Are you an adventure enthusiast desiring a breathtaking journey? If so, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, could be the adventure you seek. However, before embarking on this extraordinary journey, it is crucial to comprehend the associated expenses.
This article will help you plan your once-in-a-lifetime trip by providing a breakdown of the numerous costs associated with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
What Is The Price For Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro?
The average cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro ranges from $2,000 to $6,000, with prices ranging from inexpensive budget operators to large Western travel agencies selling outsourced excursions at inflated rates. Any tour operator has various, unavoidable fixed costs, and if a climb appears too cheap, you must question why.
The Human Cost Of Cheap Kilimanjaro Operators
Numerous porters perish each year on Mount Kilimanjaro, a fact that is rarely reported in Western media.
Guides & Porters
At Climbing Kilimanjaro, we consider our obligation to our guides and porters extremely seriously. Numerous reports indicate that porters are not paid a living wage and have little to no cold-weather gear, inadequate sustenance, and sleep in crowded, uncomfortable conditions. The Tanzania Porters Organization was founded to combat this unethical treatment, and we aspire to surpass their standards.
A high ratio of guides-to-clients and porters-to-clients ensures that porters are not overloaded, transporting more than they should to keep prices low.
Porters must also have adequate sleeping conditions, equipment, and sustenance. Every day, our guides conduct the same health exams on the porters to ensure that no one suffers from altitude sickness or other ailments.
When you see how hard your porters work, you’ll be grateful that you ascended with a company that prioritizes the welfare of its employees.
Your Safety & Well being
It is difficult to ascend Kilimanjaro. And it can be harmful. For your safety and convenience, you will require at minimum:
- English-speaking, well-trained, and experienced guides who know what to do in an emergency.
- Instances of correct procedures
- Well-maintained, high-grade equipment
- Delicious, nutritious, and diverse cuisine
- Safe water supply
Kilimanjaro Climbing Expenses
Conservation Fees – $70 per day per person.
The Kilimanjaro National Park Authority collects fees from visitors to finance park maintenance. This includes maintaining the trail, keeping it tidy, and paying the rangers’ salaries. The conservation levy applies every day (including partial days) you spend inside the park. On an eight-day ascent of Lemosho, the total conservation fees are $560 ($70 x 8 days).
Camping or Hut Fees – $50 to $60 per night per person
This fee is levied for the use of mountain campsites and simple huts. Only the Marangu route offers shelters. Camping is permitted on all other routes at designated public locations. On a five-day ascent of Mount Marangu, the hut expenses are $240 ($60 x 4 nights). On a Lemosho climb lasting eight days, camping fees are $350 ($50 x seven nights).
Rescue Fees– $20 per person per trip
Rescue fees are assessed for the possibility that the park authority will need to coordinate a rescue. This fee must be paid regardless of the need for rescue. The price is $20 per individual per journey.
Guide and Porter Entrance Fees – $2 per staff person per trip
Staff members are also required to pay park entry fees. The entrance fee to the park is $2 per individual per visit.
Value-Added Tax – 18% of services
A value-added tax (VAT) is a general consumption tax imposed on products and services whenever value is added during production or distribution. The government of Tanzania charges Kilimanjaro operators an 18% value-added tax.
Wages, Food and Transportation Costs
After park entrance fees and taxes, the most significant expenses are staff salaries, sustenance, and transportation.
Depending on group size, local wages range between $80 and $150 per climber per day. The cost of food per climber ranges between $10 and $20 per day (including food for personnel). Depending on the route, transportation costs are approximately $100 per excursion. In addition, there are costs associated with the deterioration of camping equipment and administrative costs associated with planning your ascent.
The Most Affordable Method To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Is As Follows:
Nothing should be planned ahead of time. Complete everything upon arrival. This is the least expensive option. I understand that it sounds frightening because you desire security. But this is the way to go if you’re out of money. Don’t worry that you won’t be able to locate an expedition that can accommodate you. They Number Thousands! You may arrive at 10 pm and STILL have time to organize everything and depart the following day, so have faith.
Step by Step
Step 1. Get To Moshi By Bus.
Get to Tanzania’s Dar Es Salaam. I traveled by land from Malawi to the United States, but numerous international airlines fly here. Then, you can fly to Moshi or Arusha, the cities at the mountain’s base. HOWEVER, you have a limited budget. Therefore, avoid flight!
Use the Ubungo bus terminus to catch a bus. Moshi from Dar Es Salaam. Depending on the vehicle’s condition, the bus costs $5 to $15 and takes 8 to 12 hours. Purchase your ticket one day in advance. And reach the station before daylight.
Arrive around 4 pm in Moshi. Obtain your lodgings. I highly recommend the A&A guesthouse, with its five-dollar private bathroom and mountain views. The process of checking in.
Step 2. Walk Around Moshi. Shop around.
Ignore all the marketers vying for your business the same evening and head straight to one of the (literally) hundreds of tour operators offering climbs. Compare Price.
At this intersection, I will explain the routes. There are six possible routes, but everyone chooses one of two: the Machame route or the Coca-Cola (Marangu) route, which is the most popular. The Coca-Cola route has the least physical exertion, but the Machame route has a higher success rate due to the additional acclimatization day. I would highly recommend taking the Machame route due to its superior scenery.
Explain that you would like to take the Machame (or Coca-Cola, based on your preference) route. The standard Machame route requires four nights and five days to complete. These days, for the cheapest equipment, meals, etc., a five-day trip costs approximately $1000. If you desire an additional day to acclimate on the mountain, it will cost you approximately $1,200.
Normally, park expenses are paid to park officials on the first day of the climb. While you pay your tour operator an equipment fee (typically included), food, and tents when you sign up for the trip, you are responsible for these costs on your own. You can also negotiate complimentary rental items with some of the businesses.
Step 3. Climb It In 5 days (if you’re fit enough)
If you can manage a 4 NIGHT/5 DAY ascent, it is less expensive. Therefore, if you have a limited budget, you should exercise!
You will not receive a refund if you sign up for six days but only use five. Therefore, exercise caution. The ideal option is to stay in Moshi for one or two days. It is already 800 meters in altitude. Utilize It. Then register for the 5-day ascent.
Step 4. Budget For Tips.
Gratuities are anticipated and required. Plan for At Least $250 in gratuities. Expect to pay a daily minimum of $15 per team member. There will be a minimum of three individuals in your group, which will cost $75 per person. The law requires it.
Step 5. Climb And Don’t Fail
Your expenses are limited to your budget. It includes porters (mandatory), chefs (! ), tents, daily breakfast, lunch, supper, water, gear, park fees, and transportation. The entire universe. So you’re good to go.
Climb now! Furthermore, avoid failing. View the last phase.
Step 6. Pay Cheap, Pay Twice
I am familiar with financial hardship. In Ireland, I was reared by a single parent on welfare. In Tanzania, however, poverty is on an entirely different plane. Observe this. Try to find a company that compensates its employees appropriately. And that it provides them with the appropriate equipment for safety and warmth. Even if it costs an extra $100 or $200 to ensure that, it is worth it. Never compromise your integrity for $100. The same applies to gratuities. These men are working very diligently. If you cannot afford gratuities, you cannot afford to ascend.
Finally, “pay cheap, pay twice.” This implies that you could fail if you take shortcuts, have questionable ethics, or use subpar equipment. And abruptly, your “$900 climb” becomes a sensible $1500–$2500 because you spent $900 on your first (failed) attempt and $1500–$2500 on the second.
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