Friday, August 12, 2016

Mt. Kilimanjaro vs Everest Base Camp (EBC) Solo Hike Experience Comparison

highest peak of Africa and Nepal's most promising trekking route

The reason why I hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro (2014) first was to challenge myself for extremely high elevation treks. Since this mountain cannot be hiked by self-guided basis and is very expensive, I tried that much to reach the summit but unfortunately altitude sickness effects kicked-in strongly like vomiting, dizziness and headache. On the other hand, trekking Everest Base Camp (2015) needs no more explanation. The main reason of everybody is to see the majestic summit of Earth's highest mountain.  

Mt. Kilimanjaro from Tanzania and Mt. Everest Base Camp from Nepal are two of the most popular mountains and tourist-hiker friendly peaks in Africa and Asia. As an amateur hiker, this two mountains are the top-most priority on the bucket list. As such, I visited them both and the following was the observation I had during the course.

MT. KILIMANJARO (5,895masl) is also known as the ‘Roof of Africa’ and is one of the Seven Summits (highest mountains of each of the seven continents). Trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro is much expensive because it can only be hiked with a recognized local travel agency supported by guide and porters (which also has a minimum tip for each other). I consider the summit push as very difficult because of around 1,000m elevation gain that started from 2300H up to 0600H the following day. On the other hand,  E​VEREST BASE CAMP (5,364masl) and KALAPATHAR (5,550masl) trekking route is costly because of the Lukla flight, trekking difficulty is hardest (but much rewarding) because of the series of ascent/descent trails from Jiri and the high elevation challenge, and nothing beats the view of the world's highest mountain peak.

Mt. Kilimanjaro Solo Hike (July 2014)

Mt. Kilimanjaro Solo Hike (July 2014)

Mt. Kilimanjaro Solo Hike (July 2014)

Mt. Kilimanjaro Solo Hike (July 2014)

Mt. Kilimanjaro Solo Hike (July 2014)

MT. KILIMANJARO MOUNTAIN NAME MT. EVEREST BASE CAMP (EBC)
5,895masl (Uruhu Peak) SUMMIT ELEVATION 5,364masl (EBC)
5,550masl (Kalapathar)
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania LOCATION Sagarmatha, Nepal
Highest peak in Africa FEATURE EBC (closest place to Mt. Everest)
easiest among the "Seven Summit" Kalapathar (closest viewpoint)
June to February BEST MONTHS TO HIKE November to May
March to May WORST MONTHS TO HIKE June to August
5 days minimum TREKKING DURATION 14 days minimum
Marangu (easy but limited) TRAILS Short Route (Lukla to EBC)
Machame (difficult but great vista) Long Route (Jiri to EBC)
rainforest, rocky, moorland, alpine TRAIL TYPE rainforest, rocky, dusty, alpine
continuously ascent then descent series of ascent / descent
very few man-made shelter TRAIL STOP-OVERS lots of man-made shelters
purely mountain flora tea houses and lodges
none TRAIL MARKERS orange circle paint
guide required HIKE JOURNEY can be done independently
$1,250 ESTIMATED MINIMUM BUDGET $570
advance booking required for entire trek (guide/accommodation included) PREPARATION none if independent
included in advance booking REGISTRATION trekking & park permits required
JULY 14 TO 20, 2014 DATE I VISITED NOVEMBER 27 TO DECEMBER 15, 2015
with guide and porter (required) HIKE JOURNEY solo (no guide/porter)
Machame (difficult but great vista) CHOSEN TRAIL Long Route (Jiri to EBC)
fixed CHOSEN TRAIL REMARKS self-customized
6 days TREK DURATION 18 days
Moderate to Difficult TREK DIFFICULTY Easy to Difficult
62 kilometers TRAIL ENTIRE DISTANCE 300 kilometers (approx.)
tent assembled by porters ACCOMMODATION lodges available in every village
in the rainforest trail only (fog rain) RAINING in the rainforest trail only (fog rain)
Machame Gate TREK START Jiri
Mweka Gate TREK END Lukla
Day 1: Machame Gate to Camp ITINERARY Day 1: Kathmandu to Jiri by bus
Day 2: Machame to Shira Camp Day 2: Jiri to Shivalaya
Day 3: Shira to Barranco Camp Day 3: Shivalaya to Kinja
Day 4: Barranco to Barafu Camp Day 4: Kinja to Lamjura Pass
Day 5: Barafu to Uruhu Peak to Millenia Day 5: Lamjura Pass to Salung
Day 6: Millenia Camp to Mweka Gate Day 6: Salung to Jubhing
Day 7: Jubhing  to Paiya
Day 8: Paiya to Ghat
Day 9: Ghat to Namche
Day 10: Namche  to Tengboche
Day 11: Tengboche to Dingboche
Day 12: Dingboche to Lobuche
Day 13: Lobuche to Gorakshep
Day 14: Gorakshep to EBC
Day 15: Gorakshep to Kalapathar Peak
Day 16: Gorakshep to Pangboche
Day 17: Pangboche to Namche
Day 18: Namche to Lukla
Day 0: Lukla to Kathmandu by airplane
VERY DIFFICULT SUMMIT PUSH DIFFICULT
NO, altitude sickness kicked-in SUMMITED YES, despite altitude sickness
5,480masl HIGHEST ELEVATION REACHED 5,550masl (Kalapathar Peak)
$1,525 BUDGET ON ENTIRE TRIP $566

Everest Base Camp Solo Hike (November 2015)

Everest Base Camp Solo Hike (November 2015)

Everest Base Camp Solo Hike (November 2015)

Everest Base Camp Solo Hike (November 2015)

Everest Base Camp Solo Hike (November 2015)



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