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13-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trek and Zanzibar Beach Holiday
Mountain & Beach Holiday

13-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trek and Zanzibar Beach Holiday

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From $5,230
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Trip Overview

Combine a Machame Route Kilimanjaro climb with the Zanzibar coast over 13 days.

The 13-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trek and Zanzibar Beach Holiday begins with the Machame Route through Machame Hut, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, and Mweka Camp, building through Kilimanjaro’s changing mountain zones toward the summit attempt and descent.

After the trek, the itinerary continues to Zanzibar for the island stays and coastal experiences listed day by day, creating a clear transition from high-altitude trekking to an Indian Ocean holiday.

From wildlife country to the Indian Ocean, the most rewarding journey is one that gives each setting its own time. Review the day-by-day programme below for the balance between game drives, island experiences and the transfers linking them; our team can help refine the pace and accommodation choices for your dates.

One trail, many landscapes, one step at a time
Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the cloudsMount Kilimanjaro
Trekkers climbing through high-altitude terrain on KilimanjaroHigh-Altitude Trekking
White-sand beach and turquoise water on ZanzibarZanzibar Coast
Traditional boats along the Stone Town waterfront in ZanzibarStone Town
Moments along the route
Trip Highlights

Your Journey Highlights

  • Arrival In MoshiMeet the local team, complete the planned transfer and settle in before the active part of the journey begins.
  • Machame Hut CampContinue along the mountain route at a measured pace, moving through changing terrain and preparing carefully for the next stage.
  • Shira PlateauContinue along the mountain route at a measured pace, moving through changing terrain and preparing carefully for the next stage.
  • Barranco CampContinue along the mountain route at a measured pace, moving through changing terrain and preparing carefully for the next stage.
  • Karanga CampContinue along the mountain route at a measured pace, moving through changing terrain and preparing carefully for the next stage.
  • Barafu CampContinue along the mountain route at a measured pace, moving through changing terrain and preparing carefully for the next stage.

Your Itinerary

Day 01

Arrival In Moshi

  • Arrival: Kilimanjaro Int. Airport
  • Transfer: JRO – Moshi
  • Meals Included: Dinner

On arrival, meet your arranged transfer to Moshi and check in at Nguchiro Palace Hotel. Your mountain guide will review the Machame route, the daily walking plan and the safety procedures, then check your equipment so any missing items can be addressed before departure. Keep the rest of the day free for a meal, hydration and rest. You will begin the climb better prepared after a clear briefing and a quiet first night.

Accommodation

Nguchiro Palace Hotel

Nguchiro Palace Hotel is an Iringa-based property used as an overnight stop on southern Tanzania road itineraries. Private rooms and on-site meal service give travellers a practical place to recover between the longer distances separating Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha. Staying in town also supports refuelling, supplies and the next day’s timed departure. The hotel is therefore best suited to the logistical rhythm of a multi-park journey rather than presented as a wilderness camp.

LocationIringaStay styleMountain camp
Day 02

Machame Hut Camp

  • Activity: Transfer & Trekking
  • Hiking: 5–7 hours
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short drive brings you to the Machame trailhead (~5,380 ft). Your mountain team will maintain a steady, sustainable pace so the group can move safely across the changing trail. Short pauses provide time for hydration, photographs and a closer look at the vegetation and terrain. Weather and trail conditions can change quickly, so keep the day’s essential layers and drinking water within easy reach. The guide will monitor the group throughout the stage and adjust the pace when the route or altitude requires it.

Accommodation

Machame Hut Camp

Machame Camp is the first major overnight campsite on Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route after the climb from Machame Gate. It sits near the transition from montane forest to heath, where the air is cooler and the vegetation begins to open. Accommodation is in expedition tents erected and supported by the mountain crew, with simple public campsite facilities. The night is used for rest, meals and the first stage of altitude adjustment before the trail continues toward the Shira Plateau.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 03

Shira Plateau

  • Activity: Trekking
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, your hike continues, taking you out of the forest and into the moorlands. The trail is scenic, and you will take your time to soak in the views, which include spectacular panoramas of Kibo peak. The landscape changes as you ascend, offering a new perspective of the mountain's grandeur. Weather and trail conditions can change quickly, so keep the day’s essential layers and drinking water within easy reach. The guide will monitor the group throughout the stage and adjust the pace when the route or altitude requires it.

Accommodation

Shira Plateau Camp

Shira Plateau Camp is a designated Kilimanjaro campsite on the mountain’s broad western plateau. Its open moorland setting gives trekkers expansive views and marks a clear change from the forested lower slopes. Accommodation is in expedition tents supported by the mountain crew, with meals served under simple campsite conditions. The stop is important for acclimatization and route progression before trails continue toward Lava Tower, Moir, Barranco or the northern side of Kibo.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 04

Barranco Camp

  • Activity: Trekking
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a long but important day for acclimatization. You'll climb high but sleep low. The trek includes an acclimatization hike to Lava Tower (~15,190 ft) for lunch, a striking volcanic rock formation. Afterward, you will descend to the beautiful Barranco Valley. The scenery is amazing today, passing through different ecological zones of the mountain. For those with extra energy, and if weather permits, there is a chance to scramble up Lava Tower.

Accommodation

Barranco Camp

Barranco Camp occupies a dramatic basin beneath Kilimanjaro’s Barranco Wall on the mountain’s southern circuit. Trekkers sleep in expedition tents supported by their guide, cook and porter team, with intentionally simple campsite facilities. The surrounding valley, giant groundsels and close view of the wall make this one of the route’s most distinctive overnight settings. Its lower sleeping elevation after a higher acclimatization walk also supports the climb-high, sleep-low rhythm used on longer routes.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 05

Karanga Camp

  • Activity: Trekking
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you’ll continue to acclimatize, allowing your body to adjust to the higher altitudes in preparation for the upcoming summit push. The day starts with a challenging but exhilarating climb up the steep Barranco Wall. There will likely be time for an acclimatization hike in the afternoon. Short pauses provide time for hydration, photographs and a closer look at the vegetation and terrain. Weather and trail conditions can change quickly, so keep the day’s essential layers and drinking water within easy reach.

Accommodation

Karanga Camp

Karanga Camp is a designated Kilimanjaro campsite above the Karanga Valley on the mountain’s southern circuit. Trekkers sleep in expedition tents and rely on their mountain crew for meals, water management and camp organization. The relatively short stage from Barranco allows time to recover after crossing the Barranco Wall and to continue acclimatizing before Barafu. Its purpose in the itinerary is therefore strategic: it breaks the ascent into a safer, better-paced progression toward summit base.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 06

Barafu Camp

  • Activity: Trekking
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trek continues as you complete your circuit of the mountain. You will have an early supper and try to get a few hours of sleep before your summit ascent begins around midnight. The scenery develops throughout the walk, making the journey itself as important as the day’s destination. Your mountain team will maintain a steady, sustainable pace so the group can move safely across the changing trail. Short pauses provide time for hydration, photographs and a closer look at the vegetation and terrain.

Accommodation

Barafu Camp

Barafu Camp is a designated high-altitude campsite on Mount Kilimanjaro and the principal summit base for the Machame and related southern routes. The exposed, rocky setting is functional rather than hotel-like, with expedition tents and facilities managed by the climbing crew. Dinner, equipment checks and an early rest take priority because most summit attempts begin around midnight. This overnight stop is therefore about preparation, acclimatization and safety before the ascent toward Stella Point and Uhuru Peak.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 07

Summit and Mweka Camp

  • Activity: Summit Trek
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will begin your summit push around midnight, using headlamps to light your way. The slow and steady ascent leads you to Stella Point, and then onward to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa (~19,341 ft). The altitude makes this a demanding climb, and you will need to dress warmly for the cold. Short pauses provide time for hydration, photographs and a closer look at the vegetation and terrain. Weather and trail conditions can change quickly, so keep the day’s essential layers and drinking water within easy reach.

Accommodation

Mweka Camp

Mweka Camp is a designated descent campsite on Kilimanjaro’s southern slope, normally reached after the summit day. Its lower elevation and return to thicker vegetation feel markedly different from the exposed alpine terrain around Barafu and the summit. Trekkers sleep in expedition tents while the mountain crew prepares the final camp meal and manages equipment after a demanding descent. The stay provides essential recovery before the last walk through forest to Mweka Gate.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 08

Mweka Park Gate to Moshi

  • Hiking: 3–5 hours
  • Transfer: Mweka Gate – Moshi
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The final day of trekking takes you on a descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Here, you will have lunch and say goodbye to your incredible mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. A drive back to Moshi awaits, where you can enjoy a hot shower and a well-deserved celebratory dinner. Following the guide’s instructions helps conserve energy and keeps the group moving safely through demanding sections of the route. The scenery develops throughout the walk, making the journey itself as important as the day’s destination.

Accommodation

Nguchiro Palace Hotel

Nguchiro Palace Hotel is an Iringa-based property used as an overnight stop on southern Tanzania road itineraries. Private rooms and on-site meal service give travellers a practical place to recover between the longer distances separating Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha. Staying in town also supports refuelling, supplies and the next day’s timed departure. The hotel is therefore best suited to the logistical rhythm of a multi-park journey rather than presented as a wilderness camp.

LocationIringaStay styleMountain camp
Day 09

Flight to Zanzibar & Arrival

  • Flight: Kilimanjaro – Zanzibar
  • Transfer: ZNZ – Hotel
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After the mountain stage, travel to the airport for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar. A Safari Escort representative will meet you on arrival and arrange the transfer to Tembo House Hotel in Stone Town. Check in, refresh and enjoy a slower pace after the trek. Your team will confirm the timing of the island activities and any onward transfers, while keeping the remainder of the day flexible around the actual flight arrival.

Accommodation

Tembo House Hotel

Tembo House Hotel is a historic seafront property in Stone Town’s Shangani area. Its position inside the UNESCO-listed old town places Forodhani Gardens, the Old Fort and the maze of historic streets within walking distance. Rooms are arranged through heritage buildings and courtyards, while the oceanfront restaurant and beach access connect the stay to Zanzibar’s waterfront. The hotel is especially useful for itineraries centred on Stone Town tours, island excursions and transfers through Zanzibar airport or harbour.

LocationZanzibarStay styleMountain camp
Day 10

Stone Town and Spice Tour

  • Activity: Stone Town Tour & Spice Farm
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is dedicated to exploring the captivating culture and history of Zanzibar. You will embark on a guided walking tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its winding alleys, carved wooden doors, and bustling markets. In the afternoon, you’ll take a fascinating spice tour, visiting a local plantation to learn about and sample the various spices that have made Zanzibar famous throughout history. The experience is paced to leave room for questions and genuine observation rather than a hurried stop. Respectful photography and interaction help keep the visit comfortable for hosts and travellers alike.

Accommodation

Tembo House Hotel

Tembo House Hotel is a historic seafront property in Stone Town’s Shangani area. Its position inside the UNESCO-listed old town places Forodhani Gardens, the Old Fort and the maze of historic streets within walking distance. Rooms are arranged through heritage buildings and courtyards, while the oceanfront restaurant and beach access connect the stay to Zanzibar’s waterfront. The hotel is especially useful for itineraries centred on Stone Town tours, island excursions and transfers through Zanzibar airport or harbour.

LocationZanzibarStay styleMountain camp
Day 11

Nakupenda Island and Prison Island Tour

  • Activity: Prison Island & Nakupenda Island
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you'll enjoy a full-day excursion to two of Zanzibar's most enchanting islands. A boat will take you to Prison Island, home to giant Aldabra tortoises and the historic ruins of an old prison. Afterward, you will sail to the breathtaking Nakupenda Island, a stunning sandbank in the middle of the ocean. Here, you will have a delicious seafood BBQ lunch, relax on the white sand, and swim in the crystal-clear turquoise waters. The pace remains relaxed, with time to watch activity along the banks or across the ocean.

Accommodation

Tembo House Hotel

Tembo House Hotel is a historic seafront property in Stone Town’s Shangani area. Its position inside the UNESCO-listed old town places Forodhani Gardens, the Old Fort and the maze of historic streets within walking distance. Rooms are arranged through heritage buildings and courtyards, while the oceanfront restaurant and beach access connect the stay to Zanzibar’s waterfront. The hotel is especially useful for itineraries centred on Stone Town tours, island excursions and transfers through Zanzibar airport or harbour.

LocationZanzibarStay styleMountain camp
Day 12

Relaxation in Zanzibar

  • Activity: Beach Relaxation
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend your last full day in Tanzania at your leisure. A farewell dinner will be the perfect end to an incredible journey. Tides shape Zanzibar’s beaches, so the appearance of the shore changes naturally throughout the day. Sun protection and regular hydration are important even when the ocean breeze feels cool. This slower coastal stage provides a natural contrast to the active safari or trekking days.

Accommodation

Tembo House Hotel

Tembo House Hotel is a historic seafront property in Stone Town’s Shangani area. Its position inside the UNESCO-listed old town places Forodhani Gardens, the Old Fort and the maze of historic streets within walking distance. Rooms are arranged through heritage buildings and courtyards, while the oceanfront restaurant and beach access connect the stay to Zanzibar’s waterfront. The hotel is especially useful for itineraries centred on Stone Town tours, island excursions and transfers through Zanzibar airport or harbour.

LocationZanzibarStay styleMountain camp
Day 13

Departure

  • Departure: Zanzibar Airport
  • Transfer: Hotel – ZNZ
  • Meals Included: Breakfast

You leave with cherished memories of conquering Africa's highest peak and the serene beauty of Zanzibar. Keep passports, tickets and personal belongings together before leaving for the terminal. Your local team will assist with the final transfer and any practical departure information required on the day. Traffic and airline schedules can change, so the exact collection time will be reconfirmed locally. The transfer closes the journey with time to reflect on the landscapes, wildlife and coastal experiences shared along the way.

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Your Tour Package

Included & Excluded

Included

Included in the published itinerary

  • All Park and conservation fees
  • All transfers and flights as per itinerary
  • Mountain accommodations (campsites) and hotels as per itinerary
  • Professional mountain guides, porters, and a cook
  • Meals on the mountain (as stated) and at hotels (as stated)
  • Drinking water on the mountain and during transfers/tours
  • All tours in Zanzibar as specified (Stone Town, Spice Tour, Nakupenda/Prison Island)
Not included

Additional costs

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal hiking gear and equipment
  • Optional activities
  • Personal expenses
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Before you go

Trip Questions,
Simply Answered

Ask our travel team

13 days / 12 nights. The day-by-day itinerary shows where each overnight falls. Check arrival and departure flight times before arranging onward travel, and ask us if you would prefer a slower pace or an extra night.

From $5,230 per person. Ask for a quote for your dates and group size. The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, room choice and any flights or extras. Request a written breakdown of park fees, accommodation, meals, transfers and exclusions before you book.

Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro (Machame Route), Zanzibar (Stone Town, Nakupenda Island, Prison Island). Use the day-by-day route above to see the order of visits. Ask for estimated road or flight times between stops for your chosen dates; that is often more useful than counting destinations alone.

Nguchiro Palace Hotel, Machame Hut Camp, Shira Plateau Camp, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Mweka Camp, Tembo House Hotel, None. Exact properties and room types depend on availability. Ask us to confirm each stay, its location, meal plan and any proposed alternative in writing before paying a deposit.