What to Pack for Everest Base Camp Trek?

Wondering about what to pack for the Everest Base Camp Tour? Follow a simple rule: Pack lightly, Pack wisely.

Coming to trek the Everest Base Camp requires a good deal of packing and other preparation. You need to make sure that you’re physically, emotionally and mentally ready for the trek that could run for up to two weeks. You also need to gather all the items and gears that you’ll need during the trek.

Are you wondering what to bring to your Everest Base Camp trek? Well, there are a few guidelines that will help you decide what essential items you can’t skip and what things you might forego bringing. When packing, consider the following:

Dress in layers. The first few days of the trek can be warm enough to trek in shorts and light shirts, but mornings and nights are colder. Dress in two to three layers so, your body can easily regulate the temperature and adjust as needed. Pick clothes that you can just zip on and off as the temperature changes.

You can purchase numerous trekking gear in Kathmandu. It’s a great idea to spend a day in Kathmandu looking at shops to see what else you might need during the trek but forgot to bring. You may have to compromise with unknown local brands so check the stitching and sturdiness of the gear.

Your porter will carry most of your things in the duffel bag and he will go ahead to the next tea house. Make sure to pack all trekking essentials into your daypack like water and purification tablets, sunblock, spare jacket and camera, and batteries. You will only be able to access the rest of your things when you’ve reached the next tea house.

Ask ahead to rent sleeping bags and duffel bags to avoid unnecessary expense. Mosaic Adventure offers sleeping bags, jacket, and duffel bags on rent to save money. Bringing over more stuff and buying brand new equipment can make your trip more expensive.

You can purchase other essentials at tea houses and stores in Namche Bazaar during your ascent but they also get expensive the higher you go.

Now here’s the ultimate packing list for your reference.

 

Clothing – You need to dress as comfortably as you can during the trek to make the most of your experience. If you plan to trek on the months of March to April and September-October, light cotton shirt and shorts will do at lower altitude. However, the temperature drops as you climb up, so make sure to wear something for the colder temperatures. Dress in layers so you can just take one layer on or off as needed.

→ 2 base layer shirts (long sleeves)

→ 2 trekking shirts (short sleeves)

→ 2 pairs of trekking pants

→ Fleece or down jacket

→ Fleece pants

→ Sweatshirts

→ Shorts

→ Rain-proof jacket and pants

→ Winter hat/ peak hat

→ Gloves or mittens

→ Disposable underwear

Note: even in the warmer months of April /May the weather can be extreme at the higher altitudes, so make sure you have suitably insulated coat  (such as the one shown), gloves, and headgear. You can rent a down jacket from us.

 

Footwear – To avoid undue comfort and blister breakout, break in your hiking boots months away from the trek. You might also want to bring spare tennis shoes, but the ideal footwear is mid to high-cut hiking boots because they provide ankle support and protect your feet when crossing the river.

→ Broke-in hiking boots

→ Tennis shoes (optional)

→ Flip flops (to use in tea houses)

→ Thick Socks

 

Hiking Gear – use a daypack to carry your daily essentials like sunblock, camera, snacks, water, and poncho. However, stash the rest in the larger duffel bag which your porter will carry ahead to the next tea house.

→ Duffel bag (to be carried ahead by the porter)

→ Daypack (which you will carry during the trek)

→ Daypack cover

→ Hiking poles

→ Stuff Sacks

→ Sleeping bags

→ Liner for a sleeping bag

→ Headlamps

 

Electronics – Bring spare batteries, memory cards, and tripod as required. You can charge in tea houses, but expect the charging cost to become more expensive as you go up. Bring a powerbank with a huge capacity to charge your electronics during the trek.

→ Camera

→ Spare batteries

→ Spare memory cards

→ Mobile phones

→ High capacity power banks

→ Chargers and adapters

 

Personal Hygiene/Toiletries – You will not be taking a bath as often during the trek because of the cold weather, but bring some basic toiletries to at least keep you relatively clean.

→ Soap

→Deodorant

→ Toothbrush

→ Toothpaste

→ Mouthwash

→ Sanitary napkins/ tampons/ panty liners

→ Hairbrush

→ Wet wipes

→ Microfiber face towel

→ Sunblock spray

→ Body lotion/moisturizer

→ Lip balm with SPF

 

Medications – You may or may not have to deal with altitude sickness, along with the risks of diarrhea, headaches, and body pain during the trek so it pays to bring some medicines with you.

→ Personal prescriptions

→ Ibuprofen

→ Medical tape (in case of blisters)

→ Diamox (in case of altitude sickness)

→ Antibiotics (in case of diarrhea)

 

 

Miscellaneous

→ Passport

→ Money – there are ATMs in Namche Bazaar but you can’t always count on them working. Bring your own cash to purchase souvenirs, snacks and other essentials along the way

→ Pen and journal – to account the details and experiences of the trek

→ Head buff

→ Sunglasses – preferably with UV protection; useful when the sun is glaring during the trek

→ Goggles – would be good for days when its windy at lower levels, as the dust could get in your eyes

→ Water purification tablets – plastic bottles are discouraged because they add litter. Water purification tablets are cheaper, portable and work in 30 minutes.

→ Thermal flask – to keep warm drinks from freezing in the bottle on the highest days.

→ Playing cards – to help pass the time.

→ Favorite book

→ Toilet paper – some tea houses do not have toilet paper.

→ Favorite snacks – granola bars, chocolates, and nuts are great to have.

 

Kindly let us know if we missed anything!