Tanzania
Off to Tanzania thanks to Livingsocial and One World Safaris, for three days of safari plus a little stroll up Mt. Kilimanjaro. Thanks to Kavya for putting this crazy plan together!
Day 0 - departure from Houston and off to Tanzania via Turkey (Istanbul), courtesy of Turkish Air and a lot of hours inside Boeing 777-300ER's and 737-900ER's.
Day 1 - arrival in and exploring Arusha.
Day 2 - on safari in Lake Manyara National Park. Elephants, oh my!
Day 3 - on safari in Ngorongoro Crater (Ngorongoro Conservation Area). Lions, hippos, and zebras!
Day 4 - on safari in Tarangire National Park. Giraffes and cheetahs, plus more zebras and elephants.
Day 5 - relaxing in Arusha.
Day 6 - Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro via the Machame route, day 1. (5,900 feet to 9,840 feet)
Day 7 - Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro, day 2, Machame Camp to Shira camp (12,595 feet).
Day 8 - Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro, day 3, Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (12,956 feet) via the Lava Tower (15,190 feet).
Day 9 - Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro, day 4, Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (14,924 feet) via Barranco Wall.
Day 10 - Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro, day 5, summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,341 feet) and descent to High Camp (12,449 feet).
Day 11 - Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro, day 6, descent to Mweka Gate (4,920 feet) and completion of the hike.
Day 12 - visiting the market and schools in Arusha.
Day 13 - departure from Kilimanjaro, much like arrival, only in reverse.