Wouldn’t it be cheaper to take a group course than hiring a private guide?

On the surface, it may seem like it, though in reality, you will get much more out of a shorter trip with a private guide than a longer course with many other students. Many companies offer low priced 6 and 12 day climbing courses in which there will often be 10 students and 2 guides. While you will learn many vital skills during this time, the course will only progress at the rate of the slowest student. With a private guide, once you have mastered a skill you are able to move on and thus cover much more in a shorter amount of time. The lower ratio will also allow you to tackle more technical climbing objectives that would not be safe or timely with 4 or 5 climbers to each guide.