Packing for the Everest Base Camp Trek

Learn from Experts

We understand the gear and what will work best for all conditions you may encounter on your trek to Everest.  Our itinerary has been developed to give you the best acclimatization for Everest Base Camp treks.

Once you sign up with us, we will send you our 40 page dossier, helping you get the information you need. We also are available to you 5 days a week. We want to get you trained and preparation for the journey high into the Everest region. Just get in touch and our world class team will help you in preparing for your once in a lifetime adventure trek in Nepal.

Different Gear for Different Months

Packing for the Everest Base Camp trek can be very intimidating.  For one, you want to make sure you have everything you need to complete the trek. Firstly, if you are trekking in warmer months like May you wont need a heavier down jacket, or 0 degree Fahrenheit sleeping bag.

Secondly if you are trekking in September the same applies and you might want to bring an umbrella. Finally, if you are trekking in December you will need to make sure you bring the correct clothing, layers, -20 degree Fahrenheit sleeping bag and warmer gloves.

Weight Limits on Flights

You don’t want to over pack as you need to be under a certain baggage allowance. If you are getting on a helicopter you have add up to 15kg/ 33lbs in your duffel bag. You will be weighted with your backpack. The maximum weight on the helicopter is 500kg, so the group will be split to incorporate these weight limits.

We predominately use Yaks to carry our bags to Everest Base Camp and they will carry a max of 15kg/ 33lbs in your duffel bag. Porters are the same we they will carry a maximum of 15kg/33lbs on our trips. You can pay for extra weight but important to stay close to these weights.

In terms of the flights from Kathmandu to Lukla, Lukla to Kathmandu or Ramechhap to Lukla the weight limit in your duffel bag will to 10kg/ 22lbs and 5kg/11lbs in your backpack. This makes it extremely challenging on a mountaineering trip. Contact us and learn from some tricks to how to get all your essential clothing into the Everest region.

Packing List for the Everest Trek

This tried and tested Everest Base Camp packing list is the only list you will need! In addition to this, you will also find what we recommend at different elevations and what we recommend you carry in my backpack verses what should be packing in your duffel bag.

Renting or Buying Gear in Thamel

We rent some items from our office in Kathmandu. Most of the gear in Thamel is fake, not reliable or ethically sourced. Yes it is a fraction of the cost, but not worth the risk especially for key items.  Do not compromise on the correct clothing. This being said, I recommend that you purchase three things from home.

There are a few high quality stores in Namche were you can buy gear on the way to Base Camp. You should make sure you have everything you need prior to leaving Namche.

Laundry on the way to Mount Everest

On our treks to Everest Base Camp you can do laundry in Namche and Dingbouche in the lodges we use. This is not available in most lodges on the Everest trail, it depends on where you are staying.

The teahouse rooms can get pretty cold, meaning your clothes probably will not dry, unless you are staying multiple days, which works in Namche and Dingbouche.

Hanging your clothes on your backpack can be an opinion, but not always a good idea as the trail is very dusty and you will likely end up with even dirtier clothes.  It maybe a good question to ask your tour company if the teahouses you are staying at has laundry service.

Packing Tips

1). Pack your things in labeled stuff sacks so you can squeeze the air out more.
2). Bring extra zip locks bags to pick up trash and your toilet paper if needed on the trail.

3). Keep your teahouse clothes in a separate stuff sack or zip lock bag.
4). Roll your sleeping bag with your sleeping bag liner inside to save space

Merino Wool Clothing

Although expensive, Merino wool clothing will keep you warm and dry throughout the trek. In addition to this, Stay dry in wet conditions, warm in the cold, and comfortable on the trail with our hiking collection, crafted from the finest natural performance fibers.

Merino wool also does not smell bad, so you can keep wearing the same pair of socks or top for multiple days at a stretch. Investing in good quality Merino wool clothing (higher the Merino wool percentage the better), is one of my top tips for the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Everest Base Camp Packing List

Now, let’s get into the packing list. Remember to get signed up for one of our treks and we will send you an exact itemized packing list.

Sleeping Bag – We high recommend having a 0 Fahrenheit sleeping bag. You may get away with a 15 Fahrenheit sleeping bag in May and September and -20F would be needed in Late November through end the February. we rent sleeping bag from our office in Kathmandu.

Pillowcase – The Teahouses give you a pillow but it’s highly likely that it wasn’t washed between users. Having your own pillowcase ensures you can use the pillow without worrying about its hygienic conditions.

Backpack – I really like the Deuter 34L backpack for the Everest trek. This backpack has great back support, lightweight, durable and great backpack for training with weight before your trek to Everest. Make sure you backpack as a rain cover.

Trekking Boots – You do need trekking boots with proper ankle support. Check out the boots we recommend.  Always check the fit for your shape of foot, and break them in before the trip.

Teahouse Shoes – We recommend a trail shoe as you will also we walking around towns like Namche. Make sure they are comfortable and lightweight. Bring a bag to keep these in, so your cloths don’t get dirty.

Outer Shells – You need rain gear no matter when you trek to Everest. I have lived at Everest Base Camp for 2 months, and trekked in all the main months. Read more about the best months to trek to Mount Everest. I prefer trekking to Everest in March and November.

It can rain in any month as weather systems roll in off the bay of Bengal. Rain gear, top and bottom should be in your backpack every day. This gear can also double as a wind breaker and is a must have on an Everest Base Camp Packing list. We recommend the Patagonia Trilot or similar.

Down Jacket – We recommend different down jackets depending on the time of year. Learn more about picking the correct down jacket here. Don’t listen to the blog posts from people saying they didn’t use their down jackets. The weather, temperatures and conditions change from year to year and we have seen snow in May, cold snaps in October. The lesson is come prepared for the worst as you never know. This information is based off 20 years of trekking to Everest Base Camp, not a one off visit to Everest.

Mid-Layer – I always bring my Patagonia Nano jacket and I use this lightweight piece on a regular basis above Namche Bazaar.  You can use a fleece layer or a synthetic layer as part of your layering system.

Base Layers – We recommend Merino wool. I personally always bring 260 Merino wool base layers, top and bottom. They serve as an excellent piece in a layering system above Lobuche, Gorak shep and Kala Patthar. You can wear Merino wool everyday without washing it and it will not smell bad. You can use these layers at night to sleep.

Short Sleeve Tee-shirts – We recommend two or three merino wool short sleeve tee shirts and you can wash in Namche and Dingbouche.

Long Sleeve with hood – Having a long sleeve hoody has become an extremely important piece to protect your skin from the penetrating sun at high altitude.

Trekking pants – These can vary depending on the month. In May, September and early October you can bring lightweight zip off trekking pants, like the Patagonia quandary pants. Kuhl have some flexible, comfortable trekking pants. Make sure you can fit your merino Base Layer under your trekking pants for hiking up Kala Patthar.

Lodge pants – Once I arrive in the lodge or teahouse I have a spare pair of socks, underwear and pants. I use the Patagonia nano pants. They are lightweight, warm and comfortable.

Socks – We recommend 4 or 5 pairs of merino hiking socks by smartwool. You can wash these in Namche and Dingbocuhe if needed.  Merino wool will ensure your feet are dry and warm. Always have 1 pair of heavier duty trekking socks for higher on the trail, especially for the potentially cold weather on Kala Patthar.

Underwear – Moisture wicking underwear is a must. I personally prefer merino wool underwear. For female trekkers you should bring a pair for each day on the trek. Laura in our office has trekked to Everest Base Camp over 10 times and happy to answer any female related questions you may have. Contact her today.

Beanie – A beanie was helpful when it was really cold in the morning and even when sleeping in colder months.

Hiking Hat – A baseball hat provides all round protection when mixed with your sun hoody while hiking in direct sunlight. No matter when you trek to Everest, it is really important to have full protection from the sun with this hat.

Buff – We give you a buff at our Everest Base Camp trek briefing at the hotel in Thamel.  Having a soft buff is useful throughout the whole trek to Everest. A buff (if worn at all times), helps you from getting the Khumbu cough.

Gloves – I always have 2 pairs of gloves. These gloves are normally used above Dingbouche.  One pair of liner gloves and thick pair of waterproof gloves. Ski gloves may not be warm enough in colder months and best to have more glove.  The lack of oxygen is a major factor with cold feet and hands.

Non-Clothing Items

1). Trekking Poles – we high recommend trekking poles for the trek to Everest Basse Camp. They help a lot!
2). Nalgene Water Bottles – These were another important item on this Everest base Camp packing list. We recommend 2 Nalgene bottles they can handle boiled water. Each night, you can fill one or both with boiling water and slept with it inside my sleeping bag.
3). Sunglasses – Polarized sunglasses are the best. Category 3 or 4 work well. I use Julbo sunglasses.

Electronics

1).  Phone – I use my phone for pictures and video on the trail to Everest.
2). Camera, lenses and extra memory card – If you take pictures from a digital camera, we highly recommend a camera cover or dust cloth like THIS as the dust is insane on the trail
3). Adapters – Nepal uses Types M, C and D
4). A multi socket – This will help multiple people with charging their devices in your group.
5). Power banks – We recommend 1 solar power bank and 1 regular power bank 22000 aMh.
6). Headlamp – Helpful for when you have to use the bathroom at night as some teahouses turn the power/lights off and hiking up Kala Patthar.
7).  Extra batteries for camera (or go-pro)

Sanitation

1). Toilet paper – I would recommend bringing 2 toilet rolls. One to stay in your backpack and the other in a zip lock back in your duffel bag. You can buy toilet paper in Namche and most lodges but it is a little rough on the butt!
2). Flushable wipes – 1 pack of 42 wipes is recommended.
3). Baby wipes – Bring 1 pack of 60 wipes. You can use these interchangeably in the bathroom with flushable wipes. Also use them as face and body wipes.
4). Sea to Summit wipes – These are incredible! You only need 1 wipe for your entire body. I used one wipe at the end of each day. Bring 2 packs. We have access to showers in our rooms in Namche so 4 nights out of the trek to Everest.
5). Hand wipes – You can use these interchangeably with hand sanitizer
6). Hand sanitizer – We have group sanitizer, but best to have one hanging off your backpack and 2 additional travel sized hand sanitizer bottles. The spray type is most useful
7). Aquatabs – These water purification tablets can be bought in Thamel and in Namche Bazaar.  These are one of the most important items on this Everest Base Camp packing list. You will be drinking 4 liters of water per day so you need a minimum 50 pack. This will vary depending your itinerary.

Other Toiletries

1). Travel sized body wash
2). Quick drying towel – I had 2 small ones and they were great for body showers
3). Contact lenses (if you wear them)
4). Toothbrush
5). Toothpaste
6). Sunscreen
7). Deodorant
8). Lip balm
9). Vaseline
10). Comb if you have hair
11). Dry shampoo – I have thick hair and knew it would never dry if I washed it so I used dry shampoo instead
12). Toe warmers – used on Kala Patthar for the early morning ascent.

Medication

We have an extensive medical kit on all our treks to Everest Base Camp but you do need to bring some personal medication with you. We highly encourage you to seek medical advice in putting together your medication pack for the Everest Base Camp trek.

A personal medical kit is one of the most important things to consider. Below is a sample of what to consider.

1). Inflamation relief – i.e., ibuprofen is tried and test at altitude to aid sleep and reduce the pressure from living at high altitude. This is a MUST!
2). Anti-diarrhea
3). Probiotic
4). Airborne/Emergen C – an immune booster
5). Cold and sore throat relief medication
6). Diamox – Altitude sickness prevention medication. This can be bought over the counter in Kathmandu.
7). Antibiotics – 1 for upper respiratory and cipro or similar for your stomach.
8). Knee and ankle guard
9). Nasal spray
10). Blister band-aid/plaster – compeeds are best.
11). Neosporin and Cortizone
12). Anti nausea – Stemitil is best and can be bought over the counter in Kathmandu
13). Acid reflux relief

Food

Watch a video on what the food will be like on the Everest Base Camp Trek. I do highly recommend an electrolyte like Liquid IV or nuun tablets to be used daily on the trail to Everest.  In the United States the brand Liquid IV sugar free works great. It basically multiplies your liquid intake.
1). Liquid IV/ Electrolytes
2). Protein bars. I bring 5 bars
3). Multi-vitamin and Fiber tablets

Pack Trekking Poles

Most of the Everest Base Camp trek is located in the famous Sagarmatha National Park. The trails are tough and potentially dangerous in places, as you’d expect from a vast mountainous terrain.

There has been an effort in recent years to re-enforce the trial. In doing this more steps and stairs have been added to protect the landscape. This type of terrain requires trekking poles.

Trekking poles help with balance and confidence. Especially when tackling something tricky like a river crossing or uneven surface. They can also take some of the weight off your knees on steep descents. Learn more about training for the downhill.

Join the Experts

Packing for the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal does require some serious thought. We are here to help you gather the right clothing, gear and kit. Understand the training and everything required to safely and successfully reach Everest Base Camp and back again. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook.