Itinerary Highlights
- Duration in days: 9
- Itinerary Category: Combo (Trekking and Beach Holiday)
- Destinations: Mt Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route and Zanzibar
- Major Attractions: Mt Kilimanjaro the roof of Africa, Zanzibar Beach, Jozani Forest and Red Colobus Monkey
- Budget Level: Standard
- Guiding Language: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian
- Start point: Arusha
- End point: Dar es Salaam
- Essential items: DigitalCamera with enough memory space and extra batteries, binoculars, light clothes, safari boot, mosquito repellents, sunhat, sunglasses with ultra violet radiation filtering etc
Itinerary Description by Day
Day 1: Trek from Marangu Gate (1980m) to Mandara Hut (2700m)
Trekking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 12 km
Zone: Montane forest
Have breakfast at your hotel, picked up from the hotel in Arusha and transferred to Marangu Gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide perform registration formalities. You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be able to encounter wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! After 3-4 hours of ascending, you will reach the Mandara Hut (2700m). At this point temperatures may drop to freezing point. Have dinner and overnight stay at Mandara Hut.
Day 2: Trek from Mandara Hut (2700m) to Horombo Hut (3720m)
Trekking Time: 6 hours
Distance: 15 km
Zone: Moorland
After breakfast, we will begin their ascent out of the rainforest and into the heathen moorland. The trail passes through the Maundi Crater and you are able to climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut (3720m) which is located on a small plateau. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site. Have dinner and overnight stay at Horombo Hut.
Day 3: Full day Acclimatization at Horombo Hut (3720m)
At Horombo Hut (3720m), you will spend the whole day allowing your body to acclimate to high altitude. You will have an option of doing a day hike to Mawenzi Hut (4600m) for further acclimatization with your guide. Breakfast and dinner will be at the hut and lunch will either be packed or at the hut depending on your preference for the day.
Day 4: Trek from Horombo Hut (3720m) to Kibo Hut (4700m)
Trekking Time: 6 hours
Distance: 15 km
Zone: Alpine Desert
After an early morning breakfast, you will continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. We will have the option of two trails that lead to Kibo Hut (4700m). The upper route (located to the right of the fork) is the same trail used the previous day for the day hike to Mawenzi Hut. The lower route (located to the left of the fork) is the more popular route because it is a shorter hiking distance (1 hour shorter). Kibo Hut is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. An early dinner will be served so that climbers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Have an early sleep in the night for preparation for midnight climb to the Summit.
Day 5: Trekking to reach Uhuru Peak
Trekking Time: 8 hr to Uhuru and 6 hr to Horombo
Distance: 6 km ascent and 21 Km descent
Zone: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Guides will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours. At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m).
Day 6: Trek from Horombo Hut (3720m) to Marangu Gate (1980m)
Trekking Time: 6 hours
Distance: 27 Km
After having breakfast you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). You will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
Day 7: Transfer from Arusha to Zanzibar for Beach Holiday
Travel time: 1 h 28 min
Distance: 426 Km
After breakfast, we will make our way to the airstrip where an aircraft will be waiting to take us on a flight to Zanzibar where we will stay at the Reef and Beach resort. Having lunch and dinner and relax in Zanzibar beach after trekking Mt Kilimanjaro for about six days.
Day 8: Beach relaxation at Zanzibar Reef and Beach Resort
After breakfast Relaxing in the Reef and Beach Resort, swimming in the pool or in the Indian Ocean, snorkeling, romantic beach walk, participation in one of the optional excursion, such as swimming with dolphins, sailing trip in an original ‘dhow’,walking through the alleys full of shops and restaurants of the historic Stone Town, Prison Island with the giant tortoises, Joozani Forest with the Red Colobus monkeys and Spice Tour. Return to comfortable room with shower and toilet in the evening for dinner and a rest in hotels in Stone Town.
Day 9: Transfer from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
Non game-viewing travel time: 4h 11 min
Distance: 114.4 km
After breakfast in the morning depending on the time of your flight, you can relax and transfer from Stone Town harbor with ferry to Dar es Salaam city where you will take a taxi to the Dar es Salaam Airport for a return to your home country.
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