Less is More!
The main packing list below is simply a recommendation. How many items of clothing you bring is entirely up to you and your preferred comfort levels and how much you wish to carry! Opportunities for washing and more essentially – drying – clothes will be limited. Plenty of clean underwear is worth packing, a wardrobe of fashion conscious attire is not!
Please also note that you are restricted to two items of checked-in luggage, each item weighing a maximum total of 23 kilos. This is a very generous allowance. However, do not even attempt to bring 46 kilos with you… you’re the one having to carry it and it would probably sink/stall many of our methods of transport. Please use common sense!
Luggage:
We recommend that you bring:
• Light (approx. 20 litre) daypack/ruck-sack for travel on the plane, for daily activities and for packing a couple of changes of clothes for the optional extension trip, unless you wish to use your secondary bag (see below).
• Your main luggage can remain in secure storage for your return from the optional extra trip if you wish to travel lighter (recommended!) Ideally, it will have an internal pocket or space for a hydration ‘platypus’ or pockets for water bottles.
• Small travel wallet/bum-bag to be worn at all times to house money, credit cards, small valuables, passport, medication etc.
• Soft but sturdy bag/ruck-sack for main luggage. Hard suitcases are NOT recommended for transport due to limited storage space.
• Secondary bag: Smaller hold-all (a bit bigger than your daypack) to be stored in your main luggage for separating out dirty clothes, allowing more storage space and for holding souvenirs.
A Light Daypack containing…
• Current, valid passport: Minimum 6 months validity left after return date
• Personal and GP recommended medication as required
• Vaccination certificates if applicable NB: It is compulsory to have Yellow Fever vaccinations to enter Tanzania
• Certificate of Insurance (Main policy booklet can go in main luggage)
• Camera, batteries, film and memory cards if applicable
• Sunglasses and cap (essential to avoid sunburn!)
• Pen: to fill in landing cards – do not rely on borrowing one from the organisers!!
• Optional: Onboard toiletries to freshen up during flight and on arrival. Containers can hold a maximum of 100ml, and must be packed in a small, transparent plastic, re-sealable bag to comply with airport regulations. There will be an opportunity to access your main luggage at the airport on the arrival day to freshen up
• Optional: Books, MP3 player for long flights & during trek
• Optional: Notepad and pen to record your experience
• Spending money ($US in small denominations) for:
• souvenirs
• additional drinks and snacks in the evenings or en-route (water will be provided throughout the programme)
• meals and snacks at Amsterdam airport both on the outbound and inbound flights
• Up to 2 evening meals during treat element
• There are exchange facilities at all airports
Main luggage
Recommended:
• Main toiletries including sunscreen Factor 30-50, sunblock and insect repellent (essential!)
• Personal first-aid kit: paracetamol, after-sun, rehydration sachets blister plasters and other sensible First Aid precautions
• 1-2 x towels for village camping
• 5-10 T-shirts or base layers
• 2-3 pairs of lightweight trekking trousers. Zip-off trekking trousers that convert to shorts/longer trousers are ideal!
• 1-2 pairs of heavier weight trekking trousers
• 1-2 polartec or thermal fleeces for evenings. Can also double up as base layers for night and mountain trekking
• Thermal long-johns or fleece trousers to wear under trekking trousers for climb
• 1 down/padded jacket plus waterproof top layer OR ski-jacket for climb (this can be hired on site)
• 1 pair waterproof trousers or gaiters for climb (Can be hired on site)
• 2-4 pairs of thick hiking socks
• 1 pair of thermal or knitted gloves
• 1 pair of thick waterproof gloves for climb. (Can be hired on site)
• Waterproof rainwear. (lightweight for main event)
• Flashlight & head torch (recommend LED) and spare batteries (absolutely essential!)
• 1 x Platypus Hydration water pack (to use inside a light day pack and very useful when trekking). Not essential but very useful
• Woolly hat or balaclava and scarf to keep face warm during the night climb
• Worn-in 3-season waterproof hiking boots (leather recommended) with good ankle support for the TREK and for foot protection during the COMMUNITY work days
Optional:
• Trainers, sandals or flip-flops for evenings, the Amazon and other activity days. You won’t want to be wearing your 4 season trekking boots 24 hours per day
• Snacks: power bars, crisps, if you can’t live without them
• Swahili Phrasebook
• 3-6 Black bin liners to line your luggage during the Trek to keep things dry
• Retractable walking poles for use on the trek (Can be hired on site)
• Gaffa Tape or Elephant Tape – always useful for split luggage
• Sleeping Bag Liner
• Gifts for the local community children – we suggest pens, pencils, books, and writing books, coloured crayons. Old soft toys and children’s clothes are also welcomed and appreciated. More advice will be given on this aspect nearer the time
NB: Sleeping bags will be provided by the Challenge Tanzania Team. Other specialist mountain climbing equipment (e.g. down jackets, water proofs, etc) can be hired on site at your own expense. A list of what is available to hire will be distributed nearer the time.
NB: Beg, borrow, but ideally don’t steal items for your trip! Ebay, the sales, and previous Challenge participants are all good sources for getting hold of key items. There is no need to spend a fortune.
