Detailed Itinerary
DAY One: Arrive in Arusha
Arrive in Arusha in preparation to begin the next day's Kilimanjaro climb.
Overnight Accommodations : None
Meals Included : None
DAY Two: Arusha- Arusha National Park
Begin your Tanzanian adventure and set out from the city of Arusha for Arusha National Park . Within this nearby park, trek through magnificent forest filled with black and white Colobus monkeys, zebras and African buffalo. In the afternoon, journey to Lake Manyara National Park . Lake Manyara is a scenic gem, described by famed author Ernest Hemingway as "the loveliest I had seen in Africa ." The short, hard-hitting game-viewing experience contained within this area provides a little taste of Tanzania 's large variety of wildlife. With lush groundwater likened to that of a jungle, this area supports an abundance of wildlife - blue monkey, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, impala, hippo and over 400 species of birds! In addition to the variety of wildlife, the landscape offers picturesque views such as forests, grassy floodplains stretching east, an alkaline lake, and the dramatic, volcanic peaks of Maasai Steppes.
Overnight Accommodations: Shared Camping
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
DAY Three: Lake Manyara National Park - Serengeti National Park
From Lake Manyara to the Serengeti National Park , enjoy numerous game-viewing opportunities with various species of birds viewable along the way. The "crown jewel" of Tanzania 's protected areas, the Serengeti makes up some 14% of the country's total land area. It the massive migration of over a million wildebeest, along with approximately 200,000 zebra within its confines, that makes the Serengeti most famous. Flowing from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains in October and November, a massive population of wildlife then moves west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. This ancient occurrence is so imbedded in the instinct of these animals that nothing prevents this massive migration - no drought, cliff or crocodile-populated river serves as a hazard. The shifting seasons contained within the Serengeti offer various climates for an impressive catalogue of wildlife, including gazelles, zebras, cheetahs, wild dogs, leopards, and over a million wildebeests.
Overnight Accommodations: Shared Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY Four: Serengeti National Park -N'gorongoro Conservation Area
Embark of a full day's safari with the exciting opportunity to full experience the Serengeti from the awesome perspective provided within the Seronera - the epicenter of the Serengeti. The "crown jewel" of Tanzania 's protected areas, the Serengeti makes up some 14% of the country's total land area. It the massive migration of over a million wildebeest, along with approximately 200,000 zebra within its confines, that makes the Serengeti most famous. Flowing from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains in October and November, a massive population of wildlife then moves west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. This ancient occurrence is so imbedded in the instinct of these animals that nothing prevents this massive migration - no drought, cliff or crocodile-populated river serves as a hazard. The shifting seasons contained within the Serengeti offer various climates for an impressive catalogue of wildlife, including gazelles, zebras, cheetahs, wild dogs, leopards, and over a million wildebeests. After experiencing all the wonderment this amazing park has to offer, set out for the N'gorongoro Crater.
Overnight Accommodations: Shared Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY Five: N'gorongoro Conservation Area - Arusha
Start the day off with a descent into the N'gorongoro Crater for a full day of exploration within the high-reaching confines of this very unique area. Deemed the "eighth wonder of the world's greatest natural spectacle," the N'gorongoro Conservation Area boasts a combination of swirling landscapes, various wildlife, wonderful people and beyond ancient archaeology unsurpassed by any other location in Africa . The volcanoes, grassland, waterfalls and forested mountains are home to an abundance of animals - lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes as well as a prismatic catalog of hundreds of bird specimens. This area's magical setting and abundance of wildlife have fascinated visitors for years. Cap of your day with a journey back to the city of Arusha - getting some much-needed rest and relaxation in preparation for the following day's Kilimanjaro-climb. Late in the afternoon drive back to Arusha.
Accommodation Included: Simple Hotel (shared room)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY Six: Machame Gate - Machame Camp
Awake for an early morning briefing. Embark on a short drive from Arusha to the village of Machame . Meet your porters and guides. Travel from Machame village to Machame Gate where you will register and begin your Kilimanjaro climb in the mountain's surrounding rainforest. Upon arrival at the Machame Camp, a set up campsite will await you where you can relax and unwind for the evening
Overnight Accommodations : Machame Camp (shared camping)
Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY Seven: Machame Camp - Shira Camp
From Machame Camp, set out on a early morning climb to the top of the rainforest. Once out of the rainforest, ascend for a few hours before reaching the Shira Plateau. From this vantage point, the Western Breach is viewable revealing the mountain's glaciers. A short ascent later, end your day at the Shira Camp where accommodations will be set up upon your arrival. NOTE: at this elevation, you will begin feeling the colder temperatures which may dip below freezing.
Overnight Accommodations : Shira Camp (shared camping)
Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY Eight: Shira Camp - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp
Ascend to an altitude of 4630 meters. At this elevation, the symptoms often associated with such a high altitude may begin taking effect and often consist of difficulty breathing and constant headaches. Around midday, descend to Barranco Camp, viewing the Western Breach and the Breach Wall en route. Weather permitting, a beautiful sunset can be seen from the vantage point available from the day's final campsite.
Overnight Accommodations : Barranco Camp (shared camping)
Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY Nine: Barranco Camp - Barafu Camp
Start the day off with a moderately easy trek to the Him Glacier. Then, descend into the Karanga Valley where you will begin voyaging upon the Mweka Route - the most-frequented route to Barafu Hut. Note: this is the most severe region with rarely hospitable weather conditions. Get to bed early in preparation for the coming days' physically-demanding activities and treks.
Overnight Accommodations : Barafu Camp (shared camping)
Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY Ten: Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Hut
Awake in the middle of the night (just before midnight) and set out for Stella Point situated on the crater rim. Stopping for a short rest just around dawn, behold the area in all its glory as the sun rises over the Kilimanjaro area. Walking from Stella Point and setting out for Uhuru Peak , you will ascend snow covered trails until reaching the summit of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro . Observe the mountain and this astonishing vantage point. After spending some considerable time atop Africa 's highest mountain, begin a descent (approximately 3 hours) to Barafu Camp where you can rest before heading back down to Mweka Hut - the descent being significantly easier than the previous days' climbs.
Overnight Accommodations : Mweka camp (shared camping)
Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY Eleven: Mweka Hut - Arusha
From Mweka Hut, return to Machame Gate where you can register your experience and receive your respective summit certificates. After receiving your respective accolades, continue trekking onto the village of Mweka before setting back off to Arusha via an overland vehicle.
Overnight Accommodations : None
Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch
NOTE: in the event that you require additional days during the trek/summit (due to exhaustion/weariness), you are required to pay $200 (per day) to the local operators.
