Day 1-6 | Tanzania

Day 1 Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi town- 55 min (42.2 km) drive

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be welcomed by our transfer driver and taken to the lodge / hotel on the outskirts of Moshi town. The rest of the day will be at leisure and you can either relax at the hotel or explore the town of Moshi (taxi required). In the evening you will attend a briefing which will be carried out by your tour guide in preparation of the upcoming trek. Dinner and overnight at the lodge / hotel on Half Board meal plan base.

Moshi – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)

In the morning, you will be collected 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. Thereafter you will continue your trek to the well-known “fig tree arch”. You will finally arrive at the Miriakamba Hut in time for after noon tea and snacks. The night will be spent at the Miriakamba Hut.

• Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
• Start: Momella Gate (1,500 m)
• Finish: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
• Walking Time: 4-5h

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 hanging 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 retire to bed early as your wake-up call will be just after midnight.

• Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
• Start: Miriakamba Hut (2,500m)
• Finish: Saddle Hut (3,550m)
• Walking Time: 3-4h

Saddle Hut (3,550 m) – Socialist Peak (4,562 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 – tired but happy.

• Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
• Start: Saddle Hut (3,550 m) – Socialist Peak (4,562 m)
• Finish: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
• Walking Time: 10-14h

Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Moshi.

After breakfast, you will follow the so-called 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 lodge/hotel where you will celebrate your achievement and spend the night. Walking time: 2-3h

• Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
• Start: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m)
• Finish: Momella Gate (1,500 m)
• Walking Time: 2-3h

Day 6 Moshi – Kilimanjaro Airport

On this day after breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport (Departure depends on your flight times on your tickets). Alternatively you can extend your trip in Tanzania and go on Wild safari tour or a Day excursion tour or take a flight to go and relax at the beautiful island of Zanzibar, Mafia, or Fanjove. Meal ; Breakfast