Day 1

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Arusha to Machame Gate to Machame Camp

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After breakfast you are picked up from your hotel and you meet your crew of guides, chefs and porters on the way to Machame gate.

 

• Elevation (m) – 1200 to 1490 to 2980

• Distance – About 11kms

• Hiking Time – About 5 to 7hrs

• Habitat – Rain Forest

 

The drive from Arusha to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 1hr. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

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After finishing the formalities at the park gate, we start our journey through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. The lower down train can be muddy and slippery and so we would suggest you have Gaiters and Trekking Poles. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

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Dinner and Overnight at Machame Camp.

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Day 2

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Machame Camp to Shira Camp

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• Elevation (m) – 2980 to 3840

• Distance – About 5kms

• Hiking Time – About 4 to 6hrs

• Habitat – Moorland

 

After breakfast, we leave the glade of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends.

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The route then turns west onto a river gorge. You the rest, dinner and overnight at Shira Camp.

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Day 3

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Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

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• Elevation (m) – 3840 to 4630 to 3950

• Distance – About 10kms

• Hiking Time – About 6 to 8hrs

• Habitat – Semi Desert

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From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the south east towards the Lava Tower called THE SHARKS TOOTH.

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Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4820m. We then continue down to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 3950m. Here we rest, enjoy dinner and overnight.

 

Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit day

 

 

Day 4

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 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

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• Elevation (m) – 3950 to 3959

• Distance – About 4kms

• Hiking Time – About 2 to 3hrs

• Habitat – Alpine Desert

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This is a short hiking day meant for acclimatization.

 

After an early morning breakfast, it is now to time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall. Although it may look intimidating at first glance, hikers state that this class 2 hike is usually much easier then they anticipated.

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At the top of the wall, you will have a view of the Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds.

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The trail then winds up and down into the Karanga Valley. Dinner and Overnight at Karanga Camp.

 

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Day 5

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Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

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• Elevation (m) – 3959 to 4600

• Distance – About 4kms

• Hiking Time – About 2 to 3hrs

• Habitat – Alpine Desert

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After breakfast, you will begin your ascent.

 

This trail intersects with the Mweka Route which is the trail used to descend on the final two days.

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As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no access to water at Barafu Camp which is 4600m.

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The word BARAFU in Swahili means ICE. This camp is located on a rocky exposed ridge.

Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark.

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An early dinner will be served so that the hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night.

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Your guide will brief you in details on how to prepare for the summit night. You then go sleep by 1900hrs.

 

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Day 6

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Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

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• Elevation (m) – 4600 to 5895 to 3100

• Distance – About 5kms Ascent and About 12kms Descent

• Hiking Time – About 7 to 8hrs Ascent and About 4 to 6hrs Descent

• Habitat – Arctic

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At midnight 0000hrs, we start our ascent to the summit between Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. We head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most challenging portion mentally and physically.

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 At Stella Point which is 5790m, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (WEATHER PERMITTING).

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At Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your one hour ascent to the summit.

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At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the Continent of Africa. Usually faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit! After taking memorable pictures of your achievement you then start your descent continuing straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu Camp for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.

Mweka Hut is situated in the upper forest. Expect mist or rain during late afternoon.

 

Later in the evening we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep!

 

 

Day 7

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 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha

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• Elevation (m) – 3100 to 1980 to 1200

• Distance – About 10kms

• Hiking Time – About 3 to 4hrs

• Habitat – Rain Forest

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After breakfast, we continue with our descent down toward Mweka Gate where you will receive your certificates of summiting the Roof of Africa! At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Once again Gaiters and Trekking Poles are important. Shorts and T Shirts is a good idea to wear however keep your rain gear and warm clothes handy.

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From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at the village and drive you back to the hotel in Arusha.

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Day 8

 

Arusha City

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Wake up in Arusha's newest hotel the Gran Melia with the view of Mt.meru. relax in the swimming pool / get a massage and take a tour of Arusha City.

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You will meet your safari guide team and we will go through the safari circuit and debrief on the plans.

In the evening we will enjoy a bbq in one of Arusha,s great local dinner spot Khans barbeque.

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Day 9

 

Lake Manyara National Park

 

After breakfast you will start your safari with a two hour drive towards Mto Wa Mbu village.

This village is located under the great rift valley and is rich with farms lands and tribes.You can enjoy local banana beer,art and craft market,rice plantations,fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Enjoy a local lunch and then enter Lake Manyara National Park. Lake Manyara is one of the best national park for birdwatchers with its diverse ecosystems. Its also boasts amazing wildlife and plant biodiversity. Spend the rest of the day on game drives inside the Lake Manyara National Park.

 

In the late afternoon, you will exit the park and make your way up the great rift valley towards your lodge.

Dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara Kilimamoja

 

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Day 10

 

Manyara Escarpment to Serengeti National Park

 

After breakfast make your way towards the Ngorongoro conservation area. You will stop over at the viewpoint to see the Ngorongoro Crater landscape. You will then transit through the Ngorongoro conservation towards Serengeti National Park.On your way you will pass by Masai villages, curio shops and your driver will stop whenever you want and explain various wildlife encounters.

 

You will enter Serengeti National Park in the afternoon and enjoy a game en route.Serengeti is vast grassland and the landscape is dotted with kopjes. Your driver guide will follow the migration patterns and drive on the dirt roads to scout out wildlife.

Dinner and overnight Narudi Tented Camp

 

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Day 11

 

Central Serengeti

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Wake up and enjoy your breakfast with a view of the great plains. After break fast you will drive through the central Serengeti and follow the wildebeest and find the big lion prides.

You will visit the hippo pools and the Serengeti guest centre which explains the great wildebeest migration. You driver will explain to you various animal behaviors and you will have lots of time to stop and take pictures and enjoy the wildlife on your game drives.

Enjoy a full day on the Serengeti plains where you will try and find cheetahs , leopards, hyenas and lions in their natural habitat. Your vehicle is equipped with a two way radio which will alert drivers of wildlife sightings near by. You may witness a hunt,mating or birth on the great Serengeti plains.

Dinner and overnight at Narudi Tented Camp

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Day 12/13

 

Kogaende Northern Serengeti - Mara river Crossing

(July , August , September ,October )

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Depending on the time of the year you can travel to Northern Serengeti and witness the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River.

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Overnight At TWC Mara River Camp

www.twctanzania.com

 

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Day 12

 

Ngorongoro Crater Rim

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After breakfast you will head out on game drives in the Serengeti and make your way towards the Ngorongoro Crater rim. You will visit a masai village and you have to option of heading to Olduvai Gorge . This site has a beautiful modern museum where stone age tools are stored in glass cases and you can view the live active site.

In the evening you will head towards your lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim . You will witness an amazing sunset over the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy your evening at the lodge with local traditional dances performed by the local tribes.

Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge

 

 

Day 13

 

Ngorongoro Crater - Karatu Village

 

Start your day with breakfast and then enter the Ngorongoro crater floor. Spend the full morning inside the crater. You will witness an amazing landscape inside the crater surrounded by thick forest crater walls.

The Ngorongoro Crater floor is open short grassland with crater and soda lakes.You will see birdlife and are able to spot the big five as well.

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Ngorongoro crater has a growing population of the endangered rhinos that are under a 24 hour watch.

Enjoy your lunch by the hippo pool next to a lake and marsh.In the late afternoon you will descend out of the crater through thick forested ascent route.This ascent route winds along the crater wall as you say see the crater floor below. Wildlife such as buffalos, elephants, lions and leopards are often

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seen along the forrest route. You will exit Ngorongoro crater and head towards the ngorongoro highlands through coffee farms toward your lodge. Dinner and overnight at Karatu Acacia farmlodge.

www.karatuacaciafarmlodge.com

 

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Day 14

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Karatu

 

Spend your day relaxing in Acacia farmlodge. You can take a coffee tour or go for swim and enjoy a walk in the village.

The the farmhouse is well know for its butler service style of hospitality. The area is fertile and fresh fruits,coffee and vegetables are abundant.

 

You will also have the option to visit the Hadzabe tribe and datoga tribe . These are hunter gathers and iron workers and welcome tourists into their village for cultural tourism. You will get to see their way of life.

 

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Day 15 / 16

 

Lake Natron

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Visit the Lake Natron region. This region is famous for its flamingo breeding sites and the Oldoinyo Lengai mountain which is one day trek overight. The masai call it the mountain of god.

 

The landscape is amazing and peaceful. Luxuy camps are located along Lake Natron and you can hike with the locals around the area or just relax and enjoy the birdlife, waterfalls and springs from the gret rift valley .

 

www.lake-natron-camp.com

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Day 17

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Tarangire National Park

 

This beautiful National Park is also known as the garden of elephants . The landscape is dotted with Boabab trees and the park is dived by the Tarangire river and elephants can be seen along the river bed. Spend a full day on game drives around Tarangire and in the evening head to Maramboi tented lodge along the Lake.You will see worthogs, zebra, wildbeest giraffes and antelopes very close to camp.

 

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Day 18 to day 21

 

Zanzibar

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You will head to Arusha Airport and fly to Zanzibar - Tanzania's spice island. You will be met by our guide in Zanzibar. In zanzibar you can visit and tour around stone town and the old fort. The Island is surrounded by white sandy beaches. An hour's drive on either side from Stone town and you can relax in your hotel on the beach.

 

Seasons Lodge Zanzibar - www.seasonszanzibar.com

 

You will fly to Kilimanajaro International Airport to catch your international flight. The other option is to fly from Dar es salaam or Zanzibar.

 

 

Cost of Tanzania expedition

 

USD 7,850 Per Person- group of 6

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Inclusions:

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- Well-Maintained 4x4 vehicles fitted with 2 way high frequency radio communicating system.

- Game drive/Game Viewing/Crater Tour as indicated above

- Seatbelt on each seat

- Experienced English Speaking driver guide

- Park entrance fees for the vehicle, driver and yourselves

- Fuel

- Accommodation with en-suite shower/toilet

- Unlimited bottled water in vehicle while on Safari

- Binoculars in each vehicle

- All meals

- Kilimanjaro trek and briefing

- Transfers from airport

 

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Exclusions:

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- Items of personal nature example laundry, fax, telephone etc.

- Beverages including bottled water in the hotels / lodges / camps

- Tips / gratuities for driver / hotel staff / kilimanjaro crew

- Anything not mentioned above

- Airport Departure Tax for International Flights

- Travel insurance including damage or loss of luggage and/or personal injury

- Extra cost incurred if change in DATE, reduction in number of Persons or deviation

from above itinerary.

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Mt Kilimanjaro Packing list

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Packing List ( Items can be rented on the ground) Clothing, gear and personal items 1 pair waterproof hiking boots

1 pair tennis shoes or light hikers

5 wool or polypro socks - medium/heavyweight 2 polypro shirt, sock liners

2 polypro long underwear 2 hiking shorts

1 hiking pants/fleece pants

3 wool or fleece sweater/pull-over

1 water/wind-proof (Gore-Tex) shell jacket

1 insulated rain/wind (Gore-Tex) climbing pants 1 wool or fleece gloves - medium

weight

1 wind/waterproof gloves -- heavy weight

1 wool or synthetic stocking cap -- windproof 1 sun hat

1 balaclava

1 gaiters

1 sunglasses

1 walking stick

1 expedition pack or duffel bag 1 day pack

1 sleeping bag (rated to 0°F) Please try with -10* C Sleeping bags 1headlamp & spare

bulb

1 camp towel 1 pocket knife 1 liter water bottle

1 sun cream and lip balm - 30+SPF

4 large plastic garbage bags and Ziploc storage bags of various sizes 1 lightweight toilet articles - toothbrush & paste, floss, hand and face cleansers 6 extra batteries 1 travel wallet

1 camera energy bars & snacks (energy gel is best for summit day) 4/ Day

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First Aid kit

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Please bring enough as you feel your needs of each item Cipro (GI, general antibiotic)

Diamox (altitude

Headache medicine (Ibuprofen) Imodium (diarrhea medicine) Pepto or Antacid (Rolaids) rolls (stomach acid medicine) Flu/sinus medicine Neosporin (cuts) Band-Aids