Porter - Assistance On Your Kilimanjaro Climb
Kilimanjaro PortersYour Porter will quite possibly become your best friend during your summit attempt of the Great White Mountain. From the moment that one begins to ascend the mighty form of Kilimanjaro, the importance of the native porters will be apparent. Aside from carting the majority of climbers' supplies up the mountain, porters also prepare wholesome meals and on the Machame Route both erect and break down tented camps.
All workers on the mountain begin as porters. After three years of being a porter, an individual may go on to become an assistant guide. Subsequent to this they may go on to become Head Guides, by which time they will have sufficient training to individually lead climbers safely up and down the mountain should circumstances require it.
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The majority of guides and porters on the mountain descend from the local Chagga population and reside either Moshi or Marangu. Unlike climbers who are unaccustomed to both Altitude and conditions on the mountain, porters and guides are well adjusted to the environment on Kilimanjaro. Due to their regular ascents and excellent levels of Fitness, they seldom if ever succumb to the effects of altitude. What they do however often suffer from is exposure, due to lack of proper clothing and sleeping materials.
Whilst all porters are paid set wages, these are often incredibly meagre and no where near sufficient for them to be able to support themselves alone, let alone their families as well. Most therefore rely on the generosity of the Western climbers whose baggage they carry on their back's from start to finish.
When considering how much to tip a porter, it may be a good idea to take into consideration how far one would in fact have gotten without their assistance. Most climbers quickly realise that the answer to this question is not very far at all and as a result are generally reasonably generous when it comes to tipping. Both porters and guides are happy to accept tips in any currency, although Tanzanian Shillings and US dollars are generally preferred. In addition, any old items of clothing and sleepwear which climbers feel they will not make use of again will be generously welcomed to say the least.
The Kilimanjaro Experience
