Saturday, June 22, 2013

Selecting Providers Of 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.

No mountain is without danger and this one is no exception with numerous injuries and deaths reported over the years. It is impossible for any tour operator to guarantee that you'll get to top and back safely but some are more likely than others to help you to do this. Finding one that is appropriate for your needs, including fitting within your budget, can be almost as much of a challenge as the climb itself.

Whether booking from home or abroad, it's wise to do as much research as possible. You can check on a number of travel websites that rate tour operators and see what kind of reviews they have received from past clients. Be sure to read a variety of write-ups though as anyone can have a positive or negative experience with any company due to an infinite number of reasons.

Another way to screen possible providers is to visit their websites and read them carefully. Those whose information is sketchy or difficult to understand may not be the best choices. If you'd like to get a feel for how the companies deal with their customers, you can send an email with some questions to see how they respond.

Prices for such a tour can been found anywhere on a wide spectrum. Those on the lower end may not be the best choices as they may cut corners in some ways that could lead to compromised safety. It could also indicate that the workers are not paid appropriate wages which some consider to be ethically questionable.

It is certainly possible to book your tour prior to leaving home. This provides some degree of certainty that you will be able to climb on the days you prefer. It also saves any hassle of and stress of having to do it upon arrival.

Waiting until you're in Tanzania does have some advantages however. For one, you can personally visit the companies and get an even better feel for them than you could via email correspondence. Also, you may be able to get a lower price by booking last-minute as it could be better for the company to sell it at a discount that not at all. There is the risk, on the other hand, of not being able to find available dates with an acceptable provider and is can be difficult to negotiate in an unfamiliar place and culture.

Although it can sound like a daunting task, it is certainly possible to find Mount Kilimanjaro tours that will give you the experience of a lifetime. A safe trip to the top of Africa is not something everyone can say that they've done. Taking one's time and choosing carefully may be well worth it.




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