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- Jun 10, 2013
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Family Adventure This December on Mt. Kilimanjaro
One of the most exciting trips we offer here at Mountain Madness is our climb to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest mountain in Africa and one of the Seven Summits. This trip is first class style the entire way! Our seldom-traveled route requires no technical experience and the only requirement is that clients be in great physical condition and have an appetite for adventure!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FItikoni_Kili_from_ANP_2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=2d5622cd49ef9bd2684c50ce9e75dcd6 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FItikoni_Kili_from_ANP_2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=306feca5cbbd07d96d8d725289d9e05d 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FItikoni_Kili_from_ANP_2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=309555386c498887ab43ba9d1ba84737 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FItikoni_Kili_from_ANP_2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=dc0111b21f52d3695852c68488979d95 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FItikoni_Kili_from_ANP_2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=aecce2e2ee05c3f53b7e52acfec28824 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FItikoni_Kili_from_ANP_2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=d5cde812569c77c13043328e0d749e78 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FItikoni_Kili_from_ANP_2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=2e1f24ef97edea244377e37e2c6f1667 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FItikoni_Kili_from_ANP_2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=8c20a11144953f16b4370a8ec6de4ca7 1024w)
Beautiful Kilimanjaro. Wes Krause photo
Over time this trip, among others, has emerged as one of our best options for families wanting to enjoy the experience of reaching an amazing milestone together. What better way to connect with the kids, have an amazing adventure and see the sights of Africa than this? Join us this December 24th through January 4th for our ‘New Year’s in the Crater’ Kilimanjaro Family Trip. We already have two families confirmed on this trip including that of Mountain Madness owner, Mark Gunlogson, his wife Heidi and their two daughters. Joining them is Per H. and his family, including daughters aged 13, 15, and 20. Don’t miss this chance to travel with families from other parts of the world for a cultural adventure like no other.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPicture1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=7da5c8e4ff3360df7a25e9bece97d731 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPicture1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=2064fc07e955a62d1cfa17936df7324b 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPicture1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=3cc529ba9f6f104e9511d95bd65daaee 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPicture1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=91d44380f1e2c28c98ceaa58d2ff7a78 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPicture1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=ff12004ab68b091b67a98d129086a996 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPicture1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=0fdbd1d9cd224ba47dc4a95367acf53e 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPicture1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=54ceda6c99360be95d80719caf6be06c 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPicture1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=c4977d3a6fd1314fe43319078319d524 1024w)
Summit of Kilimanjaro. Wes Krause photo
For a quick look into what this experience might look like for a young person, read this letter from previous Kilimanjaro client, Olivia. She was only 15 years old when she made the climb up Kilimanjaro and she shares her unique perspective on a trip that changed her life.
Tanzanian Sunset. Clif Simonson photo
“Reflecting back on my trip to Kilimanjaro I can’t help but smile. The trip was, without a doubt, one that I will never forget. Although the experience had its high times and its low times nothing can top the people, the sights or the feeling I had on the summit. It’s almost hard to explain how you feel about Kilimanjaro because during the climb you feel so many different things at once. You feel winded, but you can’t help but to be curious about what’s around you. You feel sick, but you can’t help but to marvel at the glacier towering over you. It all feels so surreal. The whole time I couldn’t believe that I was actually there. I had anticipated the trip so much that by the time I got there it exceeded my hopes and expectations.
Clif Simonson photo
“The crew we had helping us was terrific. Every day I felt like I owed my porter my soul for helping me with my gaiters and boots when I was feeling so tired. The fun we had as a group outweighed any soreness or exhaustion that we experienced. I feel like if we would have had a different group of people the trip wouldn’t have been as great as it was. But I must say; my toes are STILL numb from that long downhill after summit day.
Clif Simonson photo
“It was a trek, there is no denying that, but the more patient I was about climbing, the faster that summit day arrived. On our first day it felt like glory was a million miles away but, as time passed and the topography changed, our legs brought us up higher and higher and it suddenly dawned on me that this was going to happen. And when I did reach the top, I reached the glory that was packaged with it. I will never forget that day; the smiles on everyone’s faces, the cheering, or the beauty that surrounded us.
“The only word to describe that moment on the summit is AWESOME, or at least that’s the simplest way to put it.
Happy at the summit. Clif Simonson photo
“When we left the mountain two days later, we stood in camp and our crew sang us the Kilimanjaro song. I couldn’t help but to tear up. Our lead guide Ben had always told us that we were a family but it wasn’t until that moment that I really felt like I was parting with my newfound family. That these people, porters and fellow climbers alike, who had seen me at my worst and at my best, were about to part ways with me.
“I think I left Tanzania and Kilimanjaro a changed person. It gave me a new perspective on life, a new idea of what I could achieve and insight into how it feels to conquer something I had only ever dreamed about. The time I spent on Kili is time that I will never forget. Ever.
“Thank you to Mountain Madness for making this trip happen.
~ Olivia
Additionally, here’s what just a couple of our clients had to say:
“The quality of the guides made this trip so successful. I felt not only safe, but they gave me the confidence to keep pushing and to eventually summit. Their knowledge and experience were so valuable and I learned a lot, not only about altitude climbing, the mountain, plants, animals, etc., but also about the people, culture, and history of Tanzania..” — Melissa, Kilimanjaro Client
“The people were incredibly, kind, knowledgeable and helpful. The food was great. The camps were great. The route was great. We loved our trip!” – Jim, Kilimanjaro Client
“I just wanted to let you and your team know that our trip was fantastic. Climb, guides, camps, food, game drives and logistics were all wonderful and FAR exceeded our expectations. Your staff in Tanzania is the best.” ‑Caroline, Kilimanjaro Client
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If a trip to Kilimanjaro is not something you’re interested in, check out these other December trips:
Ecuador Mountaineering School