What are Kilimanjaro crater expeditions and how long do they take?

Every year, fewer than a hundred climbers choose the Kilimanjaro crater camping expedition. After summiting, they don't descend but camp in the crater at about 5,750 meters (18,865 feet). These expeditions last over ten days and are more demanding than usual treks, where the hikers spend only several hours above 5,700 meters (18,865 feet).

Camping in the Kilimanjaro crater is a unique experience. However, these trips are also more expensive. The park authority charges special fees for camping there. Additionally, unlike standard trips where only guides and their assistants accompany climbers to the summit, crater trips involve the entire crew – porters, camp masters, and chefs. This team ascends to the summit area to carry supplies and water, pitch tents, prepare meals, and conduct medical check-ups, all under challenging conditions at 5,750 meters (18,865 feet). For this, we pay them extra wages, which are reflected in the tour price.

Crater expeditions offer the rare opportunity to explore unique attractions:

Reusch Crater

It was named after the renowned German explorer and founder of the first Kilimanjaro guiding school, Richard Reusch. Hikers who climb Kilimanjaro seldom visit this part of Kilimanjaro.

The crater of Mount Kilimanjaro is impressively large. Standing inside this vast crater offers a truly unique and special feeling.

Ash Pit

The Ash Pit on Mount Kilimanjaro is a smaller crater within the main Reusch Crater. It measures 140 meters wide and has a depth of about 350 meters. It often emits sulfuric gases from the fumaroles. It is a reminder that Kilimanjaro, while dormant, still has some volcanic activity happening beneath the surface.

Furtwangler and other glaciers

The glaciers are one of Kilimanjaro's most recognizable attractions. Due to the ongoing climate change, Furtwangler and other glaciers like the Rebmann are rapidly diminishing. Scientists predict that Furtwangler, the most famous glacier on Kilimanjaro, will be gone by 2027.

Visiting them now offers one of the final opportunities to witness these ancient ice formations in real life, making crater expeditions even more significant. If you're very lucky, you'll be able to glimpse the glaciers from above when flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport. However, it can hardly be compared with the amazing experience of seeing them up close.

See our recommended Kilimanjaro Trekking Packages

·  10 DAYS KILIMANJARO MARANGU CLIMBING ROUTE & ZANZIBAR BEACH HOLIDAY

·  10 DAYS MOUNT KILIMANJARO ADVENTURE & ZANZIBAR HOLIDAY

·  12 DAYS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO & ZANZIBAR BEACH HOLIDAY

·  12 DAYS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO & ZANZIBAR VACATION

·  8 DAYS MOUNT KILIMANJARO LEMOSHO CLIMBING ROUTE

·  9 DAYS MOUNT KILIMANJARO NORTHERN CIRCUIT WITH CRATER OVERNIGHT

·  8 DAYS MOUNT KILIMANJARO LEMOSHO CLIMBING ROUTE

·  9 DAYS MOUNT KILIMANJARO NORTHERN CIRCUIT WITH CRATER OVERNIGHT

·  CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO & ZANZIBAR BEACH HOLIDAY IN 12 DAYS

·  KILIMANJARO CLIMBING ADVENTURE & ZANZIBAR BEACH HOLIDAY 10 DAYS

·  KILIMANJARO MACHAME CLIMBING ROUTE & ZANZIBAR BEACH HOLIDAY 10 DAYS

·  KILIMANJARO MARANGU CLIMBING ROUTE & ZANZIBAR BEACH HOLIDAY - 8 DAYS

·  LEMOSHO CLIMBING ROUTE & OVERNIGHT IN THE CRATER 9 DAYS MOUNT KILIMANJARO

·  LEMOSHO CLIMBING ROUTE WITH CRATER OVERNIGHT 8 DAYS MOUNT KILIMANJARO

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO 6 DAYS LEMOSHO CLIMBING ROUTE

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO 6 DAYS MARANGU CLIMBING ROUTE

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO 6 DAYS RONGAI CLIMBING ROUTE

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO 6DAYS MACHAME CLIMBING ROUTE

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO 6DAYS UMBWE CLIMBING ROUTE

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO 7 DAYS LEMOSHO CLIMBING ROUTE

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO 7 DAYS RONGAI CLIMBING ROUTE

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO 7 DAYS UMBWE CLIMBING ROUTE

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO 7DAYS MACHAME CLIMBING ROUTE

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO MARANGU CLIMBING ROUTE 5 DAYS

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO NORTHERN CIRCUIT 8 DAYS CLIMBING

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMBING, SERENGETI PLAIN & NGORONGORO CRATER 12 DAYS

·  MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMBING & ZANZIBAR BEACH HOLIDAY IN 14DAYS LUXURY TOUR

We wrote this guide to help climbers prepare for their once-in-a-lifetime Kilimanjaro adventure. All the recommendations above are the results of our 10+ years of Kilimanjaro experience. Over this time we at Moonlight Tours Expedition have organized Mount Kilimanjaro hiking trips for over 3,000 people.