Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arusha - Momella Gate (1500m) - Miriakamba Hut (2500m)

   • In the morning, after having breakfast at your lodging, you will be picked up by the driver and your mountain guide. You will then take a 2-hour drive to the Arusha National Park gate to complete park formalities and obtain authorization for your climbing permit. Once the guide finalizes the park formalities, you, along with the rest of your mountain crew (porters and chef), will drive further to the Momella gate where your adventure begins.
   • At the start of your climb, you will be accompanied by an armed park ranger due to the presence of wild animals along the way. You may catch a glimpse of wonderful giraffes and buffaloes before entering the acacia forest along the Southern Route.
   • After hiking for 2 hours, you will reach Maio Falls, a picturesque spot ideal for a picnic. Take a short rest at the falls, then continue your hike to the popular arched fig tree. Here, a park ranger will provide detailed information about the tree.
   • Afterwards, embark on a 2-hour hike to reach the Miriakamba hut, where you will camp for the night.

2. Day 2: Miriakamba Hut (2500m) - Saddle Hut (3550m)

   • The day will begin with a hike from the Miriakamba Hut, following a steep track with wooden steps leading upwards. At a higher elevation, you will notice a cooler environment than the previous day, making for an easier hike. The clouds often hang in the rainforest, creating a moody atmosphere and dipping the lush vegetation. After a hike of up to 2 hours, you will reach the vantage point of ‘Mgongo wa Tembo’ at an elevation of 3200m, where you can take a short break.
   • After the break, you will continue the hike up to the Saddle Hut, reaching an altitude of 3550m, where you can have lunch and set up your camp. While at the Saddle Hut, in the afternoon, you can choose to take a side trip to a small peak at 3820m, which is a 1 to 1.5-hour hike offering stunning views of Arusha National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro.
   • You will then head back to your camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

3. Day 3: Summit Day - Arusha

   • On summit day, the hike usually begins around 02:00hrs. You will start with a light meal, typically tea and biscuits, before trekking through the bushland to Rhino Point, which is 3821m high. As it is a night hike, headlamps are mandatory. From Rhino Point, the climb becomes more challenging as you hike along the northern ridge, navigating through lava ash and rocks until you reach the summit. The hike typically takes 4 to 5 hours. 
   • At the summit, you can enjoy the sunrise over Kilimanjaro and the stunning view of Mount Meru’s crater with its steep sides and the “Ash Cone” in the middle. 
   • After taking in the breathtaking view and capturing some photos, you will descend to Saddle Hut for a short break and warm soup and tea. 
   • Then, continue the descent to Miriakamba Hut and finally to Momella Gate through the Northern route. You may even have the chance to see elephants, buffalos, giraffes, and the black and white colobus monkeys. 
   • At Momella Gate, your driver will be ready to pick you up and drive you back to Arusha town.