While a Mount Kilimanjaro Climb will be expensive, it is not as costly as some of the other Seven Summits, such as Mount Vinson or Mount Everest. The cost of the trip you take will be dependent on a number of factors, including the tour service you choose. Learn more about the cost associated with climbing this mountain here.
Getting to Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in all of Africa and is on the opposite side of the world from the US. You will need to book a guided trip on the mountain, since there is no independent climbing allowed. This will be another few thousand dollars. You also need to add in additional money for an additional safari after the climb, tips, any restaurant food you will need.
A budget of $5,000 is a safe amount for your Kilimanjaro trip. Some general costs that you can expect to see include:
* Flight out of New York to Kilimanjaro International Airport: approximately $1,600
* Quality tour guide service: $2,500
* Other costs including travel visa, tips, misc: $500
The two biggest expenses that you will encounter when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is the airfare to get to Africa and the cost of your mandatory tour operator. Both of these are completely unavoidable and it will be difficult to cut either of these costs by much – if you want a quality and safe experience.
You also need to provide an allowance for tips for your staff once you return to the base of the mountain. The tip will not be based on whether or not you reached the top of the mountain, but rather the way that you were treated by the staff and how they served and performed during the actual trip. In most cases, the entire group should provide the tip, rather than each individual.
The fact is that being prepared for the expenses of the trip will ensure that you budget plenty for your experience. This will ensure that you do not run out of funds, or that you do not have enough to leave tips for your guides, porters, waiters and other staff that accompany you up the mountain. This can be an unforgettable experience; however, it is essential that you first understand the cost associated with this experience of a lifetime.
If you are planning a Mount Kilimanjaro Climb, be sure to visit Climb Kili website for some helpful information.
