India, Feb. 23 -- Thousands of climbers attempt to summit the roof of Africa each year. At 19,341 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro, in northeastern Tanzania, is the largest freestanding mountain in the world. Hiking one of the Seven Summits is no small feat, as hikers wrestle with the effects of altitude sickness on Mount Kilimanjaro treks that typically span from five to nine days. I should know - I was one of them. My favourite part of this tiring but worthwhile experience was passing through five distinct ecological climate zones on the way to the top. Here's what you need to know about each.

The definitive guide to hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Cultivation Zone Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania | Image credit: Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure Altitude r...