You'll find unparalleled freedom at the crest of Africa's tallest peak, both figuratively and literally. Figuratively because, Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, rises nearly 20,000 feet above the plains of Moshi. Needless to say, the accomplishment of the ascent and the most expansive view in the world has a way of inspiring a boundless sense of freedom and possibility. Literally because, in commemoration of Tanzania's 1961 independence from Great Britain, the Swahili people named the summit Uhuru, which translates to “freedom.”

This Kilimanjaro trip is anything but the normal summit bid. Instead of “putting the blinders on” and simply gunning for the mountaintop, we ascend the most exotic and least crowded route, and truly savor the entire ascent and descent, not just the summit. We follow the little used Lemosho-Glades Route via the Western Breach.

This route allows us to explore the beautiful Shira Plateau at our leisure, gaze awestruck at the ice walls erupting towards Uhuru from Crater Camp and spy on buffalo and elephants in the forested, lower-altitude approach. The Adventure Mates knows that if you commit to climbing one of the Seven Summits, it's worth enjoying every inch of it.

Overall this trek is designed to get you closer to nature, and provide a totally unique Kilimanjaro experience. The steepness of the Breach Wall and the night at Crater Camp makes this trek quite difficult, but more than adequate for acclimatization. There are no huts on this route; the accommodations are mountain tents and dining is in our mess tents. Latrine tents with convenient and sanitary portable flush toilets are set up at all camps.