If you select the optional airport transfers, your Nature in Spirit Travel guide will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive you to your hotel in Arusha. You should plan on arriving at least one day before the trek begins to attend a pre-trek briefing. We’ll also go over your trekking gear to make sure you’ve got everything you need.

This is an incredible day!

It takes about an hour to drive from Arusha to Momella Gate. We will complete all the procedures and depart for the trek once we arrive at the gate. Because of the wildlife in the park, you will be accompanied by an armed park ranger from the Momella Gate. The route takes you across the Ngare Nanyuki River, where you will see buffalo herds, giraffes, baboons, and other animals. The hike will soon take you through the forest, and after about 2 hours, you will arrive at the small Mayo Falls, where a meadow is suitable for your picnic.

After you’ve rested for a while, continue on your hike to the “Arched Fig Tree,” a one-of-a-kind tree that spans the path like a gate. The trek takes you to viewpoints from which you can see Mount Kilimanjaro and the renowned Momella lakes. We walk a short distance until we arrive at the Miriakamba hut, where we will camp for dinner and the night.

Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours

Elevation: 1500m to 2500m

Today we hike the steep path along the saddle ridge. You can see the magnificent Meru crater, the ash cone, and Little Meru along the way. Because the path is steep and slippery in places, the ascent is done partly on wooden steps. From this vantage point, you will have a spectacular view of the large, burst crater. After a brief rest, we continue to the Saddle Hut, where we will camp for dinner and the night. The landscape changes from mountain rainforest to light bushland just before you get there.

After lunch, you will have the option of taking a detour to the summit of Little Mount Meru, which will reward you with a spectacular view of the national park and Mount Kilimanjaro. We may come across wildlife such as Cape Buffaloes and the black and white Colobus monkey.

Elevation: 2500m to 3500m

Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours

We get up shortly after midnight and eat a light meal to keep our energy levels high. After we finish our meal, we begin the final ascent to Socialist Peak. This ascent will be steep, with us passing through gravel and rocky cliffs. This is the most mentally and physically demanding part of the journey. When you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Meru Crater and the Ash Cone.

Over the rocky ridge, there is a chance of seeing wildlife such as mountain reedbucks and klipspringers. On the way down, you’ll stop at the Saddle Hut for lunch and a hot drink. You will then continue to Mirikamba Hut, arriving in the early afternoon. Here you can relax and celebrate your summit victory.

Elevation: 3500m to 4566m to 2500m

Hiking Time: 10 to 12 hours

After breakfast, we will continue our descent to the Momella Gate, changing our route and taking the southern route down, resulting in a change in the distance trekked on this day. We’ll also walk through the breathtaking Fig Tree Arch. A professional guide from Nature in Spirit will meet you at Momella gate and drive you back to your hotel in Arusha/Moshi.

Elevation: 2500m to 1500m

Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours