This list includes the minimum clothing necessary to travel on this trip. Each person is restricted to a 28 lb. luggage limit (which includes your sleeping bag) for the trek. Remember that cotton isn’t the best choice in clothing of any kind for a trek, because it robs your body of warmth and dries slowly. 

We’ll go over your equipment in detail before departing. You will be able to leave your travel clothing behind at the hotel.

For the FEET

Hiking Boots - One pair of medium weight hiking boots, well broken in and waterproofed and proven not to give your feet any blisters. Don’t bring old worn out boots that don’t have good soles, or broken shoelaces. 

Gaiters - Make sure your gaiters fit over your hiking boots and are full length and waterproof.

Camp Footwear - One pair of sneakers or Teva-style sandals

Socks - 5 pairs of socks made of synthetic materials or wool blend. Next to the skin, some people like thin polyester or polypropylene socks to transport perspiration from the foot to the outer socks.

Down booties - One pair of down booties to wear at night or around camp (Optional)

For the BODY

Long Underwear (top and bottom) - 1 pair, made of CoolMax, polypropylene, or other synthetic (no cotton blends)

Underwear - 5 pair, synthetic (no cotton blends)

Bra/Sports bra - two, synthetic (no cotton blends)

Shirts or Tops - one short and two long sleeve shirts           

Fleece Pullover and Pants - 200 weight Polartec® or Powerstretch® tights and top

Jacket - One warm jacket with Down, Hollofill or similar high loft insulation. This layer fits underneath your rain and wind parka. 

Fleece Jacket - One / a lighter fleece jacket to be worn during the day, or for layering

Hiking Pants - Two pair Some people like the kind that you can zip the legs off. These are good for warm afternoons. Please, no jeans.

Shorts - One pair

Goretex/Waterproof Rain Parka and Pants - This is considered the outer layer (rain gear). The parka should be waterproof with hood and pit zips. The pants will go over fleece pants or long underwear, and must be waterproof (side-zip style is optional). 

For the HANDS

Gloves - 1 pair of liners/1 pair of warm gloves 

Make sure that your gloves liners can fit inside mittens or other heavier gloves. 

Mitts w/double liners - For treks that involve higher altitiudes heavy wool, pile or synthetic lined Gortex over mitts are preferred. Make sure you have room for your synthetic gloves inside your mitts.

Hand Warmers - Two sets of chemical hand warmers

For the HEAD

Headgear, a.k.a. Hats - During the day you’ll need a hat with a brim to protect your face from intense sun, and at night a fleece or wool hat for warmth. 

Balaclava - For high altitude trips, A head layering system works best: first a Capilene balaclava, then a neck gaiter, and finally a baseball hat or fleece hat. 

Sunglasses - Two pair / One pair with dark lenses, the next pair should be glacier glasses, with side shields. All treks that travel over 10,000 ft. or mountaineering trips require glacier glasses, this is a very important piece of equipment. The eye is particularly vulnerable to the brilliance of mountain skies and reflections off snow. Sunglasses must be worn at all times during the day. When purchasing sunglasses, try them on and look in a mirror: if you can see your eyes while wearing them, choose another pair.  Glasses should have no more than 8% light transmission and make sure they have 100% UV protection. 

Headlamp - One / Bring extra batteries and bulbs. Headlamp must be bright enough to see at night or incase of emergency. Small flash light is useful.

For more information, or to book your very own EMS adventure, call our travel guru Becky Harrison at
888-755-8735 or e-mail her at becky@emstrek.com.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

Water Bottles - Two bottles/We prefer wide mouth 32oz Nalgene brand. Camelback type hydration system, only for hikes, not on mountain, the water tube will freeze.

Bandana - Two / since there isn’t a lot of toilet paper to go around we can use your Bandanna to blow your nose. Also is good to hear as a neck over for sunburn, and over mouth for dust.

Sunscreen and Lip Protection - One tube of sunscreen and two chapsticks, both SPF 30 and not older than 6 months/You should carry these with you during the day.

Insect Repellent - One bottle of insect repellent cream in a tube/No spray cans.

Baby Wipes - Amount depends on time traveling. One large container will last 3 weeks. Make sure these are stored in a zip lock plastic bag, they sometimes leak.

Camp Towel - One, large/This will be for drying after showering. The brand I use is called "Pack Towel," and can be purchased at EMS. These must be washed before use, so check out the instructions.

Hydration Mix - Plain water doesn’t replenish the electrolytes lost while sweating, working hard hiking, or during very hot weather. It can also get pretty boring to drink for three weeks. You should purchase something like Gatorade, to put into your drinking water while on trek or safari. Gatorade can be purchased in small one-day packets.

Toiletries - Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, dental floss, lotion, fingernail clippers, etc.

Try to find organic brands that won’t hurt the environment. Women must remember to bring sanitary napkins or tampons. Your toiletries should all fit into a small kit. Don’t bring large bottles of shampoo or other items, you can purchase small size bottle specifically for travel use. If you’re traveling on this trip with a friend, it is then possible to share things like toothpaste and sunscreen.

Small Knife - You don't need a large multi-tool or something big, just a simple folding knife is fine.

Toilet Paper - Hotels will have toilet paper, but during the trek it’s nice to have a couple of soft rolls. Keep in zip-lock bag.

Ear Plugs - 2 pair / Good for blocking out barking dogs or a snoring tent mate

Trekking Poles - One pair telescopic poles with baskets at the bottom

Pee Bottle - One old Nalgene bottle / Make sure you mark this bottle so you don’t forget and use it to drink out of later. Optional

Pee Funnel for Women - This would be used with pee bottle. These come in a few different styles. However, you’ll need to practice before using it. Store your funnel in a plastic zip lock bag. Optional

Waterless Hand Cleaner/Sanitizer

One small bottle to carry with you during the day. Most people assume that they’ll get "the toilet two step," because of the food, or from the water. However, much of the time, it was your own hands that made you go running for the bathroom.

Camera - If you’re thinking of purchasing a new camera, try to buy one that takes double A over the counter batteries, not rechargeable ones.

Books, Tape Player, Journal, Cards, etc. - On all treks there will be time to read, listen to music, and reflect on your day. Because of weight allowances make sure whatever you bring is lightweight and won’t break. All extra gear will be left back at the hotel.

SLEEPING EQUIPMENT

Sleeping Bag - High quality with hood rated to zero degrees F. If you don’t already own a sleeping bag we suggest purchasing a down bag because of weight.

Foam pad - One full length closed cell foam pad. Optional if you want more protection Optional

LUGGAGE AND GEAR TO CARRY STUFF

Large Cargo/Duffel Bag w/TSA approved lock – one large 6000 cubic inch bag

All your gear should fit inside this bag. Make sure your bag has been waterproofed or treated, with no holes, or broken zippers. This bag will go on the Kilimanjaro climb with you and shouldn’t have wheels or other hard plastic handles. You should bring a small bag to leave extra clothing at the Karama Lodge while out climbing and on safari.

Day Pack w/rain cover - Your daypack should have some type of internal support to help carry the weight. The best size backpack is a 2500 to 3000 cu in. There should be places to strap on your trekking poles and for your water bottles. Your pack must fit you correctly and feel comfortable with a weight of 10 - 15 pounds. We suggest you go for a hike with some weight inside your pack to make sure it fits properly. If you don’t have a back that you think will work, visit your local EMS store for help with choosing a new pack. The experts at EMS can help you with purchasing a new pack. EMS also has “women” specific backs that fit a woman’s body.

Compression stuff sacks - These help to maximize space. I usually use three stuff sacks: one for my hiking clothing, technical clothing and socks and underwear. In addition, this protects your clothing from getting that popped bottle of shampoo all over everything.

Trash Bags - Four 32 gallong. 3 ply garbage bags. These can come in handy to cover your daypack during a downpour or for dirty clothes. In addition, you can put your stuff sacks into a bag to keep things dry.

Money Belt - to wear under your pants.