A Dive into Culture, Traditions and Lifestyle: Tanzania is a melting pot of cultures. 126 different ethnic groups call it their home. Probably the best known and most impressive are the Maasai people. With their distinctive customs and dresses they magically pull us into their spell. In “Olpopongi”, a 100 % authentic Maasai village, we spend a day with this fascinating tribe. Get to experience the Maasai’s marvellous dance, traditions, customs and rituals as we wander around the village They are a smaller tribe, accounting for only about 0.7 percent of Kenya's population, with a similar number living in Tanzania. Maasais speak Maa, a Nilotic ethnic language from their origin in the Nile region of North Africa. The Samburu tribe is the closest to the Maasai in both language and cultural authenticity. Masai Culture Itinerary In the morning we drive to Olpopongi in West Kilimanjaro region. Olpopongi is 74 kilometers from Moshi. Our two hours drive will take us through the beautiful outback of West Kilimanjaro. Depending on the season you can see game like zebras and elephants. On clear days you will have amazing views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. We reach Olpopongi before lunch time, where we will be welcomed by the local Maasai with a traditional welcome song and dance. We take a walk around the village and you will check-in your hut for the night. The guides will then take you to the precious little museum, where you will learn about the history, social organization and tools of Maasai people. In-between our lesson a traditional Tanzanian lunch will be served to give you enough energy for an exciting afternoon. Later in the afternoon we visit a midwife and herbalist in one of the huts. You will learn about the everyday life in a Maasai village. After this very spiritual meeting we have a short break which you can use for some jeweler shopping or coffee and tea break. Another highlight will be a bush walk to discover endemic plants and their usage for the Maasai people. Our day will be rounded up with a fire making session, bbq and bonfire before you dream away in your 100 % authentic Maasai hut.

General Overview Immerse yourself in the history Marangu and its people. Marangu, at the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, is a small town with a great amount of history and ancient traditions. Get carried away by the Chagga tribe, unique rainforest landscape and coffee growing insides. This full day tour has it all: action, tradition and culinary. In the morning we drive to Marangu Gate (1900m), the starting point for all Kilimanjaro treks via the Marangu Route. You will have the opportunity to take pictures of the mighty 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 history and traditions on this full day excursion. Our second stop will be visit a small coffee farm, where you will learn about how the 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 Ndoro Waterfalls. Our hike to the base of the waterfall will lead us through lush green landscape and the descend takes approximately 1 hour. Here you have the opportunity to relax and take a refreshing bath in the pool of the waterfall. Another highlight will be the visit to the Chagga Underground Caves and the Chagga Live Museum. Marangu Day Trip Itinerary In the morning we drive to Marangu Gate (1900m), the starting point for all Kilimanjaro treks via the Marangu Route. You will have the opportunity to take pictures of the mighty 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 history and traditions on this full day excursion. Our second stop will be visit a small coffee farm, where you will learn about how the 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 Ndoro Waterfalls. Our hike to the base of the waterfall will lead us through lush green landscape and the descend takes approximately 1 hour. Here you have the opportunity to relax and take a refreshing bath in the pool of the waterfall. Another highlight will be the 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 defense of these attacks the Chagga built an extensive network of underground caves. Your guide will lively illustrate you the conflict while you visit the caves. We then continue to spend some time at the Chagga Live Museum, a small outdoor museum, which will give you further insides into traditional chagga life. Our tour also includes a chagga culinary taste, when we stop for lunch in a small restaurant. Here you will be served a traditional hot meal, later you will also have the chance to try the local spirits such as banana beer and wine.

General Overview Nestled on the mountain slopes of Kilimanjaro lies the beautiful coffee village of Materuni. Produce your own cup of coffee from tree to cup. Receive first hand secrets of what makes a good cup of coffee from the local Chagga people. Only a small hike from the village lay the homonymous 80m high Materuni waterfalls. A relaxing swim in Kilimanjaro fletcher water grows the day. This very impressive Waterfall is one of the tallest in the area, spewing crystal clear glacier water 70m into its basin. The beautiful path leading to Materuni Waterfall is located 2500m above sea level It traverses thru valleys and hills covered by tropical rainforest, past coffee, banana and avocado “shambas”, the Kiswahili word for farms. On a clear day great views of Kibo and Moshi town can be seen. The hike to the base of the Waterfall can be demanding and hiking boots are recommended. As this trip is so close to Moshi town it is ideal for those people with limited time but who would still like to see some of the nature and beauty that this region of Tanzania has to offer. Materuni Day Trip Itinerary Begin the day with a short drive up onto the slopes of Kilimanjaro, to the village of Materuni, approximately 1,800 m above sea level. This lush rainforest region is known for producing some of the best coffee in East Africa. Start the day with a visit to a small coffee farm and learn about how the coffee is grown, harvested and processed locally. Try your own hand at processing, roasting and preparing a fresh cup of coffee in the local Chagga way.Once you have finished enjoying your coffee break, you will depart on a beautiful 45 minute hike through the hills and valleys en route to the waterfalls. Along the way your guide will teach you about local plants and how they are used for food and traditional medicine, as well as giving you more insight into the local Chagga culture. The waterfalls are hidden in a pristine valley with cliffs towering up to 200ft overhead. The water falls straight down in a curtain to land in a small pool where you can relax, take lunch and go for a swim in the chill mountain waters. After the falls hike you will return back to the car and return to Moshi. This is an experience you are sure to love, full of natural beauty, engaging education, and of course coffee.

General Overview An Oasis in the Backcountry; The Chemka Hot Springs are an oasis in the hinterland of the Kilimanjaro region, situated 40 kilometers from Moshi. At these idyllic underground springs with the crystal clear, turquoise water, you can enjoy the perfect rest after a strenuous Kilimanjaro climb or adventurous wilderness safari. But also for day-trippers, they are an ideal destination. Whether it's the old, the young, the quiet or the active, the Chemka Hot Springs invite you to linger, swim and explore. The pond is very deep, in some places up to 10 meters, but the water is so clear that you can see the bottom well all the time. On the shore under lush trees you can camp, enjoy your snacks or soak up the sun. Chemka Hot Springs Day Trip We pick you up from your hotel early in the morning. The road to the Hot Springs is very bumpy and windy, so driving takes more than one hour. During the trip you can enjoy the wonderful scenery and see the authentic Tanzanian life. When we arrive at the Hot Springs you can swim, relax, eat your lunch and enjoy the sun. If you'd like, while you are swimming we can be preparing a barbecue for you. Additionally, if you desire, we can overnight at the Hot Springs with a camp fire and a bush dinner. Ocationally around the springs you can see baboons and different monkeys. NOTE: Pick up from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) to Moshi we offer for 30$ instead of 50$. About accommodations it depends for quality of the hotel you need.