Cultural Tourism Day Trip
Unforgettable Day Trip to Chagga Village cultural tour, the Chagga have irrigated their fields with the ice water coming down from the glaciers of Kilimanjaro. The canals are simply dug into the ground or carved into the rock and often are no more than one foot wide. Also during this period (and still in existence to this day) were the establishment of the customary rights regulating the times when water can be taken from the canals. We guide our tour through the unique cultural landscape of the slopes of the Kilimanjaro. You will have the opportunity to learn how the kilometer-long canals were constructed, an amazing feat in light of the fact that they had no measuring instruments.
He will then lead you through the coffee and banana plantations to a spectacular waterfall. On the way, he will tell you and point out the fauna and flora of the region. At the waterfall, you will have lunch and if you fancy you may take a plunge in the refreshing waters of the waterfall. In the afternoon, you will be driven to the village of Mamba. This small village is famous for its caves, which were once used to hide the women and children for weeks during the Chagga – Masai wars. At Mamba, you will also visit a local blacksmith who still forges spearheads in the traditional manner. Late in the afternoon, we will take you back to your hotel.
Lunch
TERRECED FARMING ON THE FARMLAND OF THE CHAGGA
Another cultural achievement of the Chagga is the terraced farming of local crops, planted under old and very tall rainforest trees. In turn, the banana trees provide the shade for yet other plants such as coffee, corn (maize), chilli peppers and other plants, with room to spare for the grave of the 100-year-old grandfather. This form of farming is used on the Kihamba gardens and is exemplary for the efficient use of water resources. We will visit a farm of and learn how to harvest bananas (if you guess how you will get a calabash of free banana beer). If you like, you can till African soil with the local tools and balance a banana bunch on your head.
In the morning, we will collect you from your hotel in Moshi and take you to Marangu, which lies in the fertile hills of Kilimanjaro where a village guide will be waiting for you and bring you first of all to the Chagga Live Museum, where you will get a deep insight in the traditional lifestyle of this agricultural society and also the family history.