Climbing &
Gorilla Rules

Baggage

• Day pack, for you to carry: $10
• Large duffel bag or backpack for porters to carry: $25
• Plastic bags for storage, including a small plastic (zip-lock) bag to help prevent the camera lens from fogging.
• Extra luggage can be stored for free at the Arusha hotel or our office. However, we recommend you carry all valuables with you

Clothing

• You will need clothes for hiking during the day, lounging in the evening, and sleeping.
• Layers are necessary as temperatures vary greatly.
• Your innermost layer should be made of wicking material (no cotton).
• The next layer should be insulating and warm.
• Your top layer should be waterproof but breathable.
• Shorts, for the first and last day as temperatures, are relatively warm on those days.
• Pants, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings.
• T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts.
• Long-sleeved shirts for hiking and for lounging in the evenings.
• Long underwear.
• Fleece pants: $20
• Fleece jacket/wool sweater: $20
• Down jacket or ski parka (for temperatures well below freezing plus wind): $25
• Rain jacket (or poncho): $10
• Rain pants: $20
• Underwear.
• Sports bras for women.

Cold Weather Accessories

• Mittens and gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered): $15
• Wool or pile hat: $10
• Balaclava/neck gaiters: $8
• Hand and foot warmers (chemically activated).

Footwear

• Be sure to break into your shoes before the hike!
• Trekking shoes for hiking during the day, preferably warm, waterproof, and light: $25
• Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening.
• Gaiters: $10/pair
• Hiking socks for warmer conditions.
• Wool socks for colder conditions.
• Sock liners to wick away moisture.

Sleeping

• A sleeping bag rated 0 degrees F (about -17 degrees Celsius) or colder is recommended: $20
• Sleeping tents are provided (included in the tour price).
• Foam sleeping pads are provided (included in the tour price).
• Thermarest sleeping pads (you may bring your own in case you prefer this over foam pads).

Other Items

• Water bottles and camelback (2 – 3): $8/camelback bottle
• Purchase 3 liters of bottled water before commencing the trek (your driver will stop at a supermarket in Arusha).
• Your guides will boil water for you along the route.
• Water on the mountain is fetched from the natural springs. The water is rich in minerals. We recommend bringing Gatorade or other drink mixes to help mask the taste (for those not used to drinking spring water).
• Water filter or iodine purification tablets.
• Keep your water source inside your jacket to prevent water freezing on summit day.
• For those using camelbacks, blow air back into the bladder after each sip and drink often.
• Sun hat with a brim.
• Sunglasses: $5/pair
• Bandana.
• Money (for tipping, personal items, souvenirs, etc. USD cash is preferred, but traveler’s checks/checks are also accepted).
• Ski or trekking poles: $8/one walking stick
• Headlamp or flashlight: $10
• Camera, memory cards, tripod.
• Video camera, memory cards.
• Bring extra batteries for headlamps/flashlight and camera as cold weather shortens their life.
• Binoculars.
• Notebook, journal, pencil, and pen.
• Pocket knife.
• Electricity adapter.
• Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods.
• Playing cards, games, books, frisbee, football, and kite.
• Chocolate or pens for village children, mementos for guides, porters, and other climbers.
• Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season, can be purchased in the market for about $3 – $5
• Sewing kit.
• Business cards.
• Alarm clock.
• Calculator (for currency conversion).

Toiletries

• Toilet paper (and a baggie to carry used paper while on the trail).
• Small towel.
• Soap.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Handi-wipes (moist towelettes for cleaning).
• Hand sanitizer.
• Lotion.
• Glasses, contact lenses, solution (take contacts out each night to prevent blurred vision).
• Comb.
• Mirror.

Documents

• Passport.
• Yellow fever certificate.
• Visa.
• Medical insurance.
• Address book.
• Vaccination records.
• Airline tickets.
• Cash, traveler’s checks/checks, credit cards.
• Maps, guidebooks.
• Make copies of passport, TZ visa, airline tickets/schedule, and travelers check numbers.
• Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a separate place in your luggage.

First Aid

• Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen or Aspirin.
• Throat lozenges.
• Bandages, tape, Ace bandage.
• Moleskin.
• Sunscreen (SPF 15+).
• Lip balm with sunscreen.
• Insect repellent.
• Disinfectant, antiseptic cream.
• Diarrhea medicine.
• Antihistamines.
• Melatonin (1-3mg) or other sleep aid.
• Malaria pills (talk to your doctor).
• Antibiotics (talk to your doctor).
• Prescription drugs (talk to your doctor).
• Diamox (talk to your doctor).

Packing for your flight to Africa

• Jacket/sweater (especially if traveling during the winter season).
• U-shaped neck pillow (blow-up).
• Books/magazines.
• Toiletries.
• Snacks.
• Walkman and music.
• Eye shades, ear plugs.
• Melatonin or other sleep aid.
• Critical climbing gear in your carry-on luggage (if baggage is delayed).

Points to note

• The packs that porters carry are limited to 35 pounds (i.e., 15 kgs).
• Overweight or extra luggage requires an extra porter at $10/bag/day.
• Store electronics in sealed water-proof bags (double sealed if possible).
• Store clothing in plastic bags to keep them dry.
• In your day pack, take along water, sunglasses, a camera, binoculars, rain pants, and a jacket at a minimum.
• Since you may not see your porters until the end of the day, take any additional items you might need during the day.
• The preferred currency for tipping is US dollars and can be in cash or traveler’s checks/checks.
• Credit cards (Visa/MC) may be accepted at hotels and gift shops with a surcharge ranging from 2% to 6%. The use of ATMs also carries surcharges.
• Make sure you leave your emergency contact information and copies of travel insurance at our office in Arusha.