Checklist: What to Bring?

 

If you are packing for your climb it is important to really plan your clothing appropriately. This is why we recommend that you pack the following:

• Top Base Layer

• Bottom Base Layer

• 4-5 Pairs of Underwear

• 3-4 Short Sleeve

• 1 Insulated Trekking Pants

• 1-2 Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts

• 1-2 Pairs of Hiking Trousers

• 1 Insulated Winter Jacket

• 1 Polar Tec Fleece Jacket

• 1 Hard Shell Jacket

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Basic Equipment: 

• Daypack: Your main gear will be carried by a porter (up to 15kg) .You will need to carry your own daypack. 30-40L is sufficient. We recommend Osprey daypacks.

• Waterproof duffle bag: To carry your main gear we recommend using an 80-90L duffle bag. Large rucksacks (>65L) can also work.

• S​leeping bag: You will need a 4-season or -20 Deg C sleeping bag and compression sack. We recommend Mountain hardware or The North Face sleeping bags. You can hire sleeping bags from our team in Tanzania.​

• Trekking poles: Trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints by up to 20%. They are great for going down Kili! We recommend adjustable Black Diamond trekking poles.​

• Water bladder / bottles: Capacity to carry 3 litres of water. Options: 2 x 1.5 litre wide mouth nalgene bottles or 2 litre platypus + 1 litre water bottle. Note that disposable plastic bottles are not permitted on Kilimanjaro.

• Warm beanie style hat: Go for a version of a beanie that is either knitted or fleeced for extra warmth. The North Face, Berghaus and Columbia all make good outdoor beanies.

• Neck gaiter or scarf: It can get dusty on Kilimanjaro. We recommend bringing a neck gaiter or bandana. The most versatile options are made by Buff or Hoo-Rag Headwear.

• Sun hat: Preferably go for a hat that is wide-brimmed for protection, and has a neck cover if you aren't going to be wearing a neck gaiter.

• Sunglasses: Choose a pair of high UV protection glasses as sun intensity above 4,500m is very high. Julbo are a great mountain sunglass brand but any brand with high UV protection will suffice.

• Headlamp: You will need a headlamp with good light output for any late night toilet journeys, and importantly for summit night. Petzl make market-leading and affordable headlamps.

• Lightweight Gloves: For lower slopes we recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves. Berghaus and The North Face make good lightweight gloves.

• Warm gloves or mittens: For the cold nights and for the summit push we recommend heavyweight, insulated, preferably water resistant gloves. The North Face and Black Diamond are recommended brands

• Trekking boots: We recommend using a mid-weight trekking boots with good ankle support. Recommended brands include: Salomon, Scarpa, Hi-Tec and Merrell.

• Training shoes(optional): To wear around camp after a day's trek we recommend bringing a pair of training shoes or sandals.

• Socks: 3-4 pairs of outer socks and 2-3 pairs of liner socks. We also recommend bringing 1 x thick thermal socks for summit night. Merino wool is the best material and Bridgedale or Smartwool make good trekking socks.

• Gaiters: Help keep your trousers clean in wet and muddy or dusty conditions.

• Micro-spikes (optional): Not always required, but seasonal conditions may mean that it is icy at the summit. Micro-spikes fit easily to your boots and give you extra traction. Available to rent  in Tanzania if required.

• Thermal base layer: 1 x thermal base layer, ideally made from merino wool. Recommended brand is Icebreaker.

• Short sleeved shirt: 2 x lightweight, moisture wicking short sleeved shirts. Recommend brands include Icebreaker, Under Armour, Columbia, Berghaus.

• Long sleeve shirt: Go for a light or medium weight, moisture wicking long sleeve shirt (x2). Icebreaker, Berghaus and Under Armour make great breathable trekking shirts.

• Fleece or soft shell jacket: A mid-weight polartec fleece jacket is ideal for Kilimanjaro. Berghaus, Helly Hansen and The North Face all make great fleeces.

• Insulated jacket: A good quality and warm down or primaloft jacket is required for the cold nights and summit push. Recommended brands include The North Face, Rab, Arc'Teryx and Mountain Hardwear.

• Hard shell outer jacket: A water/windproof hard shell outer jacket to protect you from the elements. Goretex material is best. Recommended brands include The North Face, Arc'teryx, Berghaus and Mountain Hardwear.

• Poncho: It is not uncommon to have occasional prolonged rain showers in the two weeks either side of the main rainy seasons (April/May and November). A cheap poncho is recommended if you are trekking during these periods.

• Leggings: Thermal or fleece base layer for your legs. Merino wool is preferable. Recommend brand is Icebreaker.

• Trekking trousers: Light or medium weight (x1) trekking trousers. Convertible trousers are an option. Recommended brands include Craghoppers and Columbia.

• Hard shell trousers: To protect yourself from the elements you need a good pair of waterproof / windproof hard shell trousers. Ideally Goretex. Patagonia, The North Face and Arc'Teryx all make good outer trousers.

• Sun and lip screen: High SPF sunscreen and lip protection balm.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste: Ideally travel size.

• Wet wipes and hand sanitizer: Staying clean on Kilimanjaro is a challenge. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer are a huge help.

• Personal medicines and medical kit: Recommend bringing Paracetamol and Imodium at a minimum.

• Ear plugs(optional): For light sleepers. Snoring travels in quiet high altitude camps!

• Pee bottle (optional): Useful for the ladies, but not a requirement

• Dry bags(optional): Only required if your main duffle bag is not waterproof. Sturdy rubble sacks will also help keep your kit dry.

• Packing cubes(optional): Useful for keeping items organised within your duffle bag.​

• Camera and spare batterie(optional)s: Unless you are a keen photographer we recommend taking a good quality and lightweight point and shoot camera like the Panasonic Lumix.

• Plug Adapter: A plug adapter for charging your devices in the hotels before and after the trek. The standard voltage and frequency in Tanzania is 230 V and 50 Hz respectively. The power sockets that are used are of type D / G.

• Personal snacks(optional): Boiled sweets, nuts, energy bars and dried fruit are all a good shout. Isotonic drink powder to mix in with your water improves flavour and helps replace electrolytes.

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