Day 01: Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha.

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, our VIP Visa Specialist will meet and welcome you to East Africa. He guides you through the entire Tanzania Visa application process and skipping long immigration queues. With Galloping Safaris, you will be escorted from arrival to departure, making your arrival to Tanzania completely worry-free. Upon exiting the airport, a Galloping Safaris representative will be holding a poster with your name who will transfer you to Arusha (45 minutes) for the Serenity retreat of Ilboru Safari Lodge this charming hotel has beautiful views of Mount Meru and is the ideal place to acclimatize to Africa or simply relax in the poolside gardens with a chilled drink. 

Day 02: Arusha –Londrossi Gate (2100m) – Mti Mkubwa camp (2750m). 

Hiking time: 3 hours

Habitat: Montane forest

After eating breakfast at your hotel, meet and greet with your Climbing crews’ team for the Climbing orientation and Equipment Inspection. You will drive two hours from Moshi (1600m) to Londrossi Park Gate (2100m). In the village near Londorossi Gate, you will receive a packed lunch and can buy mineral water for the hike. Then the final 45 minutes of the drive leading up to the gate will be on a bumpy forest track requiring 4WD vehicles. At the entrance gate, the guides and porters distribute the supplies and register with the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). You are now ready to begin your 3-hour hike into the rain forest. Be on the lookout for Colobus monkeys! Along the way, you will stop for an afternoon lunch break and arrive at Mti Mkubwa (“Big Tree”) Campsite (2750m) in the early evening. The porters, who arrive at the campsite before the clients, will set up your tent and boil water for drinking and washing. The chef will prepare a snack then dinner for the clients. At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!

Distance: 4-5 hours walking

Hiking time: 5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed, we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

Day 04: Shira One to Shira Two 

Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft 4-5 hours walking. 

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland 

After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.

Day 05: Shira Two to Barranco 

Elevations: (3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

Hiking time: 5-6hours  

Distance: Approximately 8 kilometers

Habitat: Semi-Desert

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” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 06: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp 

Elevation: (4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft 

Hiking time: 3-4 hours  

Distance: Approximately 4 kilometers

Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. 

Hiking time: 3-4 hours  

Distance: Approximately 4 kilometers

Habitat: Alpine desert 

We continue up to the Barafu Camp. 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.

Day 08: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp.

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft & Down to 3090m/10,150ft 

Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way 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 you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.

Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

9: Descend Mweka Camp (3090m) – Mweka Gate (1680m) + drive back to Arusha.

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi 

Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours 

Habitat: Forest

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, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Arusha for check in at Ilboru Safari Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 10Day 10: Tarangire to Witness the massive Elephant herds and Giant Baobab trees – Evening High tea.

08: 00 AM Departure Arusha with 4x4x and drive to Tarangire National Park is a unique place and an absolutely fantastic in this time of the year. Viewing some of Tanzania’s largest populations of elephant and enjoying the diverse scenery, including the dramatic baobab trees that are so typical of the park. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the stretch of Tarangire River. More game drive until end of the day you drive to Maramboi Tented Camp please join us for a welcome reception followed by cocktails drinks, dinner and overnight at on cool winter evenings, get cozy next to a fireplace and sip one of the best coffees you will ever taste.

Breakfast, drive to Serengeti. A brief visit en-route to Olduvai Gorge, which is often referred to as ‘The Cradle of Mankind’ and is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. Stop at Land of the Maasai—the iconic pastoralists of the East African savanna, known for their scarlet robes, their beadwork, and their legendary ceremonies. Pay a visit to a Maasai Manyatta, or village, where we’ll be greeted with a foot-stomping, high-jumping welcome dance. Immerse yourself in their world, learning about their customs. Meet the village elders, visit homes, and take part in a memorable cultural exchange. Enjoy picnic lunch under the Acacia tree and head to the central park area, known as the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, dinner and overnight at Thorn Tree Tented Camp.

Day 12: In Search for the Great Migration & Predators – Evening High Tea + Private Dinner Under the Stars. 

These full day safaris are the best way to see the full range of what this magnificent park has to offer. Each excursion departs at around 6.30 am, with your 4×4 fully equipped to cross the Serengeti in search of game. The early mornings are relatively cool, but by midday it can become very hot indeed and sun-block lotion and hats are advised. Lunch is served under the shade of an Acacia tree as you take a break from scanning the horizons, and realize that all is well with the world.

One of nature’s great occasions is the annual crossing of the Mara river by migrating wildebeest. Yet it is often in the lesser-known corners of the bush that we spot the highlights of your visit, such as a kill, amorous liaison, or lesser-known creature. A full day on safari gives you every chance of such unforgettable encounters. Return for sundowner and cocktails, campfire is ready for you, enjoy dinner and overnight at Thorn Tree Tented Camp. 

Day 13: Ngorongoro Crater Game drive to see Big 5 Animals + Bush Lunch – Evening high tea – Bonfires. 

Early breakfast and today you will explore the famous Ngorongoro Crater during a wonderful game drive (with a picnic lunch) inside the Ngorongoro Crater often described as one of the wonders of the world. It is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s densest animal populations. It is one of the few places where the rare black rhino can be observed in their natural setting. As very few animals migrate in and out of the crater with its 2000 ft. high walls, you can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, many birds and other species. With a bit of luck, the ‘Big Five’ can be spotted during one game drive only. Later drive to the Lush retreat of Ngorongoro Lions Paw Camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 14: Lake Manyara National Park – Game drive – Private Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport- Departure. 

Breakfast and drive the short distance to Lake Manyara National Park for game viewing to this unique park with an alkaline lake and breathtaking views. Here you will view a wide variety of wildlife and the acacia woodlands offer the best overall wildlife viewing in the park. Enjoy your picnic lunches under the Acacia trees. This habitat is favored by the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, leopards and giraffes and can claim the greatest elephant concentration in East Africa. Algae thrive in the high saline content of the lake. Huge and colorful flocks of birds gather in the water to feed, including many different varieties of birds that coexist together. In fact, well over 300 different species of birds have been recorded here. Leave the Park and drive back to Arusha and Private transfer back to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for check in for departure flight.