This is our general Kilimanjaro kit list. It is always difficult reading these lists determining which items are essential and which optional and determining whether the kit you have matches the requirements. If in doubt, pop a question in the comments below and we'll be happy to answer any specific questions you may have. 

Baggage and Sleeping kit for climbing Kilimanjaro

1. Large Rucksack or Holdall, 60-80 litres capacity (for kit carried by porter, recommended maximum 15kg) with a waterproof interior liner (or use plastic bags for all your gear in the bag) and elasticated waterproof cover
2. Daysack, 25-35 litres (for personal use on mountain; ready-access items such as water, camera, spare layers etc.) with elasticated waterproof cover.
3. Sleeping Bag (recommended comfort rating to minus 10 degrees Centigrade rating or colder). A sleeping bag comfort rated to -5 degrees Celsius can be sufficient if you also use a silk mummy sleeping bag liner (gives the sleeping bag an extra 5 degrees C)
4. NB: sleeping mattresses are not required as provided.

Clothing for climbing Kilimanjaro

1. Underwear: Very good quality hiking socks and thin liner socks. (We advise that socks should be at least a size too small otherwise they stretch and bunch causing blisters)
2. Base Layers: 3 Sweat-wicking T-shirts / vests or long sleeve t-shirts
3. Thermal long-johns: Mid Layers
4. 2 Fleeces (which can be worn together if necessary)
5. Lightweight walking trousers (avoid jeans or heavy cotton as they chafe and dry slowly)
6. Outer Shell Layers: Lightweight breathable waterproof jacket and trousers. A good down jacket is recommended (or depending on personal preference an extra technical mid-layer, such as a good soft shell or synthetic insulated jacket)
7. Down mittens or similar.
8. Waterproof walking boots, sturdy and worn-in. A Gore-Tex membrane or similar is advised. While Alpine or C3 boots are not required for Kilimanjaro it is important that your boots have good ankle and arch support and good deep read patterns.
9. Calf gaiters
10. Balaclava
11. Gore-Tex Mountain Cap or Woollen Hat
12. Wide brimmed sun hat to protect face, ears and neck

Wash-bag

1. Toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
2. Flat packed Wet Ones, travel wipes, or similar for personal hygiene on the mountain. 
3. Kleenex tissues in plastic travel pouches or toilet paper
4. Hairbrush / comb (if required)
5. Sanitary products 
6. Lip salve with UV protection (essential)
7. High SPF (Factor 30+) Sun cream
8. Vaseline, to prevent chafing skin and heel friction blisters
9. Spare Contact Lenses and fluid, if worn

First Aid / Medical Kit

1. Malaria Tablets (if you choose to take these. Most will seek advice from their GP. Note that some anti-malarial courses need to commence several weeks before departure) 
2. Pain Killers (Ibuprofen)
3. Diamox (Acetazolamide) if you choose to use this.
4. Paracetamol 
5. Zinc oxide tape and small scissors.
6. Compeed Blister Pads 
7. Loperamide Diarrhea Tablets
8. Any medication you normally use
9. Dioralyte sachets or similar rehydration packs.
10. Note that your guide will carry a more comprehensive medical kit containing additional Acetazolamide, Ibuprofen, Anti-inflammatory gel, bandages, Loperamide, Amoxycilin, Oral Dexamethasone, and several other items.

Documents needed when travelling to Kilimanjaro

1. Passport (with additional 6 months’ validity after proposed expedition return date) 
2. Tanzanian Entry Visa. (If flying to Nairobi and taking the bus to Arusha Kenyan visas can be bought on arrival at Nairobi airport.) 
3. Air Travel Documents
4. Cash in US dollars in denominations of $10 and $20 and $1 (tipping allowance and local purchases, taxis, meals, etc.) 
5. Credit Card (recommended for eventualities only)
6. Travel Insurance Documents 
7. Vaccination Certificates (Yellow Fever, if visiting a ‘risk zone’ prior to entering Tanzania)
8. Traveller’s Cheques are not recommended as they are subject to very poor conversion rates in Arusha.

Other recommended items

1. Optional but recommended: Mountain Fuel (inter-meal energy supplements and recovery drinks) or your favourite energy snacks (cereal bars, dried fruit and nuts)
2. Digital Camera and spare memory cards and battery
3. Sunglasses
4. Watch
5. Head torch with spare batteries and bulb for summit night & tent admin
6. Water bottles & Camelbak (minimum 3 litres carrying capacity in total)
7. Optional but recommended: Nuun hydration aids (portable electrolyte replacement tablets)
8. Water Purification Tablets / Iodine drops 
9. Ear Plugs and blindfold (to aid sleep on afternoon before summit night)
10. Plastic bags (for dirty washing, wrappings, etc.) 
11. Telescopic walking poles (optional)
12. Mobile phone. There is signal reception on most parts of the mountain. It is a good idea to unlock your phone before you come out so that a local sim card can be used.
13. Optional but recommended: a good, strong, thermally efficient blizzard survival bag. We strongly recommend that all climbers possess one of these, especially when training alone or in small groups while preparing for Kilimanjaro. On Kilimanjaro, perhaps 10 - 15% of climbers complain to their guides of being cold in their sleeping bags, despite using a bag that is rated for minus 20 degrees C or lower. This is because the body generates less heat when there is relatively little oxygen available. Having one of these bags will reflect much of that precious heat back to where it’s needed.