Day 1 Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to the Hotel in Arusha. The rest of the day is at leisure and in the evening, you will attend a briefing in preparation of your upcoming trek. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.
Day 2 Arusha – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
In the morning, you will be picked from your lodge and taken to the Arusha National Park gate. While you wait, your guide will complete the registration forms. Once the formalities have been sorted out and the hiking team has gathered, you will be taken to the Momella Gate. From here an armed park ranger will accompany you and right from the start you might spot giraffes and buffaloes as you walk through open grassland. Soon you will enter the acacia forest on the southern route. After approximately 2 hours you will reach the Maio Falls – the perfect spot to rest and have a picnic Lunch. Thereafter you will continue your trek to the well-known “fig tree arch”. You will finally arrive at the Miriakamba Hut in time for afternoon tea and snacks. The night will be spent at the Miriakamba Hut.
Elevation Distance: Momella gate (1,500m)- Miriakamba Hut (2,500m)
Hiking Duration: 4-5 hrs on a slow pace
Meals Plan: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 3 Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – Saddle Hut (3,550 m)
In the morning, you will follow wooden steps along a steep track. Due to the gain in altitude, it will be noticeably cooler than the previous day and walking may seem easier. The clouds often hang low in the rainforest, creating a moody atmosphere in the lush vegetation. After going uphill for approximately 2 hours, you will reach the vantage point “Mgongo wa Tembo” (elephant back) at a height of 3,200 m, where you will enjoy a well-earned break. The vegetation now changes from rainforest to heather and moorland and you should reach Saddle Hut at around midday. During the afternoon, you have the option to hike to Little Meru (3,820 m) which should take about 1 to 2 hours. From here you will enjoy wonderful views of Arusha National Park and Mt Kilimanjaro about 80 km away. Back at Saddle Hut you will have a warm meal before you go to bed early as your wake-up call will be just after midnight.
Elevation Distance: Miriakamba (2,500m) – Saddle Hut (3,500m)
Hiking Duration: 3-4 hrs
Meals Plan: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Acclimatization Hike
Elevation Distance: Saddle Hut (3,500m) – Little Meru Peak (3,820m)
Hiking Duration: 1-3 hrs
Day 4 Saddle Hut (3,550 m) – Socialist Peak (4,565 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
After a small snack and some tea, you will leave the camp at around 2am. Lighting the way with headlamps, you will follow the trail through bush land to Rhino Point (3,821 m). From here the path becomes more challenging and occasionally climbing will be necessary. You will walk on frozen volcanic ash and rocks, following the crater rim. After about 4 to 5 hours you should reach the summit, Socialist Peak. Experience the sun rising above Mt Kilimanjaro and enjoy the fantastic view of Mt Meru’s crater with its steep sides and the ash cone in the middle. The descent follows the same route back to Saddle Hut where you will take a break and recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once refreshed, you will continue the descent and during the early afternoon you should reach Miriakamba Hut.
Elevation Distance: Saddle Hut (3,500m) – Socialist Peak (4,565 m)
Descent Distance: Socialist Peak (4,565m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500m)
Duration 10-13 hrs
Meal Plan: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 5 Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Arusha
After breakfast, you will follow the northern route, a 2 to 3 hours trek back to the Momella Gate. The descent follows a shorter route than the ascent but there is still a chance to see elephants, buffaloes, giraffes as well as the black and white colobus monkeys. At the gate, you will say farewell to your hiking crew and your driver will take you back to the Hotel where you will celebrate your achievement and spend the night.
Descent Distance: Miriakamba Hut (2,500m) – Momella Gate (1,500m)
Descent Duration 2-3 hrs
Meal Plan: Breakfast; Dinner
Day 6 Arusha – Kilimanjaro Airport
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport. Alternatively, you can extend your trip and go on safari or relax at the white sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean.
Note: The summit stage contains a few easy but unsecured climbing passages. A good head for heights is absolutely necessary. In hostile weather conditions (heavy rain, icy rocks or thick fog) the park ranger can call off the summit attempt. We do not advise to climb Mount Meru in the rainy season in April and May.