THE KINGS OF KILIMANJARO

International:

North America:

THE KINGS OF KILIMANJARO

International:

North America:

What to Expect When Climbing Kilimanjaro

What to Expect

Join forces with the most experienced and trusted Kilimanjaro climbing company, known for our impressive 98% summit achievement rate with 48 years on the mountain. Climb confidently with an elite team of medically trained guides, all High Altitude First Responders, who have been navigating the mountain with Tusker for almost three decades.

Recharge in Tusker’s Signature Mountain camp every day. Here, you’ll be treated to fantastic meals prepared by our expert mountain chefs who use only the freshest and most nourishing local ingredients to fuel your mind, body, and soul. Our chefs have been trained by the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, ensuring regular taste explosions.

As a member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), Tusker is a strong supporter of the organization since its foundation in 2003, pushing ourselves to new ethical heights.

Your Elite Guiding Team

Your guides are the heart and soul of your adventure, from the moment you sign up until the day you return. Their long experience climbing Kilimanjaro, meticulous medical training and expert leadership are the secrets to the success of your climb. Tusker’s founder, EDDIE FRANK was brought in to train the US Army’s Special Forces at high altitude. Using the same techniques, he meticulously trained Tusker’s team of elite mountain guides who are all high altitude experts and have led thousands of successful climbers to the summit.

Watch the video to see what it’s like to climb the crown of Africa with Tusker Trail, narrated by Will Lyman from National Geographic.

Climbing Kilimanjaro Safely

When you climb with Tusker, you’re in the best hands on the mountain. The guides leading the way were all born and raised on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, so they know the mountain like the backs of their hands. Decades of working for Tusker have honed their skills, and you climb with the assurance knowing that every guide is at the top of their game. These experts in mountain habitat will lead you on an adventure that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime and may even change the way you look at the world.

Safety is their top priority, and your guides will give you a thorough medical examination twice a day and keep a close eye on you as you climb to make sure you’re adjusting well to the altitude. They’ll be by your side every step of the way, offering strategies and advice to help you reach the summit. Depending on the size of your group, you’ll have a team of up to 6 expert guides, and if you’re climbing solo, you’ll have your very own personal guide.

Tusker’s climb up Kilimanjaro is a challenge that requires hikers to be in top physical form. Although people of all ages, from 10 to 75, have climbed it. The terrain is rugged and steep and you will be exposed to the elements as you ascend from 6,000 to 19,341 feet over multiple days. On a typical day, you can expect to hike for up to 8 hours, and summit day can be a total of 12-14 hours. The daily gains and losses in altitude can be significant, and the weather can be quite unpredictable. Previous experience with similar hikes is strongly recommended.

Tusker’s Adventure Kitchen

When it comes to the ultimate adventure of your life, it’s only fitting that the food you consume be just as extraordinary. And make no mistake, on your climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, sustenance will be the least of your concerns. We understand that true adventure calls for food that not only nourishes the body but ignites the senses. And that is exactly what you’ll discover as we conquer the mighty peaks of Kilimanjaro – culinary pleasures beyond compare.

That’s why we have enlisted the expertise of the renowned Culinary Institute of America, to craft our unparalleled menu and train our mountain chefs to perfection. During your climb, you will be treated to meals of extraordinary caliber, engineered to fuel you for the long and challenging days ahead. There may not be fancy table settings or crystal glasses, for this is a mountain climb, not a banquet. But make no mistake, what you’ll have are three incredible meals a day, prepared by masterful cooks in Tusker’s Adventure Kitchen, who work their magic – especially at high altitude. Imagine savoring hummus at such heights or indulging in fajitas at fifteen thousand feet. You’ll be blown away.

Chefs Trained by the Culinary Institute of America

Tusker Trail is a company that doesn’t settle for mediocre. That’s why we’ve partnered with the prestigious Culinary Institute of America to train our Kilimanjaro chefs in the art of creating meals that are not only balanced and nutritious, but absolutely mouth-watering as well.

As you embark on your climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, you can expect to be treated to culinary wonders that will keep you fueled and ready for the long, tough days ahead. Our chefs scour the local markets for the freshest ingredients, from succulent fruits and vegetables to mouth-watering meats, all sourced from the surrounding area. We even send regular supply runs up the mountain, stocked with fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats to ensure that your meals remain fresh throughout your entire journey.

Tusker’s Signature Mountain Camp

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is no small feat. It takes grit, determination, and an unwavering spirit to reach its summit. But, as any true adventurer knows, the journey doesn’t end when you reach the top. It’s the small moments of respite, the moments of relaxation and rejuvenation, that allow you to truly appreciate the magnitude of your accomplishment. That’s why you spend your nights at Tusker’s Signature Mountain Camps.

Our founder, Eddie Frank, has spent over 48 years climbing this majestic peak and has put all of that knowledge and experience into designing the perfect camp experience for our climbers. From the ideal location to the custom-designed gear, the attention to detail is unparalleled. And, the food is nothing short of extraordinary.

This is the climbing camp that allows you to relax, recuperate, and recharge after a challenging day on the trail. It’s the mountain camp that truly represents the spirit of adventure, the idea that the journey is just as important as the destination. And that’s why call it our Signature Mountain Camp.

Lodging in Moshi

Before and after your climb, you’ll be staying in one of two hotels that are as comfortable as they are authentic. The Bristol Cottages Hotel and the Park View Inn are both family-owned establishments, run by folks who know what it means to make a stranger feel like a friend. Nestled in the heart of Moshi town, these hotels are the perfect base camp for your ascent of that great mountain.

Mountain Camp Tents

Tusker’s Signature Mountain Camp offers a truly special camping experience, that will make you feel right at home. Our custom designed walk-in tents are spacious and comfortable, complete with thick air/foam mattresses for a good night’s sleep and plenty of room to spread out. Dining tents, chairs, tables, and gas lighting create a cozy atmosphere for meals, and the occasional shower ensures that you can freshen up during your adventure.

Eddie Frank, with his 48 years on Kilimanjaro has built a deep knowledge of what makes a perfect climb. He works closely with our private tent manufacturer to ensure that our tents are of the highest quality and truly unique. On Kilimanjaro, our camp crew will set up your tent in some of the most breathtaking locations on earth, with views that will leave you spellbound. And, with Tusker’s extensive safety equipment and dedicated camp crew carrying your food and all the equipment to your next camp each day, you can relax and enjoy the comforts.

Kilimanjaro Climb Support

At Tusker, we have worked tirelessly to build a team of passionate and experienced crew members who have devoted themselves to the Tusker family for many years. Their fierce loyalty and dedication is the driving force behind our ability to provide the adventure of a lifetime. With virtually no turnover amongst our staff, the Tusker crew is a finely-tuned machine, honed by years of working together, striving to make your climb unforgettable. Embarking on a journey with Tusker means being led by a team that has devoted their lives to excellence and who will stop at nothing to make your adventure one you will remember for a lifetime.

Your Porters

At Tusker Trail, we take the welfare of our climbing crew very seriously. That’s why we are proud to be an approved partner company with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) and the International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) – Partner for Responsible Travel Program. Established in 2003, KPAP’s mission is to improve the working conditions of the porters on Kilimanjaro, and they do an excellent job. Tusker has been a supporter of KPAP since its early days, and we are committed to ensuring that our crew is treated with the respect and care they deserve.

Our climbing crew is fully supported during our climbs, and our guides monitor their health in the same way they do for our overseas climbers. Tusker’s elite crew is easily recognizable on the mountain as the most well-equipped climbing team you will see on the mountain during your climb.

Guides & Climb Safety

At Tusker, our guides are renowned for their experience and training, often called upon by the national park and other companies to assist with emergencies and evacuations. It is a testament to their expertise and skill that they are trusted and relied upon in these critical situations. Our guides take pride in their ability to handle any situation that may arise, and with their knowledge, experience and training, you can be confident that you are in the best of hands on your Kilimanjaro climb with Tusker.

We all know that adventure has inherent risks, and it is critically important to prepare for them. EDDIE FRANK, Tusker’s Kilimanjaro expert, who has trained the elite US Army Special Forces, uses the same training techniques for the Tusker guiding team. Part of that training includes a unique high altitude medical course he designed specifically for Tusker guides. With decades of guiding experience and a deep knowledge of the Kilimanjaro habitat, Tusker’s elite team is essential to the success of your life-changing adventure.

Wilderness Partners

At Tusker, we understand that unexpected emergencies can happen on any adventure. That’s why we have partnered with Ripcord, a reputable air evacuation company, to ensure that in the unlikely event of an emergency requiring an air evacuation, you are automatically fully covered when you book your trek. With 48 years of experience in adventure travel, we have also established lasting alliances with a number of professional organizations, further solidifying our undertaking to providing the highest level of safety and security. When you travel with Tusker, you are in the capable hands of an outdoor adventure company that has decades of wilderness experience and your safety and well-being as our top priority.

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Our Climbing Routes

Each One Unique