Day 1 - Depart U.K. Touch down in Kilimanjaro, upon arrival in JRO Airport you will be transferred to your campsite where you will be spending the night.
Day 2 - Momella gate (1500m) to Miriakamba Hut (2500m) You will depart the hotel at 0800hrs and head to the Momella gate which is the starting point of the trek. After the registration you will start your trek accompanied by an armed ranger. Along the route you will catch spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Momella lakes. You will encounter animals such as cape buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs and bushbucks, to name a few. Your trek will end up at Miriakamba Hut where you will be spending the night.
Day 3 - Miriakamba Hut (2500m) to Saddle Hut (3500m) Today’s trek takes you through the steep path along the ridge of the saddle. Amazing views of the Meru crater, the ash cone and little Meru can be seen along the way. While trekking through the forest keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and the attractive wild flowers. Common animals include buffaloes and the black and white Colobus monkey. Your trek will end up at Saddle hut where you will spend the night. After resting, you will set off on an hour acclimatisation trek to little Meru (3810m) then head back down to Saddle hut.
Day 4 - Saddle Hut (3500m) to Socialist Peak (4562m) to Miriakamba Hut (2500m) You will wake up just after midnight for a light meal then start your final ascent to Socialist Peak at the top of big Meru. The trail to the summit is steep and you will be climbing through gravel and rocky ridges. While at the summit you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Meru crater and ash cone. Occasionally, animals such as Klipspringers and mountain reedbucks can be seen over the rocky terrain. After the summit, you will then descend to Miriakamba Hut where you will be spending the night.
Day 5 - Miriakamba Hut (2500m) to Momella gate (1500m) After breakfast you will begin your final descent to Momella gate. You will be using the southern route to descend. During your descent you will pass through the montane forest where you will pass the amazing Fig Tree Arch. Upon arrival at the Momella gate, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel back in Moshi town.
Day 6 - Morning items shopping in Moshi town & Transfer to Jipe in the afternoon. Wake up to your first morning in Kilimanjaro the home to the tallest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the World. After breakfast, we will meet our team for introduction and small briefing of day to day activities of our tour and assigning activities between us. Some students will go item shopping in Moshi town for the project work. After getting everything needed we will return at WeruWeru for lunch, as we prepare ourselves for afternoon road transfer to Lake Jipe farm campsite.
Day 7 - Day hike. Today you will embark on a hiking day trip up the slopes of the Pare mountains. During your hike you will experience breathtaking views of Lake Jipe as well the Tsavo West plains and Mt. Kilimanjaro (on a clear day).
Day 8 - Community Project Day 1. Today we start off our 4 days community project by cycling from Jipe farm campsite to Jipe village. Together with the qualified builders will help start the foundation for the construction of a Nursery classroom.
Day 9 - Community Project Day 2. Today after breakfast we head out to the village for our day two of the project, lunch will be served at the camp. In the afternoon the students can opt for bird watching activity or just relax.
Day 10 - Community Project Day 3. Another day for students to continue with the project. Lunch will be at the camp and the afternoon is left free.
Day 11 - Community Project Day 4. Another day for students to continue with the project. Lunch will be at the camp and the afternoon is left free.
Day 12 - Community Project Day 5. Today we wind up the project, say goodbye to the students and teachers and cycle back to the camp for cleaning up clothes and other items as we prepare for the safari.
Day 13 - Fishing lessons from local fishermen. Today you will visit and learn about Lake Jipe, the fishing techniques the local fishermen use and the challenges they face brought about by infestation by weeds, siltation, overfishing, illegal fishing and habitat destruction. You’ll get a real insight into the lives of locals living in the fishing villages.
Day 14 - Mkomazi National Park Day Trip. SAFARI TIME! Today you will set off on a full day game drive in Mkomazi National Park. Mount Kilimanjaro to the north west and to the south, the Pare and Usambara Mountains form a dramatic backdrop. Kenya’s vast Tsavo National Park shares a border with Mkomazi, making common ground for migratory herds of elephant, oryx and zebra during the wet season. Together with Tsavo, it forms one of the largest and most important protected ecosystems on earth.
Day 15 - Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Farm Visit. Today we head to the Materuni village, home of the Chagga tribe and a great authentic tribal village lying just outside of Kilimanjaro National Park. First, we will visit the waterfalls, and with some luck, you will also see the summit of Kilimanjaro. The pool at the bottom of the waterfall is an Inviting place for a refreshing swim. Next, you will learn how coffee is cultivated, dried, roasted and further processed. You’ll be invited to help with the grinding of the coffee, which is traditionally accompanied by Chagga songs and dances - a fun way to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Day 16 - Full Day Maasai Experience at the Osiligilai Maasai Lodge Today you will be transferred to the Osiligilai Maasai Lodge, upon arrival you will be warmly welcomed by the friendly Maasai staff as they greet you with traditional Maasai dance and song. Your guide will share all insights of how the Maasai people live, what they eat, how they survive in nature and make use of natural herbs for both food and medicine. In the late afternoon you will head out for an exciting spear throwing competition with the local Maasai warriors. You will be picked up for a transfer back to the camp.
Day 17 - Chemka hotspring and end of the trip celebration. It’s time to celebrate everything that you have achieved After breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel and transfer to Kikuletwa Hot spring. The hidden gem, a beautiful oasis surrounded by little jungle waiting for you to enjoy swimming after your adventure safari. A delicious lunch with “Nyama Choma” is enjoyed in this beautiful oasis. After this tour, a road transfer to Moshi follows as we say goodbye to this beautiful oasis.
Day 18 - Departure from Kilimanjaro and return to the U.K.
