Cost of a Kilimanjaro hike

The Cost of climbing Kilimanjaro & fair sustainable prices.

Cost of a Kilimanjaro hike

Many adventure enthusiasts around the world dream of conquering Africa’s peak, Mount Kilimanjaro standing 5895m high, offers one of the best destinations to hike and a must visit if you are set to conquer the 7 peaks of the world, The Kilimanjaro is relatively an expensive hike with prices ranging from 1180$ usd to over 4800$ usd making travelers around the world more cautious when choosing a deal, as most are focused on a great value & sustainable deal. However, in case of the Kilimanjaro a sustainable deal is not just the one agreed between the traveler & the agency, as some operator provide very low priced deals but this can leave behind a community of porters exploited, bear in mind porters do the hardest part in making your journey possible & mostly left behind exploited (paid less than the minimum required by law & left to survive of tips at the pity of clients). So to your benefit we will help travelers by providing (much needed closure) a breakdown of the cost of the hike so travelers have some idea of where the money goes & sustainable deals

Note: those who will opt for agencies with the lowest deals available should make sure their tips should not only rectify the wage unjust caused but also reward the hardest working group on the Kilimanjaro.

Cost breakdown of the Kilimanjaro hike

(direct costs associated with the hike)

1.Park fees-this are fees paid directly to the park authorities so client & the crew can proceed to the park, this fees are nonnegotiable also cannot be avoided however travelers below 16 years of age do enjoy a discount.

park fees

-rescue fees 20$ per person per trek
- entrance fees 70$ per person per day
-camping fees 50$ per person per night (hut fees for Marangu route 60$ per person per night)
- crew fees 2$ per crew per trek

Note: park fees + (its vat 18%) cannot under any circumstance be reduced, avoided or evaded. 2.Wages – wages will be paid to the crew (porters, guide, cook, assistant guide) however this costs are variable as crew will increase relatively lower ass group size increase

Minimum wages requirement for Kilimanjaro hike crew
-Porters 10 $ per day
-Guide 20 $ per day
-Assistant guide 15 $ per day
-Cook 15 $ per day

3.Transport- transportation to & from the hike trail from & to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, this cost is also variable (100 $ usd – 180 $ usd)

4.Food- total bill for your meals & the crew’s meals, this cost is variable from 215 $ usd

5.Vat (value added tax) – the added tax is a standard 18% on all products & services within the country

6.Add on – Some equipment such as a private toilet. we don’t consider a necessity & will provide them with extra payments. These add on can increase cost of your hike e.g. it will need an extra porter to carry the private toilet & of course added cost of equipment being used.

(indirect costs)

7.The company do incur administrative costs which can’t be directly traced to the cost (extra costs you will or can incur)

8.Tipping – after seeing the minimum wage & the breakdown of what you pay for it is now clearer that tipping is a necessity for the crew therefore becomes obligatory for the client however it won’t be enforced but it is greatly recommended (see more on Kilimanjaro tipping guideline & why) Note: tips will be provided directly to the crew by the client & are not included in the hike price.

9.Gear rental – you should expect to rent some gear if you are not fully equipped for the hike

AN EXAMPLE: MACHAME ROUTE 7 DAYS HIKE
Illustration for 7 days machame route hike, taking 1 guide, 1 assistant guide/ cook and four porters, assuming they are paid the TANAPA minimum wage, would cost as follows
park fees
Rescue fees ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………20
Conservation fees (US$70 * 7 days) ………………………………………………………………………....490
Camping fees (US$50 * 6nights) ……………………………………………………………………………….300
Crew entrance fees (US$2 * 6 crew) ………………………….…………………………………………….12
Wages
four porters (minimum required wage of $10 per day) ……………………………………………280
assistant guide/cook (minimum required wage of $15 per day) ...…………………………….105
guide (minimum required wage of $20 per day) ……………………………………………………….140
Food
one person plus crew………………………………………………………………………………………………220
Transport
transport to/from hike trail…………………………………………………………………………………….110
TOTAL (Before value added tax 18%)
Before tax total 1677 + VAT 18% (1677 * 18%)……………….......………………………………. 1978

NOTE: That’s total direct cost for hike before other administration costs & margins, however for group tours some costs which are fixed will be shared hence reducing your overall cost however cost can’t go lesser than 2200 US$ without compromising crew’s wages as government park fees are impossible to compromise
Other costs associated with hike
-Equipment
-Round trip transfer to the airport
-Hotel accommodation
-Administrative costs etc.

From the above illustration we now hope you can see this guideline to help you understand more of Kilimanjaro hike prices.

Note: park fees can not under any circumstance be reduced, avoided or evaded. Other cost reductions will reduce quality of the service or a more practices exploitation of crew wages.

Kilimanjaro private & group tour prices per route & days

Group prices are only possible when you decide to join a group or if you are in a party of 3 or more

Note: Clients on a group of 3 & above do qualify for our Kilimanjaro group prices, even when they opt to do it privately in their party.

Routes	5 days	6 days	7 days
Marangu	1 person	2100 $	2100 $
Machames	1 person	2100 $	2100 $
Lemosho	1 person	2100 $	2100 $
Rongai	1 person	2100 $	2100 $
Umbwe	1 person	2100 $	2100 $
Northern Circuit	1 person	2100 $	2100 $

Note: days above reflect actual days on the mountain, price paid will include services that are provided on your day of arrival (day 0) & your day of departure.

These prices include.
-2 nights’ hotel accommodation in Moshi/Arusha (before & after climb)
-Group transport to and from Moshi to the trail head
-Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees and Value Added Tax (VAT)
-Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
-Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
-mountain tents, double occupancy
-Sleeping pad, foam, sleeping bag & trekking poles
-Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
-Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
-Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport
-All Ground Transfers
Not included in price:
-flights
-Lunch or dinner at hotel
-Beverages at hotel
-Personal gear and equipment (see rental prices)
-Tips (see recommended tipping guideline)
Costs of additional services:
-Extra porter, for excess gear, per day $ 15
-Portable toilet, per hike $ 150 (these includes an extra porter carrying it)