How to Climb Kilimanjaro On A Budget

5 Questions About Mt Kilimanjaro Budget Treks

Mount Kilimanjaro Guides are tour operators specializing in budget-friendly guided treks to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. These guides provide the cheapest way to climb Kilimanjaro and essential services such as route planning, safety measures, and logistical support to ensure a successful and enjoyable climbing experience. Despite their lower prices, they aim to maintain high standards of service, often including meals, camping equipment, and park fees in their packages. However, climbers must research and ensure that these budget Kilimanjaro trek guides follow ethical practices, particularly concerning porter welfare.

Are affordable Mount Kilimanjaro climbing tours available?

“If, by best, you mean the least expensive, then that would be the Marangu Route. This is the only Kilimanjaro ascent route that is regularly completed in 5 days, which saves on the additional park fees associated with a longer hike. Marangu is also the only route where mountain huts are available, so the operator can budget less on gear and porters. Having said that, while Marangu is the cheapest Kilimanjaro ascent route, it is also the most crowded. Furthermore, those who attempt to climb Kilimanjaro over 5 days have a lower success rate than those who allow 6 days or more. So, even if you are on a tight budget, there’s a strong case for booking a longer and slightly more expensive tour using another route. In that case, a 6-day hike on the Machame Route is generally the most affordable option, but the Lemosho Route, which usually takes 7 days, is quieter and more beautiful. If you climb during the rainy periods (November to December and March to May), the best option overall is the Rongai Route, which uses the relatively dry northern slopes.”

How much does a budget Kilimanjaro climbing trip cost?

Where should I stay before and after climbing Kilimanjaro on a budget tour?

Are there day hikes or other day trips available at the base of Kilimanjaro?

Budget Tours & Trips to Mount Kilimanjaro

Tailor-made for solo adventurers and small groups of 2 or 3 individuals seeking the camaraderie of like-minded hikers. Our Kilimanjaro group tours redefine the trekking experience. Prioritizing high safety standards, unparalleled comfort, and superior service delivery throughout your expedition on Mount Kilimanjaro. We will provide you with a safe and enjoyable hiking experience, allowing you to enjoy the awe-inspiring landscapes.

Budget Mount Kilimanjaro tour packages

These packages are popular among our clients due to the high safety standards and comfort they offer, making the Kilimanjaro hikes enjoyable and memorable. The package includes all necessary amenities for the hike, supported by our experienced mountain crews to ensure a smooth and successful climb. Before and after the adventure you will stay in a 3-star hotel with caring staff, hot water, reliable Wi-Fi, and a restaurant.

GROUP JOINING MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMBING THROUGH MARANGU ROUTE 8 DAYS TANZANIA (all accommodation and transport are included)

The Marangu Route is a more affordable option that is more popular and congested than other routes but less logistically challenging. It is recommended to form or join a group of four or more like-minded hikers and to stick to the Marangu Route. If you can afford it, it is recommended to pay more than the standard rate of approximately $300 per climber for your support team, which goes a long way to support their families who they don’t see for weeks on end. It is also suggested to pay more than the standard rate of approx. $300 per climber for your support team. If you have less than $1000 for your Kilimanjaro climb, it is advised to stay at home.

BASIC SERVICE.  

Our trips are led by one of our very experienced Tanzanian Head Guides  – who live and breathe Kilimanjaro – and will have been to the summit well over 100 times.  The local team provides full support on the mountain – and is made up of 30 or so in total – with other Head Guides & assistant Guides – a Cook – Camp Crew – Luggage Porters – and the important Water Team.

The full support means that you only have to carry your small  ‘day pack’ (with items for that day’s trekking) – and the porters will carry your main bag on to the next Camp.

Meals (all hot & varied & all dietary requirements!) are in the ‘mess tents’ – which in the evening are the hub of camp life, and where the Head Guides will do a daily de-brief and set out the next day’s agenda. It’s generally early to bed – as it’s always an early start the following morning.

The walking pace on Kilimanjaro is ‘slow’ – that’s how you give your body the best chance of acclimatizing (along with plenty of water – food – sleep) – and on the pre-summit days the groups get into camp late afternoon – any can enjoy afternoon tea & snacks before unpacking bags and preparing for the evening with extra clothing – as temperatures drop fast after sunset (~6.30 pm).

The Kilimanjaro Climb culminates with ‘summit night’ – and this is where it toughens up – and there will be plenty of support from the crew. It’s a midnight departure – a 6-hour climb with the head torches on – and eventually sunrise as we head towards the crater rim. From there it’s still up to an hour or so to the famous Kilimanjaro sign at the summit – and that magical photo and celebration on the Roof of Africa

8 DAYS MARANGU ROUTE ITINERARY

The Marangu Route, often referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the most popular and oldest route for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Known for its relative ease and direct path, it is the only route on the mountain that offers sleeping huts for climbers. Despite its popularity, it has a lower success rate due to many climbers underestimating its difficulty. The route typically takes five to six days to complete, offering stunning views and a variety of landscapes, from rainforest to alpine desert to arctic conditions near the summit.

Day 1: Arrive at your lodge in Moshi before 3 PM. There will be a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.

Day 2: Depart Moshi and ride to the Marangu Gate to complete the necessary registration formalities. The climb begins from Marangu Gate (6,000 ft). The trail then begins to climb consistently, but gently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the blue monkey. The forest begins to thin out as we approach the first camp—Mandara Hut (8,800 ft).

Day 3: The morning walk is a steady ascent up through the moorland region. At this point—weather permitting—we may get to see Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. These are two of the three volcanoes that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro. We camp at Horombo Hut (12,200 ft) for the night.

Day 4: Today is meant for acclimatization. We will take a short day hike to the Mawenzi Ridge (14,400 ft). From there you will have unobstructed views of Kibo and Mawenzi. After a few moments in the area, we will descend back down to Horombo Hut.

Day 5: We cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) at the bottom of the crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for an early morning final ascent.

Day 6: We start the final and most demanding part of the climb by headlamp around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through a loose volcanic screen to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,600 ft). We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments, we continue the descent to Horombo Huts (12,200 ft).

Day 7: A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Huts (8,900 ft). We then continue descending through the lovely lush forest on a good path to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Marangu (6,000 ft), where we are transferred back to your lodge in Moshi.

Day 8 Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport.

How to take part in the Kilimanjaro ascent?

• Choose desired dates, leave an application form, and fill in the form
• The manager contacts you, advises you about the program, and gives you requisites for advance payment
• You make an advance payment – congratulations, you are booked!
• The manager gives the okay and you buy the tickets to Moshi.
• Get your insurance (we’ll help you, advise) and pack your gear 
• After the meeting with the team leader you relax and get the maximum of pleasant emotions from the trip!
• During the ascent don’t forget to make posts with the hashtag #https//mountkilimanjaro.guide and upon your return give us feedback and write a review, we’d appreciate it! See you in the next programs!

Medicine:

A yellow fever vaccination is not necessary to visit Tanzania. The exception is if you are traveling from potentially dangerous countries (mostly central Africa).

There are no vaccinations against malaria, you don’t need to take medicine in advance either – it’s a big burden on the organism. Just in case, we buy medicines against malaria on the spot, but there have been no cases in our groups yet.

Documents

Citizens of the USA and EU have to get a visa for their passport on arrival. The fee is $100 and $50.

Where to next?

Climbing Kilimanjaro opens to you many peaks. After Kilimanjaro we recommend: After climbing Kilimanjaro, why not extend your stay and see more of Africa!  You can choose one of our multi-day safaris to Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti – or why not relax for a few days in the tropical archipelago of Zanzibar, with its turquoise waters and white sands?

Price includes:

• Service of local guides for the whole program;
• Permit for climbing Kilimanjaro and staying in the national park;
• Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel;
• All necessary transfers according to the program;
• Two nights in a hotel in Moshi – double rooms with breakfast;
• Meals during the ascent – hot breakfast and dinner, snack for lunch;
• The work of local guides at the rate of one guide per two participants on the day of the ascent;
• Services of a cook and his assistants during the ascent;
• Services of porters during the ascent (15 kg per person);
• Group equipment – dining tent, personal tents for clients, cooking equipment, etc;
• Group first-aid kit with guide;

Not included

– air ticket to Kilimanjaro Airport (Tanzania) 

– climbing insurance 

– Tanzanian visa (50 -100 USD)

– lunches and dinners at the hotel before and after climbing

– additional payment for single accommodation 

– obligatory tips after climbing (about 200 USD) 

Payment procedure

Full payment for the program is made on the first day of the trip to the guide in dollars.

To reserve a place in the group you need to make a prepayment of $250. You can do it by contacting us or by using The payment Form and Conditions on the website. In case of quitting the route, you won’t get your money back.

Friends! It’s compulsory to take 2006 or newer dollars to Africa. Dollars from 2003 and the 90’s are not accepted!  Thank you for your understanding and new dollars to all.