Mountain Porter Welfare

• Salary: Although the government declared a minimum wage, the salary amounts paid to porters are variable and can be as low as 10,000Tsh per day. We pay at least 25,000Tsh per day excluding transport to and from the mountain, and payments are made within 2 days after the descent of a climb.  
• Tipping: Our guides provide tipping recommendations to climbers so that porters receive a proper living wage from the combined salary and tip. We use a transparent tipping procedure to ensure that the porters receive the full amount of tip intended for them. 
• Meals: we are committed to providing 3 meals per day and covering all costs for food while porters are on the mountain. 
• Accommodation: porters sleep in good-quality tents; ground sheets are provided, and there is appropriate sleeping space for the crew. 
• Gear: we inform the crew of the company’s requirements regarding gear and equipment and ensure proper kit prior to the climb. 
• Medical Care: we assist with the descent of an ill porter and provide for medical treatment as necessary. 
• Weight Restrictions: we weigh the bags each day to ensure porters are carrying no more than 20 kgs per porter. We ensure an appropriate number of porters per climb so that each porter carries only 20kg of company kit. 
• Regularity of work: we offer equal climbing opportunities to all porters registered with the company.

We qualify as an International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) 'Partner for Responsible Travel' by adhering to these local and national government standards and regulations. We support IMEC and KPAP in ongoing monitoring and oversight of every climbing season to guarantee compliance with the Guidelines for Proper Porter Treatment, and as such, we are recognised as part of IMEC's list of travel companies, affirming our commitment to porter welfare and well-being whilst working on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru climbs.

We address gender inequality in the portering industry by employing female crew members on Mount Kilimanjaro. We have two highly successful female lead guides, five assistant guides, two female cooks, and around thirty female porters.

Since 2012, we have been committed to the professional development of guides, porters and crew that we employ on Mount Kilimanjaro. World Expeditions has sponsored several guides to complete scholarships through the Kilimanjaro Guide Scholarship Foundation each year. The course trains the guides in Tour Operations, Tourism Geography, Wildlife Knowledge and Basic Computer Applications.

• Salary: wages that are above the minimum wage for Papua New Guinea.  
• Tipping: the tipping system is managed fairly and transparently to ensure that the porters receive the full amount of tip intended for them. Tips are collected from tour participants, counted and announced at the last evening meal on the trip for staff and participants to hear. It is divided fairly among all staff. The Australian guide or any other staff members not working on the trip do not receive any part of the tip money. The personal porters receive their tip directly from the client. The porter is not required to disclose the amount to anyone and keeps the entire tip. 
• Transport: payment for the return trip home or flights to return home (depends on location and personal preference). 
• Meals: porters are allocated money to purchase their preferred food for the trek, uniform and first aid kit, as well as having their campsite fees paid for. 
• Medical Care: is given on site, at aid posts and evacuation is provided if required. 
• Accommodation: porters are supplied with sleeping mats and sleep in purpose-built huts. 
• Weight Restrictions: porters carry a maximum weight of 18 kgs. Bags are weighed at the beginning and middle of the day as well as during random ranger inspections.  
• Age Restrictions: the minimum age of porters is 17 years old, and the maximum age of porters is 62 years old. Older porters have a reduction in weight, or they offload the bulk of their weight on the first few days of the trek.