Important Information About Kilimanjaro
Know before you go
- Accommodation is on a sharing basis: you will share a twin/double room in the hotel, a night before and after the hike, If you travel alone, you will be matched with a same-gender adventurer. A single supplement room is available $350 for two nights if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip.
- On the mountain you will sleep in the tents on your own mattress but share a tent with other travel companion. A single supplement tent is available $250 for the whole trip if you’d prefer not to share a tent on this trip.
- The diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by professional high-altitude cooks
- This is an 8-day hike to summit Kilimanjaro but this package also includes 2 nights’ accommodation in a hotel (1 night before the climb and 1 night after)
Paperwork Needed
- Passport
- Visa (available at JRO)
- Vaccination/Immunization Papers
- Insurance
Do I Need to Carry All My Own Gear on Kilimanjaro?
Absolutely not! Because our trips are fully supported, our porters will carry most of your gear from hut to hut.
You only have to carry a small daypack with the things that you might need while hiking to the next campsite. Generally, that would include extra clothing, rain gear, snacks and water.
Everything else goes into your duffel bag, which will be ready in your room by the hut you get to the camp.
Our porters will place your duffel bag and sleeping bag into a large, sturdy, waterproof bag with a roll-top closure.
Is There a Weight Limit for My Kilimanjaro Gear?
Our porters are limited to carrying 33 lbs (15 kgs) of your personal belongings. So be selective in what you take with you.
The most common mistake that climbers make is that they over pack and bring too much gear. If you are having issues getting under the weight limit, review your gear along with our gear list carefully and cut out any extra or unnecessary items
Note that all the gear that 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.
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.
Can I Store Extra Luggage at the Hotel?
Yes. All extra luggage, items you will not use on your climb, such safari clothing, gear and equipment, can be safely stored at the hotel.
What Happens if My Baggage is Lost or Delayed?
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 gear shops in Moshi. But you might not be able to find what you need at these stores and the quality and condition of the gear might be substandard. 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.
What Gear Do I Need To Climb Kilimanjaro?
The gear required to climb Kilimanjaro is extensive. You are responsible for bringing personal gear and equipment while communal equipment (tents, food, cooking items, etc.) is provided
Below is a Kilimanjaro 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, with hood
2 – Soft Jacket, fleece or soft-shell
3 – Long Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking (hood recommended)
1 – Short Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking (optional)
1 – Waterproof Pants, breathable (side zipper recommended)
2 – Hiking Pants
1 – Fleece Pants, warm
1 – Shorts (optional)
1 – Long Underwear, moisture-wicking
4 – Underwear, moisture-wicking
3 – Sport Bra (women)
Headwear
1 – Brimmed Hat, for sun protection
1 – Knit Hat, for warmth
1 – Neck Gaiter, for dust, wind and warmth
Handwear
1 – Gloves, warm (waterproof recommended)
1 – Gloves, light
Footwear
1 – Hiking Boots or Shoes, warm, waterproof
4 – Socks, wool or synthetic
1 – Gaiters, waterproof (optional)
Accessories
1 – Sunglasses
1 – Backpack Cover, waterproof (optional)
1 – Water Bottle (Nalgene, 32 oz.)
1 – Water Bladder (Camelbak type, 3 liters)
1 – Towel, lightweight, quick-dry (optional)
1 – Pee Bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (recommended)
Stuff Sacks, Dry Bags or “Ziploc”-Type Plastic Bags, to keep gear dry and separate. Note that there is a general ban on plastic bags in Tanzania, however Ziploc-type bags for toiletries are permitted for tourists.
Equipment
1 – Sleeping Bag, warm, four seasons*
1 – Sleeping Pad, inflatable (optional, foam pad provided)
1 – Camp Pillow, inflatable (optional)
1 – Trekking Poles, collapsible (highly recommended)*
1 – Head Lamp, with extra batteries
1 – Duffel Bag, 70L-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
- Toilet Paper
- Wet Wipes
- Snacks, light-weight, high calorie, high energy (recommended)
- Electrolytes, powder or tablets (optional)
- Camera, with extra batteries (optional)
Where Will I Sleep On Kilimanjaro?
Mountain Hardwear Tents
Climbers will sleep in state of the art, four-season mountain tents during the trek.
Our Mountain Hardwear tents are warm, waterproof and roomy – perfectly suited for your Kilimanjaro adventure.
We understand that some climbers are anxious about camping for so many days, so we aim to have them be as dry, warm and comfortable as possible.
Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 tents are built for the toughest alpine conditions.
Trango 3 tents are standard issue for refined basecamp shelters on mountaineering expeditions worldwide.
Each three-person sized tent will comfortably house two climbers and their gear. The interior floor space is 48 square feet, with a large vestibule, dual doors, and internal mesh pockets. The Trango 3 is a fully waterproof tent with fully taped seams and welded corners
A 1.5inch foam sleeping pad is provided to all climbers.
These sleeping pads are better than any commercially available sleeping pad. Therefore, it is not necessary to bring another sleeping pad unless you really want to use your own, or perhaps to double up on pads.
Our sleeping pads are thick, warm and comfortable, even for those not used to camping. Most of our clients are pleasantly surprised how well they manage to sleep on our trips.
The pad is placed inside a washable cover for cleanliness.
Mountain Hardwear Sleeping Bag Rentals
Mountain Hardwear Lamina -20F and -30F sleeping bags are available for rent on location in Tanzania for $50 per trip (USD). You do not need to reserve them ahead of time. Just request a rental sleeping bag at the trip briefing on the day before your climb.
These warm, winter synthetic sleeping bags are constructed to enhance loft and eliminate cold spots. The durable nylon shell repels water while the polyester lining wicks away moisture, keeping weary climbers dry and warm.
The Lamina is long enough to fit someone 6′ 6″ tall, weighs 5 lbs 14 oz. and is temperature rated to -20F (-29C) or -30F (-34C), more than sufficient even for Kilimanjaro’s chilly nights.
They are washed after every use and rented for only a short period before they are removed from the rental inventory
