Deciding Among Available Mount Kilimanjaro Tours

By Lana Bray


The highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, rises nearly six thousand meters above sea level. This dormant volcanic mountain isn't as famous as Mount Everest but if offers an enticing challenge to a large number of climbers nonetheless. Because of the income potential, there are a great number of companies that offer Mount Kilimanjaro tours for getting to the summit. With the expense and potential dangers that can be involved, one needs to choose their provider wisely.

As with any mountain, there is the danger of suffering a serious injury or even not making it back alive. Choosing the company that will give you the best chance to summit and return safely can be a difficult task. None of them could possibly assure you that they can do this for you, but some would be safer choices than others.

Prior to making a decision, gathering as much information as possible will help you to make a good choice. There are many websites on which you can find reviews that have been submitted by former clients of tour operators. Reading these can give you an idea of the experiences that others have had, but remember that these can vary greatly from person to person and that reading a variety of them is best.

Carefully reading through the websites of various companies is another method of screening. Ones that don't seem to provide much useful information may be best avoided. You can contact the company via email to ask some questions in order to get a feel for how they interact with clients and whether you feel comfortable with them.

All tours will be fairly expensive but there is a wide range in which they can fall. Some strongly advise against using the lowest priced ones as this can be an indication that the quality is not very good, which could possibly lead to riskier conditions under which to do the climb. Another reason cited for this is that the employees are likely not well-compensated, which is not only a moral issue but could be a safety concern as well.

The majority of climbers arrange a tour from abroad before their arrival. Doing this can provide a certain level of comfort in knowing the cost and schedule ahead of time. For many it's much easier than having to make arrangements on the spot.

However, there are some advantages to choosing the tour provider in Tanzania rather than beforehand. At times you can get a lower price if they need to fill up slots for a date that is coming quickly. In many cases they would rather give a discount than have empty spaces. Also, visiting companies in person can allow you to better evaluate your comfort level with them than you can from afar. It is possible, though, that you will have a difficult time finding an appropriate operator for your dates.

Making a choice among the many options available for Mount Kilimanjaro tours is not easy. However, whether you make it to the top or not, it could be an experience you'll never forget. Thus, taking care to make a wise decision is worth the effort.




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