Day 01
Marangu Gate, Coffee Farm, Ndoro Waterfalls and Chagga Heritage
- In the morning, tourists will drive to Marangu Gate (1900 m), the starting point for all Kilimanjaro treks via the Marangu Route. Expect to experience an abundance of nature, culture, and cuisine.
- You will have the opportunity to take pictures of the mighty, marvellous Kilimanjaro and get a sense of the spirit of the mountain. The area around Marangu is home to the local Chagga tribe, and you will learn all about their rich history and traditions on this full-day expedition.
- Our second stop will be a visit to a small coffee farm, where tourists will learn how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed locally. Try your own hand at processing, roasting, and preparing a fresh cup of coffee.
- Once you have finished enjoying your coffee break, we will depart for the spectacular Ndoro Waterfalls. Our hike to the base of the waterfall leads through a lush green landscape, and the descent takes approximately 1 hour. Here, you will have the opportunity to relax and take a refreshing bath in the waterfall pool.
- Another highlight of the tour is a visit to the Chagga Underground Caves and the Chagga Live Museum. In times of drought, the Maasai migrated up the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro in search of food and water. They enslaved and killed the local Chagga people. In defence against these attacks, the Chagga built an extensive network of underground caves.
- Your guide will vividly illustrate this conflict as you visit the caves.
- We will then continue to spend some time at the Chagga Live Museum, a small outdoor museum that offers further insights into traditional Chagga life. The tour also includes a Chagga culinary experience, when we stop for lunch at a small restaurant. Here, you will be served a traditional hot meal, and later you will also have the chance to try local spirits such as banana beer and wine.
- In the late afternoon, drive back to Moshi to conclude the trip.
