Tusker Spiral Route

13-Day Itinerary - 10 Days Climbing: $6,250

Day 1-2 ~ Moshi
3,000-ft/917-m

 
After arriving at Kilimanjaro airport, you transfer to our hotel in Moshi and enjoy two relaxing nights here. Moshi is a fun town, with a variety of good restaurants and quaint coffee shops. The central market is also a must-see, bustling with life and colorful local characters.

Tomorrow morning you meet with your team and your guides, who give you a detailed climb briefing and comprehensive gear check.

Day 3 ~ Simba Camp
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. You freshen up and enjoy your first magnificent dinner.

Day 4 ~ Second Cave
11,320-ft/3,450-m • 4.35 miles/7 km • 3-4 hours

Awakening to the lyrical early-morning birdsongs, you begin your day with a good solid breakfast.  Then you and the group head out, starting through the shorter vegetation of the heather.

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, so we'll take an afternoon hike up to a higher elevation at Third Cave to help acclimatize for the days head.

Day 5 ~ Third Cave
12,912-ft/3,936-m • 2.6 miles/4.2 km • 3 hours

On today's trek you have one of the most beautiful views on Kimanjaro's northwest slopes.

Today's an easy day, where we only have 2.6 miles/4.2 km to Third Cave campsite. The 1,600-ft/488-m is a small elevation gain, and part of our plan to get you well acclimatized.

Day 6 ~ Pofu Camp
13,180-ft/4,017-m • 4.2 miles/6.7 km • 5-6 hours

Today's a full-day trek traversing the hardly used western slope.

Slowly ascending, 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 is now a vast plateau.

Day 7 ~ Moir Camp
13,650-ft/4,160-m • 6.2 miles/10 km • 6-7 hours

You continue along the western slopes with a climb up toward the Lent Mountains looming up in front, and Mount Meru hovering over your right shoulder.

You hike out of the Heath into the Alpine Desert which is a stark yet beautiful environment, making your way to our spectacular campsite at Moir, at the foot of Kibo Peak, and at the end of a giant lava canyon.

Day 8 ~ Barranco Camp
12,950-ft/3,950-m • 6.2 miles/9.9km • 7 hours

It's a full and exciting day. After breakfast, you start climbing toward Lava Tower at 15,200-ft/4,633-m, where you have lunch, a key moment to acclimatize.

Then you descend a steep canyon, passing the fairytale giant Senecio plants, arriving at Barranco camp down below. Camp has been set up by our crew at the foot of the massive Barranco Wall. The rolling mist reveals one of the most spectacular views of Kibo Peak and Arrow Glacer, looming above you.

Day 9 ~ Karanga Camp
13,200-ft/4,023-m • 3.6 miles/5.8 km • 4-5 hours

The big challenge this morning is to hike up the Barranco Wall, an impressive 500-ft lava flow. It's not technical, but an incredible challenge. Once you make it to the top, the climb becomes easier and spectacular with fantastic views of the crags and crevasses of Kibo's jagged peaks on your left.

Lastly we descend into the Karanga Valley and up the other side, to reach camp mid afternoon.

Day 10 ~ Barafu Camp
14,950-ft/4,556-m • 2.1 miles/3.4 km • 4 hours

It's all uphill to the rocky slopes at Barafu, which means "ice" in Swahili, and it is extremely windy and cold at this altitude.

You start to feel the effects of the altitude, breathing harder as you gain elevation. There is a buzz of excitement in the air, as you and your team anticipate the toughest day - and the summit - tomorrow. The clouds move in and out, revealing Mawenzi's eroded peak, painted with the magical colors of the African sun.

Millenium Camp
12,510-ft/3,813-m • 6.21 miles/10 km • 6-7 hours

After celebrating your success at the summit, you start your descent to Millenium Camp. It's a tough day, because of the downhill demands on your leg muscles.

Once at camp, it's time to relax and enjoy your last dinner and restful sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day 12 ~ Moshi
Mweka Gate: 5,500-ft/1,676-m • 8 miles/13 km • 6-7 hours ~ Drive Moshi

In the morning it's a 6-7 hour hike through the rainforest down to the gate where you sign out of the national park.

Then a half-hour drive gets you back to the hotel for a well-earned shower and celebration.