Globally, especially after challenging mountain expeditions in regions like Nepal and Peru, it’s customary to hold a tipping ceremony at the journey’s end. While tipping is not compulsory or demanded by your guides, it serves as a meaningful way to express gratitude for the round-the-clock dedication and support provided by the entire team.

The amount you choose to tip should reflect the quality of the experience you received, rather than the overall cost of your climb. For larger or more demanding groups, a higher tip amount might be appropriate given the increased effort involved.

The most demanding labor on a mountain expedition is often carried out by resilient local men. Many prominent climbing peaks are situated in remote, rural areas where economic opportunities are scarce. In Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Region, particularly between Arusha and Moshi, tourism serves as the primary economic driver. While some farming and coffee cultivation exist, the dense population in this area largely depends on employment generated by tourism. Therefore, your tip directly empowers these individuals and their families.

While you’ll interact daily with your guides and porters on your Kilimanjaro trek, there’s a significant amount of crucial “behind-the-scenes” effort undertaken by our dedicated crew. This essential work ensures your climb is not only safe and comfortable but also leaves no trace on the majestic mountain.

The Unseen Heroes of Kilimanjaro

Beyond the guides and porters, you directly interact with, a whole team works tirelessly to manage crucial aspects of your journey. This includes specialized porters who:

Maintain hygiene: They set up and take down the camp toilets, ensuring they’re kept clean.

Protect the environment: Kilimanjaro is a national park with strict rules about human interaction with nature. Our team makes sure absolutely no litter is left behind, preserving the mountain’s pristine condition.

The Incredible Effort Behind Your Water Supply

One of the most remarkable examples of this “invisible” work is how we get water to high-altitude camps. Take Barafu Camp, for instance, which sits at a staggering 15,223 feet (4,640 meters) and has no nearby water source.

After porters have already carried all the climbers’ gear and personal belongings up the mountain, they then descend to Karanga Valley Camp, which is almost 2,296 feet (700 meters) lower at 13,123 feet (4,000 meters). There, they fill their water tanks and climb back up to Barafu.

So, while you’re relaxing in your tent, enjoying a warm cup of tea, you might not even realize the incredible effort that went into bringing that water to you under challenging, high-altitude conditions!

Keeping You Fed and Comfortable on the Mountain

Beyond the essential water supply, other specialized teams work hard to make sure you’re well-nourished and your camp life is smooth.

Fresh Supplies, Fresh Energy

Imagine enjoying fresh fruit and vegetables high up on Kilimanjaro! That’s thanks to a dedicated team that brings these perishable supplies, along with meat and other items that can’t be stored long-term. This team starts their challenging ascent from the base of the mountain on day 4 or 5 of your expedition. They trek for 12 hours straight, without breaks, proving just how tough and strong these individuals are.

The Unseen Heroes of Camp Life

Mountain Chefs: Our talented chefs aren’t just cooking for you; they’re also fueling the entire climbing crew! Their delicious meals provide everyone with the energy needed to reach the summit.

Dishwashers: These team members ensure all camping equipment stays clean. They work flexible hours, often late into the night, so you can finish dinner at your leisure and have clean dishes ready for your next meal.

Camp masters: These professionals are in charge of setting up and taking down tents at each camp. They make sure everything follows strict safety protocols and layouts, ensuring your overnight stays are as comfortable and secure as possible.

Every member of our mountain crew contributes significantly to your successful climb, and their amount of work and responsibility varies by role. Because of this, tips are fairly distributed among all crew members based on their contribution. If you’d like to give an individual reward to someone specifically, you’re welcome to do so directly.

Our recommended tipping structure is based on each crew member’s responsibilities:

Guides: $20-$25 per day

Chef/Cook: $15-$18 per day

Porters: $10-$12 per person per day

Additional Tipping for Extra Duties

For crew members who take on additional responsibilities, we suggest these extra tips per climb:

Camp Manager: $30 (for setting up and dismantling camp)

Waiter/Chef Assistant: $30 (for assisting with meals)

Toilet Hygiene Staff: $30

Summit Porter: $30 (for emergency assistance, carrying essential summit gear like first aid and oxygen, and providing encouragement)

For Small Groups (Fewer than 20 Crew Members)

We recommend directly tipping each crew member individually. For your convenience, we can provide envelopes. Please ensure you have small denominations such as $10, $20, and $50 notes to facilitate distribution.

For Larger Groups (20 or More Crew Members)

We understand that after a trek, everyone is tired. To make the tipping process quick and easy for both our clients and crew, we’re happy to assist. This avoids queues and saves time.

We’ll provide you with a printed list of all crew members’ names. On this form, you can easily write the intended tip amount for each person, distinguishing between standard tips and extra tips for those who performed additional duties.

Once you’ve completed the form, you’ll hand it along with the total tip amount to our cashier. This process will be witnessed by the entire crew to ensure transparency.

Our cashier will then handle the rest by depositing the tips directly into each crew member’s bank account. A printed record of names and deposited amounts will be made available on the notification board, allowing every crew member to confirm receipt of their tips at any time.

Should you require a copy of this information, we will be glad to provide it.

B2C Adventures is proud to be a member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), an organization dedicated to ensuring fair treatment and wages for porters.

Here’s how we ensure transparency and accountability regarding porters’ wages and tips:

We regularly report to KPAP on all wages and funds transferred to our porters. To maintain full transparency, we keep detailed records in our archives, including:

Copies of all tip forms filled out by our clients.

Copies of bank statements.

Copies of receipts for transfers made to guides’ and porters’ accounts.

Requesting a Tip Transfer Report

You can directly request a report on tip transfers by contacting either KPAP or by contacting us regarding that information. You’ll typically receive this report within a few days.

KPAP’s Verification Process

KPAP continuously audits all financial reports. As part of their verification, KPAP members personally contact porters to confirm that they have received their money.

In most Tanzanian hotels and lodges, there’s a communal tip box. You can put your tip in there, and it gets shared equally among all the staff.

However, if you’d like to tip someone specific like a bellhop, a waiter, or a cleaner you can give it to them directly.

We recommend tipping $5 to $10 per guest, and it’s usually done just before you check out. Tipping in US dollars is highly recommended.