In the country of the highest single standing mountain in the world, mountain climbers’ hearts beat faster. With breathtaking scenery, rugged mountains, diverse vegetation in front of unique cultural backdrops Tanzania fascinates visitors young and old alike. Our various trekking routes offer hiking fun for everyone, for every level of fitness and experience.
The majestic snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5895metres, and is Africa’s Highest Mountain, and the world’s tallest free standing mountain. Apart from its dramatic geological features and the beautiful montane vegetation, Mount Kilimanjaro is also notable for its birdlife, which is plentiful in the rich forest zone. You also have a chance of seeing many mammal species, including elephants, buffalos, eland, leopards, duikers, blue monkeys and colobus monkeys. Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed by any reasonably fit person.
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Duration: 5 or 6 Days
Day 1 – Leaving Arusha early in the morning, we will drive to Marangu Gate where you will start your climb. After completing registration formalities you will start the climb up to Mandara Hut (2700m) with your professional mountain guide, porters and cook. Walking hours = 4-5.
Day 2 – After breakfast at Mandara Hut you will continue walking up to Horombo Hut (3700m), passing many varied scenery on the way. Walking hours = 6-8.
Day 3 (Optional) – This is an acclimatization day where you will take some gentle walks during the day to Zebra Rocks and Mawenzi Saddle, before returning to Horombo Hut (3700m) for another night. Walking hours = 3-4. This extra day for acclimatization ensures that you have the greatest chance of reaching the summit without experiencing the effects of altitude sickness. However, if you would like to attempt to make the summit in 5 days, this acclimatisation day can be omitted. If you decide to do this, on Day 3 you will walk from Horombo to Kibo Hut and you will attempt to reach the summit on Day 4 before making your descent on Day 5.
Day 4 – After an early breakfast you will start walking towards Kibo Hut (4700m), the final hut before the summit. On arrival you will be provided with dinner and a chance to relax before your final ascent early the next morning. Walking hours = 6-8.
Day 5 – In the early hours of the morning you will be woken to start the final climb up to the summit (5895m). You will be accompanied by your professional mountain guide who will offer support and encouragement to ensure that you reach the summit safely. We will aim for you to reach the summit at sunrise so that you can see a spectacular view from the summit. After a chance to take pictures you will start your descent back to Kibo Hut (4700m), where you will be served a well-deserved breakfast. After a short rest you will continue descending further until you reach Horombo Hut (3700m) where you will stay overnight. Walking hours = 12-15.
Day 6 – After breakfast you will descend down to Marangu Gate where you will be awarded with a certificate for reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Thereafter you will drive back to Arusha for some much-needed rest and relaxation before you head on to your next destination. Walking hours = 5-7.
Duration: 6 or 7 Days
Day 1 – You will leave Arusha after breakfast and travel to Machame Gate (1490m) where you will finalise registration formalities. You will then begin climbing up to Machame Hut (2980m) with your professional mountain guide, porters and cook. Walking hours = 5-7.
Day 2 – After breakfast at Machame Hut (2980m) you will start climbing up to Shira Hut (3840m) where you will take lunch. After lunch you will take a gentle walk around the Shira Plateau which affords spectacular views. Thereafter you will return to Shira Hut for dinner and a good night’s rest. Walking hours = 4-6.
Day 3 – You will leave Shira Hut (3840m) early in the morning and start climbing up to Baranco Hut (3950m), passing Lava Tower on the way, a remnant of Kilimanjaro’s earlier volcanic activity. Walking hours = 6-7.
Day 4 – After a hearty breakfast you will start the hardest, but perhaps most exhilarating, part of your climb as you cross the Baranco Wall. At times you may have to use your hands as you scramble over the bare lava rocks, but it will all be worth it when you reach the summit of Baranco Wall. You will then continue on to Karanga Valley where you will stay overnight. Walking hours = 5-6.
Day 5 – After breakfast you will start climbing up to Barafu Camp (4550m), the final camp before the summit. Here you will get a chance to relax and prepare yourselves for the final ascent the following morning. Walking hours = 4-5.
NB: It is possible to walk from Baranco Hut to Barafu Hut in one day (Walking hours =8-9), taking lunch in Karangu Valley. This shortens the trek from 7 to 6 days. The added night spent in Karanga Valley increases your chances of avoiding altitude sickness but it is not essential if you are short of time. If you chose to do a 6 day trek you will summit on Day 5 and descend to Mweka Gate on Day 6.
Day 6 – You will be woken in the early hours of the morning to start your ascent to the summit. You will be accompanied by your professional mountain guide who will offer support and encouragement to ensure that you reach the summit safely. We will aim for you to reach the summit (5895m) at sunrise so that you can see a spectacular view from the summit. After a chance to take pictures you will start your descent back to Barafu Hut (4550m) where you will be served a well-deserved breakfast. After a short rest you will continue descending further until you reach Mweka Hut (3100m) where you will stay overnight. Walking hours = 8 hours up and 8 hours down.
Day 7 – After breakfast you will descend to Mweka Gate (1980m) where you will be presented with a certificate for reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Thereafter you will drive back to Arusha for some much-needed rest and relaxation before you head on to your next destination. Walking hours = 3-4.
It takes 8 days/7 nights and gives you plenty of time to acclimatise to the high altitude. This is one of the quieter routes on Kilimanjaro so you can climb in peace and enjoy some of the spectacular surroundings without other climbers getting in your way!
Day 1 – Drive from Arusha to the Londorossi park gate. After registering at the park gate you will start walking along the forest trails up to the first camp, Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree).
Day 2 – After breakfast you will continue climbing through the forest trails. You will eventually emerge from the forest and reach the Shira Plateau, where you will camp for the night.
Day 3 – Today you will have a slightly gentler walk across the Shira Plateau. The route is more flat than steep and you can take time to enjoy the spectacular scenery. You will stay overnight at another campsite within the Shira Plateau.
Day 4 – After breakfast you will start your climb up to Barranco Camp. You will make a slight detour to the Lava Tower and then descend back down to Barranco Camp to aid in acclimatisation.
Day 5 – Today you will have to overcome the Barranco Wall. It’s an easy scramble to the top, with great views along the way. After a rest stop at the top of the Barranco Wall you will make your way to the Karanga Valley campsite where you will stay overnight.
Day 6 – From Karanga Valley you will make your way up to Barafu (Ice) camp. From here you will rest in the afternoon to prepare for the final ascent to the summit that evening.
Day 7 – At midnight you will start the climb up to the summit, Uhuru peak. You will aim to reach the summit by sunrise, where you can enjoy some time at the highest point in Africa. You will then make your way back to Barafu Camp for some hot lunch and a quick rest. From there you will descend down to Mweka Camp for your last night on the mountain.
Day 8 – After breakfast you will walk the last few hours down through the forest to Mweka Gate. At Mweka Gate you will be awarded with a certificate for successfully reaching the highest point in Africa. From there you will be met by a driver and driven back to your accommodation in Arusha for some much needed rest and celebration.
Explore Mt. Kilimanjaro through the least utilized routes. Umbwe route is one of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s shortest routes to the Western Breach and Southern Glaziers. The route is undoubtedly the most scenic, non-technical route on the mountain. The first two days are quite taxing and steep, the climb on this route is also a relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful for those who attempt it. For instance fewer climbers opt for this route, it also has a pristine forest and shorter walking distances that makes it a great option for fit hikers.
You can enhance your overall climb experience by adding an – OVERNIGHT IN THE CRATER. Spending a night in Africa’s largest volcano is an experience many climbers dream of and a night at the crater is considered the only opportunity to get close to the beautiful and fascinating glaciers of Kilimanjaro and to be able to visit the ash pit.
Starting your climb from the south of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a trek of just two days brings you to an altitude of 4000m with an almost vertical ascent through forest, where tree roots act as ladders and handholds, which offer a real sense of adventure for the intrepid climber. Typically the standard climb on Umbwe route joins the Machame Route at Barranco Camp where the climb continues to the summit via Barafu Camp and Stella Point. The second option climbers can take on their way to uhuru peak is via the Western Breach, reaching the crater and onward to Uhuru Peak.
Though it cannot be termed technical, the latter route is more demanding and it is not recommended for climbers without previous mountain climbing experience. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro via Umbwe Route can be completed within 5 days, but adding an extra night for acclimatization is highly recommended, alternatively you can take an acclimatisation trek on nearby Mount Meru before attempting the 5 day ascent.
Touch down at Kilimanjaro international Airport in Arusha, met and transferred to African Tulip hotel in Arusha for overnight.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at your hotel, followed by orientation by your Kilimanjaro guide.Thereafter,you will be transferred by road to Umbwe Village then onwards to Umbwe Gate where your mountain crew will be waiting for you. Start your Mt. Kilimanjaro climb and trek for about 5-7 hours through dense to Umbwe Camp at 2800m above the sea level.Enjoy your packed lunch en-route.
Today you climb steeply through thinning forest glades to Giant Erica, Heather and drier air.Continue with your trek up a ridge which drops steeply with fantastic views of Uhuru peak in good weather. Enjoy lunch en route, afterwards enter a zone of giant groundsels for dinner and overnight at Barranco Hut at 3900m. If further aclimatisation is required, it is recommended that you stay here for two nights, this will maximize your chances of reaching the peak.
You take a four-hour trek up a steep ridge to the great Barranco Wall, then further onto an area which reveals the Heim Glacier, with Kibo’s Glacier soaring overhead, then descend into Karanga Valley campsite. Lunch will be served in camp, then your afternoon is at leisure or you can decide to explore, this is advisable as it also helps you acclimatize at around 4200m.
Your morning climb today takes you through the Mweka route, which will also be your descent route, trek further up a ridge through sparse landscape to the Barafu Camp(4550m) where you will enjoy your hot lunch. Spend afternoon t preparing for the Summit climb.You will have an early dinner, then go to bed for a few hours precious sleep.
You will be woken up at 11.30PM, take hot tea/coffee, then shuffle off into the night through heavy scree between Rebmann and Ratzel Gaciers on to the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak (5,895m), this is takes an approximately 6 hours walk. Enjoy some minutes at the roof of Africa, take some photos and watch the sunrise spread its golden light across the savannah below.Start your descend to Barafu Camp for brief rest and pick up your gear, then hike further down through rock and scree path into moorland eventually into the forest to Mweka Camp (3100m).
After taking your breakfast, embark on a short three hours hike back to the park gate. After receiving your certificate, drive to back to your hotel in Arusha where a day room will be reserved for you to freshen-up and relax till evening when you will be collected by a representative of African Safaris Hub and transferred to the airport for your homebound flight. You may also consider an extension to other safari destinations in Tanzania or Kenya.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Trekking via Shira route approaches the mountain from the west, and is almost identical to Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is an improved version. One of the differences between the two routes is that, Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rain forest to Shira 1 Camp, while the Shira route bypasses this walk by using a vehicle to transport climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge.
Rest of the Shira route follows almost the same path as the Lemosho and they both approach Kibo from the West. Your Kilimanjaro Trek via Shira route begins at the Shira Gate above the rainforest and near the Shira Ridge. The road to Shira Gate is only accessible by 4-x4 vehicles and can become impassable during rainy season. The Advantage of Lemosho route over Shira route is that by starting in a lower altitude, it allows good acclimatization which can maximize your chances of reaching the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, on Lemosho route you also enjoy scenic trek through the beautiful rainforest where the climb begins. Shira Shira is also varied and beautiful route which is typically completed in 7 days.
Shira route climb starts at an altitude of 3,600 m and the first night is spend at Simba Camp which has the same elevation. On the second day of trekking the route then merges with Lemosho at Shira 2 and from here the two routes follow the southern circuit route, traversing beneath the Southern Icefields before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made on the Mweka route.
Touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport, met by African Safaris Hub representative after airport formalities. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at Mount Meru Hotel for Overnight.
Enjoy your delicious breakfast followed by orientation by your local guide, thereafter, you head out on a 5 hours drive to the Londorossi Park Gate at 2200m, taking in sights of the east rift valley and animals en route.
Complete park formalities, then drive further 26km until you reach Simba River where your climb starts. You will be handed packed lunch by your guide and then you trek about 3 – 4 hours to the Simba Campsite, enjoy your picnic lunch en-route., Simba Camp elevation is t 3500m.
Take a short hike up to Shira Camp, at a height of 3840m after your break fast in camp. This is can be termed a short trek as it usually takes no more than 2 hours. This is required to assist you achieve adequate acclimatization. As the clouds lift in the early afternoon, enjoy breathtaking views of the west face of Kibo volcano (commonly referred to as Kilimanjaro) After having your lunch, you have the option of either walking up to Lava Tower in to achieve more acclimatisation, or you can just relax around camp taking in views of Mt Meru in the distance.
Today you will enter into a moonscape of semi-alpine desert after trekking out of the moorland scrub, continue hiking constantly upwards as you head towards Lava Tower ,which is an impressive structure near the base of Arrow Glacier, at 4600m. At an elevation of around 4,200m,It is normal to start feeling the effects of altitude such as shortness of breath and irritability, assuming it had not taken effect earlier on the climb.
Stop for lunch either before reaching lava or you can decide to have lunch at Lava Tower. (If you need to add an extra day for acclimatization, Lava Tower would be an ideal location)
After Lava Tower , you will descend down by almost 680m to Barranco where you will camp and spend the night. This is in keeping with the mountain climbing of principle of climb high and sleep low. Your camp for today will be outfitted at a location in Barranco in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, providing you with a memorable sunset while wait for your chef and his team prepare your dinner.
Rise early morning, and after your breakfast you hike up to the impressive Great Barranco Wall – This could be a climb much easier than anticipated, this brings you out below Heim Glacier. Enjoy an opportunity to see the magnificient giant Senecio Kilimanjaro as you walk down through the Karanga Valley over several ridges and valleys. As you continue with your trek, you will later Join up with your later descent route where you will head left up the ridge for another hour, before reaching Barafu Hut.
The word Barafu means “ice” in Swahili language that is widely spoken in East Africa and beyond. The summit is a further 1345m up.
This is the final ascent that you have tackle in the early hours of the following morning. Before you attempt the summit, it is advisable that you prepare your gear and lay out your clothing. To prevent your water bottles from freezing up overnight It is highly advisable to sleep with your water bottles. Also make sure that your headlamp has a new battery and that you have spare camera batteries if necessary. This is a day you where you have to sleep much earlier to gather enough energy for the final ascent.
The time you have been waiting for has finally arrived. You will rise at around 23h30 and find tea and biscuits ready before you start trekking slowly heading in a north westerly direction ascending through heavy scree towards Stella Point (5685) on the crater rim. The final ascent to Uhuru peak roughly takes s about 6 hours and is for many climbers, the most mentally and physically challenging part of the entire climb.
You may be tempted to stop for too long at Stella Point which is at elevation of 5685m, but you are advised against this. After a short rest, it is time to head the next 200m, most probably through snow, for the summit. The remainder of your Kilimanjaro climb to Uhuru Peak will take anything from 1-2 hours. It normal to encounter snow from Stella Point all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak . How long you spend on the summit will depend on the weather, your levels of fatigue and the guidance of your guide etc.
Take your time to enjoy your moment of glory, before you start your descend heading back to Barafu, this trek will take about 2 hours. On reaching Barafu camp, you l have an opportunity to rest, buy a cola or two before collecting the rest of your gear and head further down towards Mweka hut at 3100m elevation. The trek from the summit to your last camp on Mount Kilimanjaro is not difficult but it is long and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. Your camp is located in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp
Rise early and after a hearty breakfast from your chef, start your final descent to the Park gate. This trek will roughly take 3-hour to reach Park gate.
At Mweka gate, spend some time signing your name and details in a register in order to receive your summit certificates. Trekkers who manage to reach Stella Point (5685m) are awarded green certificates while those make it to Uhuru Peak (5895m) are awarded gold certificates. After Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) journey. In Mweka village you will meet your African Safaris Hub driver waiting for you. Drive back to Arusha where a day room will be reserved for you to take a well deserved shower, freshen up and rest till late evening when you will be collected and transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to board your flight. It is always a great idea to combine Kilimanjaro Trekking with a wildlife Safari to the famed Serengeti and Ngorongoro parks.
A climb of Mount Kilimanjaro through Rongai Route will take you through the mists of equatorial jungle to reach the iconic snows of Mt. Kilimanjaro and spectacular views from the summit. Gaze over Tanzania and Kenya from Africa’s highest point. Mountain Kilimanjaro is a huge stratovolcano reaching an elevation of 19 335.6 ft. (5 895 metre). Kilimanjaro’s highest and youngest cone is named Kibo. Shira to the west and Mawenzi in the east are older cones that make up Kilimanjaro.
On your climb you will be accompanied by support staff including the chief guide and his assistant, cook, and porters. Your camp is superbly outfitted by our experienced mountain crew, your camping facilities will include sleeping mats for all the igloo sleeping tents, a toilet tent, a mess tent, tables and chairs, and high frequency two-way radios for communication with your Arusha base. In all our climbs, we carry emergency equipment such as oxygen bottles and a portable chamber for safety purposes.
The Rongai route starts on the northern side of the mountain and is one of the least travelled Mt. Kilimanjaro route. It is a long drive to the starting point but you are rewarded by spectacular views and the likelihood that you will be the only climbers around. With this route, you are obliged by park rules to descend via the Marangu Route which is the most popular and well used route.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International airport, you will be met by a representative of Smart African Travel after clearing airport formalities.Thereafter, drive to Arusha the nerve center of East Africa, and getaway to several national parks in the north of the country.
After breakfast drive to Marangu gate for registration formalities, thereafter proceed by 4WD vehicle to Nale Moru (1,950 m.) to begin your climb on this unspoilt wilderness route.
The first day of your Mt. Kilimanjaro climb is only a half-day trek that takes you through farmland and pine plantations. You will experience a consistent but gentle climb through attractive forest that is a sanctuary of a variety of wildlife. You reach your first overnight stop by late afternoon at the edge of the moorland zone at an elevation of 2,600 m.
After breakfast in your camp you will embark on a morning walk which is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m) with spectacular views of the Eastern icefields on the rim of Kibo, the youngest and highest of the three volcanoes that form the entire mountain. After lunch, you leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro’s volcanoes. YOur campsite, which you reach in late afternoon, is in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves (3,600m).
Today you will experience a steep climb, but you will be rewarded by an unbroken stunning view of the Kenyan plains to the north. You leave vegetation behind close to Mawenzi Tarn (4,330m) as you trek further. The tarn is spectacularly located in a cirque beneath the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. Afternoon will be free to rest or to explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation.
After a sumptuous breakfast, it is time to leave behind your attractive campsite to cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4,700 m) at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall by early afternoon. Enjoy spending remainder of the day resting as you prepare for the final ascent before a very early night!
This is the day you have been waiting for, you start the final ascent which is very steep and most demanding, part of your Kilimanjaro climb by flashlight at around midnight. You plod very slowly in darkness and cold on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the Crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m). Here, you will rest for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi.
After the short rest make the three hour round trip along the snow-covered rim to the true summit of Uhuru Peak at an elevation of 5,896 m, you will pass close to the superb glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. Spend some time at summit admiring the view as well as taking photos. Afterwards start the descent to Kibo Hut (4,700 m) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments and rest, you continue with your trek descending to reach our final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m). This is an extremely long and hard day, with between 11 to 15 hours walking at high altitude.
Your sustained descent affords you wide views across the moorland and takes you into the lovely forest around Mandara (2,700 m), the first stopping place on the Marangu route. The trail continues further down through semi-tropical vegetation to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m).
At the gate you will have a celebration of your achievement with your Mountain crew, afterwards you will be awarded a Kilimanjaro certificate as a proof of your of your success. Thereafter leave the local staff to return to your hotel by mid-afternoon for a well-earned rest and a much needed shower and beer. A day room will be provided till late evening when you will be taken to the airport to board your home bound flight.
Mt Meru Trekking
Towering above the town of Arusha, Mt Meru stands at 4566 metres. Mt. Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania and the fifth highest mountain in Africa. During your walk to reach the summit you will see some spectacular wildlife and you are also likely to get a magnificent view of Mt Kilimanjaro from the summit. To climb to the highest peak it takes 4 days/3 nights, or if you just want to get a taste of the mountain, you can climb to the first camp and descend again in a day. During your walk you are likely to see giraffes, elephants, buffalos, baboons, colobus monkeys and many more, as well as a huge diversity of birds.
Mt. Meru itinerary
Day 1 – You will depart Arusha after breakfast and travel to Momella Gate (1500m) in Arusha National Park. On the way you have a high probability of seeing many of the wildlife species mentioned above. After registering at the gate you will start climbing to Miriakamba Hut (2514m), accompanied by your professional mountain guide, armed ranger, porters and cook.
Walking hours : 6-7
Day 2 – After breakfast you start climbing steeply to the crater rim and then on to the Saddle Hut (3570m). You should be able to reach the hut by lunch time so you can then rest and prepare for your ascent to the summit the next day. If you are feeling energetic you can also hike to the nearby Little Meru peak (3820m) for some added acclimatisation, and a great view.
Walking hours : 4-5
Day 3 – After an early wake-up call you will start your ascent to the summit. You will be accompanied by your professional mountain guide who will offer support and encouragement to ensure that you reach the summit safely. We will aim for you to reach the summit (4566m) at sunrise so that you can see a spectacular view from the summit. After a chance to take pictures you will start your descent back to Saddle Hut (3570m), where you will be served a well-deserved breakfast. After a short rest you will continue descending further until you reach Miriakamba Hut (2514m) where you will stay overnight.
Walking hours : 12-15
Day 4 – After breakfast you will descend to Momella Gate, passing through forests and grasslands where you are likely to see a lot of wildlife. You will then be transferred back to your hotel in Arusha where you can relax and celebrate!
Walking hours : 4-5
Ol doinyo Lengai ‘Mountain of God’ named as the Maasai tribe a 2870metres (9650ft ) this is an active volcanic mountain located in the Rift Valley, in the southern shore of Lake Natron, To its south stretch the Crater Highlands and the Ngorongoro Conservation area.
Lake Natron
Lake Natron is the ultimate alkaline lake, so rich in dissolved sodium carbonate that the water frequently viscous to the touch. . Lake Natron is one of the most important breeding grounds for flamingos in the world, and the algae that lives here where nothing else can is the sole food source for flamingos.
Within this region you can pay a visit to the waterfalls, walk to the lake, trekking Ol doinyo Lengai . A great scenery for bird lovers as the lake attracts vast numbers of birds of all sizes and colors. Some main birds to be found here include: Thousands of flamingos, Blacksmith Lapwing, Africa spoonbill, Ostrich. Also you will find animals such as Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest
Ol doinyo Lengai itinerary
You may either start your journey to trek Ol doinyo lengai after visiting Lake Manyara National Park or Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Natron. It is a 3-4 hrs tough drive off the main road between Arusha and Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast, drive from Arusha/Lake Manyara to Lake Natron. A visit to a beautiful waterfalls that feed into the lake will be a great place to cool off from the hot weather. Dinner at Lake Natron Tented Camp, before midnight, you will be driven to the base of the climb and start trekking, it is just possible to reach the summit by dawn at a gentle pace, it takes 5hrs to reach the summit, after reaching the caldera floor at sunrise, on a clear day, you will see Mt. Meru in the far distance . Further still, you also see Mount Kilimanjaro. Enjoy the spectacular beauty for a while before descend to the base, lunch at Lake Natron Tented Camp, drive back to Arusha.