By Bettina Boekle
Why should one want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, and the Roof of Africa, at 5895 meters high?
And why should one go one step further and add a daily yoga practice on top of a journey that is already physically and mentally demanding?
When I climbed Kilimanjaro for the first time in October 2024 with Kilimanjaro Heroes Adventures, I hadn’t initially planned to do any yoga at all. But as we started our trek, my fellow German hikers, knowing that I was a certified yoga teacher, began to ask me for some daily post-hike stretches: Sore muscles needed to be released. This also allowed us to find moments of stillness in our busy trekking days, and to fill our lungs with deep breaths of mountain air – a wonderful way to better adjust to the increasing altitude we faced. Their feedback was that it made a difference to their adventure, providing moments of physical relaxation and mental strength building.
| Itinerary | Dates | Availability | Quantity | JOIN GROUP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Day Lemosho Route - Yoga Group Climb | 19.07.-25.07.2025. | 7 in stock |
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Each of us has his or her own ambitions, and it requires that spirit and mental determination to reach Uhuru Peak. But ‘Uhuru’ means more than just ambition and grit, it literally translates to ‘Freedom’ (in Swahili). I felt this sense of freedom more than ever the first time I summited, when the snowy air was blowing over my face.
Back home, reminiscing on the positive impact that this added mental strength and mindfulness had brought to the trek, all through the power of yoga – I knew what I wanted to do. I also was convinced that others might equally benefit from what yoga is to me: The alignment of breath and physical movement calming the mind to find stillness in moments of greatest challenge. So I persuaded Evarist, the mastermind behind Kilimanjaro Heroes, to offer the first Kilimanjaro Heroes Yoga climb in January 2025 with me as a yoga teacher.
When I told my family and friends during Christmas that I was going back to “the mountain” just three months later, I was assuming they would tell me that I was out of my mind. But adventurous spirit prevails, and most often will it push us beyond the boundaries we believe are there in our lives. However, it is our mind setting those boundaries for us. I have experienced that crossing them and following my intuition has often moved me in new directions in life that I wasn’t ready for prior. For example, to finally embrace a fundamental shift in my career.
If reading this and watching our amazing Video Link from our yoga climb premiere inspires you, please join our growing community of yogis climbing Kilimanjaro in JULY 19th – 25, 2025 We’d love to be the guide of your journey to (inner) mountain, mat and mind!
Up and away. A two and a half hour’s drive to Londorossi Gate where you will be registered by the national park authorities. Then you drive another 15 km into the dense rainforest to where you will start. A moderately steep path leads to the Big Tree Camp (2780m). Look out for monkeys and interesting birds along the way. The tents will be already set up and hot tea and washing water will be waiting.
Today’s long trek starts on a small trail which continues through the trees and gradually ascends to reach the Shira plateau. Enjoy the views of the mountain and plains below. The path continues to cross the Shira Ridge (ca. 3600m) and you will stop for lunch at the Shira Camp 1 after another few hours. The last section (approximately 3 hrs), you will climb another 250 meters in altitude and pass the surreal Senecia-plants growing to over 8m in height. Reaching the camp after the long day, you will relax with coffee and tea and be nourished with a 3-course meal tonight. As the sun sets you might see the summit glowing in the afternoon sun. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
You will gain 700m in altitude but descend to sleep at Barranco – 60m higher than last night’s camp. This will help with acclimatisation as you will go up to 4600m before descending again. Today begins with a long uphill in the direction of the Lava Tower Hut (4640m) and you will notice how the landscape changes to a rocky alpine desert. Later, the path descends again to the Barranco Valley with its giant Senecias and Lobelias. After six to seven hours you should arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Today will start with the daunting Barranco Wall. Soon you will realize it looks worse than it actually is, but there are tricky sections where you will need to hold on tight. Admire the views from the top. The rest of the route follows along the mountain ridge into the Karanga valley and out. You reach Karanga Camp after lunch and you will have fantastic views of the southern glacier of Kibo as well as of the Kibo summit. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
A few hours hiking through desolate and rocky moon-like landscape lies ahead. It will be a relatively easy day leading steadily uphill. The goal for today is the Barafu campsite on a narrow ridge in full view of Mawenzi peak. You will walk along a trail that passes through the afro-alpine dessert until you reach your destination for today –Barafu Camp at 4640m. Use the rest of the day to relax and pack your daypack for tonight’s summit attempt. Supper will be served early; drink and eat enough if you can and try to sleep. You will be woken up around midnight to start your walk to the summit. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
It is dark and cold as you set off just after midnight. You will climb the frozen volcanic dust by headlamp going towards Stella Point on the crater rim – about six hours. The sun should be rising when you arrive here. Just an hour or two more and you will be standing on the highest point of the crater: Uhuru peak. On top of the world! Take a short break for pictures and celebratory hugs before you tackle the steep and dusty descent. By now the volcanic ash will have thawed… You will stop for a short tea break at Barafu and then continue downhill for about three hours to Mweka camp (3080m). This is your overnight stop. Refuel by drinking lots of fluids and have a good helping at supper time. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
A traditional farewell ceremony from the porters begins the day. After about three hours, comfortably descending through the greenness of the forest, you should reach Mweka gate where the driver will be waiting. Back at Keys Hotel for a hot shower, a cold drink, a debrief and your certificate of achievement are waiting. Well done! Breakfast.
