# Adventure Trek Packing List URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/packing-lists/adventure-trek Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 What to pack for a multi-day trek or Kilimanjaro climb: a layering system, broken-in boots, trekking poles, a daypack and duffel, water treatment and first aid. **Quick answer:** For a multi-day trek, pack broken-in waterproof boots, a layering system (base layer, fleece, insulated jacket and rain shell), trekking poles, a headlamp, water treatment, a blister kit and any altitude medication your doctor prescribes. On supported treks, porters carry a duffel with a weight limit set by your operator, so you carry only a daypack. - Bag: Porter duffel + 25–35 L daypack - Climate: Hot days to freezing nights at altitude - Dress code: Technical layers; modest in villages - Don't forget: Broken-in boots and evacuation cover ## Checklist **Documents:** Passport and any visas or eTAs; Trekking or park permits arranged by your operator; Insurance covering your trek altitude and helicopter evacuation; Yellow fever certificate, if your route requires it; Copies of passport and insurance; Operator emergency contact details; Cash in small bills for crew tips; Emergency contact card in your daypack **Clothing & layers:** 2 sets of moisture-wicking base layers; Fleece mid-layer; Insulated down or synthetic jacket; Waterproof, breathable shell jacket; Waterproof rain pants; 2 pairs of trekking pants; 3 quick-dry trekking shirts; Warm hat and a sun hat; Liner gloves and insulated gloves; Neck gaiter; Merino hiking socks (4–5 pairs); Quick-dry underwear; Camp clothes and sleepwear **Footwear:** Broken-in waterproof hiking boots; Camp shoes or sandals; Gaiters; Spare laces; Insoles you’ve tested; Blister kit (moleskin, tape, plasters); Foot powder; Liner socks **Trek gear:** 25–35 L daypack with rain cover; Duffel within your operator’s weight limit; Sleeping bag rated for expected lows (often rentable); Trekking poles; Headlamp and spare batteries; Water bottles or hydration bladder (2–3 L); Water purification tablets or filter; Dry bags or packing cubes; Sunglasses with high UV protection; Quick-dry towel **Health & toiletries:** Altitude medication, if prescribed; Personal first-aid kit; Pain reliever; Anti-diarrheal and oral rehydration salts; Sunscreen (SPF 50); Lip balm with SPF; Biodegradable wet wipes; Hand sanitizer; Insect repellent; Toilet paper and a zip pouch to pack it out; Prescription medication **Snacks & tech:** Energy bars and trail snacks; Electrolyte drink mix; Power bank (cold drains batteries); Camera; Phone with offline maps; Spare batteries; Earplugs for camp; Journal and pen ## How do you layer for a high-altitude trek? Big treks cross several climate zones. A Kilimanjaro climb in Tanzania, for example, starts in warm rainforest and ends on a summit that is often below freezing. Pack a moisture-wicking base layer, a fleece, an insulated down or synthetic jacket and a waterproof shell, and add or remove layers as you go. Summit days start in the dark and cold, so warm gloves, a hat and a neck gaiter matter as much as your jacket. Pack spare headlamp batteries; cold drains them quickly. ## What should you carry in your daypack? Your daypack holds everything you need between camps: 2–3 liters of water, snacks, a rain shell, a warm layer, sunscreen, sunglasses, a headlamp, a small first-aid kit and a toilet kit. A 25–35 liter pack with a hip belt and rain cover suits most supported treks. Everything else goes in the duffel porters carry. Operators set strict weight limits to protect their crews, so ask for yours early and weigh your bag before you leave home. ## How do you prepare your feet and body before a trek? Break in your boots on training hikes with the same socks you’ll wear on the trek. Talk to a travel medicine provider about altitude medication and vaccines; our travel health guide explains what to ask. Buy travel insurance that covers trekking at your maximum altitude and includes helicopter evacuation, since many policies cap altitude. See our travel insurance guide. Planning a shorter adventure? Our gorilla trekking guide covers day treks in Rwanda and Uganda. ## Frequently asked questions **Q: How heavy can my duffel be on a Kilimanjaro trek?** A: Operators set the limit, and it’s commonly around 15 kg (33 lb) for the duffel porters carry, sometimes including your sleeping bag. Porter welfare guidelines cap how much each porter can carry, so limits are enforced. Ask your operator for the exact figure, weigh your bag at home, and leave city clothes at your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. **Q: Do I need trekking poles?** A: They’re strongly recommended for multi-day treks. Poles take strain off your knees on long descents, improve balance on loose ground and help set a steady rhythm on climbs. Choose adjustable, collapsible poles that fit inside your duffel. If you’ve never used them, practice on training hikes so the technique feels natural before your trip. **Q: Should I rent or buy trekking gear?** A: Buy anything that touches your body or has to fit perfectly: boots, socks, base layers and your daypack. Bulky items like sleeping bags, down jackets and trekking poles can often be rented locally through your operator, which saves luggage weight and money. Confirm rental quality and sizing in advance, and bring your own sleeping bag liner for hygiene. **Q: How do I reduce the risk of altitude sickness on a trek?** A: Choose an itinerary with enough days to acclimatize, ascend gradually, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. Ask a travel medicine provider whether preventive medication is right for you. Tell your guide about symptoms such as headache, nausea or dizziness early. If symptoms worsen, descending is the most effective treatment, and good operators plan for it. ## Sources - [CDC Travelers’ Health](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel) - [CDC: Tanzania Traveler View](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tanzania)