13 Days Trekking with Zanzibar

Itinerary

On Arrival: Pick up from the airport to Weru Weru River Lodge

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, and then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
Elevation change: 7,800ft to 9,500ft
Distance covered: 6 km
Trekking duration: 3-4 hours
Mountain zone: Rain Forest

Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1
We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
Elevation change: 9,500ft to 11,500ft
Distance covered: 8 km
Trekking duration: 5-6 hours
Mountain zone: Moorland

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut via Shira 2
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Elevation change: 11,500ft to 13,800 ft (via 12,500 ft)
Distance covered: 14 km
Trekking duration: 5-7 hours
Mountain zone: Moorland

Day 4: Moir Hut to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation change: 13,800ft to 13,000ft (via 15,190ft)
Distance covered: 7 km
Trekking duration: 4-6 hours
Mountain zone: Alpine Desert

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp via Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Elevation change: 13,000ft to 15,000ft (via 13,120ft)
Distance covered: 9km
Trekking duration: 8-10 hours
Mountain zone: Alpine Desert

Day 6: Barafu Camp to the Summit and down to Mweka Camp
Starting anytime between 12am and 2am, we trek to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow fall all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point in Africa. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Elevation change: 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance covered: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Trekking duration: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Mountain zone: Arctic

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.
Elevation change: 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance covered: 10 km
Trekking duration: 3-4 hours
Mountain zone: Rain Forest

On Day 8: Catch a flight to Zanzibar from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Zanzibar will give you so much more to experience including scents and spices on a 4-hour food and culture tour with a Swahili lunch, and learn to prepare a traditional cassava leaf sauce. Visit a spice farm deep in Zanzibar’s countryside, and learn the island’s remarkable role in the historic spice trade. Taste fresh spices and seasonal fruits, see how cassavas are cultivated and processed, and join in a short cooking lesson in the farm’s outdoor kitchen. Enjoy a traditional meal of richly spiced rice with vegetables and fruit then return to Stone Town in an air-conditioned minivan.

Day 9: Zanzibar Historical Day Trip
After breakfast, start your guided stone town tour; stone town was declared as world heritage site by UNESCO. With our guide you will walk on the footsteps of Arab Sultans of Zanzibar. Discovery of the wonderful labyrinths of Zanzibar, visit of the historical sites, presentation of the Zanzibar doors, their roles and significance. Visit of the historical sites, presentation of the Zanzibar doors, their roles and significance. Return to Tembo House Hotel at noon.

Day 10: Safari Blue Tour
Morning at 8:30 picked up from hotel to Fumba village where you will meet your special boat special Guided safari blue tour: It is about visiting three different sand banks and you stop in one of those for Sea food lunch where by later you do snorkeling and having chance of seeing dolphin. It is full day back at 17:30 Fumba village and arrives back at the hotel around 18:30.

Day 11: Spice Farm and Stone Town
After breakfast, picked up at 9:30 for the trip to spice farm where you can see different types of spice and how they grow up plus tasting the seasonal fruits and to experience the normal life of the local people in the village then will have lunch at spice farm. After meal, you will have a town tour where you can have amazing history of the heart of the Zanzibar island as known as stone town, whereby you have chance to see the slave market site, daily market, house of wonder, old fort, palace museum and narrow street then will have chance to do shopping. This tour will be full day. Overnight at beach hotel and bungalow

Day 12: Zanzibar Beach & Leisure Day Trip
Morning, at 10:00, depart from Tembo house hotel to Mapenzi beach resort (Or similar hotel). Mapenzi Beach is a hotel located in north east of Zanzibar Island. En-route spice tour, discover the tropical spices, fruits, coconut climber,. Check inn for three nights at Mapenzi Beach Resort on all inclusive basis.

Day 13: Relaxation and Departure
Half day relaxation at the beach hotel before picked up to Zanzibar airport.