Everest Base Camp Trek Packing List and 5 Best Preparation Tips

Everest-base-camp-trek-packing-list

The Everest Base Camp trek can be challenging for many travelers. Exposure to a cold atmosphere at an altitude of 5,364m above sea level can be an ultimatum and drive a high risk of altitude sickness. Your physical and mental health is the primary thing that has to be in the best condition to do this trek and additionally, the Everest Base Camp Trek packing list ultimately adds up as one of the primary things for the trek.

So, let’s dive into the blog and find out about the packing list for the EBC trek along with various other information.


Lukla Flight Weight Restrictions


As you will be flying from Ramechap to Lukla or Kathmandu to Lukla and vice versa, you will have a certain amount of restriction on your luggage.

5 kg for the hand carry and 10 kg for the luggage (total of 15 kg) is only allowed. In case you have extra weight then it will cost you around NPR 120 per kg. You can only carry a few extra kilos not too much.

As for your secondary items and baggage, you can leave them at the hotel in Kathmandu and get them back once you return from the trek. Your items and baggage will be kept safe. Rest assured.    


Initial items for Everest Base Camp Trek packing list :

First of all, you need to have a basic knowledge of what “Daypack” and “Trekking Backpack/Duffel Bag” is:

A backpack is the most essential trekking gear you will need for the Everest Base Camp trek. If you’re trekking without a porter, then 50 to 60ltr of a backpack from Osprey will be a good choice. There are a lot of choices but just make sure your backpack is very comfortable while carrying. This is for when you are trekking solo or without the porter.

But if you are booked with trekking agencies like us (Pristine Nepal Treks) we provide the 60-70ltr duffel bag to keep all your trekking gear and equipment and belongings. 

Duffle-bags-for-Everest-base-camp-trek

Everest-base-camp-trek packing-list

Daypack for trekking:

Daypack-for-light-weight

Head, Inner, Outer & Foot Wear for Trekking

What you wear depends upon what time of year you are trekking to Everest Base Camp. Generally, the temperature during spring and autumn is warm and moderate so, the weather is perfect. So, light warm clothes with a wind-proof jacket are fine while trekking in lower altitudes. You can also see some trekkers wearing shorts only at lower elevations. But we don’t recommend doing this at higher elevations.

Winter in Everest Base Camp is heart-freezing cold. The temperature drops down to -17°C at night. So, you must come well-prepared to tackle this coldness. Whereas monsoon is generally very rainy & storm will hit you frequently.

So, it’s always best & suggested to come well-prepared rather than regretting. Prepare all the trekking gear that you will need during the trek.

That’s why here are the lists of mandatory packing lists for the Everest Base Camp trek that you should include in your backpack before hitting the Everest trial.

Head Wears for EBC Trek

important-for-everest-base-camp-packing-list

Cap/Hat:

Beanie:

Buff:

Sunglasses: 

2) Inner Wears for EBC Trek

inner-wear-for-EBC-trek

Innerwear is the most important thing to pack while trekking in any part of the trekking region. It keeps you warm and sweat-free during the entire trek. Here are the inner wears you need to pack:

  • Warm Gloves: 1 pair
  • Wicking long-sleeve T-shirts: 2 pairs
  • Quick-dry T-shirts: 4 pairs
  • Bra : 3 Pairs (sports bra recommended)
  • Thermal underwear: 2 pairs
  • Underwear: 4 pairs
  • (I highly prefer Columbia sportswear)

3) Outer-Wear for EBC Trek

what to pack for Everest Base Camp

Outer-wear is the second mandatory packing list for the Everest base camp trek. You can say that outerwear is like a protection/shield for you. It keeps you safe from light bruises, cold, and getting wet during the trek. So, here are some outerwear that we recommend for trekking:

  • Fleece Jackets: 1 pair (if you have space you can add 1 extra)
  • Insulated Jacket or Down Jacket :1 pair
    (Note: You can rent jackets, normally at USD 1 – USD 3 per day)
  • Insulated trekking pants: 2 pairs

No one can predict the Everest base camp weather, so you can encounter rain anytime. It is always the best option to have

  • pair of waterproof jackets & pants in your bag.
  • Shorts (optional)
  • Gaiters (optional)

I highly recommend you buy The North Face jackets.


4) Footwear for the Everest base camp trek.

foot-wears-for-treking-in-Nepal

I would highly suggest you include waterproof trekking boots while hiking at Everest Base Camp. Depending on your comfort, you can have either a low-cut boot or a higher-cut boot but we suggest, a higher-cut boot is the best.

A higher-cut boot prevents water from entering your feet as well and it prevents ankle sprain too.

  • Hiking boots: 1 pair (high ankle boot recommended)
  • Spare shoe: 1 pair
  • Camp shoe or sandal:1 pair
  • Woolen hiking socks: 4 pairs
  • Trekking socks: 2 pairs

Precaution: Getting blisters while hiking is a very common problem & is very troublesome. So, make sure your boots are comfortable. Just in case you get a blister, quickly take care by applying duct tape or moleskin. 

Tips for EBC trek: If you are not carrying your clothes from home then you can easily buy all these necessary trekking clothes in Thamel, Nepal.

5) Sleeping Bag for Everest base camp trek

Though most of the teahouses & hotels will provide you with blankets, it is best to have your sleeping bag for the Everest base camp trek, as the night can get extremely cold. We recommend you have a four-season sleeping bag rated to -15°C. You must pick a warm lightweight sleeping bag for the Everest base camp trek because you have to be walking, a minimum of 5 to 6 hours a day so make sure your trekking gear is as lightweight as possible.

Adding the sleeping bag liner is optional.

sleeping-bag-for-outdoors

There is a saying “Prevention is better than cure” so always have a basic first aid kit for your safety. Our guides will always carry a basic first aid kit with some other essential medical kit & basic toiletries. Since you are trekking in high altitude you are very prone to high altitude sickness.

  • Pulse Oximeters
  • Lung inhaler
  • Water Purifier
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Deodorant
  • Wet Wipes
  • Soap
  • Body lotion
  • Nostril openers
  • Bandages

7) Water Bottles / Water Bladder

water-bottles-for-trekking-in-Nepal

Staying hydrated is a key factor to prevent altitude sickness. In other words, you should drink 2-3ltr of water per day. Especially while hiking you should always keep your body hydrated which is why we always recommend water-bladder to our clients.

  • 1ltr x 1 water bottle 
  • 1 water bladder

8) Important trekking gear for Everest base camp Trek

useful-trekking-gears-for-trekking
  • Trekking Pole: To reduce the impact on your keens while hiking, use a trekking pole. They provide great support & stability on a slippery, snowy trail & steep downhill.
  • Portable charger (optional): Basically, you can charge your electronic devices on each & every teahouse but you’ll be charged a certain amount (normally $1-$2 per device). So, if you don’t want to pay every time to charge your device, you can include a portable charger in your backpack.
  • Headlight: Normally you’ll not be hiking at night except for the early morning trek to Kala Patthar. So, most likely the use of headlights will be less but it will not cost you anything to have a portable headlamp on your backpack. Right?
  • Books & Cards: Have this to enjoy your evenings because there’s less entertainment at night. If you like, you can bring other board games for fun like ludo, chess, etc to keep yourself entertained.
  • Backpacking Stove: Backpacking Stoves can be useful for boiling water or tea when trekking. It’s hard to drink cold water on the way, so taking one of these will not hurt. And of course, don’t forget to take a mug or portable kettle with you.
  • Sleeping bags: We highly recommend you have a three-season sleeping bag for the Everest base camp trek.

Tips for Everest base camp trek backpacking

1st Tips:

Make sure your backpack & duffel bag is water resistant, lockable & durable. Include waterproof bag covers too because Everest base camp weather can be quite unpredictable.

2nd Tips:

While preparing for fitness for the Everest base camp trek, practice carrying bags and improve your carrying limits.

3rd tips:

Avoid unnecessary trekking gear. You might misunderstand trekking gear with climbing gear. Climbing gear is not very useful in trekking. So, avoid those unnecessary gears and decrease the weight.

4 tips:

While carrying the back always tighten the straps, especially at the waist. Because those straps are designed to lessen the weight. Use it properly.

5 tips:

While packing back for trek follow the ABCDEFG rule. ABCDEFG rule is a very convenient method of packing. Which is presented in the following way:

  • Accessibility

While bag packing you should keep essential items at the top or in an accessible position so that you can use them at any time. Stuff like water bottles, raincoats or navigation tools (compass and map), snacks, and other crucial stuff should be in the space where you can easily get them. The sleeping bag for the Everest base camp trek should be placed at the bottom of the bag

  • Balance

Balance is the major key to comfort while carrying a bag pack. You must put your sleeping bag at the bottom and other heavy items at the middle portion of the bag and light items at the top of the bag. By doing this you are supporting a certain volume of weight with the central part of your body and making use of the suspension of your hip belt is the best way possible.

Make sure your bag is packed properly, don’t let the bag slide in one side. Pack the bag in a balanced way, if the bag slants towards one direction more then you will lose your body balance and it will automatically lead to back pain and uncomfortable walking.

  • Compression

Utilize every space of your backpack properly. Fold your clothes nicely so that you will have more space and an organized backpack. Items consuming more space like sleeping bags should be placed at the bottom in a compressed manner (fold it properly).

If you have extra space left then stuff some clothes there. A properly compressed bag will have a good balance and less discomfort while carrying a bag.

  • Dry

As we know wet items are always heavier. So always have your trekking gear and clothes dry so that you can prevent any discomfort and any other potential harm.

If you pack your wet clothes and trekking gear then your bag will be a lot heavier than a normal bag. And it will smell very bad and it will be useless as well.

  • Everything inside

Put every item you are carrying inside your bag. Don’t hang your clothes or your trekking gear out. Your all-trekking gears and clothes have their purpose and importance so you must protect them. Plus, you will look very immature and unprofessional during the trek, which can be a drag.

  • Fuel and food

While traveling for a long time on rough trails, there might not be tea houses, hotels, or homestays everywhere. So, we carry essential items to prepare food ourselves. While packing the food and fuel we must be careful and put fuel at the bottom and food above the fuel. So that in case the fuel leaks then the food will still be safe and eatable.

  • Good job

G stands for a good job. An appreciation for your smartness and hard work. There are many ways to pack a bag for trekking, but congratulations you have successfully rightfully packed your bag.   


Where to rent gears for the Everest Base Camp trek?


Thamel, A major tourist hub of Nepal is perfect for renting or buying all kinds of necessary gear for the Everest Base Camp trek. On every few steps, you will see a trekking gear shop in Thamel. In which most of them provide the service of renting gear as well.

You can find all kinds of gear for both trekking and climbing in Thamel.

What do I need to pack for a week-long trek in the Himalayas?

This is the major question that is often asked and emerges in the mind of a trekker. The Himalayas look peaceful and mind-relaxing but the Himalayas can be quite vulnerable. But that’s what makes trekking adventurous.

Carry a backpack that is comfortable and has enough space to carry your trekking gear. Since you are traveling for just a week, make sure to pack basic trekking gear like:

  1. Bag (around 40ltr)
  2. Sunglasses (UV ray protected if you are traveling to a snow area)
  3. a sweatshirt/fleece jacket
  4. Rainproof jacket and pants
  5. Water bottle
  6. Suns cream
  7. Snacks
  8. Camera
  9. Trekking poles

If you choose to do our luxury Everest base camp then you will have the facility of porters who will carry your backpack.

What are the most essential items to pack while preparing for a trek?

For the journey here is the list of essential items that you must not miss.

  • An identity card – original and photocopy
  • Backpack with rain cover
  • Water bottle
  • Trekking shoes, sandals
  • Umbrella or raincoat
  • LED torch light

Which is the best jacket for the Everest base camp trek?

The higher the elevation, the lower the temperature gets. Considering that we will be gaining a maximum altitude of 5364m during our Everest base camp trek, we must prepare ourselves for an extremely cold atmosphere. So, we must purchase good quality jackets and other trekking gear as well.

So the best option for a jacket to tackle the coldness of the Himalayas will be a down jacket. Down jackets from the north face are mostly waterproof. It contains the following features:

  1. It can be packed easily
  2. It has a pocket inside the chest, a stuff pocket, and a hand pocket as well
  3. Contains 700 to 800 fill down to warm your body
  4. It has a center front zipper with reserved coil

Similarly, you should carry a fleece jacket as well to handle weather of mild altitudes.

How big of a trekking bag do we need?

For trekking, we need around 40 to 60 liters. In common 50-liter bags will be good enough for the Everest Base Camp trek, it has enough space to carry your essential trekking gear.

Which shoes are best for the Everest Base Camp Trek?

Trekking is a challenging and fun activity. Since you will be walking around 5 to 6 hours a day, you must choose a comfortable shoe to trek. Quechua Forclaz 500 is a good option for trekking with an affordable price tag. It has the following features:

  1. It has a well-fitting shape
  2. Wide design
  3. Equipped with a cross-contact sole

How to increase my load-carrying limits in all kinds of situations?

The all-time best way to push your limit is training. So, during your fitness training for the Everest base camp trek, you should practice carrying some weight.

If you choose our luxury Everest base camp trek you will have having facility of a porter who will help you with carrying bags and other trekking gear as well.

What is some low-priced must-have gear for backpacking?

Essential items like water bottles, UV-ray-protected sunglasses, warm caps, trekking poles, toilet paper, and sun cream are some low-priced trekking gear that you must include in the Everest base camp packing list.

Should I bring a camera or reduce the weight of the big camera in my backpack?

If you are a professional photographer and your goal is to take marvelous pictures during the trek then you can carry the big-weight camera but if you are just a normal traveler finding peace in nature then an iPhone or a GoPro will be enough for you.

Because when you trek to EBC the hike can be very challenging for you, so 2 kg of weight can also feel like 20 kg. So, we highly recommend doing proper preparation for Everest Base Camp and training with weights and composing accordingly.

What kind of backpack is best to use on the EBC?

There are two types of bags you will need during the trek. Day bag pack and a duffle backpack. The day backpack is a type of backpack you will be carrying with you throughout the trek. The capacity of the bag should be no less than 40 liters. There you will be packing all the essential items for you during the trek like a water bottle, windproof jacket, snacks, medicine, and a down jacket in the back.

The second bag is a duffle bag which should be at least 60 liters, you will be keeping all the secondary trekking items like sleeping bags, crampons, extra clothes, and more. If you trek with the companies like us then you will be provided a duffle bag free of cost.

Which one is better to take: bottled water or purifying tablets?

 Mostly bottled water is mineral water from the mineral spring that contains various minerals, such as salts and sulfur compounds which are good for our body. But as you go up in the Himalayas the price of the water bottle can range from NPR 100 to NPR 500 depending upon the altitude. Which might not be very reliable for everyone.

Water purifying tablets remove the microorganisms in the water. After putting purifying tablets in water, you will have to wait 30 minutes and it will work well for the water contaminated with microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasitic microorganisms. So, up to Dingbuche you can use purifying tablets and drink the water but at Lobuche and Gorakhshep they don’t have a direct source of water they have to carry the ice and melt it. In that case, If you want to purify water contaminated with heavy metals, chemicals, sediment, and other particles, then this is not a reliable method. So, we suggest you buy bottled water at Lobuche and Gorakhshep for extra safety. But in other places, you can depend on water purifying tablets.

Is it advisable to carry a book during this trek?

After Namche Bazar, you will have to pay a certain amount for Wi-Fi. Sometimes you reach your destination earlier than expected, and then you will not have much to do except sit in the room or hike again. So, in those cases, and if you like reading books in your free time then yes you can have 1 or 2 books during the trek.

Can u trek without a trekking pole?

It depends on your physical condition. Trekking poles act as another set of limbs during your Everest Base Camp trek. The biggest advantage of hiking with trekking poles is that they absorb some of the shocks of your joints when you take a step, especially during uphill and downhill. It also helps in maintaining balance when walking on the unstable and rocky paths of treks.

But the average weight of a trekking pole is around 450 to 550 grams which might add extra weight during your Everest Base Camp trek.  Carbon fiber poles tend to be lighter and stiffer, but they can crack. They’re also more expensive. Aluminum poles are usually slightly heavier, but also cheaper and more durable.

Do you need trekking pants or leggings, too?

Trekking pants are recommended for the Everest Base Camp trek, it keeps you warm, ventilated, and comfortable. It also saves you from abrasion which is the major problem with any other pants than trekking pants.

Normal leggings and yoga pants aren’t designed for long hikes, they are fine for a short walk or recreational climbs but should be avoided for long days on the trail like the Everest Base Camp trek. Technical leggings and hiking leggings are great for taking on the trail. But the problem might be the cold weather during the trek, there the hiking leggings might not be very reliable.

Trekking pants are pretty comfortable and cheap also.

What footwear is best for the Everest Base Camp Trek?

There are three types of hiking boots: lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight. You can choose the shoes according to your comfort and price range. Make sure it is durable, waterproof, and lightweight. Generally, we recommend you choose the lightest and most comfortable footwear you can with the required support and stability for the Everest Base Camp trek.

Some of the best and most popular footwear for the Everest Base Camp trek is Salomon Quest 4 GTX, Meindl Vakuum, La Sportiva Trango TRK GTX, and Merrell Moab Mid 2 waterproof.

What kind of down jacket should I bring for the EBC trek?

For the Everest Base camp trek, you will need a lightweight warm-down jacket that can handle up to -200 c. You can see the leveling in the jacket about the temperature.

Can I rent trekking gear and equipment in Thamel?

Yes, you can easily rent trekking gear like a down jacket, sleeping bag, trekking pole, and so on in Thamel.

Do you need to buy trekking shoes and practice before you go for EBC?

It is a good idea of practicing to practice walking with trekking shoes before EBC because u can check the fit and comfort of the shoes.

Can one do the EBC trek with normal walking shoes?

No, we don’t recommend trekking to Everest Base Camp with normal shoes because the trekking trail is rocky and slippery and the weather in EBC can be unpredictable. If it snows or rains then it will be near impossible to walk with other shoes than trekking shoes.

Is it a good idea to have an insulated camelback and tube?

Yes, it is very helpful if you have insulated camelback during your Everest Base Camp trek. You don’t have to take out the bottle every time you want to drink water.

Drinking lots of water is key to the successful Everest Base Camp trek.

How does the GoPro camera perform during EBC Trekking?

GoPro performs quite well during EBC trekking. The only con is the fast-draining battery due to very cold temperatures.

Is it worth taking an MSR filter?

It is a very good device to filter the water, which is trustworthy and backed up by scientists as well. But you should know the technique of using the filter. If you need to filter the water in the middle of the trial then you will have to wait for the next teahouse, which can be a problem.

Do we need to carry rain pants?

It’s fine to have normal trekking pants. You will already have a raincoat if it rains during a trek. But if you prefer being extra safe you can carry rainproof pants.

How much water do you carry in the daypack?

You can carry 1 liter of water in a daypack. Don’t put extra weight on your daypack. You can buy mineral water in every teahouse on the way or fill the tap water (might cost a little bit) and use a water purification tablet.  

Should I bring a solar panel?

It is a good idea to carry the solar panel for a trek because after Namche every teahouse will charge you a certain amount for charging your phone and power banks. But work with the weights.

How many rolls of toilet paper should I take with me?

You can take 2 rolls of toilet paper at the beginning of the trek later you can buy them during the trek. Even though it might not be heavy it will occupy a lot of space in your bag.

Which sunglass is best for the Everest Base Camp trek?

Glasses should provide 100% UVA/UVB block. Category 3 lenses are fine for the trek but category 4 is better, especially at higher altitudes or if you are particularly sensitive to the sun.

Conclusion:

All the trekking gear listed above is recommended by professional trekkers & guides from our company. Similarly, if you have any other advice regarding the “Everest Base Camp trek packing list?”, then we would appreciate your advice. Thank you.

About Author

Bikash is the youngest member of the company. He finished high school in 2020 and now studying bachelor's in travel and tourism major. Currently, he works as a content writer and prepares the best, creative and informative blogs and articles.
During his free time, he loves to travel, explore new places and learn new things.

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