Quick answer
Reviewed · 3 min read
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.
Researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel · How we research
- 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
The checklist
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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
How heavy can my duffel be on a Kilimanjaro trek?
Do I need trekking poles?
Should I rent or buy trekking gear?
How do I reduce the risk of altitude sickness on a trek?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.