Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing and Everest Base Camp trek are two of the most popular mountain treks in the world. Both mountains belong to the seven summits of the world, the highest peaks of the seven continents.
Both mountains attract an array of visitors, for their spectacular views and long trek times through different types of landscape. They draw a wide range of hikers ranging from hardened trekking veterans to more casual adventurers who just want to experience these famed spots.
Even though both might seem impossible to summit at first, but these can trek. One of the most asked questions is which one is more difficult. However, both the treks have their own challenges and difficulties. So, in this article let’s take a look at both these places before we decide!
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest peak in Africa and one of the 7 summits of the world. This towering giant is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, and is popularly known as “the roof of Africa”. Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing offers you a rather spiritual experience and brings you closer to the heart of Tanzania.
• Altitude: 5895 m
• Duration: 7 days, on an average
• Best Season To Visit: January-March, October
An ideal trek on Mount Kilimanjaro will take you through the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Crater Camp, Arrow Glacier to reach the summit area. Lava Tower, a 300 ft. high volcanic plug, and the Carter Camp are two of the unique features of Kili. Crater Camp offers unequaled sights of natural ice sculptures within the glacier.
With reaching the Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m, your Kilimanjaro Climb would reach its ultimate aim. Reaching the peak will quite literally put you on top of the world. After summiting the peak, rest for a few minutes, and savor the serenity and the enormous, never-ending land that stretches in front of you. It’s a spiritual moment that will help you reconnect with mother earth, and really there is no feeling like it!
The weather in Tanzania is ideal for trekking almost all year round allowing you to take a trip at any time of the year depending on your availability. Apart from Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania has a lot more to offer. You can visit one of the best safari destinations in the world and have some of the best game drives on the planet! The magical island of Zanzibar is just a stone’s throw away from Kilimanjaro, so you can unwind and bask on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar after summiting Kili.
Pros
Most Accessible Of The Seven Summits
Cons
Mount Everest requires no introduction. Adventurers and hikers from all around the world are attracted to the tallest peak in the world. However, it is extremely difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to summit Mount Everest. However, summiting the Everest Base Camp trek ensures that you get as close to this iconic peak as possible. The Base Camp offers the best view of the iconic Everest peak!
• Altitude: 5550 m
• Duration: 2 weeks
• Best Season to Visit: September- November
The trek to Everest Base Camp will be quite challenging and more time-taking than Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
If you are a hiker, you would be incredibly excited about Mount Everest. However, the base camp trek is also a quite bit challenging and requires quite some preparation.
Pros
• See four 8000+ mountains on the same journey
• Incredible mountain landscapes and a beautiful trail
• Stay in tea houses, explore the local culture, visit exotic monasteries and villages
Cons
• The trekking route is the same, going up and coming down
• You have to deal with a number of trekkers during peak season.
• It is much more expensive than Climbing Kilimanjaro
• It also requires more time to reach the base camp than summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro.
The right hike depends on a number of different factors. So, the perfect trek depends on a number of factors such as:
What kind of climate do you prefer trekking in?
What experiences are you looking for?
Which part of the world you’d rather travel to?
For every avid trekker, both these treks are outstanding and must-go at least once in a lifetime. Here’s a small comparison of both these treks!
Scenery: The Everest Base Camp trek is stunning once you cross Namche Bazaar, as all those iconic Himalayan peaks start coming into sight. On the other hand, Kilimanjaro is all about exploring different eco-zones. You begin with beautiful rainforests, which give way to a cloud forest, before opening out into a moorland zone. And without a doubt, the most beautiful moment of summiting Kilimanjaro is watching the sunrise on the ice fields from the summit.
Difficulty: Even though the summit day is more exploratory on Kilimanjaro, but Everest base camp even requires a greater level of patience and physical fitness over a period of 12 days.
Activities: One of the major differences between the two climbs is what you’re planning to do before and after your summiting. If you’re in Tanzania, you can witness the best of wildlife and tropical beaches in the form of Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Zanzibar. However, in Nepal, you visit the Chitwan Jungle Safari which is not as endowed with wildlife as Tanzania. So if you want to witness one of the best game viewing experiences in the world and explore the pristine beaches, then Kilimanjaro is where you need to be!
If you want to go on the Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing expedition on your next and are looking for a trustworthy and reputable tour operator to plan your trip, then your search is over. Big Expeditions is one of the reputable tour operators that has been organizing Kilimanjaro treks since 2002. So if you have any queries regarding trekking Kilimanjaro then visit us at bigexpeditions.net.
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Whether you are looking to explore the wildlife of the Serengeti, or begin your expedition up Mount Kilimanjaro, we have something suitable for all of you. Get in touch with us today and our team of specialists will help build your experience of a lifetime to Tanzania
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