Day 1 (Momella Gate 1500m – Miriakamba Hut 2514m)

Pick up,  depart at 8.00 am for Arusha National Park. Start from Momella Gate (1500m) in the morning with packed lunch, the track soon passes some open grassland, and have some game viewing, you can see Buffalo, Warthog, Zebra, etc and then continue as a steady climb through montane forest. You can have your lunch at the famous fig tree. After lunch the trek continues through the dense forest where there are lots of birds and monkeys including the white and black colobus, stop by the Njeku and Kitoto viewpoints en route, By mid-afternoon, there are the first closer views of the towering cliffs and Ash cone. Miriakamba hut  (2,514m) situated in the idyllic grassy glade, is reached in time to enjoy the last of the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro. It takes 5-6hrs walking ascent is 1,014m.

Day 2 (Miriakamba Hut 2,514m – Saddle Hut 3,570m)

Depart at 8.00 am after breakfast for Saddle Hut, the walk from Miriakamba hut to the saddle below the little Meru is a short day but steep sustained climbing all the way. Starting through the attractive, open and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and moorland vegetation to reach Saddle hut (3,570m) in time for hot lunch (12.00hrs). The afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views, the ridge is now very obvious and it can be seen curving away up to the summit, although it is still a long way. For the energetic ones they can make a short climb to the nearby little Meru (3,820m) for superb views, down into the crater, with the ash cone rising in the centre, the path is little exposed as it transverses the rocky ridge, with fine views across into Kenya, Maasai hills, Ngorongoro highlands, Oldonyo Lengai and Mount Kilimanjaro it takes 1.5hrs up and back to Saddle hut, the ascent is 1,056m.

Day3 (Saddle Hut 3,570m – Big Meru 4,566m):

An early start at around  01:00hrs to climb steeply to Rhino Point (3,800m) the path continues along an undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350m).The summit of socialist peak  (4,566m) is an hour more on a superb but steep path, the views at the summit are stunning at sunrise, the Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, the rift valley if the weather is clear, Oldonyo Lengai, the Maasai land and Arusha town. It takes 5-6hrs. The route back to Saddle hut in the sharp morning light 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. It takes 3hrs to Saddle hut. Take a little rest and have your lunch before descending further to Miriakamba hut for overnight. It takes 2hrs.

Day 4 (Miriakamba 2,514m  – Momella gate 1500m)

After breakfast depart Miriakamba at 8.00 am fast descent through open grassland and mixed forest with good chances of seeing wildlife (Northern route). The trail has excellent views of Ngurudoto crater and over the plains of the National Park,  visit an impressive waterfall hidden in a ravine not far from the road (Tululusia Falls). Momella gate is reached by the late morning it takes about 2-3hrs. descent 1,014m. Your car will be waiting for you at the gate to transfer you to Arusha/ Moshi.