Kilimanjaro expedition equipment

What do I take in my backpack?

It's time to pack your bags in preparation for the climbing of mythical Kilimanjaro and you don't want to forget a crucial item.

Here is a non exhasutive list of equipment to climb Kilimanjaro we advise you to take.

Generally speaking, plan to take a backpack 15kg maximum, (think of the porters) + a smaller one around 30 litres for your everyday needs (water, clothes ...).

Clothing

• Technical tee-shirts short and long sleeves. They protect from cold, evacuate sweat and dry quickly.
• 1 ou 2 fleece jacket to keep warm. They also cut the wind.
• 1 gore-tex jacket. Keeps you dry by evacuating sweat from the body.
• Good pair of waterproof hiking shoes. And don't by them the day before you leave! You must walk with the shoes before you go hiking because new shoes are likely to cause blisters.
• Thick socks, possibly anti-blister socks.
• 1 rain cape (very useful and not expensive).
• 2 hiking pants: 1 light one and 1 warm one.
• 1 technical underpant
• 1 pair of silk light gloves (to wear alone or under your gloves) and 1 pair of warm gloves.
• 1 warm hat and/or 1 balaclava.
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 cap or light hat
• 1 swimsuit mainly useful for the swimming pool of the hotel the last day.

Accessories

• 2 walking poles. It's an indispensable item so much for the climb or the descent. The poles help for stability, they diminish the efforts and soften the desent.
• 1 head light with brand new batteries. Don't hesitate to put all your batteries (camera, video camera) in your sleeping bag while you sleep so they don't disharge because of the cold.
• 1 water flask of 1 litre minimum, 2 litres is even, better. It is essential to drink a lot during the hike.
• 1 multifonction knife (swiss knife)
• 1 pair of sunglasses. The UV rating is very hogh on Kilimanjaro slopes. Therefore you'd better get a good pair of sunglasses.
• 1 lip balm.
• 1 first aid kit which advised content is displayed on our health page.
• 1 card game (belote and/or tarot)
• 1 book
• 1 toilet tissue roll
• 1 lighter to burn toilet tissue
• Earplugs
• Baby wipes for your body as it is almost impossible to wash oneself with water
• Plastic bags and/or ziploc to protect your documents (passport, plane tickets...) from humidity
• 1 fine cord and clothespins to dry your clothes. During the day you can attach them to your backpack
• Needle and thread to repair potential damage to your belongings such as backpack or clothes. The needle might also help you pierce blisters.
• 1 solar cream whit high UV protection
• Water purification tabs
• 1 multifonction watch (temperature, altitude...)
• A camera with spare batteries and memory cards
• A cellphone. Yes, believe it or not but you'll get signal at each camp, even Barafu at 4600m. It's ideal to send SMS.
• Pen and paper

Camping

• 1 expedition sleeping bag to at least -10 degrees.
• 1 bed sheet.
• 1 sleeping pad in case they are not supplied (check with your travel agency).
• 1 30 to 40 litres backpack where you'll carry your personal belongings for the day
• 1 bag for storing things at the hotel during the expedition.