The Milestone Hike
(Day 1)
Tanzania, Kilimanjaro – Dec 24/ Jan 25
Every Trip a Purposeful Trip
I started the hike with an open mind and heart, and finished with my soul full of stories — not just of mountains and altitude, but of healing, connection, and rediscovery.
Read more about my way [here].
Day 1 — 26 Dec 2025 (Boxing Day)
🗺️ Route for the Day
Lindrin Lodge → Sanyaa Ju → Lemosho Gate (2100m) → Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m)
Distance: ~7km from Lemosho Gate
Duration: ~4 hours
Filled with excitement, I had breakfast at Lindrin Lodge, checked out, and stored my luggage. This was it — Day 1 of my 7-day trek via the Lemosho Route, guided by the team from Ascend Tanzania.
We set off around 10:00 AM. Along the way, the van stopped to pick up the rest of the crew:
- Jafary – Senior Guide
- Faraj – Porter
- Muhammad (Moodi) – Porter & Assistant Guide
- Salim – Porter
- Amin – Cook
- Barrack – Porter & Waiter
I was meant to receive my lunch box from another group, but their van had a flat tire and arrived about 1.5 hours late. So, I ate on the go during the bumpy 1.5-hour ride to Lomosho Gate, the official starting point.
⏳ The Waiting Game
At Lemosho Gate (2360m), porters had their bags weighed to ensure no one carried more than the 20kg limit. Meanwhile, Jafary handled our hiking permits.
The whole process took about two hours.
While waiting, I chatted with other hikers. One group, from a different operator, had arrived early — but without their guide. They ended up waiting almost five hours. Watching this unfold, I felt grateful. Things could’ve gone much worse.
Lesson of the day? Keep an open mind. Even delays have gifts. I learned about others’ hiking plans, listened to stories from around the world, and connected in a way that felt real and human.
The gate stood before me — not just as the official start of the trail, but as a quiet threshold. I took a breath. I had imagined this moment for months… yet standing there, boots laced and poles in hand, it didn’t feel dramatic. It felt simple. Sincere. Certain.
This was no race to the top. This was me, keeping a promise I had made to myself:
to walk, with presence, through discomfort, awe, and everything in between.
The trail into the rainforest was gentle at first — muddy in parts, with tangled roots, filtered sunlight, and a green stillness that seemed to whisper, “You’re here.”
It didn’t take long before the sounds of the world faded behind me.
Just breath. Just steps. Just the start of something quietly monumental.
🌳 Into the Forest
Around mid-afternoon, we began our hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp) — a 7km trail climbing from 2360m to 2895m. It took about four hours.
It didn’t feel like a slog. It felt like a guided nature tour, with Jafary sharing insights along the way. Check them out below.
- The shift from agricultural zones to the lush Montane Forest, where we’d be camping.
- Local wildlife, including the Blue Monkey and Black-and-white Colobus Monkey.
- The vibrant Fireball Lily, bursting with red-orange hues.
- The 132 ethnic groups in northeastern Tanzania — and the culture of the Chagga people.
History & Culture
The Chagga have lived on Kilimanjaro’s slopes for over 500 years.
They’re known for cultivating bananas and coffee, brewing banana beer, and exporting their coffee worldwide.
But what stood out most was their cultural wisdom: If there’s conflict, it must be resolved quickly — or it’s believed to bring misfortune.
One reconciliation ritual involves the Masale Plant. A leaf is plucked, tied into a knot, and offered as a peace offering. Refusing it is considered unacceptable. There’s a quiet beauty in that — in the idea that healing is not optional, but essential.
Camp & Cold
We reached MTI Mkuba Camp just before dark. My first meal on the mountain was surprisingly delicious — warm, flavorful, and deeply satisfying after the day’s journey.
But then, the cold hit.
This was my first real taste of Kilimanjaro’s altitude — not just in height, but in temperature.
The night was freezing, and I layered up quickly.
Still, I went to bed content. The mountain had welcomed me — slowly, pole pole — and I was ready for what lay ahead.
Popcorn was also served as a starter.
🎒 Continue to Journey With Me
The first hike day had come and gone — steady, grounding, and gentle in its own way.
But the mountain was only beginning to reveal itself.
The altitude would rise. The terrain would shift. The air would thin.
And with each step forward, I knew I’d be invited deeper — not just into Kilimanjaro’s landscape, but into myself.
