Climbing category specification:-
Kilimanjaro Centre For Trekking And Ecotourism (KCTE) runs 3 specifications.
- BUDGET
- LUXURY
- VIP
The key differences between the specifications are categorized by the number of Crews and the amount of equipment provided and hence this affects the total weight of gear going on any given expedition. On Mount Kilimanjaro, all gear is portered up and down and so the more equipment we take up the mountain, the more porters there are and the price rises accordingly.
Matching specification
Generally speaking, we recommend BUDGET, LUXURY AND VIPs specifications for all guests depending on one’s budget. Why? Because it is the right level of comfort for most people and when spending a week or more at altitude, it is great to have at least some creature comforts depending on the choice and type of requirements. By the same token, most of our Clients who want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro would wish to expect an adventure and so for this reason most of the Mountain Climbers request their own specifications depending on their budget and strength.
As a general overview the following summaries are useful to match specifications:-
- BUDGET SPECIFICATION: This has a budget mess tent, table and stools, a smaller client tent and foam pad. Clients must provide their own sleeping bags. This is our most adventurous specification and also the lowest priced.
- LUXURY SPECIFICATION: This has a larger mess tent than the budget specification, backed chairs instead of stools, and a larger client tent with a 3-inch foam mattress. A pillow and -18 Celcius-rated sleeping bag with liner is also included. There is a private portable toilet. Evening meals have an additional course (entrée) and there is freshly pressed coffee available. All in all, highly recommended.
- VIP SPECIFICATION: similar to the Luxury specification but with a larger walk-in client tent with a sleeping cot so that guests are raised above the ground.
See itemized lists to help you understand and choose specifications.
Equipment specifications compared.
Kilimanjaro Centre for Trekking and Ecotourism (KCTE) we have 3 camping specifications for our Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions. Note that the Marangu route uses cabins or huts for accommodation.
| CATEGORY | ITEM | VIP | LUXURY | LIGHTWEIGHT |
| CREW | Senior Mountain guide (up-to-date Wilderness First Responder or equivalent) | y | ||
| Mountain guide (up-to-date Wilderness First Responder or equivalent) | y | y | y | |
| Assistant guide (s) (Up to date red cross first aid certificated) | y | y | y | |
| Camp Crew (s) | y | y | y | |
| Cook (s) | y | y | y | |
| Porters | y | y | y | |
| CLIENT TENTS
|
Walk in client tent | y | ||
| 3 person “pup” tent used for 2 people | y | |||
| 2 person “pup” tent used for 2 people | y | |||
| Full-size sleeping cot | y | |||
| 3-inch mattress | y | y | ||
| Foam pad | y | |||
| Pillow | y | y | ||
| Sleeping bag (-18 Celcius rated) | y | y | ||
| Thermal liner | y | y | ||
| MESS TENT | Lightweight Mess Tent | y | ||
| Walk in mess tent | y | y | ||
| Lightweight tables | y | y | y | |
| Backed chair | y | y | ||
| Stools | y | |||
| SAFETY DEVICES
|
Pulse oximeter | y | y | y |
| Altitude sickness checklists | y | y | y | |
| Stocked first aid kit | y | y | y | |
| Custom evacuation stretcher | y | y | y | |
| Oxygen | y | y | y | |
| Portable altitude chamber | y | y** | ||
| OTHER | Toilet tent | y | y | |
| Shower / wash tent | y | on request | ||
| Full trip and safety briefing | y | y | y | |
| ** Portable altitude chamber is always used on all crater trips as well as crampons** | ||||
Budget:-
| CATEGORY | ITEM | INCLUDED |
| CREW | Trained Mountain guide | y |
| Assistant guide (s) | y | |
| Camp Crew (s) | y | |
| Cook (s) | y | |
| Porters | y | |
| CLIENT TENTS | 2 person “pup” tent used for 2 people | y |
| Foam pad | y | |
| MESS TENT | Lightweight Mess Tent | y |
| Lightweight tables | y | |
| Stools | y | |
| SAFETY DEVICES | Pulse oximeter | y |
| Altitude sickness checklists | y | |
| Stocked first aid kit | y | |
| Custom evacuation strecher | y | |
| Oxygen | y | |
| OTHER | Full trip and safety briefing | y |
Luxury:-
| CATEGORY | ITEM | LUXURY |
| CREW | Head Guide (s) | y |
| Assistant Guides (s) | y | |
| Camp Crew (s) | y | |
| Cook (s) | y | |
| Porters | y | |
| CLIENT TENTS | 3 person “pup” tent used for 2 people | y |
| 3-inch mattress | y | |
| Pillow | y | |
| Sleeping bag (-18 Celcius rated) | y | |
| Thermal liner | y | |
| MESS TENT | Walk in the mess tent | y |
| Lightweight tables | y | |
| Backed chair | y | |
| SAFETY DEVICES | Pulse oximeter | y |
| Altitude sickness checklists | y | |
| Stocked first aid kit | y | |
| Custom evacuation strecher | y | |
| Oxygen | y | |
| Portable altitude chamber | y | |
| OTHER | Toilet tent | y |
| Full trip and safety briefing | y |
Safety Devices
Crew Numbers:-
Sometimes people are a little shocked at the number of crew involved in these expeditions but bear in mind that you are trekking for multiple days where complete camps have to be carried up and down with all food as well. The employment benefits from these trips are significant and with our teams, you’ll love the camaraderie too.
The numbers of porters vary with the specification. Generally, we tend to have higher numbers of crew than ‘budget’ operators. Why? Because we do not overload our Porters and we carry essential extras such as stretchers, oxygen, first aid kits, mess tents for all specifications, fresh food and so on.
Below is an example number of crews by specification:-
| Route | Specification | Guests | Guides | Camp crew | Cooks | Porters | Total |
| Machame 7 days | Budget | 1 | 1 | – | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Machame 7 days | Luxury | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| Machame 7 days | VIP | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 12 |
Tipping guideline:-
These figures are designed to be a guideline based on what have become normal tipping amounts over time. Remember that you should not feel obligated to pay exact amounts and if you feel like giving more then please do – it’s how you feel!
Sample tipping guide per person on a 7 days budget trip Kilimanjaro mountain climb – Machame route.
| NO. OF CREW | TIPPING PER PERSON PER DAY | TOTAL PER DAY | |
| Guide | 1 | US$ 10.00 per person, per day | US$ 10.00 |
| Assistant Guide | – | US$ 6.00 per person, per day | – |
| Cook: | 1 | US$ 5.00 per person, per day | US$ 5.00 |
| Camp Crew | – | US$ 4.00 per person, per day | – |
| Porters | 2 | US$ 3.00 per porter, per day | US$ 6.00 |
| TOTAL PER DAY | US$ 21.00 | ||
| TOTAL FOR 7 – DAYS CLIMB | US$147.00 PER PERSON |
Sample tipping guide per person on a 7 days luxury trip Kilimanjaro mountain climb – Machame route.
| NO. OF CREW | TIPPING PER PERSON PER DAY | ||
| GUIDE | 1 | US$ 10.00 per person, per day | US$ 10.00 |
| ASSISTANT GUIDE | 1 | US$ 6.00 per person, per day | US$ 6.00 |
| COOK: | 1 | US$ 5.00 per person, per day | US$ 5.00 |
| CAMP CREW | 2 | US$ 4.00 per person, per day | US$ 8.00 |
| PORTERS | 4 | US$ 3.00 per porter, per day | US$ 12.00 |
| TOTAL PER DAY | US$ 41 | ||
| TOTAL FOR 7 – DAYS CLIMB | PER PERSON PER TRIP | US$ 287 |
Sample tipping guide per person on a 7-day VIPs trip Kilimanjaro mountain climb – Machame route.
| No. of Crew | Tipping per person per day | ||
| Guide | 1 | US$ 10.00 per person, per day | US$ 10.00 |
| Assistant Guide | 1 | US$ 6.00 per person, per day | US$ 6.00 |
| Cook: | 1 | US$ 5.00 per person, per day | US$ 5.00 |
| Camp Crew | 2 | US$ 4.00 per person, per day | US$ 8.00 |
| Porters | 8 | US$ 3.00 per porter, per day | US$ 24.00 |
| TOTAL PER DAY | US$ 53 | ||
| TOTAL FOR A 7-DAY CLIMB | PER PERSON PER TRIP | US$ 371 |
MISCELLANEOUS PERSONNEL
There will always be ‘helpers’ that pop up, now and then and assist with the unusual or unexpected. Make sure you budget for ‘one helper per day’. The gratuity should be given at the time that assistance/service is rendered.