Tanzania: Kilimanjaro's Lemosho Route & Zanzibar Beaches
Itinerary
Arrive at any time.
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Begin the Lemosho trail of Mt Kilimanjaro ending for the day at the Mti Mkubwa Campsite.
- Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp: Register at the gate office, and start the hike with a gradual ascent and a slight descent into the Lemosho Glades. Enter the lush rainforest and listen to the sounds of many exotic birds. Spot monkeys such as the black and white colobus - these monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. Spend the day in the gorgeous and fascinating forested slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, most of which is considered to be a rainforest zone. End the day at the Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Campsite, within the upper reaches of the montane forest zone.
Climb into the moorland over the Shira ridge and down to the plateau and the Shira 1 Camp.
- Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp: Rise early and tackle a steep climb to head out of the montane forest zone and into the moorland zone. Admire trees such as the Giant Heather and Erica. Embark on a challenging hiking day with a trek over the Shira ridge at 3,500m (11,483 ft), where, on a clear day, have direct views of Kibo, the peak and ultimate goal of the adventure. From there, descend to the Shira plateau and set up at Shira 1 Camp, located next to a stream.
Travel across the Shira plateau, with time for short acclimatization walks. Because the hiking time is only about 3 hours today, use the free time to take a number of short acclimatization walks around and above the Shira 2 Camp. This camp is more exposed than the previous night's camp. It may be windier and colder, with temperatures dropping to below freezing.
- Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp: Traverse the Shira plateau. Ascend gently through the lower alpine moorland, which is notable for beautiful wild alpine flowers and the unique giant lobelia and giant groundsel (senecio kilimanjari) plants.
Climb through rocky scree to the Lava Tower. Descend into the Great Barranco Valley to acclimatize and camp.
- Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower: Climb slowly through the rocky terrain to the Lava Tower (4600m, 15,092 ft) from the Shira 2 Camp. The route becomes increasingly challenging and steep. Some hikers might start to feel weak or short of breath from the altitude so go slowly— “pole pole” as they say in Swahili—to avoid exasperating the symptoms.
- Lava Tower to Barranco Camp: Descend from the Lava Tower 650m (2133 ft) to the Great Barranco Valley. Hike about 2 hours to reach the valley, acclimate to the elevation and take in the view of the Western Breach and Breach Wall along the way. Reach the Barranco Camp and enjoy the beautiful landscape as a reward for the day’s difficult hike. The Breach Wall surrounds the Camp on three sides and the area has an amazing view of hanging glaciers and the Kibo massif.
Tackle the Great Barranco Wall up into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley.
- Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp: Start the steady hike up the eastern side of the Great Barranco Wall. On the way to the Karanga Camp (4100m, 13,451 ft), pass below the Heim Glacier and through the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley. Depending on the weather, enjoy the fantastic view of Mt. Kilimanjaro from the Heim Glacier.
Trek through the alpine desert up to Barafu Camp. Prepare for the midnight start of the summit attempt. In preparation for the final ascent the same night, you will familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark, and prepare your equipment and thermal clothing for the summit attempt. Sleep may be difficult, but lie down after dinner to try and rest for the 1295m final ascent.
- Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp: Trek through the Karanga Valley to the Barafu Camp at 4600m (15,092ft). The trail through the alpine desert is dry, barren, and temperatures will get colder after leaving the valley camp. The Barafu Camp is on a narrow ridge with no barriers from the wind, but with a beautiful view of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Take some time before dark to get familiar with the camp area to avoid any accidents later.
At midnight, begin the summit trek. Conquer the rim of the main crater, then cross the scree and snow to Uhuru Peak. Descend to Mweka Camp. This stretch is the longest, and the most mentally and physically challenging of the trek. But the feeling of conquering Kilimanjaro will stay with you forever.
- Barafu Camp to Stella Point: Wake up call today is at 11pm in order to reach Stella Point (5756m, 18,885 ft) in time for the spectacular view of the sunrise (depending on weather). Enjoy a snack and warm drink and get ready for the ascent in the dark up the northwest scree. Go slowly as the terrain is rocky and difficult, pass between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers before arriving at Stella Point.
- Stella Point to Summit: Start the 1 hour, gradual ascent to Uhuru peak (5895m, 19341 ft) along the snow-covered trail. Temperatures near the summit can range from -23° C (-9°f) in the morning to just below freezing overnight. Arrive at the summit at last! Take a deep breath and celebrate a successful climb.
- Summit to Mweka Camp: Begin the descent from the summit towards the Barafu camp, where the group will pack up and enjoy a quick rest. The route down will use the same rock and scree path as the ascent and will pass back through moorland and forest terrain. Reach Mweka hut in the late afternoon.
Continue descent through the forested, lower slopes to Moshi. Meet the mamas of the Moshi Women’s Cooperative, a G supported project, for a climbing ceremony.
- Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate: Hike downhill to the Mweka Gate. Enjoy the lower altitude and the view of the forested slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. The route can be muddy underfoot so take care. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village for lunch, normally a muddy 1 hour hike. Upon arrival to Moshi in the afternoon, relax, or opt to have that much-deserved shower and congratulatory beverage.
- Mweka Gate to Mweka Village: Walk back to the Mweka village for lunch. The route is typically muddy but doesn’t take long.
- Moshi Women's Cooperative Visit: This project is supported by the Planeterra Foundation and G Adventures. Women and girls are often the first to be excluded from educational programs in Tanzania, with most girls being pulled out of school by Grade 3 to help out around the home. Our ground partners provide free adult business education for women in Moshi, and Planeterra and G Adventures have rented a cooperative space to allow these students to practice their academic skills and save income to start their own business. Feel free to shop for for souvenirs and speak to the women who run the cooperative about their lives and how the project has assisted in building a brighter future.
- Lalasalama Spa & Beauty Aromatherapy Massage: Want to revive sore muscles with a relaxing massage? Lalasalama Spa & Beauty has joined with The Moshi Women’s Cooperative, a project supported by G Adventures, which provides business education to local women. Have the Moshi Mamas come to your hotel and indulge in a 30 min massage after completing your hike to the roof of Africa!
En route to Arusha, enjoy an included stop at the G Adventures-supported Moshi Women’s Cooperative. Pick up any last-minute supplies in Arusha. Travel to the picturesque town of Arusha. En route, stop at the Moshi Women’s Cooperative to learn about what this project offers. Meet the women, learn more about their lives, and opt to purchase some souvenirs. In the evening, you may be joined by other G Adventures travellers arriving from Kenya or starting the safari portion of their Tanzania trip. Check for details of the time and location of a welcome meeting, typically around 18:00.
- Transport: Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.
- Moshi Women's Cooperative Visit: This project is supported by the Planeterra Foundation and G Adventures. Women and girls are often the first to be excluded from educational programs in Tanzania, with most girls being pulled out of school by Grade 3 to help out around the home. Our ground partners provide free adult business education for women in Moshi, and Planeterra and G Adventures have rented a cooperative space to allow these students to practice their academic skills and save income to start their own business. Feel free to shop for for souvenirs and speak to the women who run the cooperative about their lives and how the project has assisted in building a brighter future.
After breakfast transfer to the airport in Arusha and board your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival enjoy an orientation walk of Stone Town before going to Jambiani. Grab lunch on your own and then take advantage of free time to settle into island life. There are plenty of local restaurants in the area for you to have dinner at your leisure this evening.
- Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Stone Town Orientation Walk: This orientation walk is just a brief introduction. If you'd like to learn more in depth information about Stone Town, we recommended going on a guided city tour.
- Free Time: You'll have some free time late this afternoon and evening to get used to island life and slip into the relaxing vibes of Jambiani. Visit the stunning beaches and experience the fishing village atmosphere still present here with a big focus on local life over commercialized tourist areas.
Head out on an included spice tour to gain a sense of Zanzibar's history and the spice plantations that brought the beginnings of the slave trade here dating back to the 1840s. The remainder of the day is free for you to do as you please. Perhaps, pre-book the snorkelling to witness the underwater life here off of Tanzania's coastline, or head to the nearby Jozani Forest for a tour. You can also simply relax on the beach and swim. Dinner this evening is at your leisure.
- Spice Plantation Tour: No visit to Zanzibar would be complete without a visit to the spice plantations. Your senses will be aroused as you will receive a detailed description on the assortment of spices (black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, breadfruit, jackfruit, vanilla, lemon grass) and their various uses. It was the spice plantations that brought the beginnings of Zanzibar’s infamous slave trade that dates back to the 1840’s.
- Free Time: Enjoy yourself on the island of Zanzibar. Choose to pre-book snorkelling or maybe go on a guided tour of Jozani Forest. Relaxing on the beach, working on your tan, and cooling off with a swim, is a great option too.
- Zanzibar Snorkelling: The Blue Lagoon is a small snorkeling spot on the east coast of Zanzibar, located on the Michamvi Peninsula, halfway between Pingwe and Dongwe. The Blue Lagoon is about 40 meters wide and 100 meters long, naturally dug into the flats. The depth reaches 12 to 15 feet/4 to 5 meters in the center of the lagoon. Despite the coral-poor bottoms, this sheltered lagoon attracts lots of reef fish. Among the most remarkable, are the Powder-blue tang, the Moorish Idol, the lionfish, or the Goldbar wrasse, which darts from reef to reef. In the shade of the overhangs, you will probably notice schools of sweepers. Sea anemones host two species of anemonefish: the Skunk clownfish and the Twobar clownfish, which are easy to see at shallow depths. In the blue, you may spot a school of garfish or convict surgeons.
- Jozani Forest Tour: Known for the red colobus monkeys, a visit Jozani forest is a highlight when in Zanzibar. Explore the nature trails while following in the footsteps of a guide who will inform about the impressive flora and fauna surrounding you. (36-160 USD per person)
- Swimming: Grab your bathing suit and go for a refreshing swim.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Jambiani before your included group transfer back to the airport outside of Stone Town. You should arrive at the Zanzibar airport by 11:30AM where your tour ends. Please do not book onward flights prior to 2:30PM.
Please do not book onward flights prior to 2:30PM.
Trip Inclusions
- Take the scenic Lemosho Route — Kilimanjaro's most beautiful path to the summit.
- Camp on the mountain under some of the clearest skies you've ever seen.
- Stand at Uhuru Peak at sunrise and take in Africa from its highest point.
- Unwind on Zanzibar's white-sand beaches — you've more than earned it.
- Your G for Good Moment: Moshi Women's Cooperative Visit, Moshi
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- 8-day guided group trek up Mt Kilimanjaro's Lemosho Route with local guides, cooks and porters
- Additional "acclimatization day" during ascent
- All permits and fees
- Stone Town Orientation Walk
- Spice Tour Zanzibar
- Free time in Karatu, Serengeti National Park, and Zanzibar
- Internal Flight to Zanzibar
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private minibus, trekking, private vehicles, plane
- For the Kilimanjaro portion of the itinerary the group will be accompanied by a certified mountain guide, local representative, cook, and porters
- For the safari portion a CEO (Chief Experience Officer), certified safari guides/drivers, local guides will accompany the group
- Hotels (5 Nights), Full-service Alpine Camping (7 Nights)
- 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
For travellers who prefer their adventures powered by motion - G's Active tours offer an immersive way to explore the world. Read more
From Lifetime Deposits to no single supplements and 100% Guaranteed Departures, G make booking feel as good as going. Read more
The biggest reason travellers book our trips again and again? Our legendary Chief Experience Officers, aka CEOs. Read more
G's commitment to making travel a force for good is so strong, they gave it a name and made it official - meet G for Good. Read more
Dates & Pricing
The Great Adventurers Club
GJ Loyalty Discount
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Similar Tours
14 Days Johannesburg Kasane
Operated By: G Adventures
13 Days Casablanca Marrakesh
Operated By: G Adventures
14 Days Moshi Stone Town
Operated By: G Adventures
14 Days Windhoek Cape Town
Operated By: G Adventures
