Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Welcome to Tanzania
You’ll be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha, a vibrant town known as the safari capital of northern Tanzania. Settle into your lodge and enjoy a welcome dinner. If time allows, visit a local artisan market or cultural center. Overnight in Arusha.
Day 2: Arusha Cultural City Tour & Local Market Experience
After breakfast, begin your day with a walking tour of Arusha. Visit the Central Market, the Natural History Museum, and learn about Tanzanian tribal history at the Cultural Heritage Center. You’ll interact with local artisans at a craft workshop and enjoy lunch at a women-led local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit a nearby Maasai village where you’ll learn about their pastoral way of life, traditional dress, and housing. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight in Arusha.
Day 3: Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour & Chagga Culture (Moshi)
Head toward Moshi, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, and visit the Materuni Village — home of the Chagga people. Hike through lush landscapes to the Materuni Waterfalls, and later, participate in a traditional coffee-making tour, from bean to cup. Learn how to roast, grind, and brew Arabica coffee the Chagga way. Enjoy a local lunch with banana stew and other traditional dishes. Overnight in a guesthouse in Moshi or nearby village.
Day 4: Mto wa Mbu – Multi-Cultural Immersion
Travel west to the vibrant town of Mto wa Mbu, known for its mix of over 120 ethnic groups living together. Take a guided village walk or bike ride through banana plantations, rice fields, and local markets. Visit local artists, a wood-carving workshop, and taste banana beer at a family-run brewery. Participate in a Swahili cooking class in the afternoon and enjoy your self-prepared dinner. Overnight at a local eco-lodge or homestay.
Day 5: Lake Eyasi – Hadzabe & Datoga Tribe Experience
After an early breakfast, drive to Lake Eyasi, home to the last remaining Hadzabe hunter-gatherers and Datoga blacksmiths. Join the Hadzabe for a morning hunting expedition with bow and arrow, and learn about their survival techniques, language (click dialect), and lifestyle. Later, visit a Datoga family and witness traditional metal forging techniques used to make knives and jewelry. Overnight in a basic but comfortable eco-lodge near the lake.
Day 6: Karatu Highlands – Iraqw Cultural Encounter
Drive to the green highlands of Karatu, where you’ll meet the Iraqw people, originally from Ethiopia. Participate in a storytelling session to learn about their history, traditions, and architectural techniques. Visit a local home to sample traditional food and hear ancient songs or participate in dance. In the afternoon, you can hike or visit local schools or markets. Overnight in a guesthouse or lodge in Karatu.
Day 7: Return to Arusha or Optional Add-On Safari
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Arusha. Along the way, stop for lunch and reflect on your cultural journey. Depending on your travel plans, you’ll be dropped at your hotel in Arusha or at the airport for your departure. Alternatively, you can extend your trip with a safari to Ngorongoro, Serengeti, or Tarangire, or a Zanzibar beach holiday.
