Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

Advanced hikers will know about Mount Kilimanjaro by reputation. This dramatic, beautiful, and quite difficult climb is situated in Tanzania, Africa, and features the continent's highest peak. Because Mount Kilimanjaro actually contains three volcanic cones, it is actually classified as a stratovolcano, though it has been inactive for thousands of years. To climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, hikers will need to have plenty of previous mountain climbing experience, sufficient gear, and the money to pay for an expensive tour operator.

Not only is climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro a difficult thing to do, as its highest point is at 19,336 feet, it is a particularly lengthy journey. Climbers should be prepared to take up to ten days to conquer the summit and head down. Quicker climbs up and down Kilimanjaro are possible, but often this makes reaching the summit difficult if not impossible. The top of the stratovolcano is actually a glacier, though a significant portion of it has melted in recent years. Regardless, Kilimanjaro can be quite cold in the higher regions, so warm clothing is definitely a must have. Thankfully, tour operators should bring emergency supplies, like oxygen, should a hiker suffer altitude sickness. Travel guides do mention not skimping on the cost of a tour operator, as the cheapest deals may lack vital health care supplies and provide poor quality food and service.

To climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, prospective hikers will need at least $2,500 dollars for the entire trek, which includes transportation and park fees. Despite the cost, climbing Kilimanjaro is such a unique experience due to the number of beautiful ecological systems growing throughout, including areas of juniper forests and tundra.