Kilimanjaro climb how much

Would you really feel good to know that children have to go hungry or aren't able to continue their education, just so you could save a few bucks? Few tourists are aware why the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro is so high and where the budget operators cut corners to drop the prices. Let's look at where your money actually goes, what you pay for, and why. Several hundred climb operators are competing for business on Kilimanjaro, which has resulted in a cut throat price war.

Good for you, you may think. Drops the prices. Well, sure, it does,. But if operators drop prices they also have to cut expenses to stay profitable. The steep Kilimanjaro National Park fees are something that nobody can change. The very first place where budget Kilimanjaro operators will cut costs is staff expenses. And I am not talking about the lovely lady in the office who takes your booking. I am talking about the porters. Booking a cheap Kilimanjaro climb? The money you save is coming straight out of the pockets of your Kilimanjaro porters , and porters' wages are not the only place where money is saved at their expense.

Read that page before you book a cheap Kilimanjaro climb! Of course, all other staff on a budget climb are also paid less and treated with less respect. Few staff on Kilimanjaro climbs have permanent or at least reliable employment. Most of them freelance. If someone does not get decent pay, does not get appreciated and has no idea who he will work for next time, how do you think that affects their motivation?

How much will they care if you reach the summit or not? And whether you enjoy the experience or not? Hopefully you will have a great Kilimanjaro climb in good weather and without any complications. But if things turn pear shaped, the one thing you want to be sure of is that your Kilimanjaro guide is one of the best! I already mentioned porter wages and tips on the Kilimanjaro porters page, but there are other costs and fees that can be dropped.

You will still have to pay the money when you get there! Read carefully about what is included in a climb when comparing prices and be wary of those hidden costs. Another place where money can be saved is equipment and food. Neither is a luxury! This is not about comfort for softies and weaklings. However, the are other expenses, like flights, insurance, visas and equipment, that also stack up. Many people commit to climbing Kilimanjaro before thinking through the full financial implications.

In this article, we discuss the cost considerations for climbing Kilimanjaro that most people often forget to account for. Great Prices. Unbeatable Value.

We do not sell tours, we share our knowledge. Get a quote from our recommended local trek operator. There are a number of costs that are not accounted for in the total travel package cost. In our experience, there are 7 key costs that you should budget for, as follows. The cost of getting to Kilimanjaro usually accounts for a significant portion of your total Kilimanjaro adventure. Depending on where you are flying from you might have a journey that involves two connections.

You can check availability and prices for this KLM flight here. For those flying from within Africa or from Australia, it is easier to fly to Nairobi or Addis Ababa and then catch a connecting flight typically Precision Air — not sure how Precise they are, Ha! Most trekkers book their climbing adventure through established tour operators who typically offer all-inclusive packages which include airport transfers, a night in a hotel before and after the trek and all expenses on the mountain National Park fees, food, porters, guide, tents etc.

The cost of a tour varies depending on what type of operator you choose, whether you join an open group or go privately, which route you take and the number of days on the mountain. This is not to mention other porter welfare issues like limited food on the trek, poor clothing, shoes and equipment and many porters crammed into tents at night. The Coronavirus pandemic has only exacerbated these issues as companies are so desperate for clients that they have dropped prices to exploitative levels.

This usually includes all the bells and whistles including airport transfers, pre and post hotels and various other additions. Most importantly the support crews are more often than not well paid, fed and equipped for the mountain. In general, the major Western operators run good quality adventures. But it obviously comes at a price. This is because they build in Western level margins for themselves and often have higher running costs as their marketing and sales staff are based in the US and UK.

Many of the Western operators actually outsource to local ground operators, like the companies I mentioned under category 2. There are seven routes on Kilimanjaro. Northern Circuit is the most expensive route as it is the longest on Mount Kilimanjaro. Trek lengths range from 5 days cheapest to 10 days most expensive. If you are looking to go budget we suggest choosing a six-day trek which usually gives you an acclimatisation day, and increases your probability of summit success.

If you want to really increase your chances of reaching the summit then a 7 or 8-day trek gives you the best shot. Most trekkers need a visa to enter Tanzania. You can either organise a visa with your local Tanzanian embassy or purchase a visa on arrival in Kilimanjaro. We suggest getting a visa before you depart as it means you can avoid the queues at Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Tanzania is a malaria area as well. The risk of contracting malaria is relatively low on the mountain as mosquitoes are not found at high altitudes over 1, meters. You will be spending most of your trip above this altitude but will be at risk before and after your hike.

Taking malaria tablets is really up to you. An attempt to save money by employing untrained guides can be catastrophic in the event of an emergency. Essential, well-maintained safety equipment, and proper processes in place in the case of an emergency:. Teamwork is very important, particularly in the case of an emergency. Building a team of porters and guides who all work well together ensures the efficient running of the camp, and in the event of an emergency, a well-rehearsed evacuation procedure.

The quality of equipment and food has a big impact on your comfort, and enjoyment of your climb. Days on the trail can be tough, and part of your recovery is being able to relax and be comfortable in camp. All rubbish has to be carried off the mountain, and this comes at a cost. The increase in popularity of climbing Kilimanjaro has brought opportunities for employment to the area, but with this has led to some unscrupulous employment practices. A happy crew equals a happy climber.

There are seven hiking Kilimanjaro routes that lead you to the summit of Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak. The route you choose will also affect how much your climb costs. Longer routes, with more days on the mountain, increase your chances of summit success by having a better acclimatization protocol. Some people try to save on the cost by opting for the shortest route possible.

If your goal is to reach the summit, then you need to give your body a chance to adapt to the altitude and acclimatize properly. For this reason, Climbing Kilimanjaro does not offer the five-day Marangu route, as for most hikers it gives insufficient time for acclimatization and as a result, has a much lower summit success rate. Climbing Kilimanjaro recommends 6 days as a minimum, but days on the mountain gives you the best acclimatization protocol and offers the highest chance of a safe and successful summit.

How you get to Kilimanjaro is another expense. We write a lot more about this on our Which company to choose page. The cheapest way to organise a climb is to just turn up at the airport, get a taxi to Moshi or Arusha, and begin negotiating with the companies there.

That said, you need to have confidence in your bargaining skills, and — at the risk of sounding like a salesman! One thing I will be able to guarantee, however, is that their treatment of porters will be terrible and the wages they pay to their staff measly — no matter what the company claims. If you decide to climb with one of these companies then you could always ease your conscience by dishing out higher tips. But then, of course, that negates any savings you have made by opting for the cheaper company in the first place.

But only a slight one. And you can still forget about finding a company that treats its mountain crew — the porters, guides and cooks — fairly and pays them well. See our section on altitude sickness for more information on this. The only exception to this rule is if you find the cheapest KPAP company, and opt for a five-day trek — having first acclimatised on another mountain.