"It is the ability of your staff to open their hearts and their willingness to share their personal experiences, their love of the land and pride of their country that sets you apart from the rest." - Andrea Brown, Newton, MA

Depart the U.S. for Amsterdam and connect with your flight to Kilimanjaro, arriving in the evening. Upon arrival, you are met by your guide and transferred to your lodge located in the hills just outside of Arusha, set in a stunning location with magnificent views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Overnight: Arusha Lodge

After breakfast this morning, you will head to nearby Arusha National Park, a hidden gem in Northern Tanzania and one of the only places in Africa where you are likely to see the rare black & white colobus monkey.

Take this day to ease into your surroundings and stretch your legs on a scenic acclimatization hike before your trek begins tomorrow.

All meals included
Overnight: Arusha Lodge

The trek commences at a small gate above Umbwe Village and stretches along a gentle 4 x 4 track until a signboard announces a small steeply rising trail called “Umbwe.” Continue ascending through the dense forest of rubber trees and giant fig trees, scrambling up steep sections of roots and rock until you arrive at a forested campsite with some caves nearby.

A hot dinner awaits in your mess tent.

All meals included
Overnight: Umbwe Cave Camp (9,500 feet)

The ridgeline forms steeply on this day, and on either side of the trail, the ground drops away steeply. At some point the forest and the clouds will part to give you a fabulous view of Uhuru Peak, seemingly “overhead”.

Eventually you reach camp set in a stunning valley. There are numerous tiny waterfalls around camp, fed by streams coming down the Great Barranco Valley.

Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst an eerie landscape of groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia.

All meals included
Overnight: Barranco Camp (12,800 feet)

Today begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’. We then traverse up and down the slopes of valleys, which have carved their way into the mountain’s southern face.

Kibo’s glaciers loom above to your left and the jagged peak of Mawenzi appears just over the southern slope of Kibo. We stop in the Karanga Valley at the end of this day.

All meals included
Overnight: Karanga Camp (13,000 feet)

As we begin this morning the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on an exposed ridge and is the staging point from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Our cooks will help you eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep.

All meals included
Overnight: Barafu Camp (15,090 feet)

You’re awoken before midnight to begin your trek after a hot cup of tea, reaching Uhuru Peak (19,340 feet) by daybreak.

Descend the steep Mweka Route to Barafu Camp for lunch, and then descend to Mweka Camp nestled in thick heather.

All meals included
Overnight: Mweka Camp (11,000 feet)

Complete your descent through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate, where you will be met and transferred back to your hotel for a much-welcomed shower and some merry convalescence.

Those who chose to do the "trek only" will be transferred to the airport this evening. Those who are continuing on safari will overnight in Arusha and begin their next adventure in the morning!

Trek Only:
Breakfast, lunch included
Day Room: Arusha Lodge

Trek and Safari:
All meals included
Overnight: Arusha Lodge

Your Safari Begins

Meet your safari guide this morning, and after a safari briefing, drive into the Great Rift Valley, continuing up the escarpment into the verdant Ngorongoro Highlands. You'll make the 2,000 foot descent via Land Rover to spend the afternoon on the crater floor. Here you'll witness some of the highest concentrations of animals in East Africa.

Tomorrow, you'll have a full day to continue your exploration of the crater floor, enjoying magnificent wildlife viewing before returning to your lodge perched high on the rim.

All meals included
Overnights: Thomson Ngorongoro Nyumba

We head out this morning for Olduvai Gorge before continuing into heart of Africa - the vast Serengeti. The sight of herds of animals running across the plains, and predators stalking their prey is unforgettable.

We have many game drives amongst the wildlife in this great, untamed wilderness. Our nights are spent in our private Thomson Nyumbas, or canvas bush "homes," allowing us to explore off the beaten path.

All meals included*
Overnights: Thomson Serengeti Nyumba

Morning wildlife viewing in the Serengeti before our flight to Arusha. We'll say our good-byes over lunch, with time in the afternoon to relax or shop before transferring to Kilimanjaro Airport for the flight to Amsterdam. Arrive home on the afternoon of Day 19.

Breakfast, Lunch
Day Room: Arusha Lodge

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