Text by Annie Hay
If there was ever a time to knock off one of the world’s Seven Summits, it’s now. This summer Alaska Mountain Guides International is offering a 20 percent discount on its ten-day Kilimanjaro expeditions, cutting the total price per person from $3,150 to $2,520. You’ll follow the Machame path to the top of the 19,340-foot behemoth and descend via the Mweka trail, taking in views from both the east and west sides of the mountain. Plan on ten days total from start to finish, and don’t worry about feeling rushed—AMGI attributes their 93 percent summit-success rate to the extra day they allow acclimation, which is something few other Kilimanjaro outfitters do.
The Catch: You must book by July 15th to receive the 20 percent discount on the Kilimanjaro climb, and trips are filling up fast. The discount also only applies to trips on July 30th, August 8th and 17th, or September 15th.
I’m In: Contact 800-766-3396 or visit and mention you saw the discount listed on the National Geographic ADVENTURE website.
If you book through the local companies you should make sure that all the porters and guides, chefs get paid. One of my friends climbed Kili and discovered afterwards that the only money the porters and guides got was the tip that they gave them. I think it is better to pay more, and make sure that the companies treat their employees fair.
That is the problem with the cheapest companies, and you can never be sure that they have the proper equipment or the experience to do a climb.
I climbed with a company called foot2afrika, and they treat their employees with respect, and make sure that they work under good conditions. I had a wonderful experience, despite the altitude sickness, and the guides and porters made it an unforgettable experience. I would recommend to check out www.foot2afrika.com if you want an adventure, which is fair both to you and the staff. It doesn't have to be as much as 1,750 for eleven days either. Also it is cheaper if you are in a group, for example 8 days and 7 nights, 6 days climbing Kilimanjaro and two nights at a hotel. Depending on the size of the group the prices will be as follow in USD: 1 person:1670, 2persons:1450, 3-5persons:1245, 6-12persons:1100 and 13 and above:1000.
Also, it is important to give something back to the local people, so included in these prices is a ten percent contribution to help to further develop the community. To assure you that those money actually go to support the local community they will be more than happy to show you exactly what it is that the money go to. This is my opinion, since there are so many companies where all the money go to the guys on the top, and the people doing all the hard work are left with pocket-change.
Posted by: Ragnhild | October 18, 2009 at 02:43 PM
@ Paul: don't worry, Expedition Kilimanjaro works very closely with a local hotel and the guides directly from the Kilimanjaro National Park Guides Association. If you find a better deal, let me know.
Posted by: Ramon Stoppelenburg | August 27, 2009 at 06:56 AM
I knew there was a cheaper deal.Now, a cheaper local company and a cheaper hotel ( hostel) and I am in. I am sure there is a better deal.
Posted by: Paul | July 13, 2009 at 06:28 AM
Or just book through local companies or supporters of local companies like http://www.expeditionkilimanjaro.com and the price is always $ 1,750 per person (11 days adventure with 7 days up the Machame Route AND 4 nights at a hotel).
Did I say INCLUDING 4 NIGHTS AT A LOCAL HOTEL? Right.
No deal cutting at all.
Posted by: Ramon Stoppelenburg | July 07, 2009 at 11:24 AM