Make no mistake, climbing mount Kilimanjaro can be an arduous and difficult feat to undertake but it is one that is well worth the effort. It is not easy and you will need to train for the conditions that it will present to you. It will mean first visiting your GP to ensure that you are safe to take part and it would also mean a lot of hard work preparing yourself and getting things ready before you even depart. Your fitness and health will be tested as the altitude and height is not something to be taken lightly but hard work and good training will mean that it is an achievement you can accomplish with perseverance!
Before the climb, like any great adventure, you will have to make sure that you have the correct vaccinations, guidance, diet and kit to make the best of the hike ahead of you. There are several routes to choose from so it is always best to get advice about the severity and itinerary of each one to see which would suit you best. You can ascend from Marangu, Machame, Lemosha and Shira to name but a few and there is nothing to say, you couldn’t come back again to do another starting point. Being ready gets you acclimatized to what you may go through, it builds your stamina and strength to face the climb and not just physically, but mentally too.
A good tour operator would be able to offer you advice regarding Kilimanjaro group climbs so that you can be fully prepared and ready to complete the adventure of a lifetime. To reach Uhuru Peak, the summit of the mountain, would definitely be a challenge and will certainly provide a sight that you will be relieved to see after the long days of demanding walks. They can advise you on the best route, what you will need to complete it and how to prepare. The trek will show you the world differently; you will naturally build strong relationships with those taking part with you, you ar in it together after all, and it will make you think more deeply. The trek will take you far from your normal worries about work or home and focus you on that moment, as you take each step and view the magnificence of what this world can create.
The best Kilimanjaro tours operators will offer advice on what to pack, as with all of us, it is very easy to over-pack. It is important to only take what you need because you will be carrying it mostly yourself. Porters are also provided but they can only carry so much. It is not a normal holiday with sun and sea and sand, it is not a time to relax and enjoy your comforts – it is hard work, it may well include times that you will want to give up and will ask you to go to the limit of your endurance – but that will all pay off for you in the end!
Stand on the world’s highest free-standing mountain at over 5,800 metres and watch the sun rise over the African landscape. Stand on top of the world and know that you have made it.
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This interesting article was written by Darren Smith, an expert who’s spent many years providing the public with the best Kilimanjaro tours.