Everest Base Camp Trek Packing Lists

You’re going to trek Everest Base Camp. But what to bring? See Everest Base Camp Trek Packing lists in detail.

Don’t worry! This article is full of tips and a packing list to help you get started.

When it comes to creating the perfect Everest Base Camp Trek packing list, some items are pretty obvious. While others might not be so apparent to the fresh trekker.

So, here I’m going to include the things that you might need from both of these categories. As what is obvious for one person might not always be obvious for another.

As the research and the packing processes can be overwhelming for an Everest Base Camp Trek.

The Everest Base Camp Trek packing list below has all the essential gear that you’ll need for your climb.

Know your weight limits

During the trekking, you’ll only carry the gear you need for trekking from one camp to the next in your own day-pack.

The rest of the gear will be carried by a porter in a large duffel bag. But, this doesn’t mean that you can simply bring whatever you’d like.

The weight limit for your main luggage is 10kg per person. For the hand luggage, it is between 6-8 kg per person. Thus, your weight should not exceed 20 kg per person if then you have to pay a few dollars for extra weight.

Planning a trip to Nepal?

During the Everest Base Camp trek, weather can change drastically as you ascend or descend in altitude.

As you’ll be trekking from 2,800m in Lukla to 5,554m in Kalapathar. You’ll notice that day and night temperatures vary considerably from lower to higher altitudes.

Generally, the peak seasons March-May and September-November provide good weather. But also it is possible to encounter rain on the lower altitudes and it may snow at any elevation.

The first few days on the trek the temperatures can be moderate during the day. But by the time you get to Namche Bazaar early mornings and nights can get cold.

Here I’ve listed down some of the essential packing lists that you’ll need while EBC trek.

This equipment list is just a guideline. It is not necessary to have it all. You can use your own judgment to decide what to take with yourself.

Clothing

You need to pack your clothes according to the season in which you plan to trek and which specific trek you plan on doing.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp includes extreme weather conditions. Also, there is a large variation in altitude and temperature.

You need to dress in layers so that you can regulate the body temperature by taking off or putting on clothes according to the prevailing weather.

You need to purchase the trekking outfits which are made of special material that doesn’t trap the body heat. Also, these materials don’t soak up moisture too.

You need to avoid cotton because it absorbs moisture and you might fall a victim of viral cold and also smell bad.

Baselayer

As the base layer is the first layer of clothing, it is important at the high elevation of the trek. You should put on this layer in colder parts and it provides extra insulation.

At higher altitudes, you can use long sleeve t-shirts instead of a short sleeve t-shirt. Because it protects from strong sun rays which can easily burn your skin.

During the Everest Base Camp trek, you’ll not get washing facilities that much easier. So, you can have inner enough for your whole trekking period.

Long-sleeve t-shirts

Short-sleeve t-shirts

Long underwear pants

Sport Bra

Underwear

Middle layer

The middle layer serves as the insulation layer. It consists of the warm fleece jacket, waterproof jacket, down jacket, and trouser. These will be mainly used at higher altitudes when the weather gets very cold or rainy.

In the Everest region, even on the warmest day, the mornings and evenings going to be cold. The down jacket is perfect for trekking as they are lightweight and provide great warmth.

Fleece jacket

Down jacket

Fleece pants

Trekking pants

Shorts (optional)

Third layer

The third layer acts as a core outer layer. It consists of a warm and waterproof jacket and trousers. You can use them when you reach high altitudes.

If you plan to trek on the rainy season, you can encounter with rain on the lower elevation of the trek. You should bring a waterproof hardshell jacket and waterproof outer trousers.

These outer layers will protect against the rain, snow, and wind.

Waterproof Jacket
Waterproof pants

Footwear

While you’re on trails, it is very important to have good, well-fitting hiking boots. As there is nothing quite as bad experience as having blisters on your feet while hiking.

During the Everest Base Camp trek, you need waterproof boots with sturdy mid-sole and Vibram sole. Also, you need to have camp sandals to use while you are in camp or lodge.

Hiking socks are great options as they allow the foot to breathe. It can also be reused many times before they need a hand-wash.

Don’t bring cotton socks as they absorb water and only lead to nasty blisters.

Also, thermal socks are other good options, as they provide great cushioning and warmth.

Gaiters are the leg warmer made of waterproof material and extend up from your boot to your calve. Especially they are used to prevent water, mud, dust, small stones from getting into your boot.

Hiking boots

Camp sandals

Light hiking socks

Thermal socks

Gaiters

Sock liners (optional)

Headwear

A trekking headwear will provide sun protection to your face and neck. Make sure that your headwear is light and you can easily manipulate to fit into your daypack.

You can have trekking hats that have neck covers. So, that it’ll protect your neck from sunburn.

During the EBC trek, in the late afternoon / early evenings starts to get really cold. During this time, you can use a warm fleece beanie or headband.

Likewise, you can also use a buff when temperatures can get cold. It helps to keep your neck and face protected from dry air. It also prevents from particulates entering your throat when you breathe.

As the winds can be icy above 5000 m you can also use Balaclava at this time.

As you approach Everest Base Camp, at high altitude there is the higher strength of UV rays. Thus, a good pair of UV protecting sunglasses is important. You can use a headlight for getting around the teahouses at night as some teahouse have poor lighting facilities.

Trekking hat
Beanie or headband
Buff or Balaclava
Sunglasses
Headlight

Handwear

During the EBC trek, the waterproof gloves are the best. You can get light-weight, quick-drying inner gloves made of the fleece material.

Likewise, the outer glove needs to be super warm, waterproof, and durable.

Inner gloves
Outer gloves

Trekking Gear

You need to have the best duffel bags made of waterproof material. It must be easy to handle and have shoulder straps with strong and sturdy zippers. You can also bring a small lock to secure your bag.

If you’re trekking independently then you need to have a 45-65 l backpack. If a porter is going to carry your duffel bag or backpack, then to keep your daily essentials stuff you need a daypack.

In the daypack, you can put your snacks, suncream, camera, and personal items (passport, money).

Ideal daypack contains side pockets where you can keep your water bottles. It also has compression straps that reduce weight stress on your back.

Make sure that you need to bring the rain cover to your both backpack and daypack.

Duffel bag
Backpack
Daypack

Sleeping Accessories

The sleeping bag is the most important gear while trekking in Everest Base Camp. As the temperature can get down to 0-10 degrees Fahrenheit.

You must have the sleeping bag rated to at least 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Synthetic or Down sleeping bags are best. But make sure that it is a four-season bag and has a rating at least 0-degrees Fahrenheit.

Sleeping bag liner is placed inside the sleeping bags to provide extra insulation. If you like your own clean pillowcase, as pillows in the lodges are not always clean.

Also, the wall in the lodges are very thin, so you may not get good sleep if your neighbor snores loudly. Earplugs are good options if you’re a light sleeper.

Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag liner
Pillowcase
Earplugs

Other Important Accessories

While hiking in the mountains, you have to go through uphills and downhills. At this time, trekking poles might be a lifesaver for you.

Trekking poles help to reduce the impact and stress on your feet especially while descending downhills. You can use lightweight and packable trekking poles.

At high altitude trekking, dehydration is a common problem. So, to keep yourself hydrated you have to drink plenty of water. You can carry water in the standard water bottle.

Trekking Poles
Water bottle

Personal Accessories

You must include personal accessories too in your Everest Base Camp Trek Packing lists. A small to medium-sized trekking towel is useful for drying yourself after a wash. All guest houses have toilet facilities but as you get higher up on the route facilities get more basic.

So, you don’t want to make a toilet run on the super cold nights then the pee funnel can be the best answer for the nature call.

At high altitudes, water gets the freeze so there is no water to wash your hands. You can use baby wipes in this type of situation. Hand sanitizer is good for disinfecting your hands before and after eating.

Also, you need all your basic toiletries including the toothbrush, toothpaste, and a roll of toilet paper. The sun is strong in the mountains, so you’ve to use sunscreen.

On the base camp trek, you need to make sure that all water that you drink is purified. For purification of water, you can treat your water with iodine tablets. So, you can use water purification tablets before drinking water as these tablets will do a good job.

Trekking towel
Pee funnel
Baby wipes
Foot wipes
Hand sanitizer
30 SPF plus suncream
30 SPF lip balm
Toiletries
Shampoo
Deodorant
Camera
Binoculars

Medication

It is always better to be on the safe side, so you can pack a small medical kit for your trek. If you’re trekking with the guide, they’ll also have a basic first aid kit.

Instead of that, you can also bring some common medicines such as paracetamol for headaches and Imodium for diarrhea.

Diamox is the most popular medicine to prevent Acute Mountain Sickness. Please note that Diamox is a preventative medication and does not treat AMS.

Water purification tablets
Basic First Aid
Personal medication
Diamox

The first aid treatment medicines are to be included on your Everest Base Camp Trek Packing lists for possible health hazards.

Packing Advice

This packing list is a recommended guideline for your references. Everything is optional, you can choose from according to your personal choice.
It’s best to leave all unnecessary valuables such as jewelry at home.
You need to pack your clothes in waterproof plastic bags
In your day pack, you need to pack water, snacks, a camera, a raincoat, and sunglasses. And any other items that might need during the day hiking.
You need to bring double extra sets of batteries as cold temperatures shorten their life.
You need to dress in layers so that you’ll be able to take an outer layer off when you get too warm. And also put a layer on when you get chilled.
Trekking poles can make a world of difference as they lighten the load on your feet. Especially, when you are coming downhill, they’ll give you full support.

Conclusion

No matter what you decide to take, you need to pack smartly and lightly.

If you hike with the right equipment, without any doubt your trek will be a lifetime experience for you.

Happy Packing!!!!

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Know your weight limits