The Amazing Experience of Climbing Kilimanjaro

As you look down upon the Tanzanian horizon standing at the 19,340 feet high Uhuru Peak, the feeling of accomplishment is incredible. It won't have been an easy trek, having made your way across Kilimanjaro's three volcanos - Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, but making it to th top of this Kenyan mountain can be easily achieved through dedication and stamina. It's also not the physically overwhelming venture that Africa's tallest mountain may be presumed to be. Of course you have to be determined and in good physical shape, but with the help of skilled professionals, modern climbing organisations are turning the trek into more of a holiday experience.

The safety of climbing of the mountain is absolutely ensured. Times have changed dramatically since geologists Hans Mayer and Ludwig Purtscheller first trekked up the mountain to uncertain results in 1889. However, since the mid-20th century, hiking up Kilimanjaro has been a popular excursion among climbing enthusiasts and beyond, as people from all backgrounds are making the trek. Numerous celebrities have scaled the mountain to raise money for charity. In 2009, as part of the Red Nose Day Challenge, stars as diverse as Cheryl Cole to Chris Moyles made the journey and universally concluded that it was one of the most amazing moment of their lives.

The mountain has six different travel routes that allow climbers to navigate their way around. There are three shorter treks; the Morangu, Rongai and Machame routes. A climber with more experience will be accustomed to the three harder courses; the Lemosho, Umbwe and Northern routes. The average time to reach the summit and back again takes between 5 to 9 days. This time wont be soent on non-stop climbing of course as there much of this time is spent relaxing and soaking up the incredible sights both at the peak and on the way up and back down.

It is not uncommon for a less experienced climber to feel anxious about climbing Kilimanjaro, so easier routes like Marangu are ideal as they feature huts stocked with bathrooms, electrical cooking facilities and beds to relax on, a particularly attractive prospect to those climbers who value their home comforts.

All expeditions take place in the company of trained professional guides who will help with any difficulties you encounter, whether it is a physical problem or questions about the mountain you have. Every year more and more people are discovering the incredible feeling of climbing Kilimanjaro for charity, shouldn't you be joining them?