PEAK PERFORMANCE THE SLOW ROUTE UP KILIMANJARO

The Machame route up the highest free-standing mountain on the planet offers an excellent chance of reaching the summit. Because it takes longer, it shows off more scenery, plus more days on the trail means better acclimatisation for the push to the top – views to the Maasai Mara plains and, on clear days, a visible curvature of the Earth.

A 10-day Mt Kilimanjaro Trek is available from Discover Adventure (01722 718444; discoveradventure. com) including porters, guides, support team, full-board accommodation and flights. Departures between September and December 2019.

Self-funding (including registration fee): costs from £2,749; 100 per cent of any fundraising goes to charity. Flexi: £499 registration fee; £500 tour cost contribution; £3,500 fundraising target (50 per cent goes to charity; 50 per cent to the operator).

Minimum sponsorship: £499 registration fee; £4,500 fundraising target (50 per cent goes to charity; 50 per cent to the operator).

HIT THE HEIGHTSFrom left to right: Mt Kilimanjaro; the Inca Trail; dining in Peru; and Dharamsala in India