Day 3 – Reaching the summit of Mount Meru!
The alarm goes off just after midnight—it’s still dark, and you’ve probably had only a short night’s sleep. The early start is essential to reach the summit in time for sunrise. After breakfast, you do a final check of your gear and clothing layers. Together with your guide and a summit porter—there in case of emergencies or if someone needs to turn back—you begin the climb to the top. Breathing becomes more difficult as you ascend, so the pace is slow. Hiking in the dark feels entirely different; there are no views to admire, only the stunning starry sky above.
Climbing from peak to peak with chains
After some climbing and descending, you reach the rocky section where chains are in place to help you navigate over the rocks. Only at the very end of the hike do you finally see the true summit. All the peaks you pass along the way are not the peak. The one and only true summit is Socialist Peak, standing at 4,566 metres. The hike to the top takes around six hours, leading you through rocks, snow, sand, and eventually, breathtaking views. And then you realise why you started so early: the sun rises behind Kilimanjaro, treating you to a spectacular sight. As our colleague Lys put it: "I've never seen anything so beautiful in my life..."
And then… you’ve made it!
Congratulations, you’ve reached the summit! The guides serve some tea to keep you warm, allowing you to fully soak in the awe-inspiring views. It’s absolutely incredible! The descent follows the same route, but you can take your time. This time, you can truly enjoy the views, making it feel like a whole new journey. After a well-earned lunch at Saddle Hut, it’s time to continue the descent. This is the longest hiking day, and by the time you reach Miriakamba Hut, you’ll have 13 hours of hiking in your legs.
