<p>As a senior marketing executive in Bengaluru-based company, I was sent to Tanzania (Africa) for over three weeks for a project we are handling there.</p>.<p>From the time I got to know that I will have to travel to Tanzania, I dreamt of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro; even though it seemed impossible given my hectic schedule.</p>.<p>After over 15 days in Tanzania, I happened to get a week off as one of our associates had to reschedule a meeting for personal reasons. I grabbed the opportunity to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano that is Africa’s highest point and is also the world’s largest free-standing mountain.</p>.<p>During my stay in Tanzania, I closely observed how everybody spoke only their language Swahili; there was only a very minute English speaking population. Somewhere deep down, this made me miss home. The land, the language, and culture of Karnataka was something I missed dearly.</p>.<p>So when it was finally decided that I will be climbing Kilimanjaro, I wanted to celebrate the spirit of being a Kannadiga. With less than two days left for my trek, I managed to get the Karnataka flag stitched in Tanzania. I carried the flag with me all the way to the top — at a height of 19341 ft. </p>.<p>I had tears in my eyes when I held up the flag at the peak of the mountain, it was an exhilarating combination of accomplishment and patriotism. I believe I am the first person to climb Mt Kilimanjaro with the Karnataka flag.</p>.<p>I started the trek on September 21. The trek took six days; I took the Machame route.</p>.<h3><strong>Fact file</strong></h3>.<p><br /><strong>How to get there :</strong></p>.<p>I started my journey to Tanzania on September 3. I took an Emirates flight from Mumbai to Tanzania via Dubai (I took a domestic flight to Mumbai). I returned to India on October 1 via the same airlines and route. </p>.<p><strong>Where to stay</strong></p>.<p>For a major part of the trip, I stayed at our office accommodation in Arusha itself. However, there are many hotels and lodges available that vary from economy to high luxury.</p>.<p><br /><strong>Places to visit</strong><br />There are few places that one must not miss on a visit to Tanzania. Safaris in the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire national park are something you should not miss. Apart from this, there is a local Masaai market and the cultural heritage museum that give a true Tanzanian experience.</p>.<p class="byline"><br /><em><strong>(The author can be contacted at ashutoshbhskr@gmail.com)</strong></em></p>.<p class="byline"><strong>ALSO READ:</strong></p>.<p class="byline"><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/team-blind-and-able-bodied-694344.html" target="_blank">Team</a><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/team-blind-and-able-bodied-694344.html" target="_blank"> of blind climbers summit Mt Kilimanjaro</a><br /> </p>
<p>As a senior marketing executive in Bengaluru-based company, I was sent to Tanzania (Africa) for over three weeks for a project we are handling there.</p>.<p>From the time I got to know that I will have to travel to Tanzania, I dreamt of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro; even though it seemed impossible given my hectic schedule.</p>.<p>After over 15 days in Tanzania, I happened to get a week off as one of our associates had to reschedule a meeting for personal reasons. I grabbed the opportunity to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano that is Africa’s highest point and is also the world’s largest free-standing mountain.</p>.<p>During my stay in Tanzania, I closely observed how everybody spoke only their language Swahili; there was only a very minute English speaking population. Somewhere deep down, this made me miss home. The land, the language, and culture of Karnataka was something I missed dearly.</p>.<p>So when it was finally decided that I will be climbing Kilimanjaro, I wanted to celebrate the spirit of being a Kannadiga. With less than two days left for my trek, I managed to get the Karnataka flag stitched in Tanzania. I carried the flag with me all the way to the top — at a height of 19341 ft. </p>.<p>I had tears in my eyes when I held up the flag at the peak of the mountain, it was an exhilarating combination of accomplishment and patriotism. I believe I am the first person to climb Mt Kilimanjaro with the Karnataka flag.</p>.<p>I started the trek on September 21. The trek took six days; I took the Machame route.</p>.<h3><strong>Fact file</strong></h3>.<p><br /><strong>How to get there :</strong></p>.<p>I started my journey to Tanzania on September 3. I took an Emirates flight from Mumbai to Tanzania via Dubai (I took a domestic flight to Mumbai). I returned to India on October 1 via the same airlines and route. </p>.<p><strong>Where to stay</strong></p>.<p>For a major part of the trip, I stayed at our office accommodation in Arusha itself. However, there are many hotels and lodges available that vary from economy to high luxury.</p>.<p><br /><strong>Places to visit</strong><br />There are few places that one must not miss on a visit to Tanzania. Safaris in the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire national park are something you should not miss. Apart from this, there is a local Masaai market and the cultural heritage museum that give a true Tanzanian experience.</p>.<p class="byline"><br /><em><strong>(The author can be contacted at ashutoshbhskr@gmail.com)</strong></em></p>.<p class="byline"><strong>ALSO READ:</strong></p>.<p class="byline"><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/team-blind-and-able-bodied-694344.html" target="_blank">Team</a><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/team-blind-and-able-bodied-694344.html" target="_blank"> of blind climbers summit Mt Kilimanjaro</a><br /> </p>