Hi fellow hiker,

Dealing with packing and baggage can be tricky on any trip, least of all on a multi-day trek. You may be asking yourself, "What jacket should I bring?", "Is my backpack big enough?", "How will my bags get from A to B?", and "Do I really need that selfie stick?" In this email we'll try to answer some of those questions and alleviate any concerns you might have.

Best regards,

Pygmy Elephant

The items in your backpack (30–50 liters recommended) will generally fall into six categories: documents, clothing, accessories, hygiene, emergency gear, and food. Following is a small selection of what we recommend you bring.

Documents: This includes your passport and/or visa, cash in USD, guidebook and maps, and proof of your travel insurance, which we require for all hikers (more on this in a future email).

⚠️ Click here to see if you need a visitor visa.

Clothing: At the very least you should have broken-in hiking boots, hiking pants or shorts, non-cotton base layers, a waterproof and breathable jacket, and synthetic hiking socks.  Weather conditions on the trail vary significantly, so pack layers that you can easily add or remove as needed.

Accessories: Items in this category might include sunglasses, hiking poles, flip-flops (for showers), hat, head lamp, and a towel. 

Hygiene: Sunscreen, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and soap, blister plaster, and earplugs. These items are small and must-haves.

Emergency gear: The trail is safe, but you still might want a personal locator beacon, a whistle, a first aid kit, or a space blanket. 

Food: In addition to your lunch, you might want chocolate, trail mix, sausage or cheese, fruit, or energy bars in your backpack. 

Check out our full packing guide linked below.

For inquiries regarding your specific itinerary, please contact your group leader or key travel builder. If you have any questions about the content of this email, feel free to reply here.