The Crown of Africa: Kilimanjaro Summit & Kenya Safari

DAY 1: Arrival in Arusha & Expedition Briefing

• Upon arrival at Arusha, you will proceed towards Moshi (the base town for Kilimanjaro).

• Check into your hotel and attend a mandatory Pre-Trek Briefing. This session will cover safety protocols, mountain environment rules, and acclimatization techniques.

• You will review all personal and group equipment. Any necessary rental equipment can be acquired (at your own cost).

• Meal: Dinner.

DAY 2: Moshi to Machame Camp (Ascent Through the Rainforest)

• Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate (approx. 45 minutes).

• After registration, begin your trek through the dense, winding trails of the rainforest. The trail is often wet and slippery at lower elevations.

• The trek is a steady uphill climb on a ridge until you reach Machame Camp.

• Focus: Gaining altitude and traversing the cloud forest boundary.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp (Moorland Traverse)

• Leaving the glades of the rainforest, the path steepens, ascending through the moorland zone.

• You will cross the valley along a rocky ridge and head west toward a river gorge before arriving at Shira Camp on the Shira Plateau.

• Focus: Dramatic change in scenery; entering the high alpine zone.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

• DAY 4: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (Acclimatization Day)

• This is a critical day for acclimatization. You will ascend east up a ridge toward the iconic Lava Tower (known as the "Shark's Tooth") at 4,650m / 15,250ft.

• The "Climb High, Sleep Low" Principle: After reaching the Tower, you will descend significantly to Barranco Camp. This elevation change is key for preparing your body for the summit push.

• Focus: Essential acclimatization and high-altitude testing.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (Conquering the Barranco Wall)

• The day begins with the challenging scramble up the steep face of the Barranco Wall. This segment requires careful climbing and is exhilarating.

• After conquering the wall, the path continues along a ridge to the Karanga Valley and then up to Karanga Camp.

• Focus: Technical ascent of the Barranco Wall and steady climbing.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (Summit Base)

• The steady climb continues to the desolate Barafu Camp. You have now completed the southern circuit, offering dramatic views of the summit cone from various angles.

• Upon arrival, you will set up camp, rest, and complete all necessary preparations (gear, water, layers) for the early morning summit attempt.

• Focus: Early dinner and preparation for the midnight summit bid.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 7: SUMMIT DAY: Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

• Midnight Ascent: Begin the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek between midnight and 2:00 AM. Ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim.

• Sunrise Reward: Stop at Stella Point for a short rest and to witness one of the most magnificent sunrises you will ever see (or from the summit for faster hikers).

• Uhuru Peak (5,895m): Continue the final 1-hour ascent to the summit—the highest point in Africa! Celebrate your achievement.

• Descent: Immediately begin the long descent, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Continue down through loose gravel to Mweka Camp.

• Focus: Reaching the Roof of Africa and safely descending.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

• DAY 8: Mweka Camp to Gate & Return to Arusha

• After a final breakfast on the mountain, continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate.

• Receive your well-earned Summit Certificates before meeting your transfer vehicle.

• Transfer back to your hotel in Arusha for a long-awaited hot shower and celebratory dinner.

• Focus: Triumphant completion of the trek.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 9: Departure from Arusha

• Enjoy breakfast, and check out from the hotel.

• You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home, filled with memories of conquering Africa's highest peak.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

• Conquer the Roof of Africa: Achieve the ultimate goal of summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

• The Machame Challenge: Successfully trek the challenging Machame Route, including the thrilling ascent of the Barranco Wall.

• Five World Ecosystems: Traverse a spectrum of dramatic landscapes, from the lush rainforest at the base to the high-altitude desert and final glacial zone.

• A Sunrise Above the Clouds: Witness one of the world’s most magnificent sunrises from either Stella Point or the summit of Uhuru Peak.

• Optimized Acclimatization: Follow a carefully structured 9-Day itinerary incorporating the crucial "climb high, sleep low" protocol at Lava Tower for maximum safety and summit success.

• African Wilderness Heritage: Journey through Kilimanjaro National Park, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, with nights spent in scenic campsites above the clouds.

Travel & Transportation

• Airfare: Cost of return economy class airfare from Mumbai / region (if specifically mentioned).

• Internal Travel: Cost of any internal airfare, cruise ticket, Eurostar / Euro tunnel / Ferry travel as mentioned in the itinerary.

• Coach Transfers: Coach transfers from the first day meeting point to the last day dropping point of the group tour.

• Baggage: Baggage allowance of 1 piece in case of included internal flights, if any.

Accommodation & Meals

• Accommodation: Stay on a twin-sharing basis for the duration of the tour in the itinerary.

• Meals: Meals as explicitly mentioned in the itinerary.

• Porterage: One suitcase porterage at hotels for senior citizen special tours (Unique Specialty Tours).

Fees, Taxes & Insurance

• Visa: Cost of visa as per the itinerary (Excluding USA Tours).

• Entrance Fees: All entrance fees for the sightseeing places mentioned in the itinerary.

• Gratuities: Driver Tips and Guide Tips as per the itinerary.

• City Tax: City Tax (if applicable) as per the itinerary.

• Insurance: Cost of Travel insurance up to 70 years of age for India Tours and World Tours (Except for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra).

On-Tour Services

• Tour Management: Services of the Tour Manager from the first day to the last day of the tour.

• Complimentary: A complimentary Travel Essential Dasa Holidays Voucher.

Personal Expenses & Incidental Costs

• Porterage, laundry, telephone charges, shopping, and all items of a personal nature.

• Wines & alcoholic beverages, mineral water (unless specified in inclusions), and any food and drinks not forming part of the group menus.

• Additional extra food toppings, extra water bottle charges, and medicines required.

• Extra photographs clicked other than group photographs.

Financial Adjustments & Taxes

• Service or Government Taxes (such as GST) as applicable from time to time.

• Any Increase in the Airfare / Rail fare / Cruise Charges or the fuel surcharge / government-levied taxes.

• Any Increase in the rate of exchange leading to an increase in all land arrangements prior to departure.

Transfers, Upgrades & Deviation

• Cost of any individual Airport / Seaport / Railway station transfer for joining and leaving guests.

• Any private transfers taken to move from one place to another instead of the designated coach.

• Any upgradation in the room category or airline class.

• Cost of extension of the validity or deviation from the planned tour route.

Activities & Special Requirements

• Any activity/sightseeing done twice, or any add-on sightseeing/activities along with transfers other than what is mentioned in the tour program.

• Fur coats/Jackets or any special attire required to visit a snow point or any particular sightseeing place.

Unforeseen & Emergency Costs

• Extra cost incurred due to illness, accident, hospitalization, or any individual unforeseen cost incurring incidence.

• Any extra expenses incurred for changing the route due to unforeseen circumstances, force majeure instances, natural calamities, political disturbances, strikes, etc.

• Cost of Insurance for any extra stay pre or post-tour.

• General: Anything not specifically mentioned in the 'Your Tour Price Includes Column'.

I. PRICING & FINANCIAL POLICY

• Taxes and Fees: Service or Government taxes (e.g., GST) on the total package price are excluded and applicable as per prevailing rates.

• Price Revision: The tour price is subject to increase due to:

  • Any increase in the cost of Airfare, Rail fare, Cruise Charges, or fuel surcharges.

  • Any increase in the rate of exchange leading to an increase in land arrangements prior to departure.

  • Any new taxes levied by the respective government or statutory bodies.

• Gratuities: Driver and Guide Tips are included as per the itinerary.

• Visas: Cost of visa is included, excluding specific tours like USA.

II. TRAVEL AND LOGISTICS

• Accommodation: Provided on a twin-sharing basis for the duration of the tour. Any up-gradation in room category or airline class is excluded.

• Transfers: Coach transfers are provided only between the designated group meeting point (first day) and the group dropping point (last day).

  • Cost of any individual Airport / Seaport / Railway station transfer or any private transfers is excluded.

• Baggage: Baggage allowance of 1 piece is included only in case of internal flights mentioned in the itinerary.

• Route Deviation: Cost of extension of the validity or deviation from the pre-planned route of the tour is excluded.

III. EXCLUSIONS & CONTINGENCIES

• Personal Expenses: All items of a personal nature are strictly excluded, including porterage (except for senior citizen special tours), laundry, wines & alcoholic beverages, mineral water (unless specified), telephone charges, shopping, extra food items, and medicines.

• Unforeseen Circumstances (Force Majeure): Any extra expenses incurred due to illness, accident, hospitalization, natural calamities, political disturbances, strikes, route changes, or other force majeure events are excluded and must be borne by the individual.

• Activities: Any add-on sightseeing/activities, extra usage of sightseeing, or activities done twice are excluded.

• Attire: Special attire (like fur coats/jackets) required for specific sightseeing is excluded.

IV. INSURANCE & GENERAL

• Travel Insurance: Cost of travel insurance is included for guests up to 70 years of age (except for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra). Cost of insurance for any extra stay pre/post tour is excluded.

• Catch-All: Anything not specifically mentioned in the 'Your Tour Price Includes' column is excluded.