Kilimanjaro Hike & Zanzibar Beach: 6 days on the tallest free standing mountain in the world, Mt. Kilimanjaro and 4 days at the beach paradise, Zanzibar. Welcome to Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro Hike & Zanzibar Beach Highlights
- Day 1: Arusha to Machame Gate – Machame Camp
- Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp
- Day 3: Shira Camp – (Lava Tower) – Barranco Camp
- Day 4: Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp
- Day 5: Barafu camp – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp
- Day 6: Mweka camp – Mweka Gate
- Day 7: Depart for Zanzibar
- Days 8 and 9: Zanzibar Beach Holiday
- Day 10: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Machame Gate – Machame Camp
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Arusha / Moshi, you will be picked up and driven to the Machame Village. Here you will receive your packed lunch and also buy some mineral water. Depart the village for the Machame Gate and venture through the coffee farms and local villages during the 45 minute drive. Upon arrival, walk into the office for registration and complete other formalities, after which you will start your ascent to the top of the tallest mountain on the African continent.
Machame route is quit scenic, so take time to enjoy the vegetation and views around you. The road gets muddy and slippery, so trekking poles and gaiters are the way to go. Halfway the trek, you will have a short break to relax and enjoy your lunch. Thereafter, proceed to the Machame camp, arriving in the evening. Tents already set up for you by the porters who would have arrived before you. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp
Wake up to a cold morning on the mountain. After your early morning hot breakfast, you will leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge with stunning views. The vegetation transforms as the altitude increases – the trees begin to shrink the infamous high altitude plants of the Kilimanjaro, the Lobelia Deckenii and the Scenecio Kilimanjari, begin to emerge.
Just below the Shira Plateau, you will have a short break to have your lunch. Continue your ascent to reach the Shira Plateau which provides rewarding views of the mountain and Kibo glaciers. In a few hours, you will be at the Shira Camp. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 3: Shira Camp – (Lava Tower) – Barranco Camp
Wake up to a hot cup of tea / coffee and beautiful views of the Shira plateau. Continue your ascent to the East. This is a vital day for acclimatization so it is important to try to keep up. You will begin by hiking east on the expansive Shira Plateau. Your first milestone is the junction for the Shira and Lemosho Routes. If you are a faster hiker you can take an advantageous detour by means of the Lava Tower.
Stop for your lunch and a little rest after which you will descend gradually to Barranco camp. Passing through different vegetation zones, you will finally reach the beautiful Barranco Camp, set at the same altitude as the previous night. The camp is set in a valley close to the Great Barranco Wall. Great views. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 4: Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp
Wake up to sight of the great Barranco Wall, your obstacle for today. Have your breakfast and make your way up this beautiful steep but doable climb. Once you reach the top, in about 1-2 hours, you will descend sharply into the greener territories of the Karanga Valley. One more climb and you are at Karanga camp, stop for lunch and a mini break before you continue to Barafu “ice” camp.
Now at Barafu camp, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. The summit is now a further 1,345m up and you will make the final ascent this same night. Prepare your gear for the final ascent. Early dinner and early to bed to get enough rest. Dinner and overnight at the Barafu Camp.
Day 5: Barafu camp – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp
Wakeup call at around 23:30hrs or midnight and after some tea and biscuits you set off into the night in a North-West direction and ascend through heavy scree towards the Stella Point, some people call it quits at this point because of the strenuous hike they took to get here and extreme coldness, yet it is actually a much fair ascent to the summit from here. Have a very short stop at this point and then ascend to Uhuru Peak 5,895 m (19,341 ft). Normally encountering snow all the way.
Once at Uhuru Peak, take photos as you marvel at your stunning surrounding with amazing views. The time spent at the summit depends on the weather conditions. Enjoy your greatest accomplishment in these 6 days.
Time to descend the Kilimanajaro. Descend straight to Mweka Camp with a lunch break and a brief rest stop at Barafu Camp. Pack your gears and other property and set off to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Mweka camp – Mweka Gate
Final day at the mountain. After your breakfast, you will continue your descent to the Mweka Park Gate. At the gate you will sign and receive your summit certificate and then our company representative will drive you to Mweka Village for lunch and after drive you to your hotel in Arusha / Moshi for more celebrations, well-deserved showers, mouthwatering meals and ample rest. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 7: Depart for Zanzibar
Take a flight to Zanzibar Island. Our driver will pick you up from the airport and drive you to your beach hotel / resort and spa for a drop off. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure as you reminisce on your Mt. Kilimanjaro summit climb success. Dinner and overnight stay at your beach hotel / resort and spa.
Days 8 and 9: Zanzibar Beach Holiday
2 days of beach life experience at the beautiful white sand beaches of Zanzibar. Explore the beach and get to see for yourself why Zanzibar is called “paradise”. You can spend your day enjoying the accommodation facility’s available amenities, or take a walk on the beach, play beach games, go windsurfing, kite flying, diving, snorkeling or opt to go for any of the available excursions (extra cost): a Stone Town Tour, Spice Tour, Prison Island Tour and more. Ask at the reception desk and they will be able to provide the necessary information. Dinner and overnight stay at your beach hotel / resort and spa.
Day 10: Departure
You come to the end of your 10 days Tanzania adventure. Wake up to the cool morning breeze from the Indian Ocean. After your breakfast, the driver will pick you from your beach hotel or resort and drop you at the airport for your flight back home.
