With the world opening up, this year is the perfect time to think about new trips and destinations that will allow you to explore the world. Here at Pristine Trails, we have put together some of the top reasons why a Kilimanjaro climb is your next greatest adventure.
EDWARD LYIMO
Owner - Pristine Trails Adventures & Safaris
4-minute read
This is the year you want your next travel experience to be something really special.
And I have a great suggestion.
You should climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Let me tell you why.
Plenty of peaks are scattered all around the world, just waiting for climbers. But at 19,340 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is not only the highest peak on the African continent, it is also considered the tallest mountain in the world that isn't part of an existing range.
Why bother with tiny hills when you could stand atop a continent's tallest point?
Walk up the western side of the mountain on the Lemosho trail, or walk along the Rongai route and explore the mountain’s jagged second peak in detail. No matter which path you take, you'll emerge on one of the tallest points available in the world today.
You don't need any technical skills or fancy equipment to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. You'll need a talented guide, of course, and good camping gear. And you'll need to choose a route that helps you avoid altitude sickness. But when the planning is done, and a bit of training at home, you're ready to get hiking.
Now, some people say the easiest mountain within the seven summits is in Australia. But Mount Kosciuszko is just 7,310 feet tall. That's barely a mountain, in my opinion.
If you're looking for a non-technical climb that packs a lot of punch, Mount Kilimanjaro is a natural pick.
The Ultimate Guide to Trekking
Mount Kilimanjaro
A 100% free email course that will teach you everything you need to know about planning a Pristine Trails adventure
Mount Kilimanjaro might inspire your visit to Tanzania. But with the summit scaled, you have so much left to see.
Tanzania is a large, beautiful country packed with sights. Enhance your climbing trip with one or all of the following:
Wildlife Safari: Drive through some of the most famous ecosystems in the world, observing wildebeests, zebras, elephants, lions, and more, in their natural habitats. Spend your evenings surrounded by the sounds of nature from the comfort of your tented camp.
Trip to Zanzibar: Dip your toes in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean and warm up on white, sandy beaches. Choose to lounge on the beach all day after a strenuous trek, or fill your days with snorkeling, diving, or other activities like a tour of Stone Town or a walk through spice plantations. This island is a cultural feast for the sense.
Mountain Gorilla visit in Rwanda: Track some of the most awe-inspiring animals on earth through the forests of Volcanoes National Park. Once coming upon a family of mountain gorillas, you will observe these beautiful creatures as they go about their daily lives. Standing just feet from these animals is truly magical.
Add-ons like these turn a mountain climb into a longer adventure that you'll never forget.
You're in control of your climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. You'll pick the route, the dates, and the itinerary. But make no mistake. This is a trek that will push you to your limit.
You'll spend days hiking up the mountain, and the air will thin as you move. Reaching the summit is a true accomplishment. Everyone is moved by it. In fact, many climbers cry as they approach the summit sign. Some have chosen to scatter ashes of loved ones while others crack open a beer and start their celebration right there and then.
While the last 3 years has been extremely challenging for many of us, it has felt much like Groundhog’s Day, repeating the same or similar routines at home every day. Break away from this monotony and get back to adventure with a mountain climb.
Did COVID force you to cancel your travel plans? You're not alone. In April of 2020, about 40 percent of scheduled flights were canceled. And the industry has yet to recover.
While you were stuck at home, you may have learned to bake sourdough bread. Perhaps you picked up knitting. Or maybe you built your family a cool vacation spot in the backyard.
But none of these hobbies can truly take the place of travel. You don't get the chance to experience different cultures, sights and sounds when you're limited to your home and community. Take a trip to a culturally and environmentally rich part of the world and really break free of routine.
If you’re still feeling concerned for your health and safety, and you aren't ready to dive into crowded concert halls or packed cruise ships, that makes two of us! A mountain climb is a great solution, as you are outside and can stay distanced from other hikers. You'll get the adventure with fewer risks.
The Ultimate Guide to Trekking
Mount Kilimanjaro
A 100% free email course that will teach you everything you need to know about planning an incredible Kilimanjaro trip!
You may be ready to take just one trip this year, so why not choose a spot that offers so much variety in its scenery, unique plant life and unmatched views?
The mountain offers:
Five climate zones - Hike through cultivated areas, rainforests, heath and moorland, alpine desert and the summit glacier zone, all in just one week. On some days you may even pass through two climate zones.
More than 1,100 unique plants - See flora here that you just can't find anywhere else in the world. If you're a big fan of exotic plants, or telling your friends about things they’ve never seen, Kilimanjaro is the right spot for you.
Striking views - Climbers often tell me they feel like they can reach right up and touch the stars when they're close to the summit. You’ll sleep under the full and bright southern hemisphere sky every night and you'll see amazing sunrises and sunsets, too.
Few destinations offer so much variety in one place. Kilimanjaro truly is special.
Climate change is - unfortunately - very real, and Tanzania is not spared. Ice climbers say they can see the damage to Kilimanjaro's glaciers firsthand. Climbs they took just a decade ago aren't possible now due to melting ice and snow.
Standing amidst the towering Kilimanjaro glaciers is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You feel awe at the imposing grandiosity of nature’s pure beauty.
But you really don't have time to delay a trip like this. The glaciers melt a little bit every year, and the vacation opportunity you take now could be completely gone in a few years.
Prepare for Adventure
Have I convinced you to come to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? I hope so. It's time to start planning your trip. Find out more about all of the ways you can come climb, and let's make your dream a reality!
The Ultimate Guide to Trekking
Mount Kilimanjaro
A 100% free email course that will teach you everything you need to know about planning an incredible Pristine Trails trip!