Adventure awaits those who are willing to turn the page of the ordinary to discover the extraordinary tales written by the bold ink of experience …:)

Introduction

As the first whispers of dawn crept across the Tanzanian sky in September 2022, an alliance of spirited women, affectionately named ‘Happy Feet,’ stood at the base of the towering Kilimanjaro. Ranging in age from the adventurous late thirties to the fearless late forties, we were bound by a shared vision that soared far beyond the physical peak before us. Our mission was twofold: to plant our feet upon the summit of this majestic mountain and to elevate the essence of our collective spirit, emboldening the threads of friendship and the resilience within us all

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive at Londorossi Park Gate and Hike to Mt Mkubwa  (Elevation: 2,650m / 8,694’). Distance: 2 to 3 hours, 6 km, 820m of elevation gain

Day 2 – Hike Shira Ridge to Shira Plateau (Elevation: 3,500m / 11,482’). Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 8 km, 850m of elevation gain

Day 3 – Cross the plateau to explore or relax at Shira 2 Camp (Elevation: (3,900m / 12,795’). Distance: 5 to 6 hours, 8 km, 90m of elevation gain

Day 4 – Visit the Lava Tower and trek to Barranco Camp (Elevation:3,900m / 12,795’).Distance: 5 to 6 hours, 8 km, 90m of elevation gain

Day 5 – Conquer the Barranco Wall and hike to Karanga Camp (Elevation: 4,673m / 15,331’). Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 4 km, 650m of elevation gain

Day 6 – Short trek to Barafu to prepare for summit day (Elevation: 4,673m / 15,331’). Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 4 km, 650m of elevation gain

Day 7 – Midnight hike and reach the top of Uhuru Peak (Elevation: 3100m / 10,170’). Distance: 10 to 13 hours, 16 km, 1195m of ascent and 2795m of descent

Day 8 – Hike to Mweka Gate and return to Moshi.Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 10 km, 1410m of descent

The journey began at Londorossi Park Gate, where our adventure was graced by the curious gazes of Columbus monkeys amidst the dense rainforest. Setting camp at Mt Mkubwa, we found ourselves at the cusp of nature’s untamed wilderness, where wildlife roamed free at the edge of the forest. With each sunrise, we trekked higher, from the stunning vistas at Shira Ridge to the expansive Shira Plateau, where the land stretched out like a vast, untouched canvas. Our nights were spent under the stars at camps like Shira 1 and Shira 2, nestled within the embrace of the mountain’s serenity.

A brief respite at Shira 2 Camp was a day of acclimatization,  where we prepared our minds and bodies for the ascent ahead. We scaled the Lava Tower, the land’s volcanic sentinel, before descending to the Barranco Camp, our hearts beating in sync with the mountain’s timeless rhythm.

Conquering the Barranco Wall on the 20th tested our resolve, a testament to the trust and strength woven into the fabric of our group. Karanga Camp awaited us, a reward for the day’s climb and a prelude to the challenges to come. The prelude to our summit attempt was a day of anticipation as we set foot towards Barafu Camp. The air grew thin, our breaths mingled with the cold, and excitement coursed through us as we prepared for the midnight hike.

And then came the day of days, when in the darkness of the early hours, we began our ascent. Step by step, we encouraged one another, finding an inner power that burned brighter than the stars above. As dawn broke and we reached Stella Point, the first light of day brought with it a sense of awe. We had the privilege to see Mt. Meru at Dawn. Mt. Meru has a great significance in Indian Mythology and we had the pleasure of seeing the beautiful sight of the mountain at Sun Rise.  An hour later, the summit: Uhuru Peak greeted us with the dawn. There, at the roof of Africa, our triumph was not just a personal feat but a shared victory that would forever bond us as sisters of the summit.

The descent to Mweka Camp later that day and the hike to Mweka Gate were much harder than the ascent. The biggest challenge in this summit expedition is not ascending to the top but it’s the downhill descent. It reminded us that every step, whether upwards towards the sky or downwards towards the earth, is an integral part of the adventure.

The adventure would not have been possible without our tour operator Gladys Adventures and most importantly our team of guides and porters who have made this adventure possible. They are the superheroes and it’s only because of their support and hospitality all of us were able to complete our expedition. It took around 50 50-member team to support our expedition process.

Our expedition concluded with a descent into the rich wilderness of Tarangire and the Ngorongoro National Park, a perfect juxtaposition to the barren heights of Kilimanjaro. Here, in the cradle of life, we celebrated our journey by experiencing an African safari amongst the wildlife and the whispering grasslands.

As we bid farewell to Kilimanjaro, we knew that the mountain had given us more than a story of ascent and descent. It had instilled in us an unbreakable will, a profound bond, and memories that would resonate far beyond the echoes of our footsteps. ‘Happy Feet’ may have come as a team of climbers, but we left as a family, each step a narrative of enduring spirit and shared dreams. The journey to our next grand adventure had already begun …..

Cheers,

Shanthi 🙂