The Milestone Hike
(Day 7 & 8)
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.
2 Jan 2025 (Hiking Day 7)
🗺️ Route for the Day
Route: Millenia High Camp (3950 m) → Mweka Gate (~1640 m)
Distance & Duration: Approximately 6 hours downhill
🕺Last Dance & Gratitude
This morning carried mixed emotions — the gladness of heading home, yet also the quiet ache of leaving behind the mountains, the clouds, and nature’s embrace.
I took time to reconnect with myself through meditation, sharing breakfast with the team while gazing at a mesmerizing sea of clouds.
Deeply grateful for this journey, and especially for the team who spent their New Year’s Day with me high up in the mountains. Your time, effort, and presence made this experience unforgettable. 🙏
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The view was nothing short of magical — waves of clouds rolling by, colors shifting in the sky, fresh crisp air, and a profound quietness all around.
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My last breakfast on Mt. Kilimanjaro.
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A last dance (well, the only one!) by the team to celebrate and mark the end of this wonderful hike — Hakuna Matata (‘No worries’).
🚶All The Way Back!
We set off from Millenia High Camp for the final descent — the last stretch leading us down to Mweka Gate, the official exit of Kilimanjaro National Park.
The trail wound through lush montane rainforest, a soft, vibrant contrast to the stark alpine desert we had left behind. Parts of the path were steep and unrelenting, and after more than five hours on tired legs, every step felt heavier than the last.
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I got to witness how a casualty evacuation is done on the mountain, after one of the guides injured himself during the descent.
Yet, as we finally reached the gate, exhaustion gave way to lightness. My body was weary, but my spirit felt lifted — carried by the quiet triumph of completing the journey.
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Our knees were on fire, yet the thought of finally reaching the bottom of the mountain had everyone buzzing with excitement.
🏅Bon Voyage & Effort Recognition
Arrived at Mweka Gate at around 1.30pm. And had to wait for the certificate of completion to be printed.
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A bustling gathering spot — celebrations, fresh hikers, and locals selling souvenirs. I spent some time outside chatting with a few Americans.
After about an hour of waiting, I was handed my summit certificate — just a simple sheet of paper, yet it carried the weight of every step, every breath, and every challenge overcome on the mountain. More than a memento, it was a quiet reminder that persistence and heart had brought me here.
💖 Sending Out Metta
On the way back to the lodge, we made a short but meaningful stop: I mailed out postcards. Tiny messages of love, encouragement, and reflection — little bursts of metta sent out into the world.
It felt like a quiet closing ritual. One final offering from this mountain journey — not just for me, but for those I care about, and those still climbing their own metaphorical peaks.
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Post cards sending
🤝 Visiting Ascend Tanzania
Our final stop was at Ascend Tanzania’s store — a chance to say our goodbyes and exchange smiles. With that, my journey through Tanzania, and the unforgettable climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, gently came to a close.
🎉 Celebration!
We reached our accommodation a little after 3pm. After a much-needed cold shower and a short rest, I headed to the diner — ready to celebrate the climb, the journey, and the people who made it all possible…
3 Jan 2025 (Homecoming)
Asante Sana, Kilimanjaro
To this great mountain — and to my incredible hiking team from Ascend Tanzania:
Jafary, Faraj, Moodi, Salim, Amin, and Barrack —
Thank you, from the deepest part of my heart.
This journey wouldn’t have been what it was without your presence, wisdom, and care.
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An early morning ride to catch my flight out of Kilimanjaro — with one last glimpse of the mountain.
Takeaways Beyond the Summit
Seven days in the mountains and a journey through a country so rich in culture left me with countless lessons — about resilience, connection, and the quiet beauty of both nature and people:
1) I Belong to Me — I’m Home, Always
I began this journey with an open mind and an open heart.
And I ended it with both full — overflowing with memories, connections, and quiet, personal truths.
Over seven days on the mountain, I was reminded again and again:
I Belong to Myself
Every step.
Every breath.
Every moment — a declaration of presence.
A celebration of living authentically.
This climb wasn’t just about reaching the summit. It was about reconnecting with the nature that recharges me. Becoming more authentic, better and greater version of myself every step of the way. Serving others simply by showing up as myself.
My heart is full — warmed by the people I met, the culture I experienced, and the moments that felt bigger than words.
2) The Greatest Catalyst for Change…
Isn’t someone else. It’s me. Life is fleeting — and I get to decide how I shape the next chapter. That choice lives in every breath I take. Each moment is a chance to bring light — not just for myself, but for others too. This journey reminded me: I’m never truly alone. The light I seek in others? I can be that light too.3) Peace is the Greatest Currency in Our Life
When someone asked me: “How did it feel at the summit?”
At first, I didn’t know how to answer.
But with time, I understood.
It was peace.
Pure peace.
A state free from ego.
Free from fear of judgment.
Free from the pressure to succeed or the fear of failing.
Just stillness.
Just me.
4) Hakuna Matata
Live fully in the present. Let go of the past. Release the future.Hakuna Matata — what a wonderful phrase.
It means no worries for the rest of your days.
It’s our problem-free philosophy — Hakuna Matata.
