Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar the Best of Both Worlds - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )
Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar
the Best of Both Worlds: Africa
Natural Tours (For Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar) Tanzania safari company
in Moshi
Specialized
in: Wildlife safaris, Mountain climbing,
Cultural tourism and Beach holidays in East Africa
Contact
+255 653 679 958
Email: info@africanaturaltours.com
Website: www.africanaturaltours.com
The Best of Both Worlds
Our
11 days The Best of Both Worlds Tour takes you up to Africa’s highest peak and
most marvelous beaches. You will climb Kilimanjaro via Machame Route, which is
one of the best routes due to the marvelous scenery and excellent climbing
conditions. Panoramic views of the immense ocean of ochre yellow sand that
covers the radius of the moorland regions, the emerald rainforests and the
gleaming fields are unparalleled.
You will traverse over the ancient, glaciated
river valleys of the frosty southern slopes. After this unique adventure we
take you to the endless sandy white beaches of Zanzibar, where you will relax
and unwind for the next 4 days. There are numerous historical locations but
Zanzibar beaches are heavenly so you can soak up the sun rays or soak up the
knowledge – the choice is entirely yours.
TOUR
ITINERARY
Day One: Briefing
A
driver will pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel where
orientation will take place. Your guides will provide you with detailed
information on your trek and they will examine your gear.
Day Two: Moshi to Machame Gate
(1,800m/5,905ft) to Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft) Elevation Gain: 1,200 meters,
3,935 feet.
On
your 6 days Machame Route your crew will accompany you at all times so you will
have an opportunity to meet them beforehand. In the morning we will depart for
the Machame Gate and venture through the coffee farms and local villages during
the 45 minute drive. Upon arriving you will wait at the gate whilst we register
your climb and the porters and guides complete their last preparations.
Our final destination for the day is the Machame
Camp. We will begin by hiking through the timbered underpass of Kilimanjaro
moss covered cloud forest. Towards the end of the hike the forest will start to
fade and the transformation of the vegetation is drastic. Wildflowers, high
grasses and heathers will sprout out of nowhere. A cloudless sky will reveal
the ultimate destination, the Kibo Peak. The porters and cooks will advance to
ensure that the camp is organized by the time you arrive.
Day Three: Machame Camp
(3,000m/9,840ft) to Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) Elevation Gain: 840
meters, 2,760 feet
Today’s
hike is considered to be the easiest on the 6 days Machame route but there are
numerous uphill intervals. The trail is exposed and on a clear day the sun can
assist in exhausting you so we urge you to carry plenty of drinking water.
You will have several opportunities to view
the marvelous forest canopies and the golden plains of the savannah that lie
below. Above the towering Kibo mountains and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi make
their presence known. The vegetation transforms as the altitude increases – the
trees begin to shrink the infamous high altitude plants of the Kilimanjaro, the
Lobelia Deckenii and the Scenecio Kilimanjaro, begin to emerge. You will climb
to the Shira Plateau after lunch. When Kibo was still an active volcano, the
lava seeped to the Shira Crater and filled it. We will end our hike at the
Shira Camp where you will relax for the rest of the day. Kibo lies to the West
and Mount Meru to the East.
Day Four: Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft)
to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) Total Elevation Gain: 690 meters, 2,264
feet
The
trail on this day can be described as temperamental. It is up and down but the
elevation gain is only 110 metres which seems insufficient but contemplate the
fact that by lunchtime you would have already climbed a grueling 690 metres to
a height of 4,530 meters. This is a vital day for acclimatization so it is
important to try to keep up. You will begin by hiking east on the expansive
Shira Plateau.
Your first milestone is the junction for the
Shira and Lemosho Routes. At this point you will continue through the barren
setting until you stop for lunch. We will reach the maximum position of the day
Shorty after lunch and then we will have a rapid descent to the Barranco Camp.
If you are a faster hiker you can take an advantageous detour by means of the
Lava Tower – a towering three hundred foot lava creation that protrudes out of
the mountainside. The Barranco Camp is regarded as the most scenic campsite on
the 6 days Machame Route.
Day Five: Barranco Camp
(3,950m/12,960ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) Elevation Gain: 600
meters, 2,140 feet
The
significant hike to the Barafu Camp will commence once you have finished your
early, energy dense breakfast. The day launches straight into the challenge – a
taxing, ninety minute climb up the Barranco Wall. Some areas require you to
support your own body weight as you pull your body up with your bare hands.
Once we reach the top we will descend into the greener territories of the
Karanga Valley.
The journey offers several vistas of Kibo’s
gleaming glaciers and we will hike near the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers.
There is also a vantage point that allows you to observe the junction that
connects the Machame trail with the descending route. The trail is a bleak
alpine desert that ranks lows in comparison to the previous day’s scenery but
once you reach the Barafu Camp you will recognize that it was a worthwhile
trek. The stunning view of the bronzed Kibo and the Mawenzi Peak contrasts with
the bleached Rebmann Glacier sublimely. Resting immediately after dinner is
recommended as we will embark on our trek to the summit slightly after
midnight.
Day Six: Barafu Camp
(4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp
(3,100m/10,170ft) Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet; Elevation
Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet
We
will begin the final ascent to the cloud covered Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest
point. Your headlamp will illuminate the trail for the next six hours. The
ascension to the crater rim is the most strenuous mission on the entire trek.
The gradient is incredibly steep until you reach Stella Point. The high
altitude causes the hike from Stella point to Uhuru Peak to be arduous and
slow. This lasts approximately one hour until you reach Uhuru. Once you conquer
the summit, you can take photographs and marvel at the landscape. We will start
making our way towards the Mweka Camp and there are countless spectacles to
witness at a new angle including the mountains, craters and glaciers. You will
hike amongst the wispy clouds and their beauty will enchant you. When we arrive
at the Barafu Camp we will pause for breakfast. After breakfast we will spend
the next three to five hours walking to the Mweka Camp. You can spend the last
night star gazing and reflecting on your triumph.
Day Seven: Mweka Camp
(3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft) Elevation Loss: 1,600
meters, 5,250 feet
After
breakfast we will embark on the last leg of our journey, a stroll to the Mweka
Gate. We will pass through the mystical cloud forest again but we ask that you
remain cautious as the trail on the way down can be slippery. Once you reach
the gate, you can purchase sodas and t-shirts. A Viva Africa Tours vehicle will
transport you back to Moshi.
Day Eight: Moshi to Zanzibar
Prior
to landing you will notice that the crystal clear waters of the Zanzibar
beaches truly exist. Our driver will collect you from the airport and transport
to the Northern part of the island, to the small village of Kendwa. Kendwa’s
beaches feature golden sand with shimmering water that reflects the clear skies
and white foam that will tickle your toes. For the next days you can laze at
the beach, participate in the many water activities or even go on excursions
around the island. Not included optionals: Stone Town Historical Tour, Spice
Tour, Prison Island Tour, Water Sports
Day Nine: Kendwa Zanzibar
Freetime
in Kendwa. Not included optionals: Stone Town Historical Tour, Spice Tour,
Prison Island Tour, Water Sports
Day Ten: Kendwa Zanzibar
Freetime
in Kendwa. Not included optionals: Stone Town Historical Tour, Spice Tour,
Prison Island Tour, Water Sports
Day Eleven: Kendwa Zanzibar to
connect your flight
After
you have enjoyed a delicious breakfast we will provide transportation to
Zanzibar International airport where you will connect your flight.
Our Package Includes
- Transport from/to park gate & airport transfers
- Flight from Kilimanjaro Airport to Zanzibar
- 2 nights’ accommodation (B&B) in Moshi; 5 nights camping on Kilimanjaro; 3 nights (B&B) on Zanzibar
- Tent and mattress on the mountain
- Park & camping fees
- Professional English speaking guide(s), porters & cook
- 10 breakfasts; 6 lunches; 5 dinners
- Water; tea and coffee with meals
Not Included
- International flights
- Increases in park fees where applicable
- Tours on Zanzibar
- Lunch & dinner in Moshi & on Zanzibar
- Travel insurance
- Visa and passport fees
- Personal items
- Sleeping bag
- Gratuities / tips for guide(s), porters & cook
- Soda and Alcoholic beverages
For
more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com
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