Accommodation: huts
We pick you up from your hotel in Arusha at 8.30am and transfer to Momella Gate (1500m), the starting point of Mt Meru climb. The track soon passes open grassland, where there is a good chance of seeing buffalo and warthogs, and then continues as a steady climb through mountain forests. We have lunch near the Fig Tree Arch, which is big enough to drive a car through! After lunch, the route continues through less dense forest, where there is an abundance of birds and monkeys. The black and white colobus monkeys are particularly fascinating to watch.
By mid-afternoon, we see our first views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. We reach Miriakamba Hut (2514m), situated in an idyllic grassy glade, in time to enjoy the last of the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains.
Meal: Lunch & Dinner
The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short but steep climb. We walk through beautiful, lush montane forest to reach Elephant Ridge, the halfway point. This has excellent views of the summit ridge and across most of the crater floor.During a break, you might spot elephants or other animals from our vantage point. The path continues uphill through giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut (3570m), where lunch is awaiting.
The afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views. Those with more energy can make a short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3820m) for superb views just before sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We begin with an early start at around 2.00am to climb steeply to Rhino Point (3800m), and then continue along an undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4350m) arriving at around sunrise. 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 west towards the Rift Valley if the weather is clear.
The summit of Socialist Peak (4566m) is another hour further along a steep but spectacular path. On a clear day, the views are absolutely rewarding. The route back to Rhino Point 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. We rest, and have brunch at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut (2514m). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We take the direct route down towards Momella through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife once again. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park.
We should reach Momella Gate by late morning and meet your waiting transport back to your hotel in Arusha.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
