A person’s cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro can range from between $1,500 to $7,000, with an average of about $4,000. Numerous tour companies that offer inexpensive Kilimanjaro climbs compromise safety in order to reduce costs. Larger businesses also outsource the experience, but they frequently charge exorbitant prices for it.
Booking with a reliable, local tour operator is the ideal option if you’re searching for a low-cost Kilimanjaro climb but still want to guarantee a minimal level of quality equipment and safety procedures.
If the price you are offered appears incredibly low, you may want to follow up with some follow-up inquiries.
Why is it so inexpensive?
Does the business provide fair wages to its porters and employees?
Is it taking all the required safety measures?
Any climb has certain inevitable expenses, so if the price that budget operators are offering you seems excessively low, there’s probably a problem.
Is it possible to climb Kilimanjaro for free?
It is practically impossible to ascend Kilimanjaro on a shoestring. This is due to the fact that climbing Kilimanjaro is impossible without a certified guide and porters—who both charge for their services—to carry your equipment. Furthermore, climbers must pay a minimum of $800 in fees to enter Kilimanjaro National Park.
If you gather a big group of friends who are all prepared to pay for their journey, it is the only slim chance that you will be able to climb Kilimanjaro for free. Due to the size of your climbing party, some Kilimanjaro tour companies may give you a discount or a free trip.
Put another way, the tour operator is so thrilled to have your business that they let you climb for free because they consider the labor you did to organize the group to be your payment.
How much does it cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
When considering a low-cost Kilimanjaro trip, use caution. When there are less climbers on the mountain during the low season, you might be able to get a better deal. Since these are Kilimanjaro’s wettest months and not the greatest times to climb, the low season lasts from March to June. But in the end, hiking Kilimanjaro meant having to share the mountain with other trekkers.
When choosing a low-cost tour provider for your Kilimanjaro climb, use caution. These are frequently new, badly managed businesses that rely solely on low costs to draw customers. In the past, this has led to risky circumstances on the mountain. These businesses cut corners on crucial expenses by drastically lowering their pricing, which makes it impossible for them to give climbers the kind of service they require.
How much does a climbing permit on Mount Kilimanjaro cost? What about the porters and guides?
All visitors must pay fees to the Kilimanjaro National Park authority in order to support park maintenance. This covers upkeep of the trail and ranger salaries. You must pay the conservation fee for each day—full or partial—that you spend within the park. The conservation fees for an 8-day climb come to $560 ($70 x 8 days).
Additionally, the use of the mountain’s campgrounds and basic huts incurs hut fees of $50 to $60 per night per person. Huts can only be found on the Marangu path. All other routes, including the Machame route, have authorized public camping areas. For an eight-day ascent up Marangu, the hut fees are $350 ($50 x 7 nights).
To enter the park, all employees are required to pay $2 per person, per visit.
In the unlikely event that the park authorities must organize a rescue, climbers will be assessed rescue expenses. You must pay this cost even if you don’t really need to be rescued. Therefore, the entire cost of only entering Kilimanjaro National Park can be calculated by adding together all of the expenses listed above.
Is Kilimanjaro climbable for a beginner?
You can climb Mount Kilimanjaro if you have a rudimentary level of physical fitness. An experienced hiker, however, will probably have a greater success rate at the peak. Any hiker, regardless of experience level, might suffer from medical conditions such as acute mountain sickness, also known as altitude sickness. Any high altitude hike should always be discussed with a medical practitioner before setting out.
What kind of equipment should I purchase in order to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
These are the necessary items for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and they can set you back between $600 and $800. Please take note that this list is not all-inclusive and simply covers the fundamentals needed to ensure a successful summit. Most local operators will probably provide things like camping gear.
- Daypack with cover.
- Comfortable sleeping bag up to 15°F Waterproof hiking boots.
- LED headlight with additional battery.
- Trekking sticks.
- Robust duffel bag.
In summary
You will be responsible for paying for your selected tour operator, the above-mentioned park admission fee, equipment, airfare, visa, vaccinations, medical check-ups, travel insurance, and gratuities for your crew. Another expense is food, however depending on the trip operator you choose, this is frequently covered by the package fee. The price of climbing Kilimanjaro also varies according to the route you choose and the length of your hike.
Even while it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to hike Kilimanjaro for free, there are a number of excellent East African-based companies, including Adventure In The Wild Safaris, that can offer you a memorable and safe ascent.
