You’re sitting at your desk, likely at home, working on this month’s spreadsheet, and you’re dreaming of a getaway. And after the year and a half you’ve endured, you want something really special.
I understand. And I have a great suggestion.
You should climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Let me tell you why.
1. It Is The World’s Tallest Freestanding Mountain
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 the 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.
2. You’re Already Prepared
You don’t need intense 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, 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.
3. Easily Expand Your 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 the sprawling savannah during the day and watch wildebeests, zebras, flamingos, lions, and more. 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 water of the Indian Ocean and warm up on white, sandy beaches. Fill your days with snorkeling or diving, or other activities like a tour of Stone Town or a walk through spice plantations, or just lounge on the beach all day.
- Mountain Gorilla visit in Rwanda: Track some of the most interesting, amazing families of mountain gorillas as they go about their daily lives. Standing just feet from these majestic creatures is truly magical.
Add-ons like these turn a mountain climb into a weeks-long adventure that you’ll never forget.
4. Challenge Your Body and Mind
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, others crack open a beer and start their celebration.
While this last year has been extremely challenging for many of us, it has felt much like Groundhog’s Day. We go to work (or work from home), we come home, we repeat. Break away from this monotony and get back to adventure with a mountain climb.
5. You Deserve It
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 sweet 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 stuck at home or in your 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, 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’re outside and can stay distanced from other hikers. You’ll get the adventure with fewer risks.
6. It’s A Destination All On Its Own
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 countries offer so much variety in one place. Tanzania truly is special.
7. See the Summit Glaciers (Before They’re Gone)
Climate change is – unfortunately – very real, and Tanzania is not spared. Ice climbers say they can see the damage firsthand. Climbs they took just a decade ago aren’t possible now due to melting ice and snow.
Standing amidst towering 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 climb, and let’s make your dream a reality!
