50 YEARS - ROCK SOLID
International:
North America:
50 YEARS - ROCK SOLID
International:
North America:
Under the Full Moon
Climb Kilimanjaro beneath the glow of a full moon as glaciers shimmer overhead and the trail rises through silver-lit alpine wilderness. Summit night on the Lemosho Route becomes quieter, wilder, and unforgettable — a rare experience that transforms the mountain into another world.
Climbing Kilimanjaro under a full moon is one of the mountain’s most extraordinary experiences.
Far below, the vast Kibo Saddle stretches into the distance beneath a wash of silver moonlight, giving the mountain an almost otherworldly feel. The trail winds upward through rock and ice while the moon hangs high overhead, illuminating the landscape in every direction as you climb quietly toward the summit beneath the African sky.
Normally, climbers ascend in near darkness, seeing little beyond the narrow beam of a headlamp. But under a full moon, the mountain feels entirely different. Open. Vast. Hauntingly beautiful. Then, as dawn slowly rises behind Mawenzi Peak, the first light spills across the summit glaciers just before you reach Uhuru Peak – a moment you will never forget.
3,000-ft/914-m
3,000-ft/914-m • Meet Your Expert Guides
Meeting your Tusker mountain guides for the first time is when the climb suddenly feels real. The air buzzes with energy as backpacks are opened, gear is checked, and last-minute questions fly around. You meet the team leaders who will guide you up the mountain, along with the climbers who’ll share every step of the journey ahead.
After the equipment check, one of your guides takes the group into Moshi for lunch. The town moves at full speed – busy streets, open markets, local food, music, and Kilimanjaro rising above it all. It’s your first real taste of Tanzania before the mountain takes over completely.
10,600-ft/2,972-m • 7.2 miles/11 km • 3-4 hours
12,480-ft/3,804-m • 3.1 miles/5 km • 7-8 hours
After breakfast, the climb pushes higher as the rainforest slowly falls away behind you. The trail rises through giant heather and open moorland toward the vast Shira Plateau, formed long ago when one of Kilimanjaro’s ancient volcanic peaks collapsed into itself. The air feels cooler now, the vegetation thinner, and the mountain suddenly begins to reveal its scale.
After lunch, the trail steepens along a ridge climbing toward the edge of the Shira caldera. The landscape opens wider with every step until Kibo Peak finally appears ahead – massive, silent, and impossibly high above the African plains stretching far below.
13,650-ft/4,160-m • 6.2 miles/10 km • 7-8 hours
After breakfast, we head northeast across the wild, open landscape of the Shira Plateau. The trail winds through volcanic rock and rolling alpine terrain with massive views stretching across the mountain. Far from the forest below, Kilimanjaro now feels raw, exposed, and immense.
By midday, we stop for a hot lunch before continuing toward Moir Camp, one of the mountain’s quieter and most dramatic campsites. The trail cuts beneath a towering lava flow rising above the valley wall, its dark volcanic cliffs dwarfing everything below. Tucked beside a deep gorge, Moir feels isolated, remote, and completely surrounded by the mountain.
12,950-ft/3,950-m • 6.2 miles/9.9 km • 6-7 hours
With the dawn breaking, we set out on an uphill trek into the Alpine zone, towards the foreboding Lava Tower standing tall at 15,200-ft/4,633-m. As we reach the foot of the 320-ft/98-m tower, we take a well-deserved break for lunch, allowing our bodies to adjust to the altitude.
Then the steep 2,000-ft/610-m steep descent down into the Barranco Canyon takes us through a unique habitat, where Giant Senecios tower over us, and solitary Lobelias mark the trail. Our camp lies at the foot of the imposing Barranco Wall, with climbers from all corners of the globe buzzing with excitement for the next morning’s climb up this monumental structure.
13,200-ft/4,033-m • 3.6 miles/5.8 km • 4-5 hours
Descending sharply into the Karanga Valley, we take a moment to catch our breath before launching into the final ascent to Karanga Camp, nestled at the foot of Kibo. As we settle in for the night, we savor the rush of adrenaline and the sense of accomplishment after overcoming yet another thrilling leg of this epic journey.
15,790-ft/4,813-m • 2.6 miles/4.18 km • 5 hours
The climb to Barafu Camp is slow and deliberate as we move higher across steep, rocky slopes beneath Kibo’s massive upper walls. The altitude begins to make itself known now, forcing more frequent breaks as the air grows thinner with every step. But nobody loses focus. The summit is close, and the anticipation builds with every hour on the trail.
Barafu – meaning “ice” in Swahili – sits exposed high on the mountain in a cold, windswept landscape of rock and cloud. Yet the camp crackles with energy as climbers prepare for summit night. Behind camp, Mawenzi Peak rises sharply into the sky, glowing deep orange beneath the late African sun.
Summit: 19,341-ft/5,895-m • 2.55 miles/4.1 km • 6-7 hours
Millennium: 12,590-ft/3,837-m • 6.3 miles/10.1 km • 5-6 hours
Just before midnight, the climb begins beneath a full moon high above Kilimanjaro. Silver light washes over the mountain as you move silently up the steep volcanic slopes toward the crater rim. In the freezing air, every step demands focus, and the moonlit landscape feels almost unreal.
At dawn, you reach the crater rim beside towering ice walls glowing in the first light. An hour later, you stand on the summit above the clouds as sunrise ignites the glaciers around you.You bask in the breathtaking views during this unforgettable moment. We then start our descent to Millennium Camp.
Mweka Gate: 5,500-ft/1,676-m • 7.5 miles/12 km • 6 hours ~ Drive Moshi • 30 mins
With a sense of accomplishment, you embark on the final leg of your climb. The downhill hike from Millennium Camp to the National Park Gate marks the end of your incredible journey. As you sign out, you revel in the memories of the challenging climb, the stunning views, and the camaraderie with your climbing team. A short ride back to your hotel in Moshi where a well-deserved hot shower and a cold drink will refresh you. In the evening, you gather for a celebratory group dinner, reflecting on your extraordinary feat with pride and satisfaction.
Get ready to venture out on an unforgettable adventure as you explore some of the world’s most spectacular animal reserves on a Wildlife Safari. From the Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara to Tarangire National Parks, you’ll encounter a stunning array of wildlife in their natural habitats.
Once you’ve conquered Kilimanjaro, it’s time to embark on an equally enchanting adventure – a journey back in time to the magical island of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean. Lose yourself in the historical maze of ancient alleyways and indulge in the beauty of the most pristine beaches on earth.
The triumph of your Kilimanjaro summit challenge rests upon the expertise of your WORLD-CLASS GUIDES,, the heart and soul of your journey. At Tusker Trail, our founder, Eddie Frank trained our guides with the same techniques he used when training the US Army’s Special Forces With 50 years of experience, our exclusive team has successfully led tens of thousands of triumphant Tusker climbers to the summit. Rest assured that with Tusker’s expert summit team at your side, your climb to the top of Kilimanjaro will be nothing short of a resounding success.
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 are set up at each new location on the climbing route. The team is made up of porters and chefs who are fiercely loyal to Tusker Trail and who have made up our family for decades, taking many thousands of climbers to the summit.
Your porters and chefs also provide an incredible window into Tanzanian culture. They introduce you to the inspiring songs and dances 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.
Photo Gallery
It’s US$6,490 per person for the full 12-day trip.
That covers 9 days on the mountain, two nights in Moshi, airport transfers, expert guides, all your meals, park fees, and top-shelf gear like walk-in tents and private toilets. No surprises – it’s all in.
The trip runs 12 days, with 9 of those on the mountain.
You’ll also have two nights in Moshi before and one night after the climb.
Everything you need to climb – and a bit more.
That means medically trained licensed guides, a highly experienced mountain crew, all meals, transfers, lodging, park fees, tents, filtered water, and even a Kilimanjaro plant guidebook.
Tusker climbers hit the summit 98% of the time.
That’s thanks to a longer acclimatisation plan, expert medical support, and decades of guiding experience in high-altitude terrain.
Tusker does a daylight summit ascent on all routes except the Lemosho Full Moon climb and the Machame route.
You’ll start early – just before dawn – so you catch the sunrise while you’re climbing and avoid the usual summit crowds. It’s a better way to finish the climb.
You can – and it’s something special, and included on the climb
Tusker offers the rare chance to sleep in Kibo Crater, just below Uhuru Peak. Quiet, icy, and unforgettable. Or, if you prefer, head down to Barafu Camp instead.
At Explorers Boutique Hotel, Bristol Cottages or the Park View Hotel.
They are very comfortable lodges where you’ll meet the team before your climb, rest up after the climb, and share a celebratory dinner with your group before flying home, or heading off on safari.
It’s a serious trek, but built for success.
You’ll be climbing high and working hard, especially on summit day. But Tusker’s longer route gives your body time to adjust. With trained guides and a smart pace, most climbers do well.
