Ilkiding’a Cultural Tour

In this tour you start at Sembeo’s household where several traditionally built, round houses give you an idea of how an extended family live together. The view of the Ngarenaro Valley and Leleto Hill is beautiful, and the presence of Mt. Meru makes it unique. Sembeo will show you how knifes are made and will explain how he runs his business. From here you either walk through a small coffee plantation and enter the open fields where potato, cabbage, maize, beans and other crops are cultivated.

In Ilkisingo you will enjoy the view overlooking Arusha. Afterwards you walk down the house of the traditional healer. He is ready to answer all your questions and will give advice if needed. From there you head on to visit a craftsmen group, where the members make small wooden stools, jewelry, knives and traditional clothing. If you have had enough walking you can be picked up by car or you can carry on to the canyon of Njeche. Scrambling into the canyon is an adventure and abundant plants cover the caves and rocky walls.


Ilkiding’a Cultural Tour

Detailed itinerary

Full Day Tour:
From the same starting point you go down to the Ngarenaro River, cross it and start climbing Leleto Hill, from where you have a view of the Maasai steppe and its volcanoes. Then you walk through the fields in the direction of the forest reserve of Mt. Meru National park. You have a rest at Ilkisongo view point. From here you go back to Sembeo`s household where the women’s group is waiting for you with a traditional meal (maize, milk and red beans are the basic ingredients of the dishes). You walk down to visit the traditional healer, the craftsmen and the canyon. You also visit the primary school where money generated from tourism as development fees is used to rehabilitate the school. Tourists who still want to walk can continue down to Arusha in less than 2 hours. You will not walk alone, people are going to and from town and you are one of them.
Arusha – Ilkiding’a – Arusha:
This is a seven-hour trip for people in good walking condition. The guide will pick you up at your hotel in the morning. Along narrow paths, passing the suburbs of town, you enter the fields of the Wa-arusha people in Ilboru. You pass the spring where people get their water for daily use, you visit a water catchment site built with help from OXFAM, a primary school, the Njeche canyon, visit the craftsman and have lunch at Sembeo’s place. From here you walk back you Arusha, passing other villages and coming out on the Moshi-Nairobi road. This trip can also be done on mountain bikes.
Three Days Hike:
Traditional food can be prepared in the villages along the way. If you want western food we will bring a cook to accompany you.Day 1:Arusha/Ologeruno/Ilkioga/Ormelil/Milkhasi Forest/Timbolo.Day 2:Timbolo/Olkolola/IlkurotDay 3:Ilkurot/Muklat/Ngaramtoni/Arusha.
Traveler’s Code :
The natural environment is precious; the villagers are asking visitors not to leave litter on their journey. Always take rubbish back to your starting point or to places the guides assign you. While swimming don’t use soap, the water comes pure from the mountain and people living downhill use this water daily. Please respect the customs of the people so that tourism will not disturb their culture. Descent clothing and behavior is required. Ask your guides permission before taking photos, so that nobody will be offended.
Development Project :
The profit from this tour is used to improve the primary school. Your visit helps us to give the children a better education which is the base for leading a good life.

Inclusives

  • The cost of all ground transportation and Fuel
  • Full-time safari guide and his associated expenses
  • Park entrance fees
  • Accommodation and meals

Exclusives

  • Items of personal nature like Laundry, Beverages, Flights, Beers, Beverages
  • Tipping of staff
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