Stig Nygaard / Foter / CC BY

At 19,325 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro was extremely intimidating as I made my decision to climb it. But when I reached the top and looked out from the summit, the feeling of exhilaration that I felt at that moment was incredible. The peak was not the only memorable thing about the climb, about the hike, along the way there were plenty of sites to be seen as we climbed.

The highest freestanding mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro was the most memorable and rich experience that I have had in my 28 years on this planet. Beginning that climb, I never thought that I would make it to the top of the mountain. I felt a sense of fear as I began my ascent to the top. It was a daunting moment when the tour I was with began the climb. Hours upon hours of walking per day allowed me to come out of the trip fit, but beginning my ascent, I was not at that level of fitness.

Climbing the mountain, one foot after another, I followed the rest of my group. It was an amazing experience climbing with people that I had never met that allowed me to be meet my new friends I would not otherwise have met. The mountain intimidated all of us and scared us lifeless figuratively, but together we conquered the mountain. It was no Tellevista Apartment holiday, but I have to say that it was a lot better than going to one of those apartments for the same five days that I spent going on one of the most memorable hikes of my life.

From the beginning, I knew it would be a beautiful hike, and I was not disappointed. It was not easy though, it was one of the hardest things I have done in a long time. From the alpine deserts that existed as we climbed to the snowy peak, it never got easier, even when coming down. But this shouldn’t deter anyone interested in making the climb at any age or fitness level, unless you have serious heart or lung issues, chances are you can make the climb just like I did.

One of the hardest parts I found while conquering the mountain was the breathing as we reached the top. The first day was the easiest, because none of us had yet found blisters on our feet or that we were exhausted but the time that the second day came around, even with plenty of sleep, every part of my body was sore. After the climb on the first day, I almost figured I wouldn’t be sore, because it was pretty easy but I was lying to myself. That first day was hard, but as the climb reached the end and the peak of the mountain, it got even harder. Even though the tour company that we went with supplied us with all the air bottles and most of the equipment, I was still finding it incredibly hard to breathe and I know I was not the only one.

The group I found myself were a diverse group of people, another single climber like me from the same state as me, a couple and a group of four, as well as the tour guides that led us up the mountain. To this day, seven months after the trip we are still in contact and staying close together. Despite only a five day trip up and down the mountain, we won’t forget each other.

I feel a twinge of sadness every time I think about the trip because I know there will be people who will not get to see the places and things that I have seen in Africa. They’re near indescribable to someone who has never seen it. You also get the African treatment as well, seeing animals poking their heads out here and there to greet you with a smile and a sound.

On my five day long trip, I cried, I bled, I laughed and I screamed, but overall, it became one of the most memorable trips of a lifetime and I truly believed that it has changed my life for the better.

Author: My name is Jeremy Henderson. I am a traveler who for years has played in poker tournaments around the world and made a living off it.  I have also ghost written a number of articles and have been published in reputed journals. I mainly like writing about the topics that are a passion of my mine. Visit my website, http://www.tellavista.com/.