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, EVEREST 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 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, EVEREST 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.
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| Mt. Kilimanjaro Solo Hike (July 2014) |
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| Mt. Kilimanjaro Solo Hike (July 2014) |
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| Mt. Kilimanjaro Solo Hike (July 2014) |
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| Mt. Kilimanjaro Solo Hike (July 2014) |
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| 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 |
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| Everest Base Camp Solo Hike (November 2015) |
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| Everest Base Camp Solo Hike (November 2015) |
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| Everest Base Camp Solo Hike (November 2015) |
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| Everest Base Camp Solo Hike (November 2015) |
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| Everest Base Camp Solo Hike (November 2015) |
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