How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro? What factors affect climbing prices?

Many different factors affect the climbing prices. Kilimanjaro climb can cost from $1,400 (standard) to over $7,000 (luxury package) and above. Blend this knowledge with the fact that there are 250 licensed and hundreds of unlicensed operators in the region and making the right choice becomes a major task. In fact, to understand how the climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro cost is formed many different factors should be taken into consideration.

The Variety of Offers and Cost Information for Climbing Kilimanjaro

The price quoted for a package may often serve as a hint as to what your future climbing experience will be like. Yet, basing your decision only on cost would be a mistake. In fact, Mt Kilimanjaro’s climbing cost has many hidden, yet essential components.

With personal safety and a lifetime of memories at stake, choosing the cheapest is never a good idea. As a rule, it is impossible to organize a safe and comfortable Kilimanjaro hike for less than $1,400.

On the other hand, one does not necessarily need to pay the $7,000 + for a VIP package to get that extra service that may make all the difference in the world.

In this article we shall spell out how Kilimanjaro climb cost is formed, and how to choose the best offer to fit your budget. The following example is based on a Machame route 7-day “Classic” package for 2 or more climbers. This is by far the most popular option that offers a reasonable (neither a budget deal nor an extravagant affair with hundreds of porters) level of comfort at a reasonable price.

Climbing Kilimanjaro: Price Components

The price of a Kilimanjaro climb is made up of two kinds of costs: fixed, i.e. park fees per person, and variable, i.e. transfers and equipment, which are shared between all members of the group and, up to a certain point, lower as the number of climbers grows.

Unless you take the risk of opting for the lowest of offers, slighting most if not all of safety and comfort features that are normally available, the final price of your trek shall include the costs of the following:
 

Kilimanjaro National Park Fees

Every Mount Kilimanjaro climber is required to pay park fees, which in holds conservation, camping, rescue, and crew fees. On Lemosho and Rongai routes special forest fees are also applicable. It is another key element of Mt Kilimanjaro climb cost.

Be warned that some unethical tour operators deliberately provide misleading information regarding park fees. You can check all the up-to-date information on fees here: Park fees for Non Residents & Tanzania Residents

Total Park Fees, depending on route and number of days, will amount to between US$800 and 1,100 (all calculations and prices henceforth are given in USD).

Never trust claims that it is possible to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and avoid fees by bypassing ranger posts. It is simply impossible to reach Uhuru Peak avoiding any encounters with park rangers. Dozens of those who attempt this are caught every year.

Furthermore, it is dangerous. Bypassing established official routes where climbing permits are checked at each ranger post will bereave you of the possibility of receiving timely assistance from the rangers should such a necessity arise.

Lastly, it is unlawful. Trespassing on National Parks is considered a serious offense in Tanzania. The best-case scenario entails being bereft of the chance of ever experiencing the wonders of Tanzania again after being deported and stiff fines. Imprisonment is also not to be ruled out.

Kilimanjaro Climbing Crew Wages

The next important component of Kilimanjaro climb cost is the crew wages. While the rates paid (and charged to the client) may vary, all reputable Tanzanian trekking outfitters have wage systems for their climbing crews. A guide usually receives USD 20-40 per day, a cook – USD 10-15, a porter – USD 7-10, adding to the total cost to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. The final total payroll will therefore hinge upon the size of the crew necessary to provide the level of comfort expected on the climb. Tips, determined by the client’s experience while trekking, are also appreciated.

On the other hand, many budget operators keep their rates low by relying on high unemployment rates which allow them to staff their crews with those willing to work with no pay guaranteed aside from tips left by the client. These crews will more often than not have a high rate of unqualified personnel.

Supplies and Logistics

Most climbs sold by reputable outfitters are packages that are inclusive of supplies and logistics, such as transfers and re-supplies, a minimum of three meals and water and many other small but essential items, which add to the overall cost of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Approximate costs that are fairly standard for the industry in Tanzania are: $55/climber

Amortization Costs

A typical climbing package will also include such equipment as sleeping bags and mess tents; cookers and kitchenware; tables and other essential items. As reliable gear means not only comfort but also safety, stocks have to be renewed on a regular basis. Thus, amortization costs for the equipment will be included in the total Kilimanjaro climb cost.

Average amortization costs are: $50/climber

Indirect Taxes

All Tanzanian businesses are subject to a variety of taxes. Licensed tour operators also pay for a number of licenses on a yearly basis. These taxes and fees are eventually passed on to the tourist, making the cost to climb Mt Kilimanjaro higher.

Estimated indirect taxes: $60/climber

Climbing Comfort

Trekking presents certain physical challenges, especially to those not accustomed to it. Having a degree of comfort during the climb so as to make the best of resting time goes a long way towards assuring successful summiting.

Sleeping bags, improved mountain diet that includes re-supplies of fresh ingredients, satellite phones, oxygen for emergencies, etc. are all part of a successful climb, and raise your Kilimanjaro trek cost.

The cost of these little perks averages at: $50/climber

Safety

Though climbing Kilimanjaro does not call for any specialized training or skills, mountaineering is an inherently dangerous activity. HAPE and HACE (High Altitude Pulmonary and Cerebral Edema respectively) should never be discounted.

With that in mind, whenever one climbs the mountain with a responsible operator certain costs covering safety measures are included in the final climbing Mount Kilimanjaro cost.

For example, we conduct safety workshops for our guides every four months. Each of our guides is expected to pass the Wilderness First Responder/First Aid test. The costs of training for all of our staff are covered by us.

Besides that, each of the expeditions organized by us is supplied with emergency oxygen, ox meter and tonometer. A log of medical checks conducted twice a day is kept for each climber so as to enable the guides to make informed decisions about the client’s fitness for further ascent. In emergencies a client shall be transported from Kilimanjaro to a hospital at no extra charge.

Estimated costs of climbing safety add-ons: $40/climber

Accommodation Before and After Kilimanjaro Climb

Most Kilimanjaro hiking packages on offer include accommodation before and after the climb. Notwithstanding Tanzania being a developing country, local hotel rates are among the highest. A night in a reasonable 3-star hotel in Moshi (the most logical starting point) will cost $100-120 if booked directly or $80-90 if it is included in your climbing package. Therefore, accommodation will heighten the cost of your Kilimanjaro trip.

Estimated costs of accommodation before and after the climb: $160

Operator’s Commission

Commissions added by Tanzanian tour operators to the Kilimanjaro climb cost generally fall within the 15-35% range.

As you can see, the price that one can reasonably expect to receive in a quote for Machame 7-day climb is around $2162 per climber in a group of two.

If you receive a lower quotation, it might be best to enquire about the cost-saving items. If, for example, your operator provides accommodation of a somewhat lower standard and, therefore, cost and you are ok with it, then it is a good way to save money.

If, on the other hand, corners are being cut where safety is concerned in hopes that no emergencies shall arise, then it would be prudent to reconsider booking with such an operator. It is definitely not the best approach to cut your climbing Kilimanjaro cost.

And, of course, if the price quoted is significantly lower than that calculated above, then there is a truly real chance of falling victim to con artists and losing your deposit.

Pitfalls of Booking Cheap (below $1,400)

Inferior Quality Equipment

Owing to the high cost of quality vehicles and equipment, those used by many tour operators, both licensed and unlicensed, are either of inferior quality or poorly maintained. Being stuck by the side of the road on the way to the park gate since your transfer vehicle has broken down and there is no immediate replacement is not a good way to begin your climb. And not being able to rest enough during the climb just because your tent is leaky or the sleeping bag is not suitable for the temperatures encountered could, in turn, put an end to your dream of climbing Kilimanjaro. In an attempt to cut climbing Mt Kilimanjaro cost, budget tour operators often disregard the importance of maintaining their equipment in a good state.

Unprofessional “part-time” Guides

Your guides’ (and that of support staff) experience and medical training are what you shall rely on for your safety during the climb. And their general knowledge about the local nature, customs, history as well as the team’s spirit could add an extra dimension to the way you will remember this time for the rest of your life.

Providing such professional crews has its impact on your cost to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Quality climbing outfitters pay for training for their staff and keeping a mutually agreeable working relationship is impossible without providing the crew members with attractive pay.

Budget operators, on the other hand, keep their rates low in part by staffing their crews with those who cannot expect decent pay owing to lack of training. Such teams are mostly thrown together on the spur of the moment and interpersonal conflicts often arise amongst members who have never worked together before. Saving on the team proficiency is therefore not a recommended way to cut cost of climbing Kilimanjaro.

Inadequate Safety Policies

Mix the low-budget crews’ lack of training with the lack of monitoring and safety equipment and the result are the 5-10 fatalities that happen on Kilimanjaro climbs every year.

Our guides have witnessed many expeditions broken off when there were no emergency oxygen supplies available to counteract the effects of altitude sickness. Lack of constant monitoring of the clients’ physical state and insufficient guide experience have in many cases been responsible for failed summiting attempts when having the foresight to offer the client an extra day for acclimatization would have meant a successful climb.

We are proud to say that our crews have time and again been in the fortunate position to provide emergency assistance with supplies, equipment and medical care to other outfitters on Kilimanjaro.  

High Risk of Fraud

As with any other business transaction one must beware of fraud when booking a cheap Kilimanjaro climb. The likelihood of being conned heightens as the price lowers. Neither last-minute cancellations with no refund of deposits made, nor simply discontinuing communication and disappearing are unheard of.

Another common scenario is being stranded on the mountain during the climb with no supplies unless “an immediate additional payment for services not explicitly included in the booked package” is made. Thus, it is better exerting some prudency when the cost to hike Kilimanjaro looks incredibly low and attractive.

Mistreatment of Porters

As has been demonstrated earlier, it is impossible to provide adequate service during a Kilimanjaro climb below a certain price. Unluckily, one of the ways budget operators still manage to do so is by short-changing their climbing crews.

Low- or no- wages are all too common in such cases. The members of these crews undertake the climb in hopes of receiving tips (which, actually, are the expected norm in the industry). However, the tips paid by the client are often not distributed fairly among all staff.

Providing outright inadequate food supplies (as little as one meal per day) for the crew is yet another way some budget operators cut climbing Mt Kilimanjaro cost keep their rates low.

Being from disadvantaged backgrounds and receiving inadequate pay from their employers often means that many of the porters cannot afford adequate clothing for the climb. Socially responsible tour operators will invariably provide them assistance in order to ensure their safety. This, of course, is impossible to do when the climb budget is already constrained, leading to cases of exposure among porters.

Thus, choosing to book with a reputable and trustworthy climbing outfitter means that all the support staff, whose job it is to help you fulfill your dream of climbing to the roof of Africa, are fully compensated and treated fairly.

Environmental Impact

Lack of proper training and comprehensive conservation policies and practices that are commonplace with budget and/or unlicensed operators are responsible for most of the environmental impact that the industry has had on Kilimanjaro. If you feel as strongly as we do about conservation, then please do book with like-minded businesses.

Overall, we hope that we helped you to understand how much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro. If you have any further questions on how climbing Mt Kilimanjaro cost is formed – feel free to contact us anytime by dropping a mail.

Porter-waiter carries the luggage and equipment during the day and waits at your table during breakfast, lunch and dinner. For his help he receives extra USD 10 per expedition