What To Pack For Your Trip?
Packing for Mount Kilimanjaro
- You will need clothes for hiking, lounging in the evening and for sleeping
- Layers are important as temperatures vary greatly
- Shorts, for first and last day as temperatures are fairly warm on those days
- Pants, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
- T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
- Long underwear
- Fleece pants
- Fleece jacket/wool sweater
- Rain jacket (or poncho)
- Large duffel bag or backpack, for porters to carry
- Plastic bags for storage, including a small plastic (zip lock) bag to help prevent camera lens from fogging
- Extra luggage can be stored for free at the hotel in Arusha we recommend you carry all valuables with you
- Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen or Aspirin
- Throat lozenges
- Bandages, tape, Ace bandage
- Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Disinfectant, antiseptic cream
- Diarrheal medicine
- Melatonin (1-3mg) or other sleep aid
- Malaria pills (talk to your doctor)
- Antibiotics (talk to your doctor)
- Prescription drugs (talk to your doctor)
- Diamox (talk to your doctor)
- Mittens and/or gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered)
- Wool or pile hat
- Balaclava/neck gaiters
- Hand and foot warmers (chemically activated)
- Yellow fever certificate
- Medical insurance
- Address book
- Vaccination records
- Airline tickets
- Cash, travelers’ checks/checks, credit cards
- Maps, guidebooks
- Make copies of passport, TZ visa, airline tickets/schedule, and travelers check numbers
- Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a separate place in your luggage
- Be sure to break in your shoes before the hike
- Trekking shoes for hiking during the day, preferably warm, waterproof, and light
- Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
- Gaiters
- Hiking socks for warmer conditions
- Wool socks for colder conditions
- Sock liners to wick away moisture
- Sleeping bag rated 0 degrees F (about -17 degrees Celsius) or colder is recommended
- Sleeping tents are provided (included in tour price)
- Foam sleeping pads are provided (included in tour price)
- Therma-rest sleeping pads (you may bring your own in case you prefer this over foam pads)
- Toilet paper (and baggie to carry used paper while on the trail)
- Small tower
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Handy-wipes (moist towelettes for cleaning)
- Hand sanitizer
- Glasses, contact lenses, solution
- Water bottles and camelback (2 – 3)
- Purchase 3 liters of bottled water before commencing the trek (your driver will stop at a supermarket in Arusha or Moshi)
- Your guides will boil water for you along the route
- Water on the mountain is fetched from the natural springs. The water is rich in minerals. We recommend bringing Gatorade or other drink mixes to help mask the taste
- Water filter or iodine purification tablets
- To prevent water from freezing on summit day, keep your water source inside your jacket
- For those using camelbacks, blow air back into the bladder after each sip and drink often
- Sun hat with brim
- Sunglasses
- Money (for tipping, personal items, souvenirs, etc. USD cash is preferred
- Ski or trekking poles
- Headlamp
- Camera, memory cards, tripod
- Video camera, memory cards
- Bring extra sets of batteries for headlamp/flashlight and camera as cold weather shortens their life
- Notebook, journal, pencil and pen
- Pocket knife
- Electricity adapter
- Energy bars, hard candy, snacks and comfort foods
- Playing cards, games, books, Frisbee, football, kite
- Chocolate or pens for village children, mementos for guides, porters, and other climbers
- Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season, can be purchased in the market for about
- Sewing kit
