Usambara Cultural Tour.

The East and West Usambara Mountains are located northwest of Dar and are part of an ancient necklace of mountains called the Eastern Ark. The main centers for visitors are Lushoto town and Mkuzi/ Migambo area around 15 kms. from Lushoto on murram roads.

The Usambaras are considerably older than Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru. Though the mountains were thrust upwards around 25 million years ago, the rock which forms the mountains are at least 600 million years old. Archaeological evidence shows there were Neolithic settlements of iron-working communities 3,000 to 3,500 years ago. Bantu speaking people began migrating, probably from the Congo area, around 2,000 years ago. These migrating people probably integrated with the original inhabitants of the mountains and make up today the Shambaa people.

6 Nights/7 Days - Usambara Cultural Tour.

Day - 1 - After breakfast drive with your private transport to Lushoto town where you check in a Hotel for lunch. Afternoon and evenings at leisure or go for sightseeing. Dinner and overnight.

Day - 2 - After breakfast drive to the famous Irente view point where you can see the village of Mazinde almost 1000m. below the vast Maasai plains. On your way back to Lushoto you visit the Irente farm cheese factory and the royal village of Kwembago. Dinner and overnight.

Day - 3 - Breakfast at 08:00a.m. drive to Soni and trek to the top of Kwa Mongo mountains peak famous for its multi colored butterflies, via the village of Shashui and Kwemula. From Kwa Mongo you have views of Soni, Lushoto and Handeni plains as you descent to the villages of Magila at the foot of the Growing Rock to visit a soil conservation project and learn why the rock is growing.

Day - 4 - After breakfast with picnic lunch boxes begin your tour trekking up hill from Lushoto to the royal village of Kwembago, learn about the cultural history of the traditional ruling clan, the Kilindi. From Kwembago you have a beautiful view over Lushoto and the Maasai plains. You proceed to the lush Magamba rainforest, home to black and white colobus monkeys. The return to Lushoto passes via an old German middle school and the village of Magamba. Dinner and overnight.

Day - 5 - After breakfast walk through the fertile farm land of Jaegertal to a fruit tree nursery where you will learn about various different varieties of fruits. Break for lunch and continue your tour up hill to the village of Vuli to learn about the soil conservation, irrigation projects and local farming methods. Evening return to Lushoto via the Arboretum.

Day - 6 - After breakfast take a short walk from Lushoto to the Catholic mission of the Montessori Sisters in Ubiri. At this beautifully landscaped mission you can learn about, taste and buy locally made cheese, wine and jam. Later return to your Hotel in Lushoto for dinner and overnight.

Day - 7 - Breakfast at 08:00a.m. drive back to Arusha while enjoying the scenery of the rolling Usambara mountains. Evening you can refresh and relax in your day room. If you're continuing with one of our scheduled departures you'll overnight and begin your wildlife safari the next day. Otherwise you'll continue according to your onward arrangements.

End of Tour.

Price Includes:

• All park entry fees.
• All camping/hut fees.
• Rescue fees
• Guide and porters fees
• Guide and porters salaries
• Transport to and from the mountain gates
• Meals 3 times daily
• Cook and all kitchen utensils.

Price Excludes:

• International Flights

• Hard and soft drinks and tips

• and all Mountain Gears (we can arrange hire of this)

Machame route price breakdown:

• 1 pax $ 748

• 2 pax $ 715

• 3 pax $ 660

• 4 pax $ 638

• 6 pax $ 616

Please note you can add an additional day for acclimatization if you wish.

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