Tanzania: Kilimanjaro's Machame Route & Zanzibar Shores
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.
Hike the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro to Machame Camp. Most of the day is spent in the gorgeous and fascinating, forested slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, most of which is considered to be rainforest zone. Depending on the weather, the trail will be soggy and possibly muddy if it rains.
- Machame Gate to Machame Camp: Start at the Machame Gate where the group will register and begin hiking. The slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro are a rainforest zone, so trails can be wet and muddy. Keep a look-out for black and white colobus monkeys and exotic birds. On the first day of hiking the group covers a long distance with a gradual gradient. End the day at the Machame Campsite above the rainforest.
Hike through lower alpine moorland to Shira 2 camp and observe the spectacular views of Kibo Peak.
- Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp: Start with a steep ascent towards the edge of the forest. Climb the steep ridge and stop for a break. Before reaching camp, continue hiking to Shira Cathedral and enjoy the view of the peaks.
Hike to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower. Enjoy the fantastic view of Western Breach and the Breach Wall.
- 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.
View the Great Barranco Wall and climb up the eastern wall, passing below the Helm Glacier.
- Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp: Take a look at the view of the Great Barranco Wall from camp then get ready to climb up the eastern wall. The route is a steady incline that passes below the Helm Glacier and meets with the Mweka route on the way down. Get some rest at the Barafu camp, the site is a on a narrow, rocky, ridge with no barriers to block the wind. Get equipment like headlamps, hiking poles and thermal clothing ready to go for the very early morning start the next day.
Hike during the night to the Summit via Stella Point. Watch the sunrise before descending to Mweka Camp. The route from Barafu Camp to the summit is mentally and physically, the longest, most challenging day of the entire trek. Despite the difficulty, the memory of conquering Mt 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.
- 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
- Tackle the Machame Route — Kilimanjaro's most scenic and celebrated path.
- Trek through forest and moorland before glaciers and high-alpine deserts take over.
- Camp on the mountain and wake up closer to the stars than you've ever been.
- Stand at Uhuru Peak at sunrise and witness the curvature of the earth.
- 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
- 6-day guided group trek up Mt Kilimanjaro's Machame Route with local guides, cooks and porters
- All permits and fees
- Stonetown Orientation Walk
- Spice Tour Zanzibar
- Free time in Zanzibar
- Internal Flight to Zanzibar
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private minibus, trekking, private vehicles, plane
- Certified mountain guide throughout, local representative, cook, porters
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer), certified safari guides/drivers, local guides while in Zanzibar
- Hotels (5 Nights), Full-service Alpine Camping (5 Nights)
- 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
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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.
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