Kilimanjaro climbing costs range from What potential effects can these "savings" (read: concessions) have on your safety and comfort on the mountain?
How is your team doing? By paying low wages and offering little (or no) equipment and gear, low-cost operators primarily reduce staff costs. This will
not lead to a content team and raises welfare concerns. For any information and our Mt Kilimanjaro packages click
HERE to choose and book to Tanzania Best safari trekking operator. The
National Parks Authority, KINAPA, requires that all travel companies operating on Mount Kilimanjaro obtain licenses and register. However, hikes up Mount
Kilimanjaro that are contracted out to local guides can be sold by tourist agencies worldwide. You want to strike a balance between "overpriced" and "too cheap
to be safe."
The Human Cost of Inexpensive Kilimanjaro Guides
You won't read about the yearly fatalities on Mount Kilimanjaro, many of whom are porters, in the Western press.
Porters & Guides
At Climbing Kilimanjaro, we take extremely seriously our obligation to our porters and guides. Numerous complaints have been made about porters not receiving a
living wage, having little to no cold-weather clothing, limited food, and sleeping in cramped, unpleasant spaces. The Tanzania Porters Organization was founded
to combat this unethical behavior, and we strive to go above and beyond their standards. A high guide-to-client and porter-to-client ratio ensures that porters
aren't overburdened with extra weight in an effort to keep costs down. For porters, having a comfortable place to sleep, the right equipment, and food are essential.
Every day, our guides conduct the same health checks on the porters to make sure nobody has any complaints or altitude sickness. You'll be grateful that you climbed
with a firm that makes it a priority to maintain employee wellbeing when you witness how hard your porters work.
Your Security & Health
The Kilimanjaro climb is challenging. And it might be harmful. You should at least desire the following for your comfort and safety:
English-speaking advisors with extensive expertise and training who are aware of what to do in an emergency
- A system of proper processes
- Pristine, high-quality machinery
- Flavorful, nutritious, and varied meals
- Safe water to drink
Fees for the Kilimanjaro National Park
Both guests and staff must pay admission fees to Kilimanjaro National Park. These can be divided into the following categories: Conservation Fees - For each day you
spend in the park, the Kilimanjaro authority charges a fee. Example: The conservation costs for a 7-day trek up Mount Machame come to $490 ($70 x 7 days).
Campsite fees on the Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, and Northern circuits are $50 to $60 per night per person (or huts on the Marangu routes). Example: The cost of camping
for a 7-day climb up Machame is $300 ($50 x 6 nights). Rescue costs are $20 per person each trip (not including helicopter rescue; we don't rely on the National Park
rescue service). Entry Fees for Guides and Porters: $2 for each member of staff, each trip VAT and taxes make up 18% of services. All Kilimanjaro tour providers must
pay a VAT of 18% to the Tanzanian government. The expense to an operator for park fees alone might easily range from $160 to $200 per climber, per night. Therefore,
if it's too inexpensive, where are they saving money?
Staff Salary
Depending on the number of climbers per day, staff salaries range from $80-$150.
Since staff salaries are a significant expense, any savings made here will immediately come out of the pockets of those on the mountain who are paid the least. Any
professional Kilimanjaro operator will pay a hefty price to ensure the porters and guides have the right equipment and training.Every year, tales of dishonest tour
operators filling their climbs with desperate porters who willing to labor for no pay in exchange for a tip are reported. These tour operators take advantage of
Tanzania's high unemployment rate.
Cost of food, water, and transportation
Depending on the route chosen, transportation costs range from $100 for a trip up Kilimanjaro to roughly $10–20 per climber each day for food purchasing.
Although food is not expensive in Tanzania, it still needs to be transported up the mountain, preserved in sanitary conditions, and cooked by skilled mountain chefs.
We might need to replenish with new food a few days during the lengthier treks.We don't skimp on food quality to reduce costs. We are aware of various nutritional needs
and how to meet them.
Equipment
On the mountain, the gear and equipment are battered. Make sure your operator maintains all equipment to a high standard and replaces it on a regular basis. When selecting
a climb, make sure you're obtaining the following:
-Tents that are sturdy, well-maintained, and appropriate for mountainous terrain.
-Table and seats in a proper dining tent
-Toilet and portable toilet (if applicable)
-Backup equipment in case of damage
-You'll also want to make sure that your group has the right sleeping arrangements and hiking equipment.
Ratio of Guide to Climber and Porter to Climber
A specialized outfitter devoted to guiding customers up Mount Kilimanjaro is called Climbing Kilimanjaro. For every two climbers, we assign one qualified mountain guide.
This ratio enables safe supervision of all of our climbers and effective camp management. Eight climbers in a group with one guide has been seen, which may save money
but may come at a larger risk to safety. You'll understand why we require a sizable crew of porters once you see the quantity of gear—including tents, kitchen supplies,
bathroom facilities, and food—that must be transported up the mountain. The National Parks Authority has established severe weight restrictions on how much each individual
porter is permitted to carry.In an effort to reduce costs, this is frequently disregarded, which causes porters to be overworked. We strictly restrict the loads that our
porters carry as part of our dedication to their welfare. Per climber, there are often 3–4 porters. Depending on the route and the height of the climb, this ratio changes.
Medical Kit & Evacuation Procedure
In an effort to reduce costs, this is frequently disregarded, which causes porters to be overworked. We strictly limit the loads that our porters carry as part of our
commitment to their welfare.Medical Kit & Evacuation Procedure essential, properly maintained safety gear, and emergency procedures in place: -Daily monitoring with a
pulse oximeter -Learning how to score symptoms of altitude using the Lake Louise Scoring System.
-Emergency oxygen use and timing.
-Stretcher for rescue if a climber is unable to walk Frequently supplied medical supply kit.
-Understanding when to request a helicopter rescue and how to manage a patient until they arrive.
Note on Collaboration
Especially in an emergency situation, teamwork is crucial. The smooth operation of the camp and a well-practiced evacuation strategy in the case of an emergency are
ensured by building a team of porters and guides that get along well with one another. Typically, there are about 3–4 porters per climber. Depending on the route
and the height of the climb, this ratio changes.
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