Many people look for a cheap Kilimanjaro climb. But if you have done some research, then you have already found that this is not possible. And you probably have also discovered that there are a wide range of prices charged for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro by different outfitters. The choices may be overwhelming. The bad news is that there are not many reputable operators, and who you choose to climb with is crucial to your success and overall experience.

First and foremost, do not make your decision based on price alone. Price should be only one component of your overall decision. High altitude trekking is not the place to shop for a cheap “deal”, nor is it the place to overpay needlessly. What you are looking for is high quality service at a reasonable price.

PRICES

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All prices are per person
Routes Details Group size  
1 Climber 2 – 4 Climbers 5 + Climbers  
5 Days Marangu Route 5 days / 4 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation $ 1 799 p/p $ 1 699 p/p $ 1 599 p/p
ENQUIRE
6 Days Marangu Route 6 days / 5 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation $ 1 899 p/p $ 1 799 p/p $ 1 699< p/p
ENQUIRE
6 Days Machame Route 6 days / 5 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation $ 2 399 p/p $ 2 200 p/p $ 1 999 p/p
ENQUIRE
7 Days Machame Route 7 days / 6 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation $ 2 450 p/p $ 2 300 p/p $ 2 110 p/p
ENQUIRE
6 Days Lemosho/Rongai/Shira/Umbwe Routes 6 days / 5 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation $ 2 600 p/p $ 2 410 p/p $ 2 295 p/p
ENQUIRE
7 Days Lemosho/Rongai/Shira/ Umbwe Routes 7 days / 6 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation $ 2 699 p/p $ 2 500 p/p $ 2 360 p/p
ENQUIRE
8 Days Lemosho/Rongai/Shira/ Umbwe Routes 8 days / 7 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation $ 2 820 p/p $ 2 599 p/p $ 2 420 p/p
ENQUIRE
9 Days Northern Circuit 9 days / 8 nights + 2 nights hotel accommodation $ 3 350 p/p $ 3 200 p/p $ 3 080 p/p
ENQUIRE
Notes:
  • On the Marangu Route, all persons will share the A frame hut accommodation that provides 8 bunk beds
  • Additional days on the mountain could be added to an extra cost of US$ 255 per day ie. Crater camp
  • Rates detailed above are per person sharing – except for the 1 person’s rate
  

Price includes the following:

  1. Airport Transfers
  2. Hotel accommodation in Arusha or Moshi – 2 Nights half board, 3 star accommodation
  3. Hotel accommodation includes storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes
  4. Return transfers between the hotel to the start / finish point of a climb
  5. All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping / hut fees and climbing permits
  6. Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
  7. Pulse Oximeter, used to take blood-oxygen level readings of clients twice a day
  8. Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
  9. More complete First Aid kit (compared to Standard Package – for use in emergencies only)
  10. Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook
  11. Guides, cooks and porters wages
  12. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
  13. Food of superior quality and of a bigger variety on the mountain
  14. Hot lunch is prepared at the lunch stop and served with table, chairs (and inside a mess tent in case of bad weather), except on day 1 of the hike where climbers are provided with a packed lunch. (Not applicable on the Marangu route as all meals is served at the camps in designated mess halls)
  15. Superior quality camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, camp chairs, camp tables, mess tent & cutlery for meals) – not applicable on the Marangu route as all meals are served at the camps in designated dining halls
  16. Water for washing up daily
  17. Porter to carry your duffel bag, with maximum weight of 15kg / 32 lbs, from one camp to the next camp
  18. Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
  19. 3 litres of mineral water (per hiker) for the first day on your climb
  20. Drinking water treated with Pure drops from night 1
  21. Portable toilet (Portable toilet not allowed on the Marangu route)
  22. The option to have a private climb at no additional charge, irrespective of the group size!

Excludes:

  1. Flights and airport taxes
  2. Items of a personal nature
  3. Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook
  4. Entry visa for Tanzania (US$50 per passport holder for most nationalities / US $ 100 per visa for USA passport holders)
  5. Vaccination requirements (Yellow Fever – only compulsory if you travel to Tanzania via a Yellow Fever infected country, Meningitis & Hepatitis A remains optional, but recommended)
  6. Optional but highly recommended travel and medical
  7. Personal hiking/trekking gear – you could rent some of the gear in Tanzania
  8. Optional Gamow bag – subject to additional cost, depending availability and booking in advance
  9. Optional tracking service – subject to additional cost, depending availability and booking in advance
  10. Snacks, personal medicine and sports drink
  11. Meals and drinks not specified

Tipping Guidelines

Those who have climbed Mt Kilimanjaro before know that without the hard work and strength of the mountain crew, one would not be able to fully experience the magnificence of the mountain. At African Pathways we pay our crew more than the salary suggested by the Kilimanjaro National Park and Tanzania Tour Operator Association. However, many crew also heavily depend on tips to support their families. The following are recommended daily rates for the entire group to tip per staff member:

  • Senior guide – $20 – 30 / day
  • Assistant guide – $15 – 25 / day
  • Cook – $12 – 15 / day
  • Waiter – $10 – 12 /day
  • Porter – $8 – 10 / day
  • Summit porter – $12 – 15 / day
  • Toilet crew – $10 – 12 / day

In general for all Kilimanjaro routes except Marangu you will have: 1 Climber: 1 senior guide, 1 cook and 3 porters

  • Climbers: 1 senior guide, 1 assistant guide, 1 cook and 6 porters
  • Climbers: 1 senior guide, 1 assistant guide, 1 cook and 9 porters
  • Climbers: 1 senior guide, 1 assistant guide, 1 cook and 12 porters

These are estimates and actual numbers may vary depending on the needs of the group. It is ideal to have a tipping ceremony with the climbers and crew on the last day on the mountain. Ideally tips should be given to the individual crew members directly to ensure the full amount of the tip is received.

KPAP partner companies, like Africa Pathways, are leading the industry to improve working conditions for all porters on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Fighting for the fair treatment of porters is an uphill battle. There is strong resistance to change from certain local operators who have considerable power and influence over government and park regulations. In order to stop the abuse, tourists need to stop supporting the behavior, and boycott budget operators as a whole.

Africa Pathways Expeditions offers high quality climbs at a reasonable cost. At our price levels, we can satisfy all park fees, pay real wages to staff, supply adequate food and proper equipment, while still providing great service to our clients. We are adventurers at heart, and therefore we strive to make climbing Kilimanjaro affordable. We don’t believe that doing something extraordinary should break the bank.