Mount Meru Hiking Expedition - 5 Days

DAY 1 Miriakampa Hut 1500m / 4900 ft to 2500m / 8200 ft - 4 hours hiking
Starting from Momella Gate, the track passes through open grassland with cape buffalo and warthogs. With luck, you may also see giraffe and elephants. Continue a steady climb through montane forest. You can have your lunch at the famous “Fig tree”. After lunch, the trek continues through less dense forest, where there are lots of birds and monkeys including the black and white colobus. By mid-afternoon, there are the first close views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. Miriakampa Hut, situated in idyllic grassy glade, is reached in time to enjoy the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro.

DAY 2 Saddle Hut 2500m / 8200 ft to 3500m / 11,700 ft - 4 hours hiking
The walk from Miriakampa Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a 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 to reach Saddle Hut and lunch. In the afternoon, you can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3820 m / 12,533 ft) for superb views. It takes about 1 hour to walk up and 30 minutes to walk down. The ascent is 1056 m / 3465 ft.

DAY 3 Summit and down to Miriakampa Hut 3500m / 11,700 ft to 4566m / 4,980 ft Down to 2500m / 8200 ft - about 5 hours hiking up and 3 hours hiking down to Saddle Hut and 2+ hours to Miriakampa Hut
Summit day has an early start at around 12:00AM. There is a 1 hours steep climb to Rhino Point (3800m / 12,467ft), then the path continues along a ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4350m / 14,272ft). The summit of Socialist Peak (4566 m) is an hour more on a steep path wih magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. Depending your speed, you can 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. 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. Brunch and a brief rest is taken at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut.

NOTE: For an easier climb, you can start the trek at 05:00 A.M., hike for about 1 hour, and enjoy sunrise at Rhino Point before going back to Saddle Hut for breakfast and then descending. In icy conditions or in strong winds, it may be impossible for anyone to progress beyond Rhino Point.

DAY 4 To Moshi 2500m / 8200 ft to 1500m / 4900 ft - 2+ hours hiking
There are two ways down from here. You can descend the route you came up or walk down the jeep road, which descends to the lower crater floor. You pass through the well-known Fig Tree Arch and can visit an impressive waterfall hidden in a ravine not far from the road. A fast descent through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. Momella Gate is reached by late morning. Overnight at Momella Lodge or similar.

Day 5: Arusha National Park - Arusha Town
Depart from Arusha National Park in the mid morning for Arusha Town which is reached by lunch time.