12 Days Kilimanjaro Hike and Zanzibar beach Holiday

12 Days Kilimanjaro Hike and Zanzibar beach Holiday

The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is the most popular route on the Kilimanjaro hike. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep, and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous people or those with some high altitude, hiking, or backpacking experience.

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.

Safari highlights

• scenic views
• Reaching the Uhuru summit

Detailed safari itinerary

Day 1: Machame gate – Machame camp: 10.75k /7mi | 5-6 hrs. | Rainforest

Elevation: 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft
Altitude gained: 1210m

Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

Day 2: Machame camp – Shira camp: 5.3km/3mi | 4-5hrs | moorland

Elevation: 3021m/9911ft to 3839m/12,595ft
Altitude gained: 818m

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop.

Day 3: Shira camp – lava tower – Barranco camp: 10.75km/6mi | 5-6hrs | semi-desert

Elevation: 3839m/12,595ft to 3986m/13,077ft
Altitude gained: 147m

Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend Barranco Camp overnight.

Day 4: Barranco camp – Karanga camp: 5.2km/3mi | 3-4hrs | alpine desert

Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft
Altitude gained: 48m

After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

Day 5: Hike Karanga camp – Barafu camp: 3.3km /2 mi | 3-4hrs | alpine desert

Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
Altitude gained: 628m

We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

Day 6: Barafu camp – summit: 4.86km /3mi up | 5-7hrs | – Mweka camp: 11.5km /7.2mi down | 5-6hrs | glaciers, snowcapped summit

Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained: 1233m
Descent to 3106m/10,190ft
Altitude lost: 2789m

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!

After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.

Day 7: Mweka camp – Mweka gate – Moshi: 9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | rainforest

Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
Altitude lost: 1473m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.

From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations!!

Day 8: Depart Kilimanjaro for Zanzibar

After lazily morning depending on your flight schedule you will depart Kilimanjaro for Zanzibar, on Arrival at Zanzibar airport you will be received and transferred to your hotel for relaxation.

Day 9: Full day relaxation on the white sandy beaches

On this day you will spend the day sunbathing in front of your private villa overlooking the Azure blue waters of the Archipelago or in your private swimming pool with an ice-cold drink as you take a deep relaxation with your loved one on a lifetime holiday at the coast

Day 10: Full day relaxation on the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar

You will spend the walking along the white sandy beaches, sunbathing, or swimming in the private pool in front of your luxury villa.

Day 11: Lazily Morning and afternoon visit to the prison island

After laziness morning breakfast and delicious lunch our guide will pick you up at 2:30 pm for a trip to Prison Island, this island is a home of giant tortoises. Flanged by an amazing beach of reef sanctuary, the island is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and beach relaxation return to stone town at 5:30 pm for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Morning stone town tour and evening transfer to the airport for your flight

After breakfast, the stone town tour takes around the historical culture and architectural important town of Zanzibar with a century history.

It includes a visit to the former slave market site, now stands as an Anglican church built in 1871, town market, visit the Zanzibar Memorial Museum, House of Wonder built-in 1883 (Beit – Al-Ajab), old Arab Fort, Palace Museum, Old Indian Dispensary (cultural center) at 2:00 pm transfer to North or East coast hotel via Maruhubi Palace ruins, Living Stone House and to the spice and botanical tour on this tour, you will see and taste the tropical fruits, spices plantation.

After you will return to the lodge for refreshment and later you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Trip includes

Being a guided Expedition includes are provided on request upon booking this safari.

Trip Excludes

• International flights
• Tanzania tourist Visa
• Travel insurance
• Tips for hiking crew and the hotels

When to book this safari package

We recommend booking this safari 6 months to 1 year in advance to allow us to plan this expedition.