Climbing Gear List – Which Gear Do I Need to climb Kilimanjaro?
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is an adventure – a physical and mental challenge as you are crossing different climate zones and facing changing weather conditions.
Everyday on the mountain will be different and the weather can change anytime. All our climbs start in a hot, tropical rain forest zone that will turn into a rough, dry area before reaching the arctic zone with temperatures below -25 °C (-13 °F). Beside preparing yourself physically and mentally, having the right equipment is essential for your success!
Kilimanjaro Marvellous Safaris Ltd will assist you to choose the right gear for your climb as we have helped thousands of successful climbers before.
Follow this simple rule: Dress in layers!
Mount Kilimanjaro has 5 climate zones. The key to success is to be prepared for the changing environments that you will be facing. Therefore you will need the right gear. In order to be flexible and fast enough to adapt to changes, it is important to dress accordingly. The easiest way to do that is to divide your gear into layers that are easy to add or to remove. Your gear can be divided into three layers: a base layer, a mid-layer and an outer layer.
- Base layer: Underwear, T-shirt (fast drying = no cotton), socks
- Mid-layer: Trekking Jacket, Trekking Trouser, Fleece Jacket
- Outer Layer: Rain Jacket, Rain Trouser, Winter Jacket, Winter Trouser, Hat, Gloves
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 and follow the advice of our list. For all excess weight you will need to pay for an additional porter. This should happen only in special cases!
- You have to carry 4 liters of water in your Daypack. You can use water bottles, water bladders and thermos bottles. As temperatures can go below freezing point, we recommend to carry thermos bottles and to use the water bladder during daytime
- Don’t drink and climb. Alcohol will create severe problems on the mountain and you risk to fail to summit
- All luggage that you don’t need to climb can be safely stored at your hotel/ or at our office while you are climbing
- As your travel luggage might get lost or arrive later than you, there is a chance that you might not receive your luggage on time. We recommend to travel with the most important things you need for your Daypack in your hand luggage. We highly recommend that you carry-on all important items such as prescription medication, camera equipment, essential toiletries (please keep in mind that many airlines have liquid restrictions) and one or two changes of clothes in case your luggage arrives late or gets lost at the airport. Kilimanjaro Marvellous Safaris Ltd cannot be held reliable for any loss, damage or delay of your luggage as this is subject to the airline that you are arriving with from your home country.
- You will be able to leave the luggage that you don’t need during your climb at your accommodation / our office where it will be kept securely.
Your Kilimanjaro Gear will contain 2 separate bags:
- Your Daypack
In your Daypack you will only carry items that you need to reach the next camp and should not exceed 10kg (20lbs). You will have to carry the Daypack by yourself during the entire climb. A regular backpack, with a capacity of about 30 to 35 liters is the maximum that you should carry with you. Every day will be different, so the items in your Daypack will change according to the expected climate and weather conditions.
A Daypack contains:
Water bottles/Water bladder (total: 4 liters), snacks, gloves, hat, sunglasses, sun screen, rain jacket, walking poles, lip balm. Our guides will tell you every morning what conditions you will face and how to prepare your Daypack
· PLEASE NOTE:
· We highly recommend that you carry-on all important items such as prescription medication, camera equipment, essential toiletries (please keep in mind that many airlines have liquid restrictions) and one or two changes of clothes in case your luggage arrives late or gets lost at the airport. Kilimanjaro Marvellous Safaris Ltd cannot be held reliable for any loss, damage or delay of your luggage as this is subject to the airline that you are arriving with from your home country.
· All gear can be rented on arrival in Arusha so that you don’t have to carry all items in your luggage!
· Headwear
1 – Brimmed Hat, for sun protection
1 – Winter Hat
1 – Balaclava (optional, recommended, effective against wind, cold & dust)
1 – Brimmed Hat, for sun protection
1 – Winter Hat
1 – Balaclava (optional, recommended, effective against wind, cold & dust)
· Handwear
1 – Gloves, thin liner
1 – Winter Gloves, warm (waterproof recommended)
1 – Gloves, thin liner
1 – Winter Gloves, warm (waterproof recommended)
· Footwear
1 – Hiking Boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in
4 – Socks, wool or synthetic
1 – Gym Shoes, to wear at camp (optional)
1 – Gaiters, waterproof (optional)
1 – Hiking Boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in
4 – Socks, wool or synthetic
1 – Gym Shoes, to wear at camp (optional)
1 – Gaiters, waterproof (optional)
· Accessories
1 – Sunglasses or Goggles
2 – Water Bottle (1 Liter each)
1 – Water Bladder (2 Liter)
1 – Towel, lightweight, quick-dry (optional)
1 – Pee Bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (optional)
3 – Dry Bags (reusable plastic bags, various sizes, to keep gear dry and separate (optional)
1 – Backpack Cover, waterproof (optional, ideally part of your daypack)
1 – Sunglasses or Goggles
2 – Water Bottle (1 Liter each)
1 – Water Bladder (2 Liter)
1 – Towel, lightweight, quick-dry (optional)
1 – Pee Bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (optional)
3 – Dry Bags (reusable plastic bags, various sizes, to keep gear dry and separate (optional)
1 – Backpack Cover, waterproof (optional, ideally part of your daypack)
· Additional Equipment
1 – Head Lamp, with extra batteries
1 – Duffel Bag, 90-120L capacity, for porters to carry your equipment (Maximum 15kg)
1 – Daypack, 30-36L capacity, for you to carry your personal gear (10 kg)
1 – Sleeping Bag, warm, four seasons
1 – sleeping bag inlay (optional: in case you are likely to feel cold)
1 – Camp Pillow, inflatable (optional)
1 – Trekking Poles, collapsible (highly recommended)
1 – Head Lamp, with extra batteries
1 – Duffel Bag, 90-120L capacity, for porters to carry your equipment (Maximum 15kg)
1 – Daypack, 30-36L capacity, for you to carry your personal gear (10 kg)
1 – Sleeping Bag, warm, four seasons
1 – sleeping bag inlay (optional: in case you are likely to feel cold)
1 – Camp Pillow, inflatable (optional)
1 – Trekking Poles, collapsible (highly recommended)
Other items:
- Sunscreen (30 or 50, highly recommended)
- Lip Balm (highly recommended)
- Snacks, light-weight, high calorie, high energy (highly recommended)
- Wet Wipes (recommended)
- Insect Repellent, containing DEET (optional)
- Electrolytes, powder or tablets (optional)
- Camera, with extra batteries (optional)
- Toiletries (optional)
- Prescriptions (optional)
- Hand Sanitizer (optional)
- Toilet Paper (optional)
Paperwork & Documents:
- Trip Receipt
- Passport
- Visa (for most visitors available on arrival at the airport)
- Immunization Papers
Travel Insurance (valid for the altitude of Kilimanjaro