CLIMB KILIMANJARO GROUP DEPARTURES
Joining an existing Small group Kilimanjaro Climbs
Small group Kilimanjaro Climbs on the Marangu route every Tuesday, Machame route departs every Monday. On the Lemosho route, the scheduled departure is on Sunday.
Climbers usually arrive in Tanzania a day or two before the climb and will stay in one of our recommended hotels in Moshi. You will meet our operations team and the other group members for a pre-climb briefing and a thorough equipment check. Your gear is inspected to see if it is adequate and safe. If anything is missing or not up to standard, it can be hired from Mount Kilimanjaro Guide. During the briefing, our operations team informs you about what you can expect on the mountain and gives tips and important and thorough safety advice.
Mount Kilimanjaro group climbs has fixed prices; this is the more economical choice and perfect for hikers wanting to meet like-minded travelers and maybe even make some new life-long friends. On a scheduled Kilimanjaro climb, you will sleep in two-person tents and as a solo traveler share the tent with another hiker of the same gender. Single tents are also available (single supplement payment requested).
For those who want to climb on different dates or routes than our group departures, we offer private climbs. Private climbs are also for those who would like to keep the group size small to have a more intimate experience on the mountain. Climbers with children or special needs are required to book private climbs for increased individual attention from our guides.
We can organize private climbs on any route, for any length, on any dates, for any size group, subject to staff availability. We fill many months ahead of time during the high season, so reserve your dates as soon as possible.
How long will it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
A trek on Kilimanjaro will usually take between 6 to 8 nights on the mountain, to which you need to add at least one night in a hotel on either side, so 7 to 10 nights in total.
LEMOSHO ROUTE 8 DAYS
The complete Kilimanjaro experience, more acclimatization time, and more spectacular scenery. This route has been a round favorite and despite being busy once it joins the Machame route at Lava Tower, the ascent profile, scenic variation and ascent via Stella Point make this a fantastic choice for anyone looking to successfully hike Kilimanjaro.
Every SUNDAY – Set departures
8 Day Climb, One Night Pre and Post Accommodation included, 10 nights in Total Minimum 2 people required from 2,580 USD pp
MACHAME ROUTE 7 DAYS
For those who don’t have the time or perhaps the budget for our Lemosho trip, select the Machame 7-day group departure instead.
Every MONDAY – Set departures
7-Day Climb, One Night Pre and Post Accommodation included 9 nights in Total. Minimum 2 people required from 2,210USD pp
MARANGU ROUTE 6 DAYS
The Marangu route is the original Kilimanjaro route. It’s the only route where you don’t camp but instead stay in communal A-frame huts.
Every TUESDAY- Set departures
6-day climb, One Night Pre and post-accommodation included 8 nights in Total. Minimum 2 people required from 1,650 USD pp
What’s better: A group climb or a private climb?
There are many pros and cons to climbing Kilimanjaro, either way, to be honest. For us, at Mount Kilimanjaro Guide we believe that the group climbs just about edge it simply from a camaraderie point of view with other climbers. This is not an issue if your private climb is made up of 6 or more friends/family all climbing together, then you would do a private climb for just yourselves. However, for 2-4 people we believe you gain far more from being part of a “family” of like-minded people all trying to achieve something truly great and helping each other through the negative times on the mountain.
GROUP CLIMBS
A group climb is made up of 15 paying clients that can come from a variety of tour operators like ourselves and given how selective our climb operating team is, Mount Kilimanjaro Guide, with which companies may sell their trips to you can be assured you are highly likely to get on with everyone in the group. When we speak to you about your climb we all do some pretty comprehensive profiling before sending people to climb Kilimanjaro. Going up the mountain with those 15 people you will have around 45 staff, made up of a chief guide, some assistant guides, summit porters, and general porters, totaling around 60-65 “family members on your trip. You’ll notice we keep using the term family and that is simply because that is how you will feel after the first few days of your climb.
The group dynamic comes into its own on the days that you are struggling. It is that whole peer pressure thing, not wanting to let the team down can help you stay on course and not give up quite so easily if you only have your partner or friend trying to encourage you. Likewise, if you see someone struggling as a group then many voices encouraging you are harder to ignore than 1 single voice.
It cannot be overstated as to how important this is. We have one piece of advice for you that you should always remember. If your chief and assistant guides say that you can carry on, even if you feel terrible then the fact of the matter is that you can make. It becomes a battle in your mind at that point and nothing else.
Group climbs also mean a high chance of some banter and fun during meal times with the guides and porters too and there is no way of overstating the importance of smiling and having fun up the mountain. You don’t want to be left alone with just your mind for too long.
PRIVATE CLIMBS
This is a no-brainer if you are climbing with friends and/or family and your numbers are 6 or over. That’s a fact. It is no cheaper at that point to do a group climb and you have enough numbers to gain from all the pros that we have just mentioned on group climbs.
You will be able to trek on days that fall outside of the group departure dates and therefore have areas of the mountain all to yourselves and not as part of a giant community on the nights in the campsite spots. Those are the two main reasons to do a private climb and for sure they are valid reasons. For some people, solitude on the mountain as a couple or 2 or 3 mates challenging each other the private climb would work well. So do speak to us in depth so that we can all ascertain what is best for you.
How do I plan for a Mount Kilimanjaro climb?
The majority of people trekking Mount Kilimanjaro fall into 2 categories. Those who just want to climb Kilimanjaro and then fly home and those who use it as part of a larger reason to get to Africa and do other things that have perhaps been bucket list travel fantasies. Either way, there are some basic things to think of and wrap your head around.
Arriving early in Africa for your trek will significantly increase your chances of summiting. This small issue is overlooked by most trekkers as it may not be so obvious as to why it is so important.
RECOVERY FROM HOME, WORK LIFE & INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Most people live a hectic lifestyle back home and are forced to work right up to the moment that they get on the plane to fly to Africa. This is not conducive to a successful mountain attempt. Add to this the hassle and sleeplessness of the flights, along with delays, panics about weather delays in their home country, and the stress of lost luggage and it is quite easy for most people to collapse on arrival and need days to get the adrenaline out of their system, catch up on sleep and get themselves ready for a physical undertaking which will probably be as tough as anything they have ever taken on before.
On top of all this, when arriving in Africa, you need time to physically adjust to the new environment. Our bodies are good at concealing this from our conscious minds so that we can just get on, but you should still be aware that you are asking the demands of your physical system. Not least among these are the modifications that your dietary system has to make on arrival in a new location, with there being different balances of bacteria in the water and food that your system needs to cater to.
LOW-LEVEL ALTITUDE & EXERCISE
Recovery and acclimatization from all of the above should be done at the relatively low altitudes of Arusha, Moshi, or Marangu. Here you should stay in the most comfortable surroundings that you can afford, minimizing the risks and maximizing the effects. Some of the lodges in Arusha are like modern spa hotels, relaxing and beautiful. Here you can spend days alternating between relaxation and exercise. There is excellent hiking around the villages in the foothills of Meru and Kilimanjaro, which are both scenic and fascinating. This is where you will see rural Africa, meet the people, and learn a bit about the place. It is all good for the body and soul before the main event of the trek.
What do I need to pack for a Mount KIlimanjaro climb?
All communal equipment such as tents and cooking gear is provided by the mountain operator. All personal equipment is usually provided by the trekkers, as detailed below.
How much does it cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
In terms of total costs for a great Kilimanjaro trek, including flights from home and all extras, you probably need to plan for around USD 4000-6000 per person. A fair bit more if you want to add safari and/or tropical beaches. Our mountain operation is designed to maximize summit success and enjoyment, whilst minimizing risks.
We do not cut corners, nor do we layer our treks with unnecessary additional expenses. We provide great levels of service at affordable prices.
The Kilimanjaro trek itself typically costs between USD 2100 and USD 3400 per person, including all park fees, hotel nights, and transfers between the airports, hotels, and the mountain.
After park fees, this works out to around USD 200 to USD 400 per person per night, which isn’t a lot considering the scale and complexity of the logistics involved. Shorter routes are cheaper, the prices are more or less pro-route per day. The larger your group size, the lower the cost per person.
Treks are noticeably more expensive for 1 to 3 trekkers, less for 4 and 5 trekkers, and level off from around 6 trekkers. In terms of additional costs, you also need to allow up to an extra USD 250 for tips and maybe another USD 200 for various optional equipment rentals.
You also need to consider your long-haul flights to Africa, which are likely to cost around USD$1400/2200 per person from North America, or USD 600/1200 per person from Europe and Asia. The nearest airport is Kilimanjaro International.
You may also want to add a safari, beach holiday, and other elements to your trek as a reward for summiting Kilimanjaro, which we can certainly help with.
How do I book a Mount Kilimanjaro group climbs?
As will be the case with any decent trek operators, we only offer pre-booked trips. So you will need to book your trek in advance before leaving for Tanzania. It tends to be only the lesser and more fly-by-night operators who offer treks locally since the proper planning of a trek is a lot more complicated than just making a few last-minute arrangements.
Our usual lead time between booking and trekking is 12 to 26 weeks, largely because most trekkers want to leave themselves a good length of time to get some training under their belts. For peak season treks, especially in Dec, Jan. Feb, Jul, Aug, and Sep treks often sell out much further in advance.
The best way to get started is usually to have a chat with us either on the phone or by email and that should enable you to quickly figure out if this is something you would like to pursue. We are always happy to chat and answer your questions.
