My decision to climb Kilimanjaro was made without much thought, one evening, whilst talking to friends thinking what could we do that would truly challenge ourselves! Having been scared of heights as I was growing up, climbing a mountain was not something I had ever thought of doing! So for me, this was both a physical and a personal challenge.

So with my rucksack packed, I was on my way to the airport, and I  started to feel quite nervous, but it was too late to have second thoughts and I was soon on my way to Kilimanjaro airport from London Heathrow. My first glimpse of this amazing  mountain was from the aircraft window, 

The first night in Tanzania we stayed in a hotel in Arusha. Our guides, who we're going to be escorting us over the next 6 days, came to visit us and to do a kit check.

After breakfast, we were driven to the base of Kilimanjaro, where we met the rest of the 16 man team that were going to be with us for the next 6 days, which included a cook, trek guides, porters to carry our rucksacks, carry our tents and everything else we needed along the way. We had decided to follow the Machame route as this would take 6 days instead of 7, which was really going to test our physical as well as mental strength. 

Day 1 was hiking for 7 hours through the rainforest. Luckily it was a dry day and quite humid. We made our way through the forest to our first camp for the night – Machame camp. By the time we made it to the camp, the porters had already pitched up. Food was ready and we all assembled in the Mess tent to eat our dinner. Still excited about what we had accomplished and what lay ahead.

Day 2 was a wake up call at 6am by the cook, who brought tea into our tent, and hot water to wash ourselves! After breakfast of a bowl of sloppy porridge, fried eggs and fried bread, we set off with our two guides, the day saw us trekking through Moreland, climbing steep rocks and walking along crevices, not good for someone who is scared of heights! We climbed for an exhausting 6 hours to Shira camp at an altitude of 12,500 feet. Again our tents and belongings were all in place when we reached our camp for the night. Dinner was served in the mess tent, and throughout the whole expedition, this was the nicest meal of the day, and literally the only time I ate through out the trek.