Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll arrive in Moshi today. After clearing the airport, it's about a 1 hour drive to your hotel where you can settle in and rest before the trek begins tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 2
Moshi to Machame Camp
Head to Mount Kilimanjaro's Machame Gate this morning, roughly 50 minutes from Moshi. The trek starts through thick rainforest on a winding trail that climbs steadily up a ridge. You'll reach Machame Camp at 9,350 ft by evening, having passed through the village of Machame on the mountain's lower slopes.
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Machame Gate to Machame Camp through rainforest (5-7 hours, 11 km/7 miles)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Gate - Day 3
Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
The rainforest stays behind you as you push higher into open moorlands and heath. Today's hike follows an ascending path up a steep, rocky ridge. You'll cross a large river gorge before arriving at Shira 2 Camp on the Shira Plateau.
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp (4-6 hours, 5 km/3 miles)
Landmarks/POIs Shira Plateau - Day 4
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Climb east up a ridge toward the distinctive 300 ft Lava Tower, a striking volcanic rock formation. After reaching it, you'll descend through the unique Senecio Forest down to Barranco Camp. The day ends at a similar elevation to where it started, but the time spent higher helps your body adjust to altitude.
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower (4-5 hours, 7 km/4 miles)
- Guided descent from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (2-3 hours, 3 km/2 miles)
Landmarks/POIs Lava Tower Senecio Forest - Day 5
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
This is a shorter acclimatization day. You'll descend into a ravine to reach the base of the Great Barranco Wall, then tackle the steep nearly 900 ft climb. After crossing a series of hills and valleys, you'll make a sharp descent into Karanga Valley and climb to Karanga Camp.
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (4-5 hours, 5 km/3 miles)
Landmarks/POIs Great Barranco Wall Karanga Valley - Day 6
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Continue moving upward through rocky terrain to reach Barafu Camp. You've finished the Southern Circuit now, which gave you views of the summit from many different angles. Rest here this afternoon and enjoy an early dinner. Both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are visible from this spot.
- Meals
- Dinner (Early dinner to prepare for summit day)
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4-5 hours, 4 km/2 miles)
Landmarks/POIs Mawenzi Peak Kibo Peak - Day 7
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Summit day arrives. You'll start around midnight for the push to Uhuru Peak at 19,341 ft. The ascent happens mostly in darkness with frequent short breaks. Near Stella Point at 18,900 ft, you'll catch an incredible sunrise over Mawenzi Peak before reaching the summit. You'll descend the same day to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The rocky trail is tough on knees, so trekking poles help.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Barafu during descent), Dinner (Last dinner on the mountain)
Included Activities
- Guided summit push from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (7-8 hours, 5 km/3 miles)
- Guided descent from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp (4-6 hours, 12 km/7 miles)
Landmarks/POIs Uhuru Peak Stella Point - Day 8
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi
The final descent takes you through rainforest down to Mweka Gate where you'll collect your summit certificates. From there, it's another hour to Mweka Village where a vehicle meets you for the drive back to Moshi. The lower sections of the trail can be wet and muddy.
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (3-4 hours, 10 km/6 miles)
- Summit certificate collection at Mweka Gate
Landmarks/POIs Mweka Gate - Day 9
Moshi to Tarangire National Park to Karatu
You'll leave Moshi early and head to Tarangire National Park. After lunch at a picnic spot, spend the afternoon on a game drive looking for wildlife. That evening you stay at Marera Lodge in Karatu Township.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch in Tarangire National Park)
Included Activities
- Game drive in Tarangire National Park
- Picnic lunch in park
Landmarks/POIs Tarangire National Park - Day 10
Lake Natron
Today focuses on a 55 km long lake with views stretching toward the Ngorongoro highlands and Serengeti plains. You'll visit acacia forests where lions and leopards hunt. Overnight is at Tindiga Camp.
Included Activities
- Lake viewing with Ngorongoro highlands and Serengeti plains views
- Acacia forest viewing
Landmarks/POIs Lake Natron Ngorongoro Highlands Serengeti Plains - Day 11
Olduvai Gorge to Serengeti National Park
Check out a small museum showing artifacts from Olduvai Gorge, the site where human remains dating back 2.5 million years were first discovered. In the afternoon, head out for a game drive in Serengeti National Park.
Included Activities
- Museum visit at Olduvai Gorge
- Afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park
Landmarks/POIs Olduvai Gorge Serengeti National Park - Day 12
Serengeti National Park
Spend the full day in Serengeti National Park. Your guides will choose routes based on current wildlife migration patterns to maximize what you see. You'll stay at Tanzania Bush Camp tonight.
Included Activities
- Game drive in Serengeti National Park with wildlife viewing based on migration patterns
Landmarks/POIs Serengeti National Park - Day 13
Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro
This is your last full day in Serengeti, and it might include a hot air balloon ride over the plains if you want to celebrate. You'll leave mid-afternoon and transfer to Ngorongoro for the night.
Included Activities
- Wildlife viewing in Serengeti National Park
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon ride over Serengeti plains
Landmarks/POIs Serengeti National Park Ngorongoro - Day 14
Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
Get up early and descend into Ngorongoro Crater for your final game drive. After that, you'll transfer to a hotel in Arusha. You'll spend the night there, ready for your morning flight to Zanzibar.
Included Activities
- Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Landmarks/POIs Ngorongoro Crater - Day 15
Tour End
Your itinerary concludes here.
