Itinerary

1. Day 1: Momella Gate

   • Start from Momella Gate {1’500 m.} in the late morning with your Tanzania tour guide. The track soon passes some open grassland, where you can enjoy some game viewing and see Buffalo, Warthog, Elephants, etc., on your way to a steady climb through montane forest.

   • Have your lunch at the famous “Fig tree”. After lunch, continue the trek through a less dense forest, where there are many birds and monkeys, including the black and white Colobus.

   • By midafternoon, you can see the first closer views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. Reach Miriakamba hut (2’514 m.), situated in the idyllic grassy glade to enjoy the sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro. It takes about 4 to 6 hours walking. The ascent is 1’014 m.

2. Day 2: Miriakamba Hut

   The walk from Miriakamba hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep, sustained climb.

   • Start through attractive, open and lush montane forest, and continue beyond the halfway point of Elephant Ridge uphill through the giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach saddle hut {3’570 m}.

   • Have lunch. The afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views. For energetic ones, make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru {3’820 m} for superb views just before sunset. It takes about 3 – 5 hours walking. The ascent is 1’056 m. The path is a little exposed as it traverses the rocky ridge, with fine views across Kenya and the Maasai Hills. The descent follows the way up (tempting to go down the other ridge to make a traverse, but this is strictly forbidden).

3. Day 3: Rhino Point - Momella Gate

   • Begin at around 02:00 hrs to climb steeply to Rhino point {3’800 m}. The path continues along an undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach the Cobra Point {4’350 m.} at around sunrise. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rise from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro float on the morning clouds, and see the Rift Valley if the weather is clear. The summit of Socialist Peak {4’566 m} is an hour more on a superb but often steep path. 

   • 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.

   • A fast descent through open grassland and mixed forest provide good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park.

   • Reach Momella Gate by late morning. It takes about 2 to 3 hours walking—descent 1’014 m.