DAY 1, Arrival day:

Arriving at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), you will be greeted upon arrival by our warm, friendly guide(s). You will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha to rest and relax after the long international flight. Overnight in the hotel and notice the sounds and smells of Arusha city all around you.

Accommodation: Arusha city 

Meal: Dinner

DAY 2: MOMELLA GATE (1500M) TO MIRIAKAMBA (2500M)

Visitors spend a fist night at Miriakamba Accommodation Centre (2500m). From Momella Gate to Miriakamba There are two routes; Southern and Northern routes.

Southern route (road): takes 5 hours walk from Momella Gate to Miriakamba Accommodation Centre. Though this route, visitors have chances to see almost all mammals found in the forest including hornbill, Hartlaub’s turaco and birds of prey. It is possible to see several species of butterflies such as Mocker Swallow tailed, Soldier commodores, Blue Swallow-tailed, Golden winged forester, Emperor, Mother of pearl, etc.

Visitors will pass through the montane forest where different features such as the Fig Tree Arch, Maio Waterfall, and different kind of vegetation such as Wild mango, Africa olive, Strangler Fig and Wild elder could be seen. At about 2300m the higher montane forest begins. Common trees are Juniper and Podo. The common beautiful wild flowers are Empetient species, Red hot pocker, Orchids, Fire ball lily and Gladiolus.

Northern route: Takes between 3-4 hours from Momella Gate to Mariakamba Accommodation Centre. This is the shorter and steeper route. Along this route the views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Momella Lakes are spectacular. Common mammals along this route are Cape buffalo, Maasai giraffe, Warthogs, Bushbuck, etc. Present birds are Hartlaub’s turaco, White Fronted Bee Eaters, Fiscal Shrike, Tropical Boubou, Stone chat, variable sun birds and Olive pigeon. Common beautiful wild flowers are Red hot pocker, Blue violet, Cynium, Tubalosum and Gladiolus. Accommodation and meal at Miriakamba Hut

• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Vegetation Zone: Montane Forest.

DAY 3: MIRIAKAMBA HUT TO SADDLE HUT

It takes 3-4 hours. Along this portion of the route visitors do enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Momella Lakes, Meru crater, Ash cone, Mt. Meru diff and the little Meru. Though the forest, common animals include Buffalo, Bushbuck, Elephant, Block and Black & White Colobus.

Attractive wild flowers such as Empetient species, Red hot pocker, Orchids, Fire ball lily, Gladiolus, Giant Lobelia, Everlasting flowers (Helcrysum, Senecio and Alchemilla). Common Shrubs are Erica arboreas, Stoebe Kilimandscharica, Leonits nepatifolia, mosses and Lichens. The trail takes the visitors through striking tree species such as Hygenium abyssinica, Nuxia congesta, Podocarpus, and Hypericum tevolutum.

• Distance: 8 km
• Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
• Vegetation: Forest and Moorland.

DAY4: SADDLE HUT TO SUMMIT. (Elevation (m): 3,570 m to 4,565m)

Takes 5-6 hours. This is the place where visitors enjoy the most views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, little Meru, Meru Crater Ash cone, Momella Lakes, Cliff face, Meru summit, Ngorongoro crater highlands, Arusha town, sunrise and sunset.

Klipspringers and mountain Redbucks are seen over rocks. Birds like White naked raven, Beareded vultures, Lammerger, Stone chat, Cliff chat, Alpine swift, can be seen in this higher elevations. While walking along the trail to saddle it is possible to step on wild flowers like Alchemilla, Helicysum, and Iris flowers. The start for the summit is made early in the morning. After reaching the summit at 4566m visitors do walk all the way back to Miriakamba Accommodation Centre.

• Distance: 5 km up 13 km down
• Hiking Time: 10 – 12 hours
• Vegetation: Alpine Desert Moorland and Montane forest.

DAY 5: MIRIAKAMBA TO MOMELLA GATE

Visitors who went through the shorter route while ascending can descend via the longer route or vice versa. Hurrying up while going down is not advisable. Please take your time to enjoy the scenic beauty as well as occasional sightings of the game.

• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking time: 2-4 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest

DAY 6, Departure:

For those returning home, you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight. Those continuing on safari or to Zanzibar you will be picked up at your hotel for the continuation of your African tour.