13-Day Kilimanjaro Climb and Zanzibar Beach Holiday: The 7-Day Machame Route, Then Four Nights on the Sand at Kendwa

Who Is the Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar Holiday For?

It is for climbers who would rather rest than ride after the mountain. After seven days of cold nights and early starts, a beach where the sea stays deep enough to swim at most tides is the easiest place to recover. The north coast also faces west, so you watch the sun set over the water, a fitting end after watching it rise from the crater rim. It works well for couples and friends; for a honeymoon, see our honeymoon climbs.

13-Day Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar Itinerary

A night in Moshi, seven days on the mountain, a night to recover, then the island:

1. Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro and a night in Moshi

   We meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive you about 45 minutes to your Moshi hotel. In the evening your guide checks your gear and briefs you on the climb.

   Airport pickupMoshi hotelDinner on your own

2. Day 2: Into the rainforest from Machame Gate

   After registering at the gate (6,004 ft / 1,830 m), you walk 5 to 7 hours under tall trees, often in mist, to the first camp at 10,007 ft (3,050 m).

   RainforestMountain campAll meals

3. Day 3: Up a rocky ridge to the Shira Plateau

   The forest gives way to heather and moorland as you climb a ridge to Shira Camp at 12,631 ft (3,850 m); in the evening Kibo often clears above you.

   MoorlandMountain campAll meals

4. Day 4: Climb high to Lava Tower, sleep low at Barranco

   Your body's key acclimatization day: up to the volcanic plug of Lava Tower, about 15,100 ft (4,600 m), for lunch, then down among giant groundsels to Barranco, about 13,000 ft (3,960 m).

   Alpine desertMountain campAll meals

5. Day 5: Over the Barranco Wall to Karanga

   Hands on rock for an hour or so on the Wall, never roped, then up and down across valleys to Karanga at 13,238 ft (4,035 m).

   Alpine desertMountain campAll meals

6. Day 6: To high camp at Barafu

   Three or four hours on bare ground to Barafu, 15,354 ft (4,680 m), with Mawenzi to the east. Rest, eat early and get your summit layers ready.

   Alpine desertMountain campAll meals

7. Day 7: Uhuru Peak at sunrise, then down to Mweka

   You leave around midnight, reach Stella Point on the crater rim at dawn and stand on Uhuru Peak, 19,341 ft (5,895 m), before descending to Mweka Camp at 10,138 ft (3,090 m). Our summit night guide explains each hour.

   SummitMountain campAll meals

8. Day 8: Out through the forest to Mweka Gate

   A last walk down to Mweka Gate (5,512 ft / 1,680 m), where you collect your certificate and say goodbye to your crew before the drive to Moshi.

   RainforestMoshi hotelBreakfast, lunch

9. Day 9: Fly to Zanzibar

   A slow breakfast, then the transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for the flight of about an hour to Zanzibar. We meet you there and drive you about an hour to your hotel at Kendwa or Nungwi.

   FlightNorth coastBreakfast

10. Day 10: Stone Town tour

    A guided morning in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the carved doors, the Old Fort, the Darajani market and the site of the former slave market. Back at the beach in the afternoon.

    Stone TownNorth coastBreakfast

11. Day 11: Beach day

    Nothing to climb. Swim, sleep, or book a boat trip to Mnemba Atoll or a sunset dhow cruise.

    BeachNorth coastBreakfast

12. Day 12: Beach day

    A last full day by the sea.

    BeachNorth coastBreakfast

13. Day 13: Departure from Zanzibar

    The transfer to Zanzibar's airport for your flight home.

    TransferDepartureBreakfast

Hotels on the 13-Day Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar Holiday

Your hotels at each level; on the mountain you sleep in our tents:

How Much Does the 13-Day Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar Holiday Cost?

Per person, by group size; the level sets the Moshi hotel and the Zanzibar beach hotel:

The beach hotel makes most of the difference between levels; a mid-range climb with a luxury beach resort is easy to arrange.

What the 13-Day Kilimanjaro Climb and Zanzibar Beach Holiday Includes

The price includes:

• The 7-day Machame climb: park fees, our tents, mess tent and private toilet tent
• A mountain guide, a cook and five porters per climber, with all meals on the mountain, and daily oxygen checks
• Two Moshi hotel nights and four beach nights at Kendwa or Nungwi, with breakfast
• The flight from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar
• A guided Stone Town tour
• Every transfer, from Kilimanjaro airport on arrival to Zanzibar airport at the end

Not included in the 13-Day Kilimanjaro Climb and Zanzibar Beach Holiday price

Budget separately for:

• International flights, and a Tanzanian visa (US$50; US$100 for US citizens)
• Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult
• Insurance that covers trekking to 6,000 m (19,700 ft) and helicopter evacuation
• Personal gear (you can rent it in Moshi), drinks and laundry
• Tips for your mountain crew (see how tipping works)
• Lunches and dinners on Zanzibar
• Optional boat trips

Your Kilimanjaro Crew

Each climber has a mountain guide, a cook and five porters, and our guides check your oxygen level and pulse every morning and evening; emergency oxygen, a first-aid kit and a stretcher go up on every climb. See guides, crew, food and a typical day for more. On Zanzibar our island team handles your transfers and the Stone Town tour.

How to Book the 13-Day Kilimanjaro Climb and Zanzibar Beach Holiday

Send your dates, the number of climbers and your preferred level through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com. A 30% deposit holds your dates and the balance is paid when you arrive. Cancel 60 days or more ahead for a full refund; the shorter-notice refunds are in our refund policy.

Common Questions About the Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar Holiday

Short answers to the questions our guests ask us most often:

Should You Book the 13-Day Kilimanjaro Climb and Zanzibar Holiday?

Book it if you want the summit and then four lazy days by the Indian Ocean, from US$4,195 per person for two at mid-range level. For wildlife instead of the beach, see the 11-day climb and safari.