For the Kilimanjaro climb, you will be packing a porter duffel bag and a daypack each day. You will carry your daypack each day, while the porter duffel will be carried by one of your porter crew.

Murphy Expeditions will provide you with a porter duffle bag for the mountain. The maximum weight for your porter duffel is 20kg (44 lbs), but 17-18kg (37-40 lbs) is better. You will want a suitcase or other luggage to leave at the hotel with extra items that do not need to go to the mountain, plus a smaller duffel (50-60 liter) for the safari if you are joining after the climb.

FOOTWEAR

WOOL OR SYNTHETIC SOCKS

6 pairs of midweight to heavyweight hiking socks. Choose wool or synthetic socks. Newer socks offer increased loft, warmth, and padding than older socks. Your socks must fit comfortably over liner socks, if you choose to use liner socks. Plan to dedicate one pair of socks to use around camp and when sleeping on colder nights.

HIKING BOOTS

Waterproof hiking boots designed for hiking in cool to cold conditions. Look for modern, lightly insulated boots with room in the toe box and good support. Models like the Scarpa Terra GTX are ideal.

CAMP SHOES

Most people will want a comfortable camp shoe to wear around after hiking for the day. A simple running shoe is great for this.

GAITERS

Waterproof gaiters sized to fit your boots snugly. Short to mid gaiters that create a tight secure closure lower or mid-calf are ideal. Taller tradition mountaineering gaiters will also work well. Gaiters are used for mud lower down on the mountain and scree/rocks higher up.

TREKKING POLES

Collapsible skiing/trekking poles. Three section, adjustable-height models are preferred.

TECHNICAL CLOTHING: base layers+mid layers

SHORT UNDERWEAR / BRAS

5 to 6 pairs, including the pair you are wearing on Day 1. Synthetic or wool fabrics only—no cotton! Bring comfortable athletic styles based on your needs and preferences (e.g., boxers, briefs, sports bras). Women should bring 2 sports bras as these can be slow to dry.

SYNTHETIC T-SHIRTS

Two short-sleeved outdoor T-shirts for hiking on warm days and as a base layer. “Tech tees” work well for this, as they are synthetic and quick-drying. These could also be long-sleeve, collared safari shirts, which have vents.

LIGHT BASE LAYER BOTTOM

Lighter-weight base layer bottoms that fit snugly without constriction. Wool, wool blend, polyester, or other synthetic fabrics all work well. No cotton.

MEDIUM TO HEAVY BASE LAYER BOTTOM

Medium to heavy base layer bottoms are used while climbing in colder conditions, such as on summit night. Can also be used as your sleeping layer on colder nights higher up on the mountain. No cotton.

LONG-SLEEVE SUN SHIRTS

Two long-sleeved base layer “sun hoodies.” This item must be constructed of a non-cotton material such as merino wool or polyester. Light-colored, hooded sun shirts are strongly recommended for sun protection and are worn by guides throughout most climbs. One of the most useful long-sleeve pieces in your clothing system.

MIDLAYER TOP

A mid-weight, fleece layer to go over base layers and sun shirts. Can be hooded or not, pullover or zip. Grid-type fleeces have the best warmth-to-weight ratio.

TECHNICAL CLOTHING: Pants

TREKKING PANTS

Bring one or two pairs of lightweight nylon trekking pants for the low to middle portions of the climb. Some prefer to bring zip-off styles, while others bring a pair of trekking shorts instead of a second pair of trekking pants. These also work well on safari and for travel. Tights can substitute for this pant layer if preferred, especially lower down on the mountain.

SOFTSHELL PANTS

Stretchy, comfortable, non-insulated softshell pants that fit comfortably with or without your base layer bottoms. These are thicker, heavier fabric than lightweight trekking pants, and more durable. These are typically worn on summit night over your base layer bottoms.

HARDSHELL RAIN PANTS

Non-insulated, fully waterproof shell pants that fit comfortably over your base layer bottoms and softshell pants. Full-length size zippers are best, as you can put them on without taking off your boots. Essential, as it can be very wet on Kilimanjaro.

TECHNICAL CLOTHING: Jackets

SOFTSHELL JACKET

Look for lightweight version. This type of layer is highly versatile, breathable, wind and weather resistant.  A lightweight windshirt or fleece jacket can be a substitute. Hood is optional. Jacket should fit well over your mid-layer top and base layer top, but under puffy jackets and hardshell.

HARDSHELL JACKET

A non-insulated, fully waterproof GoreTex-type shell jacket with a hood. Must fit comfortably over your base layer, mid-layer, and softshell/wind layer. Essential, as it can be very wet on Kilimanjaro.

LIGHTWEIGHT INSULATED JACKET

Your lightweight insulated jacket serves either as a layering piece or as stand-alone insulation when appropriate. This may be filled with down or synthetic insulation. Down feathers are more packable and lighter weight, while synthetic insulation will retain warmth when wet. A guide favorite piece often referred to as a “micro puff.” You will use this type of jacket every day.

INSULATED DOWN PARKA

This jacket or parka should be heavily insulated with high-quality down fill. We recommend an overall parka weight of more than 1.3 lb. Hood required. Light insulated jackets/micro puffs will not be sufficient. This is your warmest jacket, cut larger in size to fit over many layers on summit night in the cold.

INSULATED SYNTHETIC PANTS

A synthetic insulated pant with full-length separating side zips. A “puffy jacket for your legs.” Cut larger to go over softshell pants and base layer bottoms on summit night. Ski pants with these qualities can be a substitute. An example is the Rab Photon insulated pant.

HANDWEAR

LIGHTWEIGHT LINER GLOVES

Very lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves that offer a snug, comfortable fit. Lighter colors absorb less sunlight while still offering UV protection. Black or dark-color gloves are also acceptable.

SHELL OR SOFTSHELL GLOVES

Midweight, insulated gloves for use when mittens are too warm and liner gloves are not warm enough.

INSULATED MITTENS

Waterproof shell mittens with insulating liners. We recommend that your liner gloves can fit inside the mitten system as well.

HEADWEAR

BUFFS

2 buffs. A must-have for all outdoor activities, the UV buff is one of the most useful headwear layers.  Works well to protect against dust, UV, and respiratory irritation from breathing all the cold, dry air at altitude.

SUN HAT

Any style of lightweight hat for shading the head will work well. Baseball caps and sombrero-style sun hats are the most common.

WOOL/SYNTHETIC SKI/WARM HAT

2 hats. A non-cotton wool or synthetic hat that covers the head and ears comfortably. We like a lightweight one plus a warmer one for higher up.

SUNGLASSES

High-quality, UV-blocking sunglasses with good all-around protection and a good fit. Try on glasses to check for a comfortable fit and good light blockage. High-quality lenses are a must in equatorial mountain sun.

HEADLAMP

A modern outdoor LED headlamp offering 200-300 lumens of output. Freshly installed batteries, plus spare batteries. Weather-resistant models are strongly preferred. 

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

TRAVEL LUGGAGE

Luggage to get all of your gear to Tanzania. Extra items left at the hotel during the climb can be left in these luggage pieces.

SMALL PACK - 40L

An internal frame climbing/trekking pack of approximately 40 liters in carrying capacity. Emphasize simple, lightweight designs.

TRAVEL LOCKS

Two to Three TSA-approved travel locks for your luggage will offer extra peace of mind when storing items in hotels or lodges.

LARGE DUFFEL BAG - 100L (PROVIDED IN COUNTRY)

This will serve as your porter duffer for the trek. We will provide this for you at the gear check.

SLEEPING BAG (PROVIDED IN COUNTRY)

We will provide you with a rental sleeping bag for the climb.

SLEEPING PAD (PROVIDED IN COUNTRY)

We will provide a comfortable sleeping pad for each night in the tents on the climb.

WATER BOTTLES

Bring 2 one-liter capacity hard-sided water bottles. Wide-mouth, BPA-free plastic bottles are ideal. Nalgene brand bottles are recommended. Do not bring metal bottles, and do not bring soft-sided water bottles.  Note: to use a Steri-Pen, you must have a wide-mouth bottle.

WATER PURIFICATION TOOLS

We treat all drinking water. Bring several bottles of chemical-based water treatment, such as AquaMira, as well as one Steri-Pen device per person. The Adventurer Opti Steri-Pen is the recommended version due to long battery life and reliability. Most SteriPens require lithium batteries. Bring an extra set.

PEE BOTTLE (OPTIONAL)

Collapsible or hard-sided one-liter Nalgene models can work well. If opting for a collapsible model, please pick a 1.5- to 2-liter model as it allows for more space while using in your sleeping bag. 

PEE FUNNEL (FOR WOMEN, OPTIONAL)

Practice is critical for the use of this item. Our camp toilets will be near the tents each night.

TOILETRY BAG

Include toilet paper (stored in a plastic bag), hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, wet wipes, and any personal medications or prescriptions. Choose a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip. Female trekkers should bring an appropriate amount of feminine hygiene products for the duration of the trip.

TOWEL (OPTIONAL)

A small packable towel. You will be provided a small warm wash bowl to clean up at each camp in the afternoon.

SUNSCREEN

Two to four ounces of SPF 30+ sunscreen. Varieties with zinc oxide are more protective! Two to four ounces per week is typically sufficient, but several small tubes can offer insurance against lost or exploded tubes. Sunscreen loses SPF rating over time; we strongly recommend brand-new sunscreen.

LIPSCREEN

Several tubes of SPF 30+ lipscreen. As with sunscreen, be sure your lipscreen is new.

HAND AND TOE WARMERS

Bring three sets of each. Toe warmers are different than hand warmers: they are formulated to work in a lower oxygen environment, like the inside of a boot. They also burn out more quickly.

SMALL PERSONAL FIRST-AID KIT

Basic medical supplies in a compact package for your daypack. We recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, Moleskin, first-aid tape, Band-Aids, and antiseptic wipes or gel.

MEDICATIONS & PRESCRIPTIONS

Bring any personal prescriptions, plus:

• Pepto Bismol

• Cipro (500mg tablets)

• Metronidazole (500mg tablets)

• Z-Paks (500mg tablets)

• Diamox (125mg tablets, approx. 2 per day at altitude)

• Zofran (4mg tablets/neaseau)

• Immodium

• Erythromycin ointment for those who wear glasses/contacts

• cold medicine (Mucinex, Tylenol cold +flu, Theraflu)

• a variety of over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Some find that Excedrin (a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine) works particularly well at relieving altitude-related headaches.

• a selection of hard candies and cough drops to handle the cold, dry air.

EARPLUGS

Always recommended for getting high-quality rest. Soft foam rather than wax models are recommended as they are light and disposable.

HAND SANITIZER

Many alcohol-based hand cleaners will work well. Bring a small amount appropriate to the trip duration.

FACE MASK (OPTIONAL)

We recommend that all trekkers have a face mask easily accessible in a waterproof bag (Ziploc, etc.) in case of illness.

RUNNING SHOES

Lightweight, comfortable running or walking shoes are recommended for off-mountain use and pre-and-post trip travel.

CAMERA

Optional. Small point-and-shoot cameras (including compact SLRs) are ideal and work well at altitude. Alternatively, many opt to use a smartphone camera.

WATCH

Everyone should have a simple watch, as we will operate on an organized schedule each day.

Altimeter and Smart Watches (optional) are increasingly popular as a way to track your trip in the field and as a tool in training for your climb. Models with GPS tracking, altimeter, and activity mode options are most common, in addition to having traditional watch features like an alarm clock.

Bring a power bank and charging cable, as GPS tracking requires a significant amount of a battery power.

SMALL PERSONAL POWER BANK

Small portable battery bank for charging personal items like your cell phone, watch, wireless headphone sets and similar. 20,000 mA is a good size and will provide 5-6 charges for an iPhone.

TRASH COMPACTOR BAGS

4 heavy duty (thicker) plastic garbage bags for use as waterproof day pack liners. Trash compactor or contractor bags are made from a heavier plastic and stand up well to prolonged mountain use. Alternatively, a reusable waterproof pack liner can be used, provided it completely fills the inside of your pack. We also use these to waterproof your items and clothing inside the porter bags.

ZIPLOCK BAGS - SMALL AND LARGE

A selection of Ziploc bags for organizing your snacks and miscellaneous items. Gallon size and quart size are most useful. Some use larger sizes to organize things like underwear, socks, layers.

PACKING CUBES FOR ORGANIZING CLOTHING

Packing cubes are a great way to consolidate and organize clothing layers to pack up in your porter duffle and for ease in the tent.

FOOD

Bring 12-15 pieces (a total of 2,000 calories) of your favorite Clif Shot Bloks, energy chews, Gu packets, or energy gels, etc. These easily digestible and quick to consume SUGAR foods are helpful for keeping your energy up during the climb to the trek. On summit night it can be hard to eat, so simple sugars are effective.

You may also bring a limited quantity of other favorite snacks (~1/2 pieces per day), keeping in mind that there are strict weight limits for portered bags. Finally, we recommend a few Ricola or other cough drops for the cold, dry air higher on the mountain.

SAFARI CLOTHING & MISC

If you are joining the 4 day/3 night safari, we recommend the following extra clothing (which you will leave at the hotel during the climb):

2-3 sets of daytime safari clothes for game drives in dusty, hot conditions.

2 sets of lodge clothing, including long pants for evening and a light jacket. The lodges are nice, 4-star properties.

Swimwear if you want, for late afternoon dips

Sunhat and sunscreen

Bug spray

Comfortable footwear for Jeeps and lodges.

Toiletries kit for lodges