Kilimanjaro: Marangu Route and Camping Safari

Arrive to Kilimanjaro International Airport where our team will be awaiting your arrival. Drive 1 hour to the town of Moshi to check into our partner lodge to catch up on jet lag. Join the rest of the group for a welcome dinner at the lodge. Peak Altitude: 2,800 ft (853 m) Inclusions: Welcome dinner (two meal options + other options available for guest purchase); airport transportation; accommodations

The adventure begins! Drive 1 hour to the Marangu Gate to get your trekking permits for Kilimanjaro National Park. Depart with only a daypack and begin your ascent through the mossy rain forest. Stop for a picnic to enjoy your box lunch before continuing the ascent. Spend the first night on the trail at Mandara Hut, a solar generated, A-frame hut. Enjoy a delicious dinner before getting some well-deserved rest. Total Hiking: approximately 5 miles (8 km) / 5 hours of trekking Peak Altitude: 8,907 ft (2715 m) Inclusions: all meals + coffee, tea, water; national park fees; accommodations, porter services

Transition from the rain forest into the grasslands and catch your first glimpses of the Kibo Crater. Trek past the unique plant life that can live for 100 years and reach up to 16 feet tall. Pass an ancient burial ground and learn about local Chagga culture. Retire to Horombo Hut for the evening after a warm meal and great sunset views. Total Hiking: approximately 7.2 miles (11.6 km) / 6-8 hours of trekking Peak Altitude: 12,155 ft (3705 m) Inclusions: all meals + coffee, tea, water; national park fees; accommodations, porter services

Spend a day at Horombo Hut to acclimate to the altitude. Take a short hike to Zebra Rock, a geologic phenomenon located near the hut. Don't forget to look up at the star-covered sky with a clear view of the Milky Way. With almost no light pollution and it's proximity to the equator, the Kilimanjaro area is an astronomer's paradise. Total Hiking: approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) / 2-3 hours trekking Peak Altitude: 13,123 ft (4000 m) Inclusions: all meals + coffee, tea, water; national park fees; accommodations, porter services

The hike continues through another microclimate - the alpine desert. This moon-like landscape gives you great views of the summit as you near 15,000 feet of elevation. Eat lunch on the trail and reach Kibo Hut by mid-afternoon. Eat an early dinner and sleep for a few hours before departing at midnight for your summit attempt. Total Hiking: approximately 6 miles (9.6 km) / 6 hours trekking Peak Altitude: 15,518 ft (4730 m) Inclusions: all meals + coffee, tea, water; national park fees; accommodations, porter services

Prepare for a spectacular (and long) day! Rise just before midnight to begin the long ascent to the summit where steep switchbacks lead you to the top. Be prepared for a very cold summit with plenty of layers and enough battery to snap that summit shot. Reach Gilman's Point (18,652 ft) at sunrise and take in the golden light before making the final push to Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro's summit at 19,341 ft! From the summit, head back the way you came and return to Kibo Hut for a quick snack before continuing down to Horombo Hut for the night. Total Hiking: approximately 12.7 miles (20.4 km) / 13-16 hours trekking Peak Altitude: 19,341 ft (5895 m) Inclusions: all meals + coffee, tea, water; national park fees; accommodations, porter services

In the morning, soak in one last view from Horombo Hut and enjoy songs with the staff members of your group. Now is a good time to tip the porters, cooks, and guides. Continue your descent past Mandara Hut and continue all the way back to the park gates. Return to Moshi for a hot shower and a celebration dinner with your team. Total Hiking: approximately 12.2 miles (20 km) / 6 hours trekking Peak Altitude: 12,155 ft (3705 m) Inclusions: all meals + coffee, tea, water; national park fees; accommodations, porter services

Time for safari! Depart Moshi after breakfast to drive to Tarangire National Park on a scenic 4-hour ride. At the park, pop the roof of the car and begin a game drive. Spot elephants, ostrich, waterbuck, giraffe, zebra, lions, and more. Wrap up the game drive and head to your campsite nestled within the park. Settle down for a beautiful night of camping under a star-filled sky. Peak Altitude: 3,325 ft (1014 m) Inclusions: all meals + coffee, tea, water; national park fees; camping accommodations

Enjoy a cup of coffee while watching troops of baboons wander by the campgrounds. After a hearty breakfast, take a morning game drive in Tarangire to spot more animals before having lunch at the park gates. After lunch, drive three hours to Ngorongoro for your first views of the massive crater teaming with wildlife. Continue on to your group campsite on the rim of the crater. Peak Altitude: 7,500 ft (2286 m) Inclusions: all meals + coffee, tea, water; national park fees; camping accommodations

Wake up early and drive into the spectacular crater. This UNESCO World Heritage site was formed by an imploded volcano over 3 million years ago. Now the conservation area is home to over 25,000 large animals where you can spot rhinos, zebras, lions, wildebeests, and impalas. Return to the campsite for lunch before the 4-hour drive back to Moshi, arriving around 5pm. Peak Altitude: 7,500 ft (2286 m) Inclusions: breakfast; lunch; transportation; accommodations

Enjoy one last Tanzania coffee and say goodbye to Moshi town. OneSeed will provide airport transportation for all international departures. Peak Altitude: 2,800 ft (853 m) Inclusions: breakfast; airport transfer