Kilimanjaro Packing List
On the climb your luggage will be restricted to two bags. Please note this will be restricted to 13 – 15 kg on the mountain and bags will be available at your first hotel in Tanzania where you may decant any items not needed on the mountain. These will be stored securely and returned at the end of your climb.
NB: Kilimanjaro National Park Authority have introduced a new regulation banning the use of plastic on Kilimanjaro. Due to this, trekkers will not be allowed to use plastic water bottles (or other thin walled plastic containers). Please respect this regulation and ensure you practice Responsible Tourism whilst in Tanzania.
| ITEM | IMPORTANCE | TICK LIST |
| DOCUMENTS | ||
| Passport and photocopy of passport – stored separately from passport in case passport goes missing | ESSENTIAL | |
| 1 passport sized photo – stored separately from passport in case passport goes missing | ESSENTIAL | |
| Visa for Tanzania | ESSENTIAL | |
| Yellow Fever / Exemption certificate | ESSENTIAL | |
| Travel insurance certificate and 24 hr emergency contact telephone number for insurance company | ESSENTIAL | |
| US Dollars – approximately US$400 in mixed denominations | ESSENTIAL | |
| Credit Card / additional funds in case of trip curtailment costs. | ESSENTIAL | |
| AC emergency contact list | ESSENTIAL | |
| PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT | ||
| Paracetamol / Ibuprofen / Aspirin | ESSENTIAL | |
| Malaria Prophylactic tablets | ESSENTIAL | |
| Antihistamines | ESSENTIAL | |
| Band aid / Plasters / blister kit / zinc oxide tape | ESSENTIAL | |
| Rehydration powder (dioralyte) | ESSENTIAL | |
| Anti-diarrhoea tablets (Imodium) | RECOMMENDED | |
| Antiseptic Wipes | RECOMMENDED | |
| Throat Lozenges | RECOMMENDED | |
| Muscle rub / deep heat / ibuprofen gel | RECOMMENDED | |
| Knee supports (if required) | RECOMMENDED | |
| Vaseline petroleum jelly to rub on your feet, to reduce friction with boots / socks | RECOMMENDED | |
| Talcum powder | RECOMMENDED | |
| Diamox tablets for those who have consulted a GP/clinic | OPTIONAL | |
| Any personal medication that has been prescribed by a GP or clinic – split between hold and hand luggage | IF APPLICABLE | |
| TOILETRIES | ||
| Anti-bacterial hand gel | ESSENTIAL | |
| Sun screen (at least factor 30+), lip balm and after sun | ESSENTIAL | |
| Wet wipes for personal hygiene | RECOMMENDED | |
| 1 x toilet roll or packs of travel tissues | ESSENTIAL | |
| Ziplock resealable bags – for storing toilet paper between camps | ESSENTIAL | |
| Toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste | ESSENTIAL | |
| Shampoo and shower products for the hotel | RECOMMENDED | |
| Soap/face wash | OPTIONAL | |
| Insect repellent wipes/sprays or patches | ESSENTIAL | |
| Small nail brush to keep hands and nails clean | RECOMMENDED | |
| Feminine hygiene products | IF APPLICABLE | |
| Contact lenses & solutions for wearers. A pair of glasses as back up | IF APPLICABLE | |
| FOOD | ||
| Snacks for up to 6 / 7 trekking days – sweets/trail mix/cereal bars/energy bars | RECOMMENDED | |
| Carbohydrate gels/energy tablets/ Electrolyte replacement tablets for adding to drinking water | RECOMMENDED | |
| 2 – 3 litre platypus/camelback water carrier and 2 x 1 litre water bottles (camelback mouth tubing prone to freezing on summit night so bottles essential) *not plastic | ESSENTIAL | |
| FOOTWEAR | ||
| Gortex or leather hiking boots – water repellent and fully broken in with ankle support. | ESSENTIAL | |
| Trainers or light footwear – for use in the campsites | RECOMMENDED | |
| Trekking gaiters – used to stop screes getting into your boots and keep your boots dry in the wet, or deep snow | RECOMMENDED | |
| 3 x pairs of thick walking socks & 3 x thin liner socks to avoid blisters | ESSENTIAL | |
| 1 x heavyweight mountaineering socks for summit night | RECOMMENDED | |
| CLOTHING | ||
| Gortex or breathable Waterproof jacket with hood *ensure this fit over fleece or down jacket | ESSENTIAL | |
| Gortex or breathable Waterproof over trousers *ensure these fit over trekking trousers | ESSENTIAL | |
| Heavyweight trekking trousers for cold days / summit night | RECOMMENDED | |
| Lightweight trekking trousers and shorts for warmer days – zip offs work well | ESSENTIAL | |
| Down or synthetic puffa jacket | ESSENTIAL | |
| 1 – 2 x micro fleece tops for layering | ESSENTIAL | |
| 2 – 3 x trekking t-shirts *wicking or synthetic NOT COTTON | ESSENTIAL | |
| Light to mid weight wicking or synthetic long / thermal underwear/ base layers for top and bottom *NOT COTTON | ESSENTIAL | |
| 1 x warm pair of windstopper gloves – must be able to fit under waterproof gloves | ESSENTIAL | |
| 1 x thick pair of gloves *must be waterproof | ESSENTIAL | |
| 1 x extra pair of thick fleecy mitts | RECOMMENDED | |
| Warm fleecy hat / head band which covers ears or a balaclava | ESSENTIAL | |
| A bandana or buff for warmth and sun protection – ideally with fleece layer | ESSENTIAL | |
| Peaked cap with neck cover or wide brimmed hat for sun protection | ESSENTIAL | |
| Tracksuit bottoms / spare trousers to wear in the campsites in the evenings | RECOMMENDED | |
| Casual clothes for gala dinner/ hotels / travel – can be left at the hotel to avoid carrying on the mountain | RECOMMENDED | |
| Swimsuit | OPTIONAL | |
| EQUIPMENT | ||
| 90 – 110 litre duffle bag or backpack (no wheels) | ESSENTIAL | |
| Minimum 30 – 35 litre rucksack for carrying personal items on trekking days with rain cover | ESSENTIAL | |
| Strong heavy-duty bin liners or waterproof bag liner to keep clothing/ equipment dry | ESSENTIAL | |
| Smaller waterproof bags to organise equipment into and keep spare clothing dry | RECOMMENDED | |
| 4 – 5 season sleeping bag in cover | ESSENTIAL | |
| Thin sleeping bag liner (cotton or silk) for extra warmth | RECOMMENDED | |
| Extra sleeping mat or thermarest self-inflating pad –Thin foam sleeping mat is supplied by operator. | RECOMMENDED | |
| Sleeping bag cover ‘bivvy bag’ to protect sleeping bag from damp | ||
| Travel pillow | OPTIONAL | |
| Travel towel | OPTIONAL | |
| Sunglasses with 100% UV protection that block out the sun from the sides – skiing sunglasses work well. | ESSENTIAL | |
| Head torch with spare batteries | ESSENTIAL | |
| Camera with spare batteries and memory cards | RECOMMENDED | |
| Small lightweight umbrella | OPTIONAL | |
| iPod/MP3 player for travelling | OPTIONAL | |
| Ear plugs | OPTIONAL | |
| Trekking poles | OPTIONAL | |
| Mobile telephone with charger | OPTIONAL | |
| 2 x sets of chemical (one-use) hand warmers for summit day | RECOMMENDED | |