John with his son and grandsons at the start of the trek John Thelen is an 82-year-old Southern California native who likes golfing and relaxing with his family. It just so happens he can also summit Africa’s tallest mountain with no problem. “I didn’t seem to have trouble going up!” John told us when…
Imagine standing at the foot of Kilimanjaro preparing to hike 45 miles over seven days – 19,341 feet up and then back down again. You wear an old pair of sneakers, and most of your clothing and equipment isn’t mountaineering quality. You carry a 60-pound pack, balancing it on your head. Over the week, you’ll…
Thomson staffer Annifreed Sinjour made it to the summit of Kilimanjaro! She shared videos on her way up the Western Approach Route – here are some of her favorite moments! Join Annifreed On Uhuru Peak Annifreed says hello from 19,341 feet. Annifreed and Her Guide Show off Kili’s Glaciers Get a glimpse of Kilimanjaro’s…
You’re about to hike 45 miles up and down a 19,341-foot peak over about 7 days and 7 nights. How important would you consider the tents where you’ll spend your nights? The short answer – they’re critically important. Comfortable, dry, secure shelters are essential because any lapse in quality is just another obstacle between…
How do I train to summit Kilimanjaro? That’s a question we’re all-too familiar with. Some newer adventurers look at the 19,341-foot peak with doubt, and to be sure, Kili is a formidable challenge. However, summiting may be easier than you think with the correct tactics and moderate but consistent preparation. Moderate is the key…
Porter beside Crater Camp glaciers – Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Photo: JedsPics.com Kilimanjaro’s majesty is almost impossible to describe, but they always say a picture is worth a thousand words; photos of Africa’s highest peak convey the wonder and strange beauty of Kili immediately. Thomson Kilimanjaro trekkers regularly capture breathtaking images during their time on the mountain. The…
It’s a question we’re asked all the time—which makes sense given Kilimanjaro’s epic proportions! On Everest climbs, bringing supplemental oxygen is a matter of course, and some companies tell trekkers they’ll provide it on Kili as an extra “boost” meant to reduce the more unpleasant symptoms of altitude. Still, the short answer is…
If you’re seriously considering a Kilimanjaro trek, you’re probably aware there are a wide variety of trekking outfitters, at a wide range of price points. Why so much variation? After all, aren’t you all climbing the same mountain? It all comes down to two main factors: quality and ethics. On the…
Walking among the clouds – Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Photo: Elizaveta Popov Kilimanjaro’s majesty is almost impossible to describe, but they always say a picture is worth a thousand words; photos of Africa’s highest peak convey the wonder and strange beauty of Kili immediately. Thomson Kilimanjaro trekkers regularly capture breathtaking images during their time on the mountain.…
Reaching the top of one of the seven summits is a major achievement…but how long will it take you to do it? It’s a more complicated question than most travelers think. Travelers hoping to simply get a taste of Kilimanjaro can arrange for short 1-3 day climbs that stop well below summit elevation. But…
