10 DAYS KILIMANJARO MARANGU CLIMBING ROUTE & ZANZIBAR BEACH HOLIDAY

DAY 0: ARRIVAL

Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), there will be a pick-up private transfer waiting to Airport Planet Lodge in Arusha. All airport transfers are part of the package, no extra fee is required. We will gather in the evening for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.

Airport Planet Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 1: DRIVE TO KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK MARANGU GATE, HIKE TO MANDARA HUT

After breakfast you will be taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at 1,840 m. Upon completion of the necessary paperwork, your trek commences and soon you will be hiking through the dense rainforest of Marangu. Looking up, you might have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the thumbless black and white colobus monkeys. After you have reached the Mandara Hut (2,700 m) in approximately 4 hours and you have had some time to catch your breath, you will have the option to join a walk to the Maundi Crater where you will enjoy a breath-taking view of the Kenyan interior, as well as of the gleaming lakes which share the border between Kenya and Tanzania. You will stay the evening at Mandara Hut . Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast are included (FB) .

Meal Plan: Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast (FB)

Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft

Distance: 8km/5mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

DAY 2: HIKE MANDARA HUT TO HOROMBO HUT

An early breakfast strengthens you for the trek ahead and shortly after leaving Mandara Hut you will reach the crossroads between Horombo Hut and Maundi Crater. Heading in the direction of Horombu Hut the vegetation will change to shrubs and you will cross the open moonland land reaching your destination in approximately 4 – 6 hours. Looking back your path will already be shrouded in clouds and looking forward you will catch glimpses of Mawenzi, Kibo peak, and the Maasai steppe. After your evening meal, you will drift off to sleep at the Horombu Hut. Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast are included (FB).

Meal Plan: Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast (FB)

Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft

Distance: 12km/7.5mi

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Heathland

DAY 3: HOROMBO HUT (3,700 M) – ZEBRA ROCKS (3,980 M) – HOROMBO HUT (4,700 M)

Zebra Rocks is on the agenda today, for your body to acclimatize to the altitude. Acclimatization plays an important role in improving your chances of reaching the summit and this 2 to 4-hour trek offers you the opportunity to stretch your legs and breathe in the fresh air. Zebra Rocks (3,980 m) is named after the distinct black and white stripes covering the rock formation. A hot lunch will await you on your return and the rest of the afternoon is for you to enjoy the spectacular views around you and regain your strength for tomorrow’s hike. You will stay another night at Horombo Hut. Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast are included (FB).

Meal Plan: Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast (FB)

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft

Distance: 4km/2.5mi

Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

Habitat: Heath and moorland

DAY 4: HOROMBO HUT (3,700 M) – KIBO HUT (4,700 M)

After breakfast a long and tough journey to Kibo Hut awaits you. The vegetation slowly changes into an alpine desert and you will pass the “last waterpoint” on your way to the so-called “saddle”, a plateau situated between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. You will arrive at the Kibo Hut in about 5 to 6 hours and go to bed straight after dinner as the summit calls for an early start, at approximately 23h00. Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast are included (FB).

Meal Plan: Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast (FB)

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft

Distance: 9km/5.5mi

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

DAY 5: KIBO HUT (4,700 M) – UHURU PEAK (5,895 M) – HOROMBO HUT (3,700 M)

The summit day has finally arrived and at around midnight, when the lava ash is still frozen, you will start your ascent. Your path will be strenuous with only your headlight to light the way. You will pass the Hans Meyer Cave at 5,200 m and slowly make your way up. Gilman’s Point at 5,715 m will be reached as the sun rises over the crater rim. You will continue another 1 to 2 hours to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). The cold is soon forgotten as you stand on the “Roof of Africa”, basking in the rays of the morning light. After a well-deserved photo opportunity, you will descend along the same path. The lava ash will now have thawed, allowing for a faster descent. Upon your arrival at Kibo Hut, a warm meal and approximately 2 hours of rest awaits you, before you continue down to the Horombo Hut. Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast are included (FB).

Meal Plan: Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast (FB)

Elevation: 4700M to 5895 and down to 3700M

Distance: 6 km up/15 km down/9 km to Horombo

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

DAY 6: HIKE HOROMBO HUT – MARANGU GATE – ARUSHA

The surrounding vegetation becomes greener as you continue your descent and soon you will arrive at the Mandara Hut (2,700 m), where a hot lunch awaits you. The journey back to the park gate gives you another chance to observe the beautiful tropical rainforest and spot anything you have missed on the way up, like the Impatiens Kilimanjaro Flower, which is endemic to the rainforest on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. Arriving at the gate you will say goodbye to your mountain crew and be taken back to your Airport Planet Lodge. You can enjoy a shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast are included (FB) .

Meal Plan: Dinner, Lunch, and Breakfast (FB)

Elevation: 3700M to 1900M

Distance: 19km/12m

Hiking Time: 5-8 hours

Habitat: Moorland to Montane forest

DAY 7: KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - ZANZIBAR ISLAND

Morning after breakfast drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will take your flight to Zanzibar Island. On arrival, you will be met and greeted by our guide and driver at Zanzibar Airport. Our representative will be holding a name card for you for easy identification and transfer to The Sands Beach Resort (Located on the South East Coast of Zanzibar Island). Dinner and Breakfast included (HB).

The Sands Beach Resort or similar

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 8: STONE TOWN CITY TOUR + ZANZIBAR SPICE TOUR + PRISON ISLAND BOAT TRIP

The morning after breakfast pick up from The Sands Beach Resort for the Zanzibar Spice Tour on this tour you will see and taste the tropical fruits, spices plantations, or plots on the island. A variety of spice plants used as ornament, medicines, flowers, fruits, and other interesting flora can be seen during the spice tour and if you have time, you will visit the Kidichi bath built in 1850 by the first Sultan for his wife Sheharzad (Granddaughter of Fateh Ali Shah of Persia). After the Spice Tour, we'll head to Stone Town one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Cultural Arts Centre of East Africa. You will have the Stone Town City Tour take you around the historical culture and architectural town of Zanzibar with a century of history. It includes a visit to the former slave market site, which now stands as an Anglican church built in 1871, a town market, the Zanzibar Memorial Museum, the House of Wonder built-in 1883 (Beit-Al-Ajab), Old Arab Fort, Palace Museum, Old Indian dispensary (Cultural Center). After Lunch, you will have a trip to Prison Island Boat Trip and visit Lloyd Mathew's Architecture built in 1893 and the Island is a home of Aldabra Giant Tortoises. Flanged by an amazing beach of reef sanctuary, the island is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and beach relaxation. After tours, you will be dropped off at The Sands Beach Resort for overnight (HB).

The Sands Beach Resort or similar

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 9: BEACH LEISURE

Day leisure or swims and play at the beach in front of the hotel, enjoying the beach or flexible to arrange any other activities. Dinner and Breakfast included (HB).

The Sands Beach Resort or similar

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 10: BEACH LEISURE

Breakfast at the Hotel – Swims or Some leisure with the Hotel till the time for the transfer to the Airport/Seaport for departure transfer (Depending on the flight departure timing).

None/ On Request

Breakfast & Lunch