Climbing Packing List & FAQs

It is important to keep luggage to the barest minimum on the climb as possible.

Items such as camping facilities (Tents, Tables, Chairs, Mattress) are inclusive of the package fee therefore not listed above.

Please Note: We have all necessary gear needed for your climb at a reasonable rate in case you don’t want to buy any at your home town. Please request for the price list if interested.

KILIMANJARO
MOUNT MERU
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING FAQs

Download
Packing list

Packing list for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Clothing

Shorts
Hiking trousers (2)
Warm trousers (1)
T-shirts
Thermal bottoms – protects outer layers from moisture (at least 3)
Thermal tops – protects outer layers from moisture (at least 3)
Fleece jackets – worn on top of thermal top for more warmth and wind protection (1)
Fleece trousers – worn on top of thermal top for more warmth and wind protection (1)
Wind and waterproof jacket (1)
Down jacket (1)
Rain jacket (1)
Rain trousers – Insulation layer (1)
Warm hat – protection from the cold (1)
Gloves – protection from the cold (1 pair)
Glove liners – protection from the cold (1 pair)
Balaclava – protection from the cold on the summit (1)
Warm socks (at least 2 pairs)
Light weight socks (at least 4 pairs)
Gaiters – protection from water and mud (1 pair)
Scarf
Poncho, big enough to cover daypack
Cloth bags (eg drawstring gym bag), for separation and waterproofing of gear (note that plastic bags are banned in Tanzania)
For women: Sports Bra (Preferably synthetic)

Footwear

Sneakers – for travel and easy walking
Hiking boots
Sandals for base camp, they should be large enough for socks

Equipment list

Day pack with waterproof cover
Back pack
Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag liner
Trekking poles (1 pair)
Sunglasses
Water bottle/camelBak
Head torch
Thermos

Personals

Soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, Q-tips, floss, hairbrush
Toilet paper
Wet wipes
Ear plugs
Nalgene bottle to pee; helps when you don’t want to leave your tent during the cold nights
Towel – preferable microfiber as these dry faster
For women: Tampons/sanitary towels
For women: Feminine hygiene wipes
For women: Panty liners can help keep underwear fresher longer

Personal food items

Note: we provide three meals a day prepared by your personal chef, so this is purely if you wish to have some extra snack while hiking.

Granola bars
Candy bars Healthy meal bars
Fruit juice supplements
Ginger cookies or tea bags; helps reduce Acute mountain sickness (AMS)

Medical Items

Lip Balm or Chap sticks or Vaseline
Water purification tablets
Small personal first aid kit (should be simple and light); Aspirin, first aid tape, plasters (band aid)
Anti-diarrhea tablets
Skin blister repair kit (antiseptic cream)
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) tablets such as Admil/Acetazolamide/Diamox – Diamox is highly recommended with minimum side effects, but be sure to try them before hand to be sure if there aren’t any allergic reactions.
Analgesics; Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Aspirin, Tylenol etc.
Cough and cold medicine
Sore throat medicine such as strepsils
Antibiotics for stomach infections (advice with your doctor)
Elastic knee support especially for those with knee problems during steep gradients
Malaria medicine
Insect repellent with Diethyltoluamide (preferably 30%) can be worn both during the night and during the day for protection from yellow and dengue fever carrying mosquitoes.

Note: For contact lenses wearers, bring extra supplies. As there is a lot of dust, you might want to bring glasses as a back-up.

Extras

Pocket Knife
Cloth bags for keeping dirty or wet gear (note that plastic bags are banned in Tanzania)
Large Ziploc bags for storing mobile phones, journals, medical certificates etc.
Base camp entertainment such as playing cards, iPods etc.
Camera – you will need to sleep with your camera during the night and place it in your jacket during the day.
Extra cash in small bills preferably for small items, gratuities and for tipping as well.
Cloth pegs so as you can hang your wet clothes behind your backpack for drying if you wish to do so.
Matches
Insulating tape also for repairs
Watch preferably cheap and luminous for the summit trail
Journal and pen
Extra batteries and memory cards

Download
Packing list

Packing list for climbing Mount Meru

Clothing

Shorts
Hiking trousers (2)
Warm trousers (1)
T-shirts
Thermal bottoms – protects outer layers from moisture (at least 3)
Thermal tops – protects outer layers from moisture (at least 3)
Fleece jackets – worn on top of thermal top for more warmth and wind protection (1)
Fleece trousers – worn on top of thermal top for more warmth and wind protection (1)
Wind and waterproof jacket (1)
Down jacket (1)
Rain jacket (1)
Rain trousers – Insulation layer (1)
Warm hat – protection from the cold (1)
Gloves – protection from the cold (1 pair)
Glove liners – protection from the cold (1 pair)
Balaclava – protection from the cold on the summit (1)
Warm socks (at least 2 pairs)
Light weight socks (at least 4 pairs)
Gaiters – protection from water and mud (1 pair)
Scarf
Poncho, big enough to cover daypack
Cloth bags (eg a drawstring gym bag), for separation and waterproofing of gear (note that plastic bags are banned in Tanzania)
For women: Sports Bra (Preferably synthetic)

Footwear

Sneakers – for travel and easy walking
Hiking boots
Sandals for base camp, they should be large enough for socks

Equipment list

Day pack with waterproof cover
Back pack
Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag liner
Trekking poles (1 pair)
Sunglasses
Water bottle /camel back
Head torch
Thermos

Personals

Soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, Q-tips, floss, hairbrush
Toilet paper
Wet wipes
Ear plugs
Nalgene bottle to pee; helps when you don’t want to leave your tent during the cold nights
Towel – preferable microfiber as these dry faster
For women: Tampons/sanitary towels
For women: Feminine hygiene wipes
For women: Panty liners can help keep underwear fresher longer

Personal food items

Note: we provide three meals a day prepared by your personal chef, so this is purely if you wish to have some extra snack while hiking.

Granola bars
Candy bars Healthy meal bars
Fruit juice supplements
Ginger cookies or tea bags; helps reduce Acute mountain sickness (AMS)

Medical Items

Lip Balm or Chap sticks or Vaseline
Water purification tablets
Small personal first aid kit (should be simple and light); Aspirin, first aid tape, plasters (band aid)
Anti-diarrhea tablets
Skin blister repair kit (antiseptic cream)
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) tablets such as Admil/Acetazolamide/Diamox – Diamox is highly recommended with minimum side effects, but be sure to try them before hand to be sure if there aren’t any allergic reactions.
Analgesics; Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Aspirin, Tylenol etc.
Cough and cold medicine
Sore throat medicine such as strepsils
Antibiotics for stomach infections (advice with your doctor)
Elastic knee support especially for those with knee problems during steep gradients
Malaria medicine
Insect repellent with Diethyltoluamide (preferably 30%) can be worn both during the night and during the day for protection from yellow and dengue fever carrying mosquitoes.

Note: For contact lenses wearers, bring extra supplies. As there is a lot of dust, you might want to bring glasses as a back-up.

Extras

Pocket Knife
Cloth bags for keeping dirty or wet gear (note that plastic bags are banned in Tanzania)
Large Ziploc bags for storing mobile phones, journals, medical certificates etc.
Base camp entertainment such as playing cards, iPods etc.
Camera – you will need to sleep with your camera during the night and place it in your jacket during the day.
Extra cash in small bills preferably for small items, gratuities and for tipping as well.
Cloth pegs so as you can hang your wet clothes behind your backpack for drying if you wish to do so.
Matches
Insulating tape also for repairs
Watch preferably cheap and luminous for the summit trail
Journal and pen
Extra batteries and memory cards

Mountain Climbing FAQs

WHAT IF I AM SLOW?

It is important for your body to acclimatize, and to achieve this, is to proceed slowly giving your body time to acclimatize to the increasing altitude.
There is plenty of time for each days trek even for those who will like to go very slowly.

WHAT IF I CANT MAKE IT TO THE TOP?

If you decide that you cannot continue, or if your guide deems its unsafe for you to continue, he will assist you down the mountain, your guide knows a network of shortcuts and will escort you to the most convenient campsite or hut.

HOW FIT WILL I HAVE TO BE?

Mount Kilimanjaro & Meru does not require any skills or special equipment, many state that they are easily accessible however you should not underestimate either of them, general fitness is required.

Some very fit climbers say it is the hardest thing they have ever done, therefore the best you can do is to adequately train yourself to be in the best possible hiking shape.

HOW MANY HOURS WILL I TREK PER DAY?

You can find this info on the package page of the respective route.

HOW MUCH EQUIPMENT WILL I CARRY?

You are expected to carry your own day pack which you will store what you need while on trek on that respective day, what you carry should be able to sustain you until you arrive at the camp. What you need in your daypack depends on your priorities, drinking water, basic medical kit, camera, a rain jacket, a hat, a pair of gloves, your favorite snack and a warm layer are among the essential items needed.

Your Backpack will be carried by a porter, the weight per porter is limited to 20kgs, if you bring excess of this you will be charged extra $100 for an extra porter for the whole climb, your backpack will be carried from camp to camp and arrive in time before you.

WHAT IS THE ACCOMMODATION LIKE?

Except for Marangu route and Mount Meru climb where climbers sleep in basic huts , 3 person mountain tents are used to accommodate 2 climbers using other routes, with full ground pads to keep you and your gear dry. The tents are setup at camp for overnight, dismantled and carried along with everything else by our porters to the next camp.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK?

The most common mistake most climbers make is over packing. It is important to keep luggage to the barest minimum when on trek, be selective in what you are to carry. See packing list.Baggage should be of round squashy type.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO CLIMB?

Due to its proximity to the equator, the region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer but rather wet and dry seasons. Therefore the best time of climb is during the driest months however traffic at the mountain is at its peak at this time (January – March is warm with lush green landscapes, June – October are the coolest months).The effects of climbing during wet season is mud, rain, snow, ice & cold can be very strenuous to the body reducing the chances for a successful summit (End of March – End of May & late November are the wet months).