Tag Archives: Hiking

Origin story: Mount Kilimanjaro summit

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From Inspired Adventure’s CEO and founder Justine Curtis first climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2004 to our current figures – presently having over 500 adventurers partaking in this climb – it’s remarkable to see just how far the company has come. Reaching the summit of the world’s highest freestanding mountain, Justine gave herself only 3 months to raise $30,000 and attempt the biggest challenge in her life thus far.

This increasingly popular climb is an incredibly challenging 12-day trek through Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park. Trekking from the rainforests of the East African plains, through five different climatic zones, to the final awe-inspiring glacier at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mount Kilimanjaro 

Our founder Justine Curtis made the decision to climb as part of a management training course intended to forcibly get you  of your comfort zone. She created the immense challenge for herself to raise $30,000 within 12 weeks and with very little training or research to climb the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Raising the funds for a water pump for an orphanage in Zimbabwe. Whilst having being given the opportunity to climb before and rejecting it through fear, fitness and lack of preparation – Justine decided enough was enough and that no matter what she was going to reach the summit.

Our CEO tells a wonderful story of reaching the summit, saying that; “We got to the point where it was dusk, we were above the clouds and there was this tiny little orange dot on the horizon. This pinprick where the sun was going to come up and burst into the sky. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”

Known as the rooftop of Africa; the climb can be completed without ropes or extensive equipment, the adventure is not one for the faint hearted. Justine has said that this climb was the “catalyst for me to create an exciting fundraising agency and share the opportunity with other people”.

Mount Kilimanjaro

As it currently stands Inspired Adventures has a 95% summit success rate which is extraordinary. For people who are of an average fitness level it’s surprisingly very achievable. Through Inspired Adventures the participants have been eclectic, from young teenagers trekking with their parents to the more mature 70s and 80s age range successfully climb it.

Justine tells us that; “The camaraderie is incredible, others empowering you with their commitment and hard work to get you to the top. There’s nothing better than that connection.” 

Interested in participating? See our website for further details.

Check out the upcoming adventures on our calendar!

Trail Etiquette: Rules Every Hiker Should Follow

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Going for a hike seems like a pretty self-explanatory endeavour, right? Put one foot in front of the other, enjoy the scenery and navigate your whereabouts accordingly. While the motions are easy to put into play, there’s also such thing as ‘good hiking etiquette’ .

So before you lace up your boots, we’ve compiled some “unwritten rules” every good hiker should follow.

Leave Only Footprints

The most universal rule of hiking is to leave the untouched places you visit the way you would like to discover them. As the old adage says, ‘pack it in, pack it out.’ Dispose of waste properly and don’t leave anything behind – this includes organic waste like fruit peels, apple cores and seeds, and most notably, non-biodegradable materials such as plastic bottles, wet wipes, candy wrappers and so on. These waste products can pose great harm to native fauna and wildlife, pollute waterways and impact the experience your fellow hikers have on the trail.

Stop and Say Hello to Fellow Bushwalkers

This is probably an easy rule to follow, but we will say it anyway: you should always be polite and humble to others on your outdoor adventure. Your fellow hikers are a friendly bunch and often have some vital information about the trail they can pass on, like hazards ahead or camouflaged wildlife only locals know about.

Hike Quietly and Welcome the Sounds of Nature

Any experienced hiker will tell you that silence is golden while hiking. To enrich your experience on the trail, it’s recommended you try to keep your voice down, turn off external music devices and enjoy the great outdoors as Mother Nature intended.

Connect with your senses and listen to native birds chirping and water tickling down rocks, and soothe your nature- starved soul with the calming fresh air against your skin.

When Nature Calls…

So what do you do when nature calls and there isn’t a beckoning blue sign labelled ‘Toilets’ in sight? Unbeknownst to many, but there is actually toilet etiquette while hiking. It’s not too complex, but there are a few things to note. Before you seek out your location, ensure it is at least 100m away from water sources and campsites to prevent contamination – and also just to be considerate. Then simply dig a hole, do as natured intended and bury it with soil. If the inevitable strikes and you need to go number two, make sure you ditch the wet wipes and use biodegradable camp toilet paper – it will have a minimum impact on the environment you are visiting.

Set a Safe Pace

While it’s always encouraged to be relatively fit before you set off on a long pilgrimage, everyone’s fitness levels vary. Ensure you set a comfortable pace for the slower hikers so nobody falls too far behind. Alternatively, if people in your group prefer hiking at their own pace, choose a designated destination where you can all reconvene for refreshments or lunch.

Feeling inspired? Check out the upcoming challenges on our calendar and find your adventure!

Mount Kilimanjaro: A Photographic Journey

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You’ll never forget the moment you first see it, soaring high above the farmlands of Tanzania, and you’ll never forget that moment when you reach the top. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience – and hard to describe until you’ve done it.

Following the lesser-travelled Rongai Route, you’ll trek for 7-days through five climatic zones, giving you a chance to acclimatise and make the most of the incredible scenery. You’ll pass through ice fields and alpine meadows – and you’ll see extraordinary wildlife in Tanzania’s rainforests. Our camp sites are pretty special too: you’ll sleep by mountain lakes and in the shadow of glaciers. It’s an incredible opportunity to share an adventure and camaraderie with your co-workers.

Climbing Kilimanjaro will challenge you on every level, but the rewards are immense.

 

Day 1: Simba Camp

 

Today’s walk begins in the village of Nale Moru (1,950m). We set off on a small path that winds its way through cornfields before entering pine forest, home to a variety of wildlife. A gradual ascent through amazing forests brings us to the edge of the moorland zone. Tonight is our first night camping on the mountain.

Elevation: 2,600m
Trekking distance: 3-4 hours

 

Day 2: Kikelewa Camp

day 2

In the morning, we start off on a steep climb to reach ‘Second Cave’ (3,450m). Here we are rewarded with superb views of Kibo and the eastern icefields of the crater rim. After lunch we continue on through the moorland towards Mawenzi peaks, before setting up camp near Kikelewa Caves.

Elevation: 3,800m
Trekking distance: 7-9 hours

 

Day 3: Mawenzi Tarn

day 3

Today’s walk is shorter than yesterday but involves some steep sections as we climb to Mawenzi Tarn, the only permanent mountain lake on Kilimanjaro. We begin with a short but steep climb through grassy fields that offer stunning views in every direction. We leave the vegetation zone behind us and arrive at our campsite at Mawenzi Tarn, nestled beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi.

Elevation: 4,300m
Trekking distance: 3-4 hours

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn acclimatisation

day 4

This is our acclimatisation day. To maximise your chances of making it to the summit we will combine some brief walks with plenty of rest.

Elevation: None
Trekking distance: Varied 

Day 5: Kibo Camp

day 5

Today we will trek across the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo, a sparse moon-like landscape scattered with rocks. After arriving at Kibo, Kilimanjaro base camp, we have time to rest in preparation for the final summit ascent.

Elevation: 4,730m
Trekking distance: 4-5 hours

Day 6: Summit day and Horombo Camp

day 6

We wake at midnight and begin our summit trek under the stars, navigating the narrow switchback trail by torchlight. Be prepared for a challenge – the climb to Gilman’s Point is slow-going and the most difficult of the entire journey. From here we continue to the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak (5,895m), a three-hour round trip along the crater rim affording views of the crater, ice cliffs, and the plains of East Africa beyond. We will then descend to Kibo for lunch, then commence your trek to your final campsite at Horombo.

Elevation: 5,985m
Trekking distance: 7-9
Descent to Horombo: elevation at 3,720m and another 5-6 hours.

Day 7: National Park, Marangu

day 7

On this final day, we continue our descent through alpine meadows to Mandara Hut before making our way through lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu.

Feeling inspired?

  • Ready to trek Mount Kilimanjaro? Find our available departures here

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Annapurna vs. Everest Base Camp – which one is right for you?

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So you’ve decided you want to visit Nepal. Tick. You want to take on a life-changing trek. Tick. You want a challenge but also awe-inspiring scenery. Tick. You want amazing food, local culture and history. Double tick. Do you trek the Annapurna or Everest Base Camp (EBC) trail? Error: answer unknown.

Fear not inspired adventurers! We’re here to rescue you with our guide to choosing which trail is right for you. The main thing to take away from this guide? Both trails are absolutely stunning and your life will be irrevocably changed no matter what you decide.

Are you ready? Let’s get to it!

How easy is it to get to?

Everest

If planes and runways aren’t your thing, this factor alone might make your decision that much easier. The only way to get there? A spectacular (albeit tinsy bit scary) flight to the tiny airstrip of Lukla. The mountain views are incredible … just don’t look down.

Annapurna 

To get to the Annapurna region is easy. You can either choose to travel by bus or via a short flight from Kathmandu (no tiny airstrips required – winning!) to Pokhara, the gateway to Annapurna.

Ghandruk village in the Annapurna region, Nepal, HDR photography
Annapurna mountain, Annapurna conservation area, Himalaya, Nepal

What's the trekking terrain like and how difficult is it?

In short, the EBC trek is definitely more of a challenge than the Annapurna circuit. Why? The biggest factor is altitude. By day 2 on the EBC trek, you are at 3,420 feet above sea level. You reach this altitude on day 6 on the Annapurna circuit. Trekking is much harder at higher altitude because the density of the air decreases, which means less oxygen is available.

There are also a bunch of ascents on the EBC trek, whereas the Annapurna circuit sees you trekking on flatter stretches that don’t leave you gasping for breath. However in saying that, what goes up must come down and on the EBC trek, you come back down the way you came. On the Annapurna circuit, you start and finish in two different places which potentially means more variety in terrain and scenery.

Sunrise in Himalaya mountains, view from Sarangkot, Nepal
view of everest from gokyo ri with prayer flags - Nepal

What's your scene?

Everest

For incredible mountain vistas where you pinch yourself because you can’t believe the views are real, you can’t go past trekking to EBC. And, if you’re hiking in the dry seasons (the best time to hike), it’s possible you will catch a glimpse of the mighty Mount Everest on your second or third day of your trek. On the Everest trek, your days are spent at higher altitudes and therefore you are constantly surrounded by massive glacial mountains for most of the trek.

Annapurna

On the Annapurna circuit, the scenery is certainly much greener and more varied as you trek from emerald rice terraces to a high glacial pass and on to the arid landscape of the Tibetan plateau. Basically, if it’s huge, imposing and stunning mountains you’re after … the Everest trek is the one for you, but you’ll pay for it with aching thighs and calves. But if you’re after something a little flatter, greener and lush, consider the Annapurna circuit.

Everest_Caravan Yak going to Everest - Periche_shutterstock_100122554
Annapurna South from Trek near Jhinu Danda_shutterstock_88868551

The extras: communities, accommodation, food and price

The culture

As you trek to Everest Base Camp you can certainly feel an unwavering pull of spirituality. Tibetan traders often visit the village of Namche Bazaar, as they’ve done for centuries. The Annapurna circuit will take you through various rural settlements where small farming communities reside. Whilst religion is still present here, there is more of a ‘local’ flavour than what you’ll find trekking to EBC.

Accommodation

Accommodation is pretty similar along both trails, however, the biggest difference is the bathrooms. Lodges on the Everest route more often than not contain a shared indoor bathroom, whereas on the Annapurna circuit you’re looking at pitch-black bathroom trips into the woods. Western toilets are the norm on the Everest Base Camp trek, while you might only come across one or two on the Annapurna circuit.

Annapurna, Nepal
Everest region, Nepal

Food

There also isn’t much of a difference between the food you eat on either treks. However, you’re more likely to get more veggies on the Annapurna circuit.

Cost

There are a few reasons why the EBC trek costs more than Annapurna. 1) Higher elevations 2) It’s a bit more “luxurious” (well, as luxurious as you can get on a mountain) and 3) Everest just has a bigger brand name. Everything about Annapurna is more affordable, including food and transportation to and from the starting point.

The crowds

It really depends on the season but as a general rule of thumb, the EBC trek is usually much more crowded and large groups are common. The Annapurna circuit generally features hikers in pairs or small groups and is not nearly as busy.

So there you have it! Hopefully our guide has made it a little bit easier to decide which trek you should choose but as we said, no matter what, a trip to Nepal will be life-changing in so many ways and you can’t go wrong with either trek. Good luck!

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Check out our upcoming Annapurna and Everest Base Camp challenges!

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