Kilimanjaro Hiking Equipment List
The Kilimanjaro Packing List
The following information is seen as an essential list of what you should take with you on the mountain. A supplementary list follows for extra items as well. Extra items can be extremely hard to source in Tanzania, and whilst the guides can often help out with kit this is simply not a reliable source as their equipment may be being used! Please also note that this list should be used to check off items that you have. We will also check over your kit in the pre climb briefing to make sure everything arrived safely – there are times when luggage does not arrive with the aircraft and in those circumstances we will do our best to make sure you are well prepared for your climb.
Please try and keep your total weight of equipment on the mountain to around 15kg (30 lbs) in your porter’s bag (duffel/soft bag) knowing that you will be carrying extra 6kg in your day pack/small rucksack. Please advise us if you will be bringing more.
Essential Items Checklist
- Sleeping bag
- Thermal Hat
- Wide brimmed hat
- Sunglasses (must cover eyes completely)
- Scarf
- Water bottle 2 x 1liters (for instance Nalgen bottles as they can resist boiling water to freezing water)
- CamelBak or Platypus (water bladder)
- Waterproof Jacket (Gore-Tex or similar with hood)
- Fleece x 2 (one heavy weight and 1 lighter)
- Down Jacket (for your summit)
- Gaiters (keep out small stones and water)
- Shirts x 2 (NOT COTTON – synthetic materials and specialized hiking tops are best)
- Thermal Gloves (a thin inner glove that can fit inside the waterproof out glove)
- Waterproof outer glove / mitten
- Thermal underwear
- Lightweight trousers x 2 (NOT JEANS)
- Waterproof trousers
- Socks x 6 (proper hiking sock are best)
- Waterproof hiking boots (worn in)
- Spare shoes for in camp – running shoes are fine
- Headlamp + spare batteries
- Sun cream > factor 25, preferably 40
- Medication (list the medication you take or intend to take)
- Kit bag – preferably soft (so that we can put it in our custom designed porter bags easily). Porters carry this. It is highly recommended that you put all items in a large plastic liner, or even separate out in a few plastic bags to keep everything 100% dry.
- Day rucksack (around 30 liters for waterproofs / water and any other essentials when walking day to day)
Other (list)
Insurance details (reference * telephone number)
Emergency contact number
Insurance reference
Other info:
Dietary restrictions / allergies
NOTE:
*It is a very good idea to wear your boots on the plane and hand carry your outer shell / waterproof jacket. These items are really essential!
*Also, if you are taking medication then this should also be carried in person.
Supplementary list (non essential items)
These listed items are simply things that could make your hike more comfortable or items that are not seen as essential.
- Air mat/Thermarest – for a more comfortable sleep
- In rucksack water carrier – Platypus, CamelBak etc. The tube leading to your mouth should be insulated otherwise it will freeze on your way to the summit.
- Gel activated hand warmers (for summit bid, but please note this is a pet hate as most people simply drop them once used!)
- High energy bars: you should keep eating all day long – good quality energy bars and snacks are valuable addition!
- Water flavoring: we boil, filter and then water purification tabs should be added by clients (you are provided with 2 liters of bottled water from the start, carried by crew and then we source water from mountain streams which are usually very clean indeed, but none the less we make sure that the water goes through 2 to 3 steps to make sure you don’t get stomach upsets due to contaminated water).
- Wet wipes, antibacterial: great addition
- Poncho: great for the rain forest section. Alternatively an umbrella is also great – the preferred option of guides
- Personal first aid kit: we provide first aid kit but you may like to bring your own, especially if you are allergic to certain drugs, or want added items. Knee supports, sanitary towels, sun block (listed in essential items), blister treatment, oral rehydration sachets and talcum powder are all potential items you might like to bring with you.
- Cordial or other water flavouring (this will mask the iodine taste, resulting from our purification methods).
- Plastic bags – to separate dirty laundry and as a failsafe if you do not have a rucksack cover.
- Playing cards
- Pencil & paper for the trip log!
- High-energy bars for the final ascent, especially as appetite can be suppressed by high altitude.
- Ear – plugs.
- Pocket – knife.
- Spare contact lenses* and/or glasses and/or dentures.
