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Wildlife grazing on the Tanzanian plains beneath Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro · Machame Route + Zanzibar

Machame Climb + Zanzibar Beach Escape

Summit the Roof of Africa on the classic Machame Route, then trade your hiking boots for bare feet on Zanzibar’s white sand. One seamless trip, one team, start to finish.

11 days / 10 nights Summit 5,895m Climb + beach combo from US$3,290 / person

Overview

Earn the summit. Then do absolutely nothing for a few days.

This combo pairs our classic 7-day Machame Route climb — five climate zones, the Barranco Wall, and a sunrise summit on Uhuru Peak — with a well-earned stay on Zanzibar’s beaches. It’s the trip that gets asked for more than any other: conquer the mountain, then recover on the coast.

We handle every hand-off ourselves — your descent, your flight to Zanzibar, and your beach transfer — so there’s no juggling separate bookings or agents. One team looks after you from the trailhead to the tide line.

Every climb is led by our senior local guides, supported by a well-cared-for crew, and carries emergency oxygen and daily health checks — so you can focus on the mountain first, and the ocean after.

Trip at a glance

  • Duration

    11 days / 10 nights

  • Climb

    7-day Machame (Whiskey)

  • Beach stay

    3 nights, Zanzibar

  • Difficulty

    Moderate (climb)

  • Accommodation

    Mountain tents, hotel & beach resort

  • Best months

    Jan–Mar, Jun–Oct

  • Group

    Private or small group

People relaxing on a white sand beach in Zanzibar

Trip highlights

What you’ll experience

  • Sunrise on Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895m.
  • The famous Barranco Wall — a fun, non-technical scramble with huge views.
  • A seamless hand-off to Zanzibar — no separate bookings, one team throughout.
  • Three nights on Zanzibar’s white sand — the perfect way to recover and celebrate.
  • An extra acclimatization day on the climb, for a safer, stronger summit push.

Day by day

Your 11-day climb + beach itinerary

1Day

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

~11 km5–7 hrs1,640m → 2,835mRainforest

After your morning briefing and transfer to Machame Gate, you begin climbing through dense, lush rainforest. A steady first day brings you to Machame Camp for your first night under canvas.

2Day

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

~5 km4–6 hrs2,835m → 3,750mMoorland

The forest gives way to open moorland, with the summit coming into view across the Shira Plateau.

3Day

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp, via Lava Tower

~10 km6–8 hrsup to 4,630mSemi-desert

A key acclimatization day: climb high to Lava Tower (4,630m), then descend to sleep lower at Barranco. “Climb high, sleep low” prepares your body for the summit.

4Day

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

~5 km4–5 hrs3,960m → 3,995mAlpine desert

The day begins with the iconic Barranco Wall — a fun, non-technical scramble with sweeping views. A short day to Karanga strengthens your acclimatization.

5Day

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

~4 km4–5 hrs3,995m → 4,673mAlpine desert

A steady climb to Barafu, the summit base camp. You rest through the evening — because tonight, you climb.

6Day

Summit day: Barafu to Uhuru Peak, then to Mweka Camp

~17 km12–16 hrs4,673m → 5,895m → 3,068mArctic → forest

You set off around midnight for Stella Point and Uhuru Peak — the Roof of Africa — for sunrise. After your summit celebration, you descend to Mweka Camp.

7Day

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, transfer to Moshi

~10 km3–4 hrs3,068m → 1,640mRainforest

A final descent to Mweka Gate for your summit certificate, then a transfer to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower, a proper bed, and your first celebratory dinner.

8Day

Fly from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar

Flight~1.5 hrsSea levelIndian Ocean

A short flight trades the mountain for the coast. On arrival, we transfer you to your beach hotel — and the only climbing left is in and out of the ocean.

9Day

Zanzibar: beach & recovery

Free timeOptional excursionsSea levelWhite sand

Days at leisure on Zanzibar’s white sand beaches. Swim, dive, or simply do nothing — you’ve earned it. Optional add-ons include Stone Town tours and spice farm visits.

10Day

Zanzibar: free day

Free timeOptional excursionsSea levelWhite sand

Another day to unwind, explore the coastline, or book a sunset dhow cruise before your final night.

11Day

Departure transfer

TransferZanzibar → Airport

A relaxed final morning before your transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your onward or international flight home.

The details

What’s included & what’s not

Included

  • All national park, camping & rescue fees
  • Professional, licensed mountain guides
  • Fairly paid cooks & porters
  • All meals & drinking water on the mountain
  • Quality tents, sleeping mats & equipment
  • 2 hotel nights in Moshi (before & after the climb)
  • Kilimanjaro → Zanzibar flight
  • 3 nights, Zanzibar beach hotel with breakfast
  • All airport & hotel transfers throughout
  • Emergency oxygen, oximeter checks & first aid

Not included

  • International flights (to/from Tanzania)
  • Tanzania entry visa
  • Travel insurance (with high-altitude cover)
  • Tips for the mountain crew
  • Personal climbing gear (available to rent)
  • Zanzibar meals beyond breakfast, and drinks
  • Optional Zanzibar excursions (Stone Town, spice tour, diving)
  • Personal expenses & laundry

Good to know

Before you book this trip

Fitness

The climb requires no technical skills, but good general fitness helps. Train with hikes and cardio beforehand.

Recovery time

Three beach nights give your legs and body a genuine chance to recover after summit night — many climbers say it’s the perfect close to the trip.

Safety & acclimatization

Twice-daily health checks, emergency oxygen, and the extra acclimatization day are built in as standard on the climb.

Packing

You’ll need cold-weather climbing gear and beachwear in the same bag — we’ll send a combined packing list once you book.

A palm-lined beach and clear turquoise water in Zanzibar

From the summit to the sand

The mountain earns it. Zanzibar rewards it.

Questions

Frequently asked

Is the Zanzibar leg genuinely arranged by the same team?

Yes. Your flight, transfers, and beach hotel are booked and coordinated by us alongside the climb, so there’s no separate agent to deal with — one itinerary, start to finish.

Can I extend the beach stay beyond 3 nights?

Absolutely. Three nights is our standard combo, but we can extend your Zanzibar stay for an additional cost — just let us know when you enquire.

Do I need any special gear for both legs of the trip?

Yes — cold-weather climbing kit for the mountain and light beachwear for Zanzibar. We’ll send a combined packing list, and cold-weather gear is available to rent if you’d rather not travel with it.

Is the price per person?

Yes. The exact figure depends on your group size, dates, and choice of beach hotel — send us an enquiry and we’ll give you an honest, all-inclusive quote.

Can I add a Serengeti safari as well?

Many climbers do. We can build a three-part trip — climb, safari, and Zanzibar — all arranged by our team as one seamless itinerary.

Enquire & book

Reserve your Machame Climb + Zanzibar Escape

Send us your preferred dates, group size, and beach hotel preference, and we’ll reply with availability and an honest, all-inclusive quote.

We reply within one working day