Tanzania: Kilimanjaro's Lemosho Route & Zanzibar Beaches - 13 Days

Arrive at any time.

Begin the Lemosho trail of Mt Kilimanjaro ending for the day at the Mti Mkubwa Campsite.

Climb into the moorland over the Shira ridge and down to the plateau and the Shira 1 Camp.

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.

Climb through rocky scree to the Lava Tower. Descend into the Great Barranco Valley to acclimatize and camp.

Tackle the Great Barranco Wall up into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley.

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.

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.

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. Arrive to Moshi in the afternoon. Time to relax, take a shower, and celebrate with a drink. Cheers to climbing Mt Kilimanjaro! Before dinner, you will be welcomed and congratulated on your climb by the mamas of the Moshi Women’s Cooperative, a project supported by the tour operator. They will present you with a gift and a certificate to remember all your efforts on the mountain.

Opt to pre-book the Lala Salama Spa & Beauty Aromatherapy Massage, which partners with Moshi Women's Cooperative, by adding it to your checkout page, or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

En route to Arusha, enjoy an included stop at the the tour operator-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 the tour operator 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.

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.

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.

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.