TUSKER SPIRAL ROUTE
TUSKER SPIRAL - 14 Days
If you’re only going to climb Kilimanjaro once in your life, the Tusker Spiral Route guarantees an unforgettable bucket-list adventure. This 14-day trek starts in the north and spirals around the picturesque, seldom-hiked western slopes before reaching Uhuru Peak. Founder Eddie Frank scouted and created this signature trek by combining four scenic routes, each offering something different and memorable.
Take in the fantastic views as you wind your way around the mountain, hiking in warmer temperatures to the summit in full daylight instead of at midnight. Stay curious as you enjoy acclimatizing to the high altitude, navigating unique terrain, and savoring delicious, regionally inspired meals. Trekking with Kilimanjaro’s most elite team of medically trained High Altitude First Responder guides provides peace of mind, and our almost 50 years of experience climbing Kilimanjaro empowers you to act on your dreams. Keep reading to learn what makes the Tusker Spiral Route so special.
ROUTE STATS
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- Distance: 47.1 miles or 75.3 km gate to gate
- Duration: 14 days total, 11 days climbing gate to gate
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- Daily trekking time: 4 to 12 hours (plus 5 on summit day)
- Tusker's Spiral route success rate: 99%
CRATER CAMP – On the Tusker Spiral Route you experience the enchantment of Kilimanjaro’s crater, where you camp just beneath Uhuru Peak, with no one else around. You can also hike to the seldom visited Ashpit, and summit twice (if you like) - once on the ascent and again before descending the next day. And if you prefer not to camp in the crater, then you can hike back down to Barafu camp for the night and join up with the group the next day.
DAILY ITINERARY
3,000-ft/914-m
After arriving at Kilimanjaro Airport, you meet your driver after clearing immigration, and then drive to our hotel, the Bristol Cottages hotel in Moshi.You stay two nights here to get fully relaxed and focused before your ultimate challenge on Kilimanjaro. A delicious meal, a hot shower and a warm bed are all you need at this moment.
Meals Included: Dinner
Lodging: Bristol Cottages Hotel
3,000-ft/914-m
After breakfast, you meet your Tusker guides for your climb orientation and a final equipment check. This is a great opportunity to get to know your team leaders, pick their brains for advice, and gather any extra gear or supplies you might need for your climb.Afterwards the group heads out for lunch in Moshi. This is a nice chance to wander around town getting a sense of Moshi, the bustling Tanzanian town of the north. Your guide also shows you around the colorful Moshi market at the foot of Kilimanjaro.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Bristol Cottages Hotel
8,760-ft/2,670-m • 4.3 miles/6.9 km • 2.5 - 3 hours
After breakfast, you depart Moshi for the 2-hour drive to the starting point on the northern side of Kilimanjaro, Nalemuru Gate. Here you meet the full crew, and check into the park.The winding trail crosses some village fields and enters the rainforest for an easy hike. You arrive at Simba Camp, located at the edge of the heath and moorland zone, with fantastic views of Kenya's plains below you. After freshening up, you sit down to enjoy your first magnificent, well-earned Kilimanjaro dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
11,320-ft/3,450-m • 4.35 miles/7 km • 3-4 hours
Awakening to the lyrical birdsong of the early morning, you begin your day with a good solid breakfast and medical check-up. The group then heads out, hiking through the shorter vegetation of heather. The views of Kibo Peak and the Eastern Icefield on the rim of the crater are magnificent.You are now at an important elevation to get your body accustomed to the lower oxygen pressure. This is important for later acclimatization to higher altitude. So, we take an afternoon hike up to a higher elevation to get you used to the thinner air coming your way in the days ahead.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
12,912-ft/3,936-m • 2.6 miles/4.2 km • 3 hours
On today's trek you experience one of the most beautiful views on Kilimanjaro's northwest slopes.It's a fairly easy and short trek to Third Cave today, on the western slopes. Elevation gain is a mere 1,600-ft/488-m and is part of our well-planned climbing strategy to get you acclimatized for the higher elevation ahead. You're free to wander around the slopes for superb views, or just relax around camp in the beautiful, tranquil mountain environment.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
13,180-ft/4,017-m • 4.2 miles/6.7 km • 5-6 hours
Today's a full-day trek as we traverse the rarely used western slope toward Moir Camp. Slowly gaining just 260-ft/80-m, you trek through the giant heather with Kibo Peak just up ahead on the left and the vast Shira Caldera down to your right. Shira used to be one of Kilimanjaro's peaks until it erupted for the last time 500,000 years ago and collapsed in on itself. It has transformed over the millennia from a deep caldera to a vast plateau, filled with centuries of sediment.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
13,650-ft/4,160-m • 6.2 miles/10 km • 6-7 hours
You'll notice that we do not gain much altitude these early days on the climb. This will make it a lot easier later on as you adjust to the elevation. After a full day, we climb the Lent Group, and drop down into Moir Camp, tucked away at the foot of a giant lava flow at the head of a deep canyon carved by ancient glaciers.You will notice the alternate layers of lava and sediment towering over the lateral moraine on the edge of the valley. Evenings are spectacular with heat lightning flaring over the plateau.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
12,950-ft/3,950-m • 6.2 miles/9.9 km • 6-7 hours
First thing we start the uphill trek into the alpine zone toward Lava Tower at 15,200-ft/4,633-m. At the foot of the 320-ft/98-m tower we stop for lunch, giving our bodies a short time to acclimatize.Making the steep descent, we hike past the uniquely beautiful plant life in this unusual habitat, such as the giant lobelias and senecios. Camp is situated at the foot of the Barranco Wall. There’s a buzz of excitement as climbers from around the world anticipate the next morning’s climb up this massive, imposing structure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
13,200-ft/4,033-m • 3.6 miles/5.8 km • 4-5 hours
Emerging from your tent you can’t help focusing on the wall, contemplating its fortress-like structure. The Barranco Wall stands like a sentinel, blocking your highest goal, Uhuru Peak. Right after breakfast, we start our scramble up the wall. It takes about two hours, as we ascend about 500-ft/152-m out of the valley, surrounded by dazzling views of ancient lava flows and towering peaks.Then we take a steep, meandering hike with Kibo Peak over your left shoulder, down into Karanga Valley, and up the other side to camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
15,790-ft/4,813-m • 2.6 miles/4.18 km • 5 hours
It's a tough, but a rewarding climb up the rocky, craggy slopes to Barafu High Camp, sometimes called Kosovo. Tusker has special permission to camp here. Because the camp is at high elevation, it is quite cold and windy at night. The air starts getting quite thin, and you find yourself breathing hard.There is a buzz of excitement in the air, as your climbing team anticipates the toughest day just ahead. The clouds move quickly in and out, revealing the eroded Mawenzi Peak, rising from the plains below. In the afternoon, you gather around your guides for a detailed briefing of our climbing strategy for the next day to the summit.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
Summit: 19,341-ft/5,895-m • 2.55 miles/4.1 km • 6-7 hour
Crater Camp: 18,810-ft/5,733-m • 1.5 miles/2.4 km • 1 hour
Our climb to the summit starts a couple of hours before sunrise. Most of ascent is in daylight as we have found that our climbers prefer the warmer temperatures and spectacular views on the most demanding part of the climb. At mid-day, we reach the rim of the crater. Behind you is Mawenzi Peak - a thrilling sight, while the crater's ice-walls loom ahead above you.We now continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hours) - the highest point in Africa (19,341-ft/5,895-m). Your feeling of euphoria is intense, as the culmination of your challenge approaches. Reaching the summit, you celebrate with your fellow climbers then trek down into our camp in the awe-inspiring crater, beneath the summit. After settling in we hike up to the seldom visited Ashpit, where fumaroles and the smell of sulfur are signs that Kilimanjaro is still a dormant volcano.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
Millennium: 12,590-ft/3,837-m • 6.3 miles/10.1 km • 5-6 hours
Still high from the summit, the crater dawn light tops off your magical experience. Before the invigorating descent, you can take another hike to Uhuru Peak. We then start a slow 3-hour descent through the scree to Barafu Camp for a short break and a snack. Then a further two hours brings us down to the edge of the rainforest at Millennium Camp.Once at camp, it's time to relax and enjoy our last dinner followed by a deep and restful sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro, before the final descent to the national park gate tomorrow.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
Mweka Gate: 5,500-ft/1,676-m • 7.5 miles/12 km • 6 hours
Drive to Moshi: 30 mins
It's a 6-hour hike from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate where we sign the book, enjoy a final lunch and say goodbye to your porters. Your guides accompany you on a short drive back to the hotel in Moshi where a hot shower and a cold drink await your arrival.We all enjoy a celebratory meal in the evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Bristol Cottages Hotel
WILDLIFE SAFARI
Continue on an incredible Wildlife Safari through some of the most spectacular animal reserves on the planet, such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks.
ZANZIBAR
After your climb immerse yourself in a fascinating journey back in time to the magical island of Zanzibar in the Indian ocean.
Get lost in the historical maze of ancient alleyways, and enjoy the most beautiful beaches on earth.
AFTER-CLIMB ADVENTURES
Once you're down off your climb, extend your adventure with a mind blowing Safari, exploring the epic wildlife parks of East Africa. If you're craving a beach experience, opt for a total cultural immersion as you travel back in time to mystical Zanzibar, an island just off Tanzania’s coast.
For more information about our world class safari's and our Zanzibar trip visit our Tusker's After Climb Trips Page.
WILDLIFE SAFARI or ZANZIBAR
Here on our 5-day safari, you discover an incredible array of wildlife. And if you time it right, you might even find yourself surrounded by millions of animals during the great migration, which occurs twice a year. You will marvel at the incredible feeling you experience as you immerse yourself in the spectacle and the magic of the African savannah.
For more information about our world class safari's visit Tusker's Safari Trip Page.
Rise early to connect with your safari flight from the Moshi Airport to the Manyara Airstrip, where you meet your safari guide. Lake Manyara National Park is very different from the other parks with a huge diversity of habitats. It is home to the unusual tree-bound lions and the elusive forest primate, the blue monkey, along with many other species of animals.The Lake supports a large array of bird life, such as yellow-billed storks, white-necked cormorants, pelicans, and Egyptian geese. We overnight at Kirurumu Manyara Tented Camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
The awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater is a 110 square-mile volcanic caldera, which collapsed two million years ago. It is encircled by 2000-ft. sheer walls. We drive down the narrow track to the crater floor, for a full day exploring this lush animal paradise.The crater swarms with 30,000 head of wild game, stalked by great prides of lion, jackal, hyena and leopard. Ngorongoro is one of the few places left on earth where you can see the almost extinct black rhinos in their natural habitat.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
The Serengeti National Park is the world’s oldest ecosystem, It is a sanctuary with the highest concentration of large mammals, containing over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles, and over 2,500 lions.Every year, the Serengeti hosts one of the most dramatic spectacles on earth: The Great Migration. During this time, millions of wildebeests, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle migrate non-stop through the Grumeti and Mara Rivers in search of fresh grazing, following an ancient pattern of survival.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging varies depending on the migratory season.
In the morning, wake to the call of amazing birdlife, or the first sunrays splaying across the endless plains. These timeless sights and sounds signal the dawn of a new exciting day on safari.The Serengeti is famous for its predators. On our daily game-runs with expert safari guides, you can expect excellent lion and cheetah sightings, and exciting lion hunts. You can also spot leopards regularly. Other predators include serval cats, golden and black-backed jackal, African wild dog and spotted hyena.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging varies depending on the migratory season.
After breakfast, we head out for our final game-run in the park. Afterwards, you drive to the the airstrip to connect with your flight to Kilimanjaro airport.At Kilimanjaro International a Tusker Trail representative will meet you with your climbing gear that you stored in Moshi. Depart Kilimanjaro Airport.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Fly home
On our 3-day safari you discover an incredible array of wildlife. And if you time it right during the twice yearly animal migration, you find yourself surrounded by millions of animals. Everyone who has traveled on an African safari marvels at the incredible feeling they experience as they immerse themselves in the spectacle of the African bush.
For more information about our world class safari's visit Tusker's Safari Trip Page.
Rise early to connect with your safari flight from the Moshi Airport to the Manyara Airstrip, where you meet your safari guide. Lake Manyara National Park is very different from the other parks with a huge diversity of habitats.It is home to the unusual tree-bound lions and the elusive forest primate, the blue monkey, along with many other species of animals. The Lake supports a large array of bird life, such as yellow-billed storks, white-necked cormorants, pelicans, and Egyptian geese. We overnight at Kirurumu Manyara Tented Camp.
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Kirirumu Manyara Tented Lodge
The awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater is a 110 square-mile volcanic caldera, which collapsed two million years ago. It is encircled by 2000-ft. sheer walls. We drive down the narrow track to the crater floor, now a lush animal paradise.The crater swarms with 30,000 head of wild game, stalked by great prides of lion, jackal, hyena and leopard. Ngorongoro is one of the few places left on earth where you can see the almost extinct black rhinos in their natural habitat.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
After breakfast we head out for our last game drive down in the crater. In the afternoon ascend to the crater rim and drive to Manyara Airstrip in time to connect with your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport. At Kilimanjaro International a Tusker Trail representative will meet you with your climbing gear that you stored in Moshi. Depart Kilimanjaro Airport.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Fly Home!
Travel back in time to the mystical Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar, just off Tanzania’s coast. Throughout recent history, the two islands that make up Zanzibar, became a base for traders on their journeys between Africa’s Great Lakes, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent.
Known as the Spice Island, you can still discover Zanzibar’s colorful history as you explore the maze of streets and alleys. Your tailor-made trip immerses you in Zanzibar’s fascinating mixture of African, Arabic, Asian and European cultures.
For more information about our magical Zanzibar trip visit Tusker's Zanzibar Trip Page.
SAFARI & ZANZIBAR PRICES
WILDLIFE SAFARI
Tailored to the Season
Trip Length
3-5 Days
Land Cost
$2,300 to $4,700 (plus local flights)
Trip cost depends on season and duration.
ZANZIBAR
Custom Duration
Trip Length
3-5 Days
Land Cost
$1,100 to $3,200 (plus local flights)
Trip cost depends on duration and activities.
BOOKING YOUR SAFARI & ZANZIBAR JOURNEY
We've been planning and coordinating our Wildlife Safaris and Zanzibar trips for over four decades. Our trek coordinators will help you celebrate your success on Kilimanjaro with the most amazing experience you can imagine. For your after-climb adventure just give us a call when you book your Kilimanjaro Climb.
SAFARI
When we plan your Wildlife Safari, we factor in important variables to maximize your adventure experience. We plan for the best locations based on the season, the amount of time you wish to spend in the bush, and the type of accommodation you’d like to use.
ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar is always amazing, regardless of when you visit. But if you want some tips the greatest food, the best place for snorkeling a coral reef, or where to go to enjoy the most incredible sunset, give us a call.
TO BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE CALL US: +1.775.833.9700 • 1.800.231.1919
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE
Your guides are the heart and soul of your successful Kilimanjaro summit challenge. EDDIE FRANK, founder, built Tusker's elite team of guides using the same techniques he used when training the US Army’s Special Forces. Our elite team has led over 10,000 triumphant Tusker climbers to the summit over the decades.
EDDIE TALKS...
"A couple years ago, as part of the Discovery Gene I inherited from my dad, I felt the need to explore Kilimanjaro and develop a new route for Tusker’s adventurers. As there were 50,000 climbers a year going up the standard routes, I felt this would be a great challenge. I carved out the Tusker Spiral Route, a combination of some remote trails. You circumvent the entire mountain in an extended climb, which allows you to soak up the full adventure, and face your challenge in the most rewarding way. It is the climb of all climbs. It’s life-changing."
YOUR CLIMBING CREW
One of the keys to the success of your climb is your climbing crew. They are the backbone of your adventure and ensure that your camp and gear is set up at each new location on the climbing route. The team is made up of porters and chefs that are fiercely loyal to Tusker Trail and who have been part of our family for the past 15-23 years.
Your porters and chefs also provide an incredible window into Tanzanian culture. They introduce you to the inspiring music of Kilimanjaro which will inspire you to put one foot in front of the other. All in all, you and your team are part of one big family, on a trek to the top of Africa.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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- Professional guides & dedicated crew
- Transfers on arrival and departure
- Lodging & Meals as per daily itinerary
- Ripcord evacuation membership
- Activities as per itinerary
- National Park Fees
- 4-season WALK-IN all weather tents
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- 2-inch air/foam mattresses
- 4-season base-camp dining tents
- Dining tables & comfy chairs
- Gas lighting in dining tents
- Purified water
- Private toilet tents
- Drybag (to protect your duffel)
PHOTO GALLERY
CLIMB REVIEWS
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CHECK AVAILABLE DATES
Limited Group Sizes
ROUTES QUESTION?
+1.775.833.9700 • 1.800.231.1919