Day 1: Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut

Start from Momella Gate (1,500 m) in the late morning. The track soon passes some open grassland, offering opportunities for game viewing where you can see Buffalo, Warthog, and Elephants. You will then continue a steady climb through the montane forest.

You can enjoy your lunch at the famous "Fig tree". After lunch, the trek continues through less dense forest, home to many birds and monkeys, including the black and white Colobus. By mid-afternoon, you will catch your first close views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone.

Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m), situated in an idyllic grassy glade, is reached in time to enjoy the last of the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro.

• Main Destination : Miriakamba Hut (Arusha National Park)
• Walking Time : 4 to 6 hours
• Ascent : 1,014 m

Day 2: Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut

The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but involves steep, sustained climbing all the way. Starting through attractive, open, and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Ridge and carries on uphill through giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut (3,570 m) in time for lunch.

The afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views. For the energetic ones, you can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m) for superb views just before sunset. Water at Saddle Hut is collected from a stream about 10 minutes away.

• Main Destination : Saddle Hut
• Walking Time : 3 to 5 hours
• Ascent : 1,056 m

Day 3: Saddle Hut to Summit & Descent

The path is a little exposed as it traverses the rocky ridge, offering fine views across into Kenya and the Maasai Hills. The summit is reached after 5 to 6 hours of climbing. The descent follows the exact same way up (it is tempting to go down the other ridge to make a traverse, but this is strictly forbidden).

• Main Destination : Mount Meru Summit (4,562.13 m) & Momella Gate
• Walking Time : 5 to 6 hours to the summit, plus descent time