Upon arrival in Kilimanjaro, you will be met and transferred to Moshi, where you will meet the rest of your team and be met by your guide for the trip. The guide will deliver a full briefing, carry out equipment checks and help with hiring additional equipment if needed. Moshi is located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro and is known as a coffee-producing hub as it boasts vast coffee plantations. 

Accommodation: Summit Retreat

Meals: D

This morning we will have a 2-3 hour transfer to the Rongai Nale Moru Gate near the Kenyan border. After arrival, we will begin our climb to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa, hiking through forests where we will see wildlife such as White and Black Colobus Monkeys, and the exotic Hartlaub's Turaco, a large bird with a violet blue tail, red wing tips, a blue-black head, and eyes surrounded by white. This day has an elevation gain of 800m or 2,500ft.  We will have lunch together on the trail before continuing on to our first campsite of the trek where we will rest for the night. 

Accommodation: Camping

Transfer time: 2-3 hours

Trekking distance: 6km

Elevation gain: 800m

Meals: B L D

Today’s trekking will take us through Kilimanjaro’s moorland, where the morning of hiking is steep and you will begin to feel the altitude. You will notice the growing altitude today in your legs and the rhythm of your breathing. Your guide will advise you to go “pole, pole” (“slowly, slowly”) if they think your pace is too fast for the altitude. The total elevation gain for today will be 1,000m or 3,400ft. We will stop to rest at a cave and take some time to explore, before resuming our hike and having lunch at Second Cave, a natural cave formed by the cooling of lava. The afternoon of hiking is easier as we cross the moorland and approach our campsite for the night, which is in a sheltered valley at Kikelewa. 

Accommodation: Camping

Trekking distance: 15km

Elevation gain: 1,000m

Meals: B L D

Today will mainly be an acclimatisation day, where we will hike in the morning then rest in the afternoon and evening. The hike in the morning is rather short, but it is steep, though we will be rewarded with superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. The elevation gain of today will be 730m or 2,400ft. We then make our way to our campsite at Mawenzi Tarn, which is situated below Mawenzi Peak and offers stunning views of Mawenzi and Kibo. 

Accommodation: Camping

Trekking distance: 7km

Elevation gain: 730m

Meals: B L D

This morning we will have a small sleep in and do another acclimatisation walk. We can pick between two walks depending on how we are feeling - a steep walk toward the peak of Mawenzi, or a gentle climb to the ridge of the lunar desert and visit the eerie site of a plane crash. After embarking on one of these walks, we will return to Mawenzi Tarn for a hot lunch and restful afternoon. 

Accommodation: Camping

Trekking distance: 2km

Meals: B L D

We depart our camp for the last 2 nights and make our way across the lunar landscape of the saddle between Kibo, the summit cone and Mawnezi. The crossing is exposed and can be very windy, though it is spectacular. The elevation gain for today is 370m or 1,200 ft. Today we are hiking towards Kibo Huts Camp, our home for the night, which is situated directly below the summit, offering amazing views over the Kenyan plains and Mawenzi. After lunch and a full summit briefing, we will spend time resting to prepare for our summit tomorrow. 

Accommodation: Camping

Trekking distance: 11km

Elevation gain: 370m

Meals: B L D

Today is the big summit day, where we will begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. We will begin hiking at around midnight and use the light of our head torches to navigate our way for the next six hours. The most challenging part of the entire trek is the ascent to the crater rim. The trail consists mostly of steep switchbacks known as Jamaica Rocks, which we will scramble over as we approach the crater rim at Gilman’s point, which sits at 5,756m. The hike from Gilman’s to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and not too difficult, though the altitude makes the hike long and tiring. The sun rises and the plains of Africa are stretched out below us - we did it! After summit celebrations, we will descend to Kibo Huts, where we will eat and replenish our energy before continuing our descent to Horombo Huts, our campsite for the night. The elevation gain is 1,195m or 3,940ft and elevation loss is 2,175m or 7,140ft.

Accommodation: Camping

Trekking distance: 16.5km

Elevation gain: 1,195m | Elevation loss: 2,175m

Meals: B L D

After a well-deserved sleep, we have breakfast and finish off the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate today. This last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one as we pass through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The elevation loss for today is 1,890m or 6,200ft. Once we reach the end, we will be transferred back to your accommodation in Moshi where you will enjoy some much-deserved R&R.

Trekking distance: 19km

Elevation loss: 1,890m

Transfer time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Summit Retreat

Meals: B L D

After a restful morning and delicious breakfast, we’ll depart our lodge and drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport, connecting with our 1.5hr flight to Mwanza. On arrival, we will head to our accommodation at Isamilo Hotel and check-in, then connect with the staff at Forever Angels Baby Home, who are Forever Projects’ major impact partner in Tanzania. We’ll spend the afternoon and evening learning from the team and visiting the businesses of some of the inspirational women in the program. Dinner at Hotel Tilapia on the shores of Lake Victoria with the group and members of the Forever Angels team. Stay overnight at Isamilo Hotel.

Accommodation: Lodge

Meals: B L D

Early breakfast at Isamilo Hotel, and then throughout the morning we will witness the life-changing program of Forever Projects’ partners firsthand, as 60-70 women and their babies arrive for weekly training and community connection. We’ll join them for lunch and hear more about their inspiring journeys, then throughout the afternoon, learn from local staff as we visit some more of the businesses these brave women have established. Spend the afternoon reflecting on all we’ve experienced during the day, then enjoy a meal with the Forever Angels team at a unique family restaurant in the heart of Mwanza. Stay overnight at Isamilo Hotel. 

Accommodation: Isamilo Hotel

Meals: B L D 

Another early breakfast at Isamilo Hotel and chance to scale some of the unique rock formations in Mwanza the ‘rock city’. Final morning with Forever Projects partners before grabbing lunch on the way to Mwanza airport, departing midday back to Kilimanjaro airport. Transfer to Kimemo Coffee Lodge, Arusha, for an afternoon of reflection, leisure, rest and recovery. Explore the gorgeous surroundings and coffee estate at your own pace, and take whatever space and solitude you need to recharge and reflect on what you’ve just experienced the last few days. Kimemo cottages enjoy a tranquil setting as its grounds open to the Mringa Coffee Estate, offering unobstructed views of Mount Meru and expansive coffee fields. For dinner we’ll head out to Schwari restaurant, which has a gorgeous southerly aspect towards Tarangire National Park, where we’re headed the next day. Enjoy an evening in what’s sure to feel like home in the boutique Kimemo cottages.

Accommodation: Kimemo Coffee Lodge

Meals: B L D 

This morning we’ll enjoy a locally sourced coffee at first light with a continental breakfast, before saying goodbye to Kimemo cottages. We’ll be picked up by our Safari guide and drive 1 hour to Tarangire National Park. On arrival, the unique baobab trees and diverse animals will take your breath away! The Tarangire river is a magnet for all kinds of wildlife and large cats, including cheetahs, prides of lions, hyenas, and the elusive leopard! At the end of our game drive, we will arrive at Olkeri Camp for check in, fireside sundowners, and dinner under the stars. We’ll be at this camp for two nights.

Accommodation: Olkeri Camp

Meals: B L D 

Much like yesterday, we’ll explore the Tarangire Park ecosystem on game drives. Depending on the local conditions and where the animals are, our guide will recommend the best locations to witness the unsurpassed beauty. The expansive Silale Swamp is a great spot to see large herds of elephants, leopards lounging in acacia trees, and even hippos! Enjoy lunch by the swamp before heading back towards camp, and enjoying an optional swim at Tarangire Safari Lodge. We’ll return to camp for an optional walking safari, where our guide will examine the tracks of the animals we’ve seen throughout the day. Relax with sundowners by the campfire and bush dining under a star studded sky. Optional night game drive. 

Accommodation: Olkeri Camp

Meals: B L D 

After one last early morning game drive as the sun rises amongst the baobabs, we’ll enjoy a breakfast at camp before departing Tarangire National Park. Sadly, our trip comes to an end today, as we transfer back to Arusha and have lunch. We’ll then be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport where we will part ways and make our way home.

Meals: B