Kilimanjaro Climb: 12-Day Adventure Awaits

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Embark on a life-changing Kilimanjaro climb with Tusker Trail. Experience expert-guided adventures, gourmet mountain cuisine, and unparalleled summit success.

Duration: 9 days

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Day 1 - Welcome to Moshi, Time to Get Acquainted | 3,000-ft/914-m

Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 1: Moshi - Upon arrival, guests check into a charming family-owned hotel to unwind and prepare for the climb. The welcoming atmosphere ensures a comfortable stay.

Day 2 - Moshi - Meet Your Guides and Begin Orientation | 3,000-ft/914-m

**Mount…

Day 1 - Welcome to Moshi, Time to Get Acquainted | 3,000-ft/914-m

Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 1: Moshi - Upon arrival, guests check into a charming family-owned hotel to unwind and prepare for the climb. The welcoming atmosphere ensures a comfortable stay.

Day 2 - Moshi - Meet Your Guides and Begin Orientation | 3,000-ft/914-m

Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 2: Moshi - Spend two nights in Moshi preparing and getting acquainted with the guides. A comprehensive climb orientation and gear check are provided.

Day 3 ~ Mandara Hut – 8,875-ft/2,705-m • 4.3 miles/7 km • 4-5 hours

Mount Kilimanjaro - Travel to Marangu park gate, then embark on a 4-5 hour hike through lush montane forest to Mandara Hut. Look for black and white Colobus monkeys in the trees. Mandara features a collection of mountain huts shared with other climbers. Meals are prepared by cooks and served in a communal dining area, where climbers from around the world share the excitement of the climb. The huts have running water and toilets.

Day 4 ~ Horombo Hut – 12,340-ft/3,761-m • 7.14 miles/11.5 km

Mount Kilimanjaro - Leave the rainforest behind, entering the heath and moorland zone. Enjoy the first views of Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks in the distance as the mountainside opens up. Arrive at Horombo Hut mid-afternoon to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery while dinner is prepared by the chefs.

Day 5 ~ Horombo Hut – 12,340-ft/3,761-m • 7.14 miles/11.5 km

Mount Kilimanjaro - Spend two nights at Horombo to acclimatize. On the extra day, take a short acclimatization hike, returning to Horombo for lunch and a relaxing afternoon before dinner.

Day 6 ~ Kibo Hut – 15,446-ft/4,708-m • 7.5 miles/12 km

Mount Kilimanjaro - After breakfast, continue trekking through the Alpine desert habitat. Cross the barren Kibo Saddle, between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks, and begin the ascent to Kibo Hut on Kibo Peak’s slopes. On a clear day, Gilman’s Point on the crater rim is visible, a key landmark on the way to the summit. Arrive at Kibo around mid-afternoon, relax, have dinner, and prepare for the summit climb around midnight.

Day 7 ~ Kibo Hut-Summit-Horombo Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro - Summit: 19,340-ft/5,895-m • 4.2 miles/6.7 km
Horombo Hut: 12,340-ft/3,761-m • 12.7 miles/20.5 km

Guides wake climbers just before midnight with hot tea and snacks. Begin the uphill climb, the toughest day, with breathtaking sunrise views of Mawenzi, the Kibo Saddle, and the plains below. Gradually ascend over rocky outcrops through scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point. The hardest part of the climb is over, with only about 2 hours to the summit - Uhuru Peak - where the view is truly exhilarating. Celebrate at the summit, then descend to Horombo for the night.

Day 8 ~ Marangu Gate-Moshi

Mount Kilimanjaro - Gate: 6,102-ft/1,859-m • 12.3 miles/19.8 km
Moshi: 3,000-ft/914-m • 90-minute drive

After breakfast, begin the descent past Mandara Hut to the national park gate and return to the hotel in Moshi. Enjoy a beautiful hike through the rainforest near Mandara. Tusker vehicles meet climbers at the gate and transport them back to the hotel for a well-deserved shower and final climb celebration.

Day 9 ~ Wildlife Safari or Fly Home

Moshi - Depart Tanzania or embark on a safari through some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife reserves.

Tusker Trail has been specializing in East Africa safaris since its first safari in 1983.

With unparalleled experience in the safari world and a vast network of friends and contacts in the area, it is a great opportunity to explore after the Kilimanjaro climb.

Thousands of climbers have joined one of our safaris through Tanzania’s stunning parks after their climbs, returning home fulfilled and enriched by the experience.

What's Included

Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast

What's Not Included

Gratuities
Equipment / Gear Rental

Additional Information

— Check Calendar for Available 12-Day Trip Start Dates
For 43 years, Tusker Trail has set the benchmark for Kilimanjaro climbing, inspiring others to follow. Founded by Eddie Frank, Tusker was born from a spirit of adventure 43 years ago. Since 1977, he has guided thousands of travelers on breathtaking adventures worldwide.
Throughout his 52…

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

5.0

(4 Ratings)

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1 star

Charles

Oct 23, 2022

Summitted Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route - The Tusker Team (from Katie in the US to Julian in Moshi and leaders Urio and Pastorey on the mountain) were warm & professional in every way. Always focused on safety first and summiting second, which feels the right way to do it, and we felt well prepared for our summit attempt, both because of the prep materials they provided and their practical approach while on the mountain. The porters were reliable and kind, Nicolas kept us well fed. The hut accomodations were spartan but efficient, and typically had both WiFi and power to charge devices.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Cwpaxton

Feb 12, 2020

An Incredible Adventure - Just returned from an amazing trip to Tanzania with Tusker Trail. I opted for the Lemosho Route so that I would have plenty of acclimatization time. I chose the January 23 date as that was supposed to be the the short dry season. Yeah, not so much...The rain started in earnest on Day 1 of the climb. Did I say rain? Torrent more accurately. It just poured all day as we slogged our way along. And the rain continued on and off for the duration of the trip. But I was well prepared for the wet and the cold. I followed the advice of the Tusker staff and used their packing list. Also rented some of their gear. Glad I did. Had everything I needed to keep warm and kinda dry. The Tusker crew were so helpful keeping us out of trouble as we navigated swollen creeks and precariously wet rocks. They got me to the summit in a snowstorm and guided me back safely. I felt very comfortable during the whole climb. Don’t get me wrong, being constantly wet and muddy is not particularly fun, but the porters and guides made sure I was well fed and healthy. Hot soup was welcome each day as were the fresh vegetables (avocados and tomatoes were amazing). And the guides were constantly monitoring my health status. At age 62 that’s kind of a priority. And happy to report that I had no ill effects from altitude or any other issues. And after the climb I opted for a three day safari add on to Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro with Hoopoe Safaris. Another class operation. Well worth the extra money. Saw tons of animals and stayed at very nice tent lodges. The accommodations were first rate as was the food and drinks. Very comfortable and great service. Tusker is a first class operation with a fine staff both stateside and in Tanzania. Very friendly, courteous and helpful. Drivers and staff were on time and attentive. They started us off with a half day tour of Moshi which was a nice way to get a feel for the African way of life. Nothing was lacking. Kudos to the Tusker folks and their partners at Hoopoe Safaris. I highly recommend both.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Sherazm1979

Oct 26, 2019

Team Monnoo Oct 8-20, 2019 - Dear Eddie / Jamie / Julian: I hope this email finds you well. I am writing on behalf of Team Monnoo, a group of six old friends that summited Kilimanjaro in mid-October. Our trip was delightful in every way, and has provided us memories which will last forever. We were led by the indefatigable Eliakim, and his most deputy Stanford – both have been incredible guides finding the optimal balance between safety and professionalism on one hand, but banter and friendship on the other. They – and the wider team (i.e. Jaime, Julian, all the porters, the drivers, the entire group on the mountain) – have our deepest and most sincere gratitude. Bespoke attention had paid to each of us despite us being motley crew – and spanning a wide arc on the fitness spectrum! It is safe to assume we all would not have summitted had it not been for the constant support and guidance. Please find more detailed feedback below: Pre-departure: Excellent pre-departure manuals with detailed and thorough lists of items we will need. We are all urban types, so this was invaluable. Jaime was particularly helpful at this stage, being proactive in reaching out to us and making sure we were all well placed prior to our arrival in Tanzania. Also, invoices were clear and payments well managed. Moshi: Ameg Lodge was more than comfortable, with very agreeable rooms, dining and entertainment (i.e. the bar). Local transportation was always on time. Julian has been fabulous, helping with everything from guiding us as to Moshi’s nightlife to conjuring up a pair of ski goggles at short notice! Also a very nice gesture to pick up our dinner bill on the final night given we were down a day early. Mt. Kilimanjaro itself: Leadership: As above, Eliakim and Stanford were beyond excellent. From daily health checks to helping all six of us summit. They were our leaders, and there was literally nothing they could have done to make us more comfortable, more safe or more satisfied. We owe them the biggest thanks, and they are an enormous credit to Tusker, and wonderful ambassadors for their country. Food: This was probably my biggest worry pre-trip, but every mouthful was excellent. Benson is an excellent cook and all the dishes were inspired, especially given he is not preparing this in a normal kitchen! Some in the group are quite finicky eaters, and there were some dietary requirements complicating matters – but everything was managed with aplomb. The popcorn and biscuits were a nice touch too, and really make one feel at home and comfortable. Camp life: Every morning our boots were cleaned, our clothes were hung out to dry, our breakfasts were hot and ready (with eggs fried or scrambled on demand), and everything we needed catered to. A number of honourable mentions: Harouna, Charles, Danny, our waiter (whose name esacapes). Most of the staff we did not get to know, but they all were instrumental in our comfort, making sure our bathrooms were always clean, our hand bidets always full, our tents always ready, etc etc. Great service all around. Constructive suggestions: There is not much in the way of suggestions for improvement, but here goes: Video / pictures: I carried a Go-Pro with me on the whole trip. It was a bit of pain, and of course died just before we summitted. I would have loved if you offered a service where a professional videographer / photographer would accompany us, and send us edited and final picture albums / movie of the entire trip. I have had this service before on a hunting trip, and should be pretty easily done. After all, you are less in the mountain business, and more in the memories business. Minor items: Don’t have item such as trowels and parachute lining on your pre-departure checklists. You already provide all this stuff, and ideally we just turn up with our clothes, boots and medicines. Also please just provide umbrellas for rental for each person, rather than us bringing them. I would be grateful if you could share this email with Julian, Eliakim, Stanford and the wider staff. On behalf of Team Monnoo… Sheraz Monnoo, Fahad Kamal, Murad Saigol, Saif Amin, Osman Raie, Aurangzeb Firoz

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Dmitrysf

Oct 9, 2019

Safety and attention to detail - My wife and I successfully summited Kilimanjaro this summer. This was by far our most ambitious outdoor trip. To-date. :) We couldn't be more impressed with Tusker. First of all, They did an excellent job preparing us for the trip providing extensive info, answering all our questions and giving recommendations for equipment, training, medicine, etc. If anything, we felt over-prepared on the climb. That's is a good thing when taking the trip of this kind for the first time. During the climb Tusker brought had an impressive array of safety equipment. (We didn't need it but it was good to know it was there). Daily health checks helped everyone to stay on track. I developed altitude related headache relatively early in the climb. Medically trained guides helped manage that so that it didn't interfere with the climb. There were 8 people in our group. Everyone got personal attention, everyone submitted. Food was plentiful, private toilets were a huuuuge plus. We even had a warm water shower at one point! Climbing itself was managed very well. Most companies start summiting at night. We started off on the morning making it a day climb. That had a number of advantages: - Much less cold and wind - Avoids scramble in the dark - No crowds at the summit. (We were the only group there and had all the time we needed to celebrate, take pictures and enjoy the summit). Overall, we had a trip of a lifetime. (We also arranged Safari extension through Tusker. That was mind blowing in a completely different way). Tusker may be be the cheapest way to go but is very well worth it. We are very likely will do another trip with Tusker.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

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