Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arusha to Momella gate to Miriakamba Hut

   Drive 1 Hr, Hike Distance 10 km, 4 – 5 hrs, 1000m ascent, Alt: 2516

   • Meet your guide at the agreed-upon location, to begin your trek. 

   • Start from Momela Gate and pass through open grassland with cape buffalo and warthogs. With luck, you may also see giraffe and elephants. 

   • Proceed to a steady climb through the montane forest. And have your lunch at the famous “Fig tree”. 

   • Post lunch, the trek continues through a less dense forest, with lots of birds and monkeys, including the black and white colobus. 

   • During mid-afternoon, you will have your first close views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone.

   • Reach Mariakamba Hut, situated in the idyllic grassy glade and njoy the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro.

   Dinner and overnight stay at Mariakamba Hut

2. Day 2: Mariakamba Hut to Saddle Hut

   Hike Distance 4km, 2 – 3 hrs, 1050m ascent, Alt: 3566

   • Begin the walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru, a steep, sustained climb all the way.  

   • Starting through beautiful and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Back Ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and other moorland vegetation.

   • Reach Saddle Hut for lunch.

   • You can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m / 12,533 ft) for superb views in the afternoon. 

   • Proceed to walk up, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to walk down. The ascent is 1,056 m / 3,465 ft.

   Dinner and overnight stay at Saddle Hut.

3. Day 3: Meru Summit tp Saddle Hut to Momella Gate to Arusha

   Hike Distance 14km, 6to 8hrs, 3050m descent, Alt: 1516

   • Have an early start to Summit day at around 12:00 AM. and begin a 1-hour steep climb to Rhino Point (3,800m / 12,467ft). 

   • Follow the path along the ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350m / 14,272ft). The summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m) is an hour further on a steep path with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro.

   • Enjoy sunrise at Cobra Point or the summit. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, and the Rift Valley. 

   • Proceed back to Rhino Point in the sharp morning light along a narrow ridge between the crater's sloping outer wall and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall, one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. 

   • Get Brunch and a brief rest at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut. 

   • Drive for one hour back to Arusha.