Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Moshi – Pre-trek Briefing

If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi/Arusha. You will meet your Guide for Pre- trek briefing at your hotel in Moshi. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend the day having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed at our store.

Meal Plan: Bed

Day 2: Moshi To Marangu Gate To Mandara Hut

• Elevation: 1200 m to 1,750m to 2,750m
• Distance: 9km.
• Hiking Time: 3 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest to moorland and heath vegetation.

You will be transferred to Marangu gate from the hotel and do a registration at the gate. Afterwards, you will begins trekking through the rainforest to Mandara hut. Here you will have an acclimatization opportunity of visiting Maundi Crater. Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3: Mandara Hut To Horombo Hut

• Elevation: 2750 m to 3,807m
• Distance: 13km.
• Trekking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Moorlands

After breakfast, you will outclimb the rainforest and continue trekking to Horombo hut where you will trek through rolling moorlands and get your first clear view of towering Kilimanjaro. Stop halfway for lunch, where you can enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi. Arrive at the Horombo Huts by 3 PM, where you can see Kibo’s summit. Rest, unpack, and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms with running water are available. You may start to feel the effects of altitude here and to aid your acclimatization, you can choose to spend an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing to a basecamp below Kibo’s sub-peak Mawenzi.

Day 4: Horombo Hut (This Day Is Omitted If Choosing A 5 Day Itinerary)

Spend an extra day here at Horombo during the 6-day itinerary for acclimatization purposes. On this day you will hike to Mawenzi Ridge or Zebra Rock to have your body adjust to higher altitudes. After this session you will return back to Horombo hut for lunch, resting until dinner and overnight.

Meals: Dinner, Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 5: Horombo Hut To Kibo Hut

• Elevation: 3807m to 4725m
• Distance: 10km.
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Desert

Wake to breakfast as usual, but if you wake early you can get some great photos of the sunrise. The first part of the day’s hike climbs through the dwindling heathland that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. When you stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours. Be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness. There is no running water at the Kibo Huts.

Meals: Dinner, Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 6: Summit Day! Kibo Huts camp to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Huts camp.

• Elevation: 4,695 m to 5,895m to 3,690m
• Distance: 4km up, 14km down.
• Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12; 00AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some times for taking photo’s but it will depend on how you feel. After your summit activities done, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue on down, re-crossing the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo camp.

Meals: Dinner, Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 7: Horombo Huts camp to Marangu Gate to Moshi

• Elevation: 3,690 m to 1,830m to 1,387m
• Distance: 18km.
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

After a long and enjoyable sleep, you will be awaked for breakfast and pack up, start descend through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Here you will have lunch then proceed with your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to Marangu park gate. Here you will sign out then after a vehicle will take you to back to the hotel where it is definitely time for certificate presentation and celebration!

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 8: Moshi/Arusha To Tarangire National Park:

Distance & Drive Time: Moshi to Tarangire takes about 4 to 4.5 hours (239 km)

You will be picked up at your hotel in Moshi/Arusha at 07:00hrs and transferred to the Tarangire National Park to start off your game viewing experience in this magnificent park which is famous for its large collection of baobab trees, spectacular large mammal population, and variety of bird species, not to mention one of the largest concentration of elephants in the country. After your tour around the park, we will have a drive of about an hour to reach Karatu Village with an approximation of 67kms to your lodge where you will be spending the night

 Meals: Dinner, Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 9: Karatu Village – Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu Village

 Distance & Drive Time: Karatu to crater floor takes about 30 Minutes 29 km

After breakfast, we descend 600m into this magnificent crater for a morning, half-day game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most densely crowded African wildlife areas in the world and is home to an estimated 30,000 animals including some of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhinos. Supported by a year-round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro National Park supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. another big draw card to this picturesque national park is the dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot. We will enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater, after a picnic lunch in the crater and some more game viewing, you will leave the crater in the afternoon and travel back to our Lodge at Karatu village.

Meals: Dinner, Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 10: Lake Manyara National Park – Moshi

 Distance & Time: Lake Manyara to Moshi takes about 4 hours (214 km)

After breakfast, you will pack your things and check out from your lodge as continue to Lake Manyara National Park. We will have a drive of about half an hour (30-Minutes) journey travel to reach Lake Manyara National Park, one of the smallest but most diverse parks in Tanzania. The shallow and alkaline Lake Manyara covers a large area of the park and it is the seasonal home to thousands of flamingos – an awesome (pink) sight. However, more than 400 other bird species are also found here as well as some wonderful mammals. Troops of monkeys live in the forests, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and wildebeests on the grassy plains, and elephants and lions in the acacia woodlands. From the adventure open roof of the vehicle, you will be able to watch the animals and absorb the stunning landscape of the park and its Great Rift valley. After an extensive game drive, you will exit the park and drive back to Moshi town/ off Airport at around 1800hours.

Meals plan: Breakfast and lunch. As today is the end of the tour, please note that Accommodation and dinner tonight is not included in the tour.

Departure Instructions

Please note that the Kilimanjaro Marangu Route & Taste of Tanzania Wilderness Safari Tour – 10 Days ends at Kilimanjaro International Airport at 17.00 hours. Your departure can only take place today if you have pre-booked a domestic flight which leaves from Kilimanjaro International Airport at 19.00 hours or after, or an international flight which leaves at 21.00 hours or after. Otherwise, you will need to book an extra night’s accommodation (not included in the tour price) and take a flight the following day.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Moshi- Pre-trek Briefing

If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. Your guide will meet you at your Moshi hotel for a thorough pre-trek briefing. To ensure you are fully prepared for the trek, we recommend arriving at least one day before it commences. The first day is dedicated entirely to preparing for the trek, which includes a comprehensive briefing and equipment check. Any necessary equipment can be rented from our store, so you can feel confident that you have everything you need for a successful trek.

Day 2: Hotel – Machame Gate – Machame Campsite

• Elevation: 1200m to 1700m to 3000m.
• Distance: 13km.
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest

Once you’re done with your breakfast, our transportation will take you straight from the hotel to Machame gate. Rest assured, we’ll ensure that all the necessary registration procedures are completed before embarking on your trek through the rainforest to Machame camp. Upon arrival, you’ll find that the tents have already been set up for you, so you can relish in a well-deserved dinner and a cozy night’s sleep at the campsite.

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 3: Machame Hut Campsite to Shira Campsite

• Elevation: 3000m to 3800m
• Distance: 9km.
• Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
• Habitat: Moorlands

After breakfast leave the glades of rainforest and continue ascending by crossing little valleys and steep rocky ridge covering with heather plants to the western side of the mountain where the camp is situated. At this camp you will able get the spectacular view of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak and sunset; then dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 4: Shira Campsite to Barranco Campsite

• Elevation: 3800m to 3950m.
• Distance: 13km.
• Hiking time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

This is long and important acclimatization day so you will be having an early breakfast then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava tower rock 4600m for acclimatization. Afterwards you will continue down to Barranco camp. The camp location is in the bottom valley of Barranco wall where you will stop for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 5: Barranco to Karanga Valley – Barafu camp(4550m)

• Elevation: 3950m to 4550m
• Distance: 13km.
• Hiking Time: 7 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep for not more than 5 Hours.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 6: Barafu Hut Campsite / Uhuru Peak / Mweka Campsite

• Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m
• Distance: 15 km
• Hiking Time: 10-12 hours
• Habitat: Desert and ice.

Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. The trails is a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its glaciers facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some times for taking photo’s but it will depend on how you feel. After your summit activities done, you will descend back to the Barafu campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka campsite, Dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 7: Mweka campsite to Mweka gate

• Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
• Distance: 9km.
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest.

Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well-deserved celebration.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch Included.

Day 8: Arusha to Tarangire National Park.

Distance: Arusha to Tarangire takes about 2.5 to 3 hours (106 km)- Tarangire to Lake Manyara takes about 1hour (69 km)

Pick up at 7:00 AM from your hotel in Arusha and depart for Tarangire National Park with a picnic lunch for a full day game drive. Tanzania’s third largest National park is known for its majestic baobab trees that dot the landscape, dwarfing the animals that feed beneath them. The Tarangire River is the centerpiece of this park which is famous for some of the largest herds of elephants in Africa. Here you may see lion, leopard, cheetah, lesser kudu, buffalo, Oryx, eland, giraffe and zebra. After a full day in the Park, we will drive to the camp/Lodge where a delicious dinner awaits you and spend the night.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 9: Lake Manyara to Ngorongo Crater

Distance & Drive Time: Lake Manyara to NCA takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour (41 km)

After an early breakfast you will have a sort drive to the Ngorongoro entrances and few minutes you start descending to 600m down the crater for game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is almost 600 m deep, approximately 20 km wide and the massive caldera is home to an amazing variety of animals. On your game drive you have the possibility of seeing all different kinds of mammals ranging from the Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard – to Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles and mountain reedbucks. You might also see spotted hyenas, and some of the more than 500 bird species of the area. After a picnic lunch in the crater and some more game viewing, you will leave the crater in the evening and travel back to tented camp/lodge where you will be spending the second night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 10: Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha

Distance &Time: Lake Manyara to Arusha takes about 2.5 to 3 hours (113 km)

You will depart the camp at around 0700hrs and head to Lake Manyara National Park for your final game drive. The park is renowned for its elusive tree climbing lions and diverse bird life. The shallow and alkaline Lake Manyara covers a large area of the park and it is the seasonal home to thousands of flamingos – an awesome (pink) sight. However more than 400 other bird species are also found here as well as some wonderful mammals. Troops of monkeys live in the forests, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and wildebeests on the grassy plains and elephants. After your tour around the beautiful lake and the amazing ground water forest you will be transferred back to Moshi/Arusha/Airport in the afternoon via curio shops where you can grab some souvenirs to take back home with you.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch. As today is the end of the safari, please note that dinner tonight is not included in the tour.

Departure Instructions

Please note that the Kilimanjaro Machame Route & Taste of Tanzania Wilderness Safari Tour – 10 Days ends at Kilimanjaro International Airport at 17.00 hours. Your departure can only take place today if you have pre-booked a domestic flight which leaves from Kilimanjaro International Airport at 19.00 hours or after, or an international flight which leaves at 21.00 hours or after. Otherwise, you will need to book an extra night’s accommodation (not included in the tour price) and take a flight the following day.