Thrill-seekers, adventure junkies, and fitness fanatics…
…this one is for you! It’s time to lace up those hiking boots and start the trek to the summit of Africa’s highest mountain – Mount Kilimanjaro.
Your experience begins with us assisting in identifying the most favourable route for you. This will satisfy your personal desires as well as contribute towards your eventual summit success. For your packing checklist don’t forget the comfortable pants, shirts, underwear, fleece jacket, hiking shoes with ankle support, a headlamp, long johns, waterproof pants and jacket and a hat. You will need a sleeping bag, tent, walking sticks and gaiters although these can all be hired from the base camp.
On your climb, you will be in safe hands. With highly trained and registered guides making part of a skilled support team, you will be looked after the whole way to the top. Short of actually carrying you up the mountain, your crew will do everything in their power to make your entire experience as comfortable as possible. Your safety is of utmost importance. There are two to three porters for every climber with one guide for every four climbers, this ensures you are in good hands and also allows the crew to spoil you: not only do they carry your bag, but at the end of the day’s walk you’ll turn up at camp to find your tent has already been assembled, with a bowl of hot water lying nearby for you to wash away the grime of the day.
As you begin your trek up the mountain an overwhelming feeling consumes you with hundreds of questions racing through your mind – ignore them! The days are spent walking through breathtaking landscapes which change every day as you pass through the different vegetation zones. As night falls, dinner is served by your crew and as the stars come out, all you can do is gaze into the nights’ sky before turning yourself in for the night.
You’re awakened by the charm of the mountain scenery, the clear, crisp atmosphere, and your position above the clouds is something to be savoured. As you continue your climb, make sure you take a moment to look around. Take a pause and look back to reflect on how far you’ve come. Mount Kilimanjaro offers picturesque surroundings, camaraderie with people around you, changing landscapes and the satisfaction of overcoming challenges. Take a moment to enjoy these life-changing moments.
The day has come! The one you have been waiting for. It’s Summit Day and today you’ll be in bed at around lunchtime before you’re woken at midnight to push out the final leg of the climb. As day breaks and you reach Gilman’s Point, the extreme altitude hits in, expect headaches and dizziness. Your crew will be around to help with anything you do need as your body try’s to adjust to the altitude and to continue the additional 300m to the top.
Hours pass, heads throb and legs aching, you make it to the summit! Standing at Uhuru Peak at 19,340 feet you feel invincible and just want to scream “I’m the King of the World”. After enjoying 15 minutes at Uhuru Peak, photo’s taken and memories captured, you will begin your descent. As your sense of accomplishment runs high, you realize this will be a day you will never forget!
This experience is for the adventurer at heart. Cue marker checking off Mount Kilimanjaro from the bucket list.
