Elevation (m): 2,514 m to 3,570 m
 

 • Elevation (ft): 8,250 ft to 11,712 ft
 

 • Distance: 8 km
 

 • Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
 

 • Habitat: Forest and Moorland
 

 • Budget Lodging: Saddle Hut
 

The walk from Miriakampa Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a steep sustained climb all the way. Starting through a beautiful and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Back Ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut for lunch. In the afternoon, you can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m) for superb views just before sunset. Saddle Hut for dinner and overnight 

•Elevation (m): 3,570 m to 4,565m to 2,514m
 

 •Elevation (ft): 14,977ft to 11,712 ft to 8,250ft
 

 •Distance: 5 km up 13 km down
 

 •Hiking Time: 12 – 14 hours
 

 •Habitat: Alpine Desert Moorland and Montane forest
 

The summit day begins around 12:00 a.m. After a difficult ascent that takes an hour to reach Rhino Point, the trail continues over an ash and rock ridge until it reaches Cobra Point. It takes an additional hour to reach the top of Socialist Peak (4,566 m), which offers breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro. You may watch the sunrise at Cobra Point or the summit, depending on your speed. The views of the Rift Valley, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, the Ash Cone rising from the crater bottom, and the cliffs of the crater rim are breathtaking. The path back to Rhino Point in the early morning light wound along a small ridge between the crater's sloping outside wall and its sheer inner walls.