Trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro Packing List

Climate

You will pass through many climates when climbing to the peak of Africa’s tallest mountain. Be prepared for anything – cold, hot, rainy, foggy, windy and snowy. It can reach up to 100 degrees at the base and the summit may be well below freezing. We suggest packing things that can be layered and that are also moisture-wicking and breathable.

Download printable checklist here.

Accessories , Clothing & Footwear

Travel Gear

Luggage

Personal Items

Travel Documents

Backpacking Packing List

There are many questions you will need to answer when deciding what to pack on your backpacking adventure.  Things like:

• How long will I be gone?
• How much weight can I realistically carry?
• What environmental and/or route conditions will I encounter?
• Why am I doing this in the first place?!

Backpacking

The length of your trip will dictate the amount of food and water you need and, if you’re like us, how many changes of clothes you will want.  Don’t know about you, but we don’t really want to be rocking the same base layers more than 3 days in a row.

To assess how much weight you can carry, fill your pack up to the maximum weight that feels comfortable to you when trying it on.  Then remove at least 1/3 of the weight.  It might feel light enough when simply trying it on, but wearing it for hours at a time, while physically exerting yourself, possibly at altitude, will make that weight feel a lot heavier. 

The environmental and/or route conditions will dictate the clothing and gear you pack.  If you are backpacking in winter, for example, a) you might be crazy and, b) you will need a sleeping bag rated for cooler temps, you may want to take a different kind of tent and you will want to have warmer layers.

Why ARE you doing this in the first place?  Are you doing this for fun, to enjoy nature and see some pretty scenery?  Or are you doing this to haul ass and beat a record?  Depending on your objectives for your trip, you may want to pack heavier or lighter all around.

This is a comprehensive list of everything you might need or want on a Backpacking Trip. Depending on the specifics of your trip and/or your preferences, you may exclude some of these items or may include others not listed here. You will want to limit the load to those items necessary to keep you safe, dry and comfortable.

[Optional Items / Varies by Trip Type]

Accessories , Clothing & Footwear

Travel Gear

Luggage

Kitchen

Personal Items

Adventure Travel Packing List

Before you can decide what to pack on your adventure travel trip, you need to determine two things:

1)   Who is actually carrying the gear?

• If your trip is Sherpa / Mule supported, see the Sherpa-Supported Adventure Travel Packing List below.
• If you will be carrying your gear, see the Backpacking Packing List.

2)   What will the climate be like?

• Base your clothing and weather protection choices on the anticipated climate and be prepared for unexpected weather.
• To understand how to modify your packing list for certain weather conditions, see Tips and Picks for Clothing and Footwear.

Sherpa-Supported Adventure Travel

If your trip involves Sherpas (aka Porters) or mules or another means of carrying the bulk of your gear for you, you will most likely pack different luggage and you will be able to carry more weight (although keep in mind your airline’s and guide agency’s weight restrictions).

Many of the items you will need might be available from your guide agency. Operators usually provide tents and ground cloths as part of the included price, however you can often rent sleeping bags, sleeping pads and trekking poles for an additional price. Check with the guide agency.

This is a comprehensive list of everything you might need or want on your Sherpa-Supported Adventure Travel Trip.   Depending on the specifics of your trip and/or your preferences, you may exclude some of these items or may include others not listed here.  You will want to limit the load to those items necessary to keep you safe, dry and comfortable.

[Optional Items / Varies by Trip Type]

*May be provided by your travel operator or guide agency – check with them 

Accessories , Clothing & Footwear

Travel Gear

Luggage

Personal Items

Travel Documents

Camping Packing List

Before you can decide what to pack on your camping trip, you need to determine two things:

 Camping

If you are camping in a well-developed area, such as a state park or campground, you might not need to bring as much as you would otherwise.  Things like a table to eat on, a camp stove, and bathroom supplies would not be necessary. 

Most people “car camp” which doesn’t actually mean sleeping in your car.  It means driving right up to your campsite and setting up camp there.  In this case, you can bring as much as your car can carry and most of the comforts from home because you don’t need to worry about shlepping all that gear very far.

This is a comprehensive list of everything you might need or want on your Car Camping Trip. Depending on the specifics of your trip and/or your preferences, you may exclude some of these items or may include others not listed here. You will want to limit the load to those items necessary to keep you safe, dry and comfortable.

[Optional Items / Varies by Trip Type]

*Depending on facilities and amenities available at campsite

Accessories , Clothing & Footwear

Gear

Personal Items

Kitchen

Overnight Kayaking Packing List

When packing for an overnight kayak or canoe trip, you will want to consider the following:

1. Weight and size (space is very limited)
2. Placement in your “luggage” (aka dry bags)
3. Placement in the boat (weight needs to be properly distributed)
4. Water conditions you will or may experience (sea or whitewater)
5. Weather conditions you will or may experience

Obviously, you will be on the water so there’s a good chance your food, clothing and gear will get exposed to water. As such, pack everything possible in waterproof and air-tight containers.   And only bring synthetic materials for your sleeping bag and clothes. Down is the worst choice, then cotton, then wool. Synthetic is the best material for drying quickly and retaining warmth when wet.

Interested? Find out what to pack here!