Journey to the top of Africa by the lightly-used Rongai route that starts just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. The Rongai route is regarded by experienced guides to be both easier and more beautiful than the main Marangu trail. The Rongai Route begins in attractive farmland and delightful forest, with the possibility of wildlife viewing, and passes through several different climate zones as it works its way towards the summit. An extra day is added to the standard five-day itinerary to ensure maximum acclimatization while offering the best possible chance of enjoying the magnificent scenery. This route retains a sense of unspoiled wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.
After your successful summit, spend the next three days on safari in Lake Manyara and at the Ngorongoro Crater, where you might be lucky enough to see the big five! Your trip ends with days at your leisure at a beautiful, small resort property on the storied island of Zanzibar.
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Great For
Active Adventure
Phenomenal Wildlife
Beachside Relaxation
We still reminisce about our journey to the top of Kilimanjaro, the friends we met, the camaraderie among our porters and guides, and all the laughs we had along the way. There is something to be said about being out of one's comfort zone and everyday life; Kilimanjaro definitely speaks for itself. Kilimanjaro not only left me with unforgettable memories, it humbled me as well.
Karen J.
Welcome to Kilimanjaro! After your plane lands at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your overnight accommodations at the Mt. Meru Game Lodge. Get some well-deserved rest in preparation for the exciting climb to follow.
Meals
None
Lodging
Arumeru River Lodge (or similar)
BDay 2Arusha
This day is for relaxing and acclimatizing before your climb starts. Use this time to organize your climbing gear, meet your fellow climbers, and start your journal. Should you need to visit Arusha for any last-minute items, wish to visit neighboring Usa Village, or a local school, there will be time available to do so. There will be a pre-climb briefing in the early evening.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging
Mt Meru Game Lodge (or similar)
CDay 3First Camp
Head for Mount Kilimanjaro. After completing the necessary registration formalities at the gate of Marangu National Park, transfer by Land Rover to Rongai. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (6,400′) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently, through the attractive forest which shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long cape of white hair and a flowing whitetail. The forest then begins to thin out, and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (8,500′) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. [3-4 hours walking]
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Camping
DDay 4Kikelewa Caves
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (11,300′) with superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (11,800′) [6-7 hours walking]
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Camping
EDay 5Mawenzi Tarn
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (14,100′), spectacularly situated directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area to aid acclimatization. [3-4 hours walking]
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Camping
FDay 6Kibo Camp
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach the Kibo campsite (15,580′) at the bottom of the crater wall. Spend the remainder of the day resting in preparation for the final ascent. Prepare for a very early wake-up call for your ascent! [4-5 hours walking]
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Camping
GDay 7Gillman's Point / Uhuru Peak / Kibo
Depart your campsite by flashlight around 1:00am for the most challenging, yet rewarding, part of the trek. You will proceed very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,640′). Rest there for a short time and enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip climb to Uhuru Peak (19,340′), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (15,400′) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, you will continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo (12,200′). [11-15 hours walking]
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Camping
HDay 8Marangu Gate / Arusha
A steady descent will take you down through moorland to Mandara Hut (9,000′), the first stopping place on the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (6,000′). [5-6 hours walking]. Enjoy a packed lunch on the way down. Overnight at the Mt. Meru Game Lodge, or similar.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Mt. Meru Game Lodge (or similar)
IDay 9Lake Manyara / Mto Wa Mbu Village
After breakfast, we depart for Lake Manyara. En route, you have the option to stop in the market town of Mto Wa Mbu.
After lunch, you will spend the afternoon in Lake Manyara National Park. Located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, the park offers varied ecosystems, incredible birdlife, and breathtaking views. Its ground water forests, bush plains, baobab strewn cliffs, and algae-streaked hot springs offer incredible ecological variety in a small area, rich both in wildlife and incredible numbers of birds. The alkaline soda of Lake Manyara is home to an incredible array of bird life that thrives on its brackish waters. Pink flamingo stoop and graze by the thousands, colorful specks against the grey minerals of the lakeshore. Yellow-billed storks swoop and corkscrew on thermal winds rising up from the escarpment, and herons flap their wings against the sun-drenched sky.
Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions are another reason to pay this park a visit. The only kind of their species in the world, they make the ancient mahogany and elegant acacias their home during the rainy season and are a well-known but rather rare feature of the northern park. In addition to the lions, the national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world. The area was immortalized in Hemingway’s “Green Hills of Africa” and represents a habitat distinct from other areas you will be visiting.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kirurumu Camp (or similar)
JDay 10Ngorongoro Crater
Depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly 25,000 animals, for an exciting half-day game drive. Here you have a very real chance of spotting the big five: lion, elephant, endangered black rhino, buffalo, and leopard, plus countless other African mammal species. You will also visit a Maasai village and learn about their unique culture. A picnic lunch will give you time to explore the details of this fascinating wildlife amphitheater. Your presence does not alarm or threaten the wildlife, creating exhilarating proximity to game animals that you rarely encounter elsewhere. Dinner and overnight at the Ngorongoro Farm House, an exclusive lodge located on a 500-acre coffee plantation. Divided into three camps with a total of 40 rooms, this charming lodge has been designed and decorated in the tradition of the first safaris and offers a relaxing vibe of the past, with the cuisine incorporating fresh milk and vegetables from the farm all year round.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kitela Lodge (or similar)
KDay 11Ngorongoro Crater
Today you will spend another half day in the crater on a drive in this fascinating wildlife amphitheater. The Ngorongoro Crater is actually a caldera formed from a sunken volcano, hosting a unique cross-section of eco-systems, from soda lake to savannah, and home to almost every major species of African mammal. Later in the afternoon, you will have an optional guided hike along the rim of the crater into the Melaga depression. End the roughly two- to three-hour hike with a stunning view over the Serengeti short grass plains.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kitela Lodge
LDay 12Zanzibar
After breakfast, you will depart Ngorongoro Crater and head for Arusha, where you will have lunch prior your onward flight to the “spice’ island of Zanzibar, offering beaches for snorkeling, world-class diving, natural wonders and a rich and storied history. After clearing local customs in Zanzibar, you will be met and transferred to the Z Hotel at the northern end of the island for some rest and relaxing.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
The Z Hotel
MDays 13-14Zanzibar
The next several days you have to spend at your leisure, relax or partake of the many available activities offered at or in the vicinity of the resort. All activities are arranged at your own expense.
While in Zanzibar, a visit of Stone Town will afford you an opportunity to walk through the market to see and taste some of the fruits available, such as Mabungo and Baobab fruits. Visit “kuku,” the chicken market, and the fish market where many exotic fish are sold. The fish market is best visited in the morning when the catch comes in. The Palace Museum holds fascinating artifacts of the long colonial imperial past. It helps to have a guide to provide interpretation of what you are seeing and the same is true of the many historic buildings. Visit the Darjani market on Creek Road, where the locals go to shop. The Forodhani Gardens, located along the seafront opposite the old Fort in Stone Town, are lovely and you can taste all different kinds of foods at its large outdoor market on an evening stroll. Alternately, 236 Hurumzi has a very good restaurant where you might want to dine. Your departure day from Zanzibar may be the best day to visit Stone Town and it’s surrounding prior to your drop off at the airport.
Otherwise, you might choose to go snorkeling or diving, visit a spice plantation or go to the Jozani Forest to see the endangered Red Colobus monkeys (an endemic species that only exists in Zanzibar), the Aders’ Duiker and the Zanzibar Servaline Genet.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
The Z Hotel
NDay 15Zanzibar / Onward
Today you end your journey with final goodbyes to Zanzibar island prior to your transfer to Dar es Salaam for your homeward-bound flight. You might consider spending a portion of this day in Stone Town again, as it is on your way out or, if you have not already done so, go on a spice plantation tour.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Journey to the top of Africa by the lightly-used Rongai route that starts just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. The Rongai route is regarded by experienced guides to be both easier and more beautiful than the main Marangu trail. The Rongai Route begins in attractive farmland and delightful forest, with the possibility of wildlife viewing, and passes through several different climate zones as it works its way towards the summit. An extra day is added to the standard five-day itinerary to ensure maximum acclimatization while offering the best possible chance of enjoying the magnificent scenery. This route retains a sense of unspoiled wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.
After your successful summit, spend the next three days on safari in Lake Manyara and at the Ngorongoro Crater, where you might be lucky enough to see the big five! Your trip ends with days at your leisure at a beautiful, small resort property on the storied island of Zanzibar.
Welcome to Kilimanjaro! After your plane lands at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your overnight accommodations at the Mt. Meru Game Lodge. Get some well-deserved rest in preparation for the exciting climb to follow.
Meals
None
Lodging
Arumeru River Lodge (or similar)
BDay 2Arusha
This day is for relaxing and acclimatizing before your climb starts. Use this time to organize your climbing gear, meet your fellow climbers, and start your journal. Should you need to visit Arusha for any last-minute items, wish to visit neighboring Usa Village, or a local school, there will be time available to do so. There will be a pre-climb briefing in the early evening.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging
Mt Meru Game Lodge (or similar)
CDay 3First Camp
Head for Mount Kilimanjaro. After completing the necessary registration formalities at the gate of Marangu National Park, transfer by Land Rover to Rongai. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (6,400′) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently, through the attractive forest which shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long cape of white hair and a flowing whitetail. The forest then begins to thin out, and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (8,500′) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. [3-4 hours walking]
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Camping
DDay 4Kikelewa Caves
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (11,300′) with superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (11,800′) [6-7 hours walking]
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Camping
EDay 5Mawenzi Tarn
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (14,100′), spectacularly situated directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area to aid acclimatization. [3-4 hours walking]
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Camping
FDay 6Kibo Camp
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach the Kibo campsite (15,580′) at the bottom of the crater wall. Spend the remainder of the day resting in preparation for the final ascent. Prepare for a very early wake-up call for your ascent! [4-5 hours walking]
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Camping
GDay 7Gillman's Point / Uhuru Peak / Kibo
Depart your campsite by flashlight around 1:00am for the most challenging, yet rewarding, part of the trek. You will proceed very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,640′). Rest there for a short time and enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip climb to Uhuru Peak (19,340′), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (15,400′) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, you will continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo (12,200′). [11-15 hours walking]
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Camping
HDay 8Marangu Gate / Arusha
A steady descent will take you down through moorland to Mandara Hut (9,000′), the first stopping place on the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (6,000′). [5-6 hours walking]. Enjoy a packed lunch on the way down. Overnight at the Mt. Meru Game Lodge, or similar.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Mt. Meru Game Lodge (or similar)
IDay 9Lake Manyara / Mto Wa Mbu Village
After breakfast, we depart for Lake Manyara. En route, you have the option to stop in the market town of Mto Wa Mbu.
After lunch, you will spend the afternoon in Lake Manyara National Park. Located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, the park offers varied ecosystems, incredible birdlife, and breathtaking views. Its ground water forests, bush plains, baobab strewn cliffs, and algae-streaked hot springs offer incredible ecological variety in a small area, rich both in wildlife and incredible numbers of birds. The alkaline soda of Lake Manyara is home to an incredible array of bird life that thrives on its brackish waters. Pink flamingo stoop and graze by the thousands, colorful specks against the grey minerals of the lakeshore. Yellow-billed storks swoop and corkscrew on thermal winds rising up from the escarpment, and herons flap their wings against the sun-drenched sky.
Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions are another reason to pay this park a visit. The only kind of their species in the world, they make the ancient mahogany and elegant acacias their home during the rainy season and are a well-known but rather rare feature of the northern park. In addition to the lions, the national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world. The area was immortalized in Hemingway’s “Green Hills of Africa” and represents a habitat distinct from other areas you will be visiting.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kirurumu Camp (or similar)
JDay 10Ngorongoro Crater
Depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly 25,000 animals, for an exciting half-day game drive. Here you have a very real chance of spotting the big five: lion, elephant, endangered black rhino, buffalo, and leopard, plus countless other African mammal species. You will also visit a Maasai village and learn about their unique culture. A picnic lunch will give you time to explore the details of this fascinating wildlife amphitheater. Your presence does not alarm or threaten the wildlife, creating exhilarating proximity to game animals that you rarely encounter elsewhere. Dinner and overnight at the Ngorongoro Farm House, an exclusive lodge located on a 500-acre coffee plantation. Divided into three camps with a total of 40 rooms, this charming lodge has been designed and decorated in the tradition of the first safaris and offers a relaxing vibe of the past, with the cuisine incorporating fresh milk and vegetables from the farm all year round.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kitela Lodge (or similar)
KDay 11Ngorongoro Crater
Today you will spend another half day in the crater on a drive in this fascinating wildlife amphitheater. The Ngorongoro Crater is actually a caldera formed from a sunken volcano, hosting a unique cross-section of eco-systems, from soda lake to savannah, and home to almost every major species of African mammal. Later in the afternoon, you will have an optional guided hike along the rim of the crater into the Melaga depression. End the roughly two- to three-hour hike with a stunning view over the Serengeti short grass plains.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kitela Lodge
LDay 12Zanzibar
After breakfast, you will depart Ngorongoro Crater and head for Arusha, where you will have lunch prior your onward flight to the “spice’ island of Zanzibar, offering beaches for snorkeling, world-class diving, natural wonders and a rich and storied history. After clearing local customs in Zanzibar, you will be met and transferred to the Z Hotel at the northern end of the island for some rest and relaxing.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
The Z Hotel
MDays 13-14Zanzibar
The next several days you have to spend at your leisure, relax or partake of the many available activities offered at or in the vicinity of the resort. All activities are arranged at your own expense.
While in Zanzibar, a visit of Stone Town will afford you an opportunity to walk through the market to see and taste some of the fruits available, such as Mabungo and Baobab fruits. Visit “kuku,” the chicken market, and the fish market where many exotic fish are sold. The fish market is best visited in the morning when the catch comes in. The Palace Museum holds fascinating artifacts of the long colonial imperial past. It helps to have a guide to provide interpretation of what you are seeing and the same is true of the many historic buildings. Visit the Darjani market on Creek Road, where the locals go to shop. The Forodhani Gardens, located along the seafront opposite the old Fort in Stone Town, are lovely and you can taste all different kinds of foods at its large outdoor market on an evening stroll. Alternately, 236 Hurumzi has a very good restaurant where you might want to dine. Your departure day from Zanzibar may be the best day to visit Stone Town and it’s surrounding prior to your drop off at the airport.
Otherwise, you might choose to go snorkeling or diving, visit a spice plantation or go to the Jozani Forest to see the endangered Red Colobus monkeys (an endemic species that only exists in Zanzibar), the Aders’ Duiker and the Zanzibar Servaline Genet.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
The Z Hotel
NDay 15Zanzibar / Onward
Today you end your journey with final goodbyes to Zanzibar island prior to your transfer to Dar es Salaam for your homeward-bound flight. You might consider spending a portion of this day in Stone Town again, as it is on your way out or, if you have not already done so, go on a spice plantation tour.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Rates Per Person
Need to Know
Rates Per Person -
Land Cost from
$8,195
Internal Airfare (estimated)
+ $375
Single Supplement
+ $1,295
The land cost published is for the stated group departure and is subject to change. This covers accommodations, transfers, activities, touring, guide services and meals as described in the full itinerary. The quoted Land Cost will apply when group size falls in the specified range and when travel is on the indicated dates.
Custom & private adventures are available as well, and the final cost of a custom trip will be based on the activities selected, trip duration, accommodations, etc. Developing an initial custom trip itinerary is a service we provide to all clients at no cost. If after development of the initial itinerary you request additional development but are not ready to make a deposit, a trip planning fee may apply.
Normally, our stated land costs include the cost of all guides, leaders, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, food and entry fees as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the planned itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but, rarely, factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Expenses not covered
Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in itineraries; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.
Deposit and payment schedule
A non-refundable twenty-five percent (25%) deposit per person per trip or the applicable amount based on the trip and the proximity of the departure date. A second deposit of $1,000 per person is due four months prior to departure, and final payment for land arrangements is due 60 days prior to departure. Airlines require full payment when tickets are issued. The deposit may be made by Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover or check, and the Reservation Form may be submitted via our website. Full payment schedule and cancellation penalties are described in our Terms and Conditions as noted on our website and elsewhere. Please request these if you do not have them before advancing a deposit.
Insurance
While we strongly recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance in case of emergency situations for all of our trips, note that for this particular trip, COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL INSURANCE IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL PASSENGERS TRAVELLING ON SAFARIS! It is the client’s sole responsibility to ensure that they carry the correct and sufficient comprehensive travel and medical travel insurance for themselves and any dependants/traveling companions. This insurance should cover, but not be limited to, cancellation and curtailment, baggage loss or damage, medical expenses, emergency travel, repatriation with assistance and personal accident. It should be taken out prior to leaving their country of residence. Please contact Journeys for assistance in choosing a policy.
Airfare
We can help you secure air travel arrangements to correspond with land travel booked through Journeys International. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we can help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times.
Itinerary Change Fee
There will be a $40 fee for changes once an itinerary has been confirmed and approved. Additional cancellation penalties or change fees may apply as per our terms and conditions. The passenger is responsible for such fees.
Duration 15 Days
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.
Group Size 4 - 10
The stated range indicates minimum required for guaranteed departure and maximum accepted on the scheduled dates. Exceptions can often be made for private departures.
Comfort Level
Simple
Tents & comfortable hotel, delightful lodge
Activity Level
Demanding
Challenging hiking
Why Journeys International
Our purpose is to understand the journey you are on – not just the vacation you want to take – and to help you on your way.
We are here to help you plan the trip that will move you closer to your goals and help you fulfill your dreams.
We are here to help you plan a more inspiring, more provocative, more breathtaking, more transformational adventure.
We say “adventure” and not “trip” because, for us, a trip is just going someplace else, but an adventure is an experience that takes you someplace beyond your comfort zone – and therefore maximizes the potential for wonder, discovery, and potentially transformation.
Why trust Journeys to plan that kind of experience with you?
Journeys is an award-winning industry-leader with more than 40 years in business planning creative and thoughtful adventures in interesting places around the world
Our staff is professional and devoted, with adventure specialists in Ann Arbor and guides in the field who take pride in traveler satisfaction; many stay with us for decades
Our Ecological Code of Ethics has long stood as a model for others, and our Earth Preservation Fund puts our money where our mouth is
We go to the farthest corners of the earth – you’ll see some pretty remote destinations on our list, and if you want to challenge us with something new, we’ll likely be willing (though we’ll make sure you know if we’ve never experienced it firsthand)
We’re real people like you, starting with the real person who will answer the phone, right through the owner, Robin Pollak, who you can talk to any time you want (or even her parents, Joan & Will Weber, who started the company!)
We ask lots of questions and get to know you as well as possible to we can design the best experience for YOU
Your unique itinerary includes sites, accommodations, activities, and meetings with people hand selected for personal goals, passions, interests and abilities
Your personal adventure specialist stays with you from trip planning through departure to answer all your questions – promptly – and make sure every detail is handled so you are well prepared for your trip
Our partners on the ground in your destination will welcome you as a friend of a friend; we’ve been working with many of them for ages
We’re open and clear, and offer a complete picture of what you can expect while traveling. We don’t want to make an easy sale; we want to make an honest one.
24-hour emergency phone support while traveling
We’ll be excited to hear about the trip when you get back, and take all feedback seriously
Our travelers come back again and again, for five, ten, or more adventures — and they trust us enough to send their friends to us, too
We love what we do, and we love sharing our common passion with you.
Match the trip’s intensity to your ability and motivation.
Gentle
Easy walking, with opportunities for low-key physical activity.
Active
Energetic exploration with optional day hikes, leisurely cycling, or light canoeing.
Vigorous
Day-long active excursions and options for demanding activity in varied environments.
Challenging
Strenuous hiking or other intense activity that may be at high altitude or over rough terrain.
Demanding
Multi-day trekking and other activities requiring endurance or strength. Steep trails. No technical expertise necessary.
Comfort Level
Choose accommodations and amenities that fit your personal style
Simple
Our most natural accommodations. Bath facilities often shared, sometimes rustic.
Delightful
Comfortable and especially personal. Small to mid-sized lodges, typically with private bath.
Superior
Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined artistry, or extra-special settings.
Deluxe
Exclusive or luxury lodges, hotels, or safari camps with fine dining options.
Uncommon
The most indulgent accommodations arranged specially for private trips.
Single Supplement
The single supplement is applicable if a roommate is not available or if single accommodation is specifically requested. While single accommodation is not available on all trips, we will try and honor this request whenever possible.