Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania.
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Internatinal Airport (JRO), there will be a private pick up transfer waiting at the airport to Arusha Hotel All airport transfers are the part of the package, no extra fee is required.
We will arrange the time for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check . it will depend what time of your arrival
We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
Dinner and overnight at Planet Lodge: Half board.
Day 2: Meriakamba Hut (2,514 m).
We start from Momella Gate (1,500 m) in late morning. The track soon passes some open grassland, with a good chance of seeing buffaloes and warthogs, and then continues as a steady climb through montane forest. We take lunch at, or near, the Fig Tree Arch, which is big enough to drive a car through! After lunch, the route continues through less dense forest, where there are an abundance of birds and monkeys. The black and white colobus monkeys are particularly fascinating to watch. By mid-afternoon, there are the first closer views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. We reach Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m), situated in an idyllic grassy glade, in time to enjoy the last of the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro. [5-6 hours walking]
Day 3: Saddle Hut (3,570 m).
The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep and sustained climb all the way. We walk through attractive, open, and lush montane forest to reach the halfway point of Elephant Ridge. This has excellent views of the summit ridge and across most of the crater floor. Whilst resting, you might spot elephants or other animals from here. The path continues uphill through giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut (3,570 m), where lunch is waiting for us. The afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views. The more energetic can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m) for superb views just before sunset. [3-6 hours walking]
Day 4: Summit To Miriakamba Hut (2,514 M).
An early start at around 2 a.m. to climb steeply to Rhino Point (3,800 m), and then continue along an undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350 m) around sunrise. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the Crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, and west towards the Rift Valley if the weather is clear. The summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m) is an hour more on a superb but often steep path. The route back to Rhino Point in the sharp morning light on a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. We rest, and have brunch at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m). [10-12 hours walking]
Note: The ridge between the summit and Rhino Point is not suitable for those suffering from vertigo. In icy conditions or in strong winds, it may be impossible for anyone to progress beyond Rhino Point.
Day 5: Miriakamba Hut to Momella Gate (1,500 m).
We take the direct route down towards Momella through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. We should reach Momella Gate by late morning. [2-3 hours walking].
The returning transfer to Arusha will be at the gate waiting.
Dinner and overnight at Planet Lodge: Half board.
Day 6: Arrive in Marangu:
We stay at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort, which is a beautiful Hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and is a perfect place to prepare you for adventure.
We will gather in the evening at 5:30 pm for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.
Dinner and overnight at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort: Half board.
Day 7: Rongai Camp (Full board)
After an early breakfast in Marangu, you will drive to the Rongai (Nalemoru) Gate near the Kenya border. We begin our climb on this unspoilt wilderness route. The walk then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2600 m.) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
Nalemoru Gate to Rongai Camp (2,600 m): 3-4 hours walking.
Day 8: Rongai Second Cave (Full board)
The morning walk is a steady ascend up to the Second Cave, (3,450m) with super views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After hot lunch we have a free time to rest at the camp or in the afternoon we can explore the surrounding area for acclimatisation walk to Third Cave.
Rongai Camp to Second Cave (3,450 m): 3-4 hours walking.
Day 9: Rongai Kikelelwa Cave (Full board)
Gradual rise through beautiful open moorland towards jagged pinnacles of Mawenzi to Kikelewa Camp (3679m) we reach in late afternoon at Kikelewa Caves for dinner and overnight at the camp.
Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave (3.600 m): 3-4 hours walking.
Day 10: Mawenzi Turn Hut (Full board)
A Short but steep ascend to Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4330m). Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn. The afternoon is free to help your acclimatization.
Kikelelwa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4,330m):3-4 hours walking.
Day 11: Mawenzi Turn to Kibo Hut (Full board)
Today we cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and KiboHut (4700m), at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall by early afternoon. There is no running water at Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
Mawenzi Turn to Kibo Hut (4,700m); 5-6 hours walking.
Day 12: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horrombo Hut (Full board)
Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to rim of the main crater, Gillman’s 5,685 m. We will rest there for few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru peak 5,895 m. which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment we descend to Kibo Hut is amazingly fast, and we stop at Kibo Hut for some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach Horombo Hut.
Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut (3100 m): 13-15 hours walking.
Day 13: Horrombo Hut (Full board)
Today we will descend past Mandara hut to Marangu Gate, successful climbers will receive their summit certificates.
Horombo hut to Marangu Gate. (6-7 hours walking).
From here you will be transferred to Arusha Planet Lodge 2 hours drive from Marangu to Arusha Planet Lodge:
Dinner and overnight at Planet Lodge: Half board.
Day 14: Game drive in Tarangire National Park:
Today we drive to Tarangire National Park, for excellent game viewing. Tarangire is a small park which offers some excellent sights. Generally in the dry seasons Tarangire comes alive as wildlife and birdlife congregate on the Tarangire River, which is a permanent source of water. We spend the night in our lodge beautifully set inside the park with stunning views and a unique atmosphere. In the late afternoon we make a short journey from the park to our special lodge.
Dinner and overnight at Manyara Kirurumo Lodge: Full board.
Day 15: Game drive in Serengeti National Park:
We head towards the Serengeti National Park. En route there is an opportunity to visit Olduvai Gorge. It is within this steep sided ravine that Louis and Mary Leakey made some of the world’s most important archaeological discoveries in the 1950s. Here in a small museum we are able to see evidence of our ancestors that have been dated back 2.5 million years. After lunch we drive into the Serengeti itself and the rest of the afternoon is spent game viewing in the vast plains that are broken only by stands of acacia trees and the occasional kopje. In December, January and February we will normally meet the migration with large herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. There are always plenty of resident animals, such as giraffe, buffalo, and elephant, and many large predators such as lion, cheetah, and leopard. We return to our special tented camp for the night.
Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Lodge: Full board.
Day 16: Game drive in Serengeti National Park:
We have another full day in this wonderful park, rising early to make the most of our time. Our guides will choose the best spotting locations for the time of year; we can spend time at the Hippo pool watching these majestic animals laze about in the cool water happily living alongside the crocodiles, watch a big pride of lions, be in the middle of the migration, sometimes surrounded by wildebeest, sometimes by zebras, which travel with the wildebeest. We journey from the wide open plains to the kopjes: these volcanic rocky outcrops provide protection and shelter for a wide variety of animals and from the top we can look out across the vast grasslands of the Serengeti. This diverse and interesting landscape will provide us with the ultimate in game viewing, we will hopefully see all of the plain games; elephants, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, lions and it you are lucky the elusive leopard and cheetah, as well as huge amounts of interesting bird life, from the elegant secretary birds to the flightless ostrich. We return to our special tented camp for the night.
Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Lodge: Full board.
Day 17: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater:
We start the day with an early morning game drive before heading to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Ngorongoro is a special place in that it is a Conservation Area, not a National Park; this means that the whole area is managed for both the animals and the local Masai people who graze their cattle alongside the indigenous wildlife. During the drive in Ngorongoro we have a chance to glimpse something of the Masai way of life. After stopping at the entrance gate, where there is a chance to learn more about this fascinating volcanic landscape, we will drive around the rim of the Crater itself, and from here we can look down and see the herd of wildebeest or buffalos. Finally we descend into the crater. The crater walls provide a natural sanctuary for the animals, which means there is plenty to see: lions, elephants, buffalo, rhino and leopard (if you are lucky). The only animal you won’t see in here is a giraffe, whose long legs are unable to cope with the steeps sides of the crater. In the late afternoon we travel back to our special tented camp.
Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Wild Tented Lodge: Full board.
Day 18: A full day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater.
Today we will descend 2000 feet (over 600 meters) to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater for your crater tour. Here you we will explore the forest areas inhabited by monkeys and elephants, the lake area, where we may see flamingos. We will also visit the open savannah where the lions hunt. Picnic lunch will be served in the crater. In late afternoon we make a short journey to Manyara.
Dinner and overnight at Manyara Kirurumo Lodge: Full board.
Day 19: Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park:
We depart from your lodge in Karatu and proceed to Lake Manyara National Park. Although small in size, this park is one of the most diverse reserves in the country.
Lake Manyara covers two thirds of the park. At the backdrop is the wall of the Great Rift Valley, before which lies the ground water forest, areas of open grassland near the lake foreshore, and the Soda Lake. We enjoy a picnic lunch in this area, which consists of open grassy areas, hot springs, dense woodlands and steep mountainsides.
Lake Manyara National Park is a birding paradise that has more than 350 species of bird. The park is also famed for its unique and elusive tree-climbing lions.
After lunch time we will drive direct to Kilimanjaro International Airport, we hug together for the evening flight.
Package Includes:
- Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb (dinner and breakfast included) (double occupancy).
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents:
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- All Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs:
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food:
- Clean, purified drinking water:
- Private, portable chemical flush toilets:
- Crisis management and safety procedures:
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters:
- Summit Emergency Oxygen:
- Full board accommodation whilst on safari in the above mentioned en suite tented camps and lodges
- Private safari guide
- Private 4 x 4 safari jeep with pop up roof for game viewing
- Crater fees
- All meals whist on safari
- Airport Arrival/Departure Meet and Greets at the airport
- On safari – Vehicles equipped with ice chest with mineral water, wildlife guidebooks.
- Government taxes, VAT and service charges relating to accommodation and included meals
Package Excludes:
- Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival, USA and CANADA passport holders USD.100
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above
- Optional Tours (balloon rides USD. 500 per person etc)
- Tips and any items of personal nature
