Posts Tagged ‘Campsite’

Planning Your Trip for Mt. Kilimanjaro

September 13th, 2011 Tushar Mathur

Perhaps one the most famous and iconic mountains that walkers and climbers alike are drawn to is Mt. Kilimanjaro. Whether you’re an advanced climber or an experienced walker, Kilimanjaro has a route that’s perfectly suited to your skillset. It will be a tough challenge, but you will feel incredibly rewarded.

 

Mt Kilimanjaro is located near the northern border of Tanzania and nearly 200 miles below the equator. This currently dormant volcano will provide a serious challenge, whether you’re climbing it for charity or as a personal achievement, this is one of just a few walking holidays that have some once in a life time views.

 

What Do I Need to Bring With Me?

It’s important to remember you are climbing a mountain and the right equipment is absolutely essential. Invest in a decent pair of boots, rememberingthat you are going to be walking over rough ground over large distances, make sure these boots are snug and comfortable.

 

As you climb higher up Mt Kilimanjaro you will experience much lower temperatures. During the night the mountain can become very cold, it is not unheard of for temperatures to reach as low as -20C in the campsite. This is why it is advisable to bring thermal clothing for the nights, so you can stay as warm as possible.

 

One of the best items of clothing you can bring with you on this trip is a fleece. These items of clothing can be easily packed into your bag and will not take up much space. They will also keep you incredibly warm and will supplement your other clothing perfectly.

 

 

 

Preparing For the Climb

As far activity holidays go the Kilimanjaro trek requires a good level of fitness. It is recommended that you take part in regular walks and treks in the weeks or months prior to your climb, although what many people struggle with when climbing Kilimanjaro is Altitude Sickness (AMS). This best way to combat this problem is by having an experienced porter, extra days of acclimatisation and by drinking 3-4 litres of water a day.

 

As you climb higher the Earth’s atmosphere becomes thinner, meaning you will be much more vulnerable to the sun’s UV light. Make sure you take plenty of high factor sun cream to help counteract this.

 

Choosing the Right Trekking Operator

 

When choosing a trekking operator it is important that you use one that treats its employees fairly and ethically. You should research the tour operator to see how their porters are paid, the average load they have to carry and whether or not food is included in their wage.

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Planning Your Family Camping Holiday In France

November 20th, 2008 Tushar Mathur
The global credit crunch is already having an impact on the spending habits of holiday makers and more people are considering camping in France for their holidays than in recent years. Camping holidays are cheaper than hotels, apartments and foreign rentals, but it’s also an ideal way to see the country and enjoying the wonder of nature right on your doorstep of your tent or mobile home.. Not only that but, if it’s been several years since your last camping trip, then you may well be amazed by the upgrades in comfort and facilities that have been made to France’s camping sites.

If you have indeed been out of the camping loop for a while, then you may need some advice when it comes to the planning and preparation of your camping in France break.

Here are a few tips to help you plan:

Where to Go?

Once you’ve decided that camping in France is for you, the question is which region to visit. Each of the areas have their unique charms, but best value, you can’t beat a camping holiday in Brittany – and doubly so for those with families. It has a great mix being close to Britain (cutting down on the trauma of driving long distances with impatient children), a good selection of family friendly local attractions and, crucially, some truly fantastic campsites. Brittany’s best include Camping Ty Nadan, Camping la Pointe St Gilles and Camping Château de Ormes. All of these are highly rated, with plenty to keep families occupied in delightfully scenic, spacious environments.

When to Go?

Whether you plan to follow my advice and head off to a Brittany campsite, or whether another area of France calls you, the advice of when to plan your trip remains broadly the same. The majority of campsites are open between May and September (some earlier, and some later). July and August are ideal for better weather, more onsite entertainment in the heat of summer and far more visitor attractions will be open. If you want a quieter retreat, then why not travel in May or June when the weather is still warm and the campsites and attractions are much quieter.

What to Bring?

What to bring very much depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. The majority of campsites in Brittany have fully equipped accommodation including barbeques which means you will save money as you are not buying any extra equipment that you normally need on other camping holidays..

That said there are some things you should definitely take.

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