What Gear Do I Need to Carry in my Day Pack?
You are only required to carry items from our Gear List that you may need prior to reaching your next campsite. A small to medium sized backpack, with a volume capacity of up to 2000 cu in (30 liters), is appropriate. The specific items to carry generally depend on the time to reach camp and trail and weather conditions. Typically, you will have inside your daypack: waterproof gear, extra clothing, water, snacks, gloves, hat, sunglasses, and other small items, such as bug repellent and sun screen. Consult your guide if you are unsure of what you need.
Everything else should be placed into your duffel bag, which the porters will carry. The weight limit of the duffel bag is 15 kgs. The porters will carry the duffel bag from campsite to campsite. Use plastic bags or dry bags to separate and water proof your gear. You will be expected to pack your daypack and duffel bag each morning. Note that it is acceptable to use a backpack instead of a duffel bag. However, since porters bundle the bag with other items and carry the load on their heads, a duffel bag is preferred.
What Gear Do I Need to Bring?
You are responsible for bringing personal gear and equipment while communal equipment (tents, food, cooking items, etc.) is provided. Below is a gear list of required, recommended and optional items to bring on your climb.
Technical Clothing
- 1 – Waterproof Jacket, breathable with hood
- 1 – Insulated Jacket, synthetic or down
- 1 – Soft Jacket, fleece or softshell
- 2 – Long Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
- 1 – Short Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
- 1 – Waterproof Pants, breathable (side zipper recommended)
- 2 – Hiking Pants
- 1 – Fleece Pants
- 1 – Shorts (optional)
- 1 – Long Underwear, moisture-wicking fabric
- 3 – Underwear, moisture-wicking fabric recommended
- 2 – Sport Bra (women)
Headwear, Handwear & Footwear
- 1 – Brimmed Hat, for sun protection
- 1 – Knit Hat, for warmth
- 1 – Balaclava or Buff, for face coverage (optional)
- 1 – Gloves, warm (waterproof recommended)
- 1 – Gloves, thin
- 1 – Hiking Boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in
- 1 – Gym Shoes, to wear at camp (optional)
- 3 – Socks, wool or synthetic
- 1 – Gaiters, waterproof (optional)
Accessories
- 1 – Sunglasses or Goggles
- 1 – Backpack Cover, waterproof (optional)
- 1 – Water Bottle (Nalgene, 32 oz.)
- 1 – Water Bladder (Camelbak type, 3 liters)
- 1 – Water Bladder (Camelbak type, 3 liters)
- 1 – Pee Bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (recommended)
Stuff Sacks, Dry Bags or Plastic Bags, various sizes, to keep gear dry and separate
Equipment
- 1 – Sleeping Bag, warm, four seasons*
- 1 – Camp Pillow, inflatable (optional)
- 1 – Trekking Poles, collapsable (highly recommended)*
- 1 – Head Lamp, with extra batteries
- 1 – Duffel Bag, 50-90L capacity, for porters to carry your equipment
- 1 – Daypack, 30-35L capacity, for you to carry your personal gear
*may be rented on location
Other
- Toiletries
- Prescriptions
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Insect Repellent, containing DEET
- First Aid Kit
- Hand Sanitizer
- Wet Wipes (recommended)
- Snacks, light-weight, high calorie, high energy (optional)
- Toilet Paper
- Electrolytes, powder or tablets (optional)
- Camera, with extra batteries (optional)
Paperwork
- Trip Receipt
- Passport
- Visa (available at JRO)
- Immunization Papers
- Insurance Documents
The most common mistake that climbers make is that they over pack and bring way too much gear.
Be selective in what you take with you. Please note that our porters are limited to carrying 33 lbs (15 kgs) of your personal belongings. Everything the porters will carry for you between campsites should be placed into the duffel bag, including the sleeping bag, but it is OK to pack the sleeping bag separately if necessary. If you rent a sleeping bag from us, note that the bag weighs 5 lbs 6 oz. and this weight does count against the 33 lb limit.
Our porters will place your duffel bag and sleeping bag into a large, sturdy, waterproof bag with a roll-top closure.
If you have excess weight, you will be required to hire an additional porter. It is rare to require an extra porter and should happen only in special cases, such as for carrying extensive photography equipment. You are expected to bring everything you need, though we do rent warm sleeping bags and trekking poles on location. All extra luggage, items you will not use on your climb, such safari clothing, gear and equipment, can also be safely stored at the hotel.
Plastic, recyclable water bottles are not allowed in the park, due to past problems with litter. So water should be carried in Nalgene bottles, water bladders, or similar devices. You should be able to carry 3-4 liters of water with you at all times. Please do not bring alcohol. It is illegal to have alcohol in the park. Our staff will not carry it for you. Besides, drinking and high altitude do not mix well.
Checked luggage on airplanes can get lost or delayed on the way to Tanzania. You should prepare for this possibility by wearing or carrying on the items that are essential to your Kilimanjaro climb. While most clothing, gear and equipment can be replaced in Tanzania prior to your climb, there are some things that you should not replace.
We recommends that you wear one complete hiking outfit on the plane, including a long sleeve shirt, hiking pants, underwear, socks, and hiking boots. In your carry on baggage, you should bring your backpack, waterproof jacket and pants, insulated jacket, fleece pants, snacks, toiletries, medications, camera and all paperwork. Airline regulations do not allow you to carry trekking poles on the plane. Make sure you do wear/carry your hiking boots; wearing a different pair of boots on your climb will likely cause blistering.
If your baggage is lost or delayed, please notify us immediately upon your arrival so we can assist you in assembling the necessary gear. We will take you to local, independently owned rental gear shops in Moshi. Note that these shops generally carry second-hand items that may not be up to Western standards. Ultimate Kilimanjaro® cannot guarantee the fit, quality or functionality of items found in local shops. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to carry on the most important pieces of gear as noted above. We will make reasonable attempts to deliver delayed luggage to you on the mountain. All additional expenses that are incurred by us while resolving lost or delayed luggage problems must be reimbursed locally.
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