili culture, savoring delicious seafood dishes, visiting spice plantations, and enjoying sunset dhow cruises along the coast.
Whichever combination you choose, your Mount Meru trek combined with a safari, Mount Kilimanjaro trek, or Zanzibar beach holiday promises an unforgettable journey filled with adventure, wildlife encounters, and relaxation in Tanzania’s spectacular destinations
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