Day 1: Arrival at the Airport
Representative of Sirikwa Travel will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and escort you to tonight’s accommodations in Moshi/Arusha. To this day, will meet your mountain guide (s) and discuss about the route and he will check all necessity things that should be carried during the hiking and if anything will be missed, he will escort you to the rental place.
Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation: 5,380 ft. to 9,350 ft.
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
From here, we will be driving from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp and overnight.
Day 3 - Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 9,350 ft. to 12,500 ft.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Heath
We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp and overnight.
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
SHIRA 2 CAMP
Elevation: 12,500 ft. to 15,190 ft.
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP
Elevation: 15,190 ft. to 13,044 ft.
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft. tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 13,044 ft. to 13,106 ft.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft. cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft. to 15,331 ft.
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft. to 19,341 ft.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
UHURU PEAK TO MWEKA CAMP
Elevation: 19,341 ft. to 10,065 ft.
Distance: 12km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft.), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 10,065 ft. to 5,380 ft.
Distance: 10km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel and get prepared for the tomorrow’s 4 days Zanzibar.
Day 9: Arrive in Zanzibar
Our driver from Sirikwa Travel will be waiting at either the airport or ferry dock to transfer you to your hotel. Spend the evening relaxing in Stonetown. Overnight at Tembo House
Day 10: Stonetown Tour
Enjoy an early breakfast before taking a privately guided tour of Stonetown that includes the traditional spice markets, the old fort and the slave museum. After lunch make the 45min drive to the northern coast of the Island. Overnight at Amaan Bungalows
Day 11: Mnemba Island
Start with a half day boat ride with lunch and snorkeling to the small island of Mnemba, famous for its white sands, clear waters and colorful tropical fish. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the beach or at the pool. Overnight at Amaan Bungalows.
Day 12: Departure
We will come to pick you and transfer you to the airport for your onward journey.
ITINERARY FOR 7 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE & 4 DAYS ZANZIBAR
*Please note*
This itinerary is subject to change with or without prior notice according to local conditions / park rules. The order of places visited could also be changed according to the guide’s decision.
Safari Package Includes:
- Portable toilet tent.
- 2 Night Hotel accommodations in Moshi, a day before trek and a day after trek.
- Transportation to and from your selected route.
- Transfer from Airport/Bus station in Moshi on arrival and return to airport/Bus station after climb.
- Quality, Waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tent.
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs.
- Certified, experienced, English speaking mountain guides.
- All Tanzanian National Park Fees.
- Government Climbing Taxes.
- Climbing permits.
- All hot Meals prepared by our cook while on Mountain.
- Guides, Porters and Cook Salaries.
- Fair and ethical treatment of Porters.
- Enough porters to carry your luggage:
-Safety Equipment
-Emergency Oxygen
-Pulse Ox meter
- Hot drinks at every meal.
- Water provided on climb, mineral water for the first day and boiled water every day.
- Emergency rescue fees.
- Personal Summit Certificate signed by the National Park and your Guide.
Safari Package Excludes:
- Personal items and toiletries.
- Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain.
- Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):
-Guides: $20/day/guide
-Cook: $15/day
-Porter: $10/day/porter
- Nonalcoholic drinks and Alcoholic drinks.
- Laundry services International airfares and departure taxes.
- All items of person nature such as telephone call, fax, email etc.
- Visa and International flight tickets fees.
