Packing List for Everest Base Camp

Wondering what are the essentials to be included on your Packing List for Everest Base Camp Trek? This article is gonna be of some help to you.

Packing is the last thing a wanderer has to do before heading out to the destination. Last but not least, packing is one of the things to look at while traveling. Also, it is even more important when you are doing Everest Base Camp Trek.

In particular, the Packing List for Everest Base Camp Trek has to be on your sight. Besides, the trek is a time-taking journey and you need various things on your back to endure this trek. Therefore, you’ll need good clothes for the body, a sturdy shoe for your feet, a good pair of gloves for your hand, and so on.

Especially, not having the required items in your Everest Base Camp Trek’s backpack can make you see problems. Besides, if your wish is not to experience any of the problems, you have to pack wisely for the trek. Yet, the packing process for the trek may seem very easy but in the real world, it is too confusing. Overall, it is even difficult when you are not so much used to Himalayan Trekking.

Furthermore, the temperature is cold up there, so are the conditions: different and unpredictable. In fact, you’ll require to use some of those things on the trek that you have never seen also. Saying it yet again, the packing list for Everest Base Camp has to be suitable enough to help you do this adventurous trek.

You probably have come to the best place for the guide on the packing list for Everest Base Camp Trek. Down further, we are going to inform you about all the things you’ll require for the trek. Overall, a complete backpacking list for the trek is displayed. Likewise, you’ll also read things to consider while packing for Everest Base Camp Trek and some of the important Everest Base Camp Trek guides like Itinerary, the best time for the trek, and difficulties of the trek.

This guide will help you to figure out what items to pack and why you need them for the trek.

A Complete Packing List for Everest Base Camp Trek

Here is a complete list of the things that you surely require and may require in Everest Base Camp Trek. However, you can pack something that is not on the list also but that does not mean you can just pack everything. Be wise while filling the limited space backpack.

Clothing

Generally, your body will be in extreme temperature conditions on the trek. That is why you have to start packing by selecting good clothing. Moreover, this includes everything you will wear to keep your body warm and cozy. Here, the list goes as below:

• Inner Layer Thermals.
• Middle Layer(Fleece).
• Water/Windproof jacket.
• Down Jacket.
• Fleece Pants.
• Trekking Trousers.
• Hiking Shirts.
• Breathable Underwears.
• Buff(especially for neck).
• Trekking socks(Thick Woolen).
• Gloves
• Woolen Cap.
• Sun Hat(for sunny hours)

Footwear

In sum, Everest Base Camp Trek is all about walking so you obviously need something good for your feet. Similarly, this list highlights all of the footwear you must pack for the trek.

• Trekking Boots.
• Gaiters(For Snowy season only).
• Sandals/Flip Flops(For non-trekking hours).

Toiletries

This heading enlists all of the toiletries things to carry for the trek. Most of the trekkers get confused when it is about packing toiletries for the trek. So here is the list.

• Sunscreen(SPF 30-50).
• Lip Balm.
• Toilet Paper(Not more than 2 rolls).
• Toothbrush.
• Toothpaste.
• Shower Gel.
• Shampoo
• Quick Drying Towel.
• Hand Towel.
• Moisturizing Cream and Face Wash.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Sanitary Napkins(For Women).
• Plastic Bags(For dirt collection)

Medication

Medication packing is a must for solo travelers. Generally, if you go with a trekking expedition team like us, Base Camp Adventure, you do not need to pack any medics. Our guide takes care of most of the medical necessities. In fact, it is not that you have to use medics but they all are for emergencies. Overall,  the complete list of medication is as below:

• Povidone-Iodine Cream(1 tube).
• Cotton roll.
• Dressing Gauze.
• Bandage
• Paracetamol(for general headaches).
• Ibuprofen
• Decongestant(For congestion).
• Antiemetic
• Diamox
• Water Purification Tablet.
• Loperamide

(Note: If you are using prescription medicines, pack sufficient of them from your country only. You cannot get everything anywhere in Nepal.)

Electronics and Gadgets

In this age of electronics, you surely cannot move without having electronics in your pockets. Below is the list that denotes all of the electronic requirements for the trek:

• Mobile Phone and its charger.
• Universal socket adapter.
• Camera with extra batteries.
• Power Bank.
• Binoculars.
• Bluetooth speaker.

Others

• Sunglasses(UV protected).
• Trekking poles.
• Raincoat(For the rainy season)
• Diary and pen.
• Playing cards.
• Day backpack.
• Sleeping bag.
• Head Torch.
• Dry fruits and snacks.

Necessary Documents

• A valid Passport.
• Enough cash.
• Credit Card.
• Tickets
• Passport Sized Photos.
• Travel Insurance Documents.

Also Read:

• FAQs about Everest Base Camp Trek
• Things to during EBC Trek

Things to Consider while packing for Everest Base Camp Trek

This part of the article is going to be very helpful for you while packing for the EBC Trek. In sum, that is because we are going to list down some of the things to consider while filling your backpack for the trek. Therefore, go through all of them and be on the safer side.

Pack Timely

In particular, time is a very important thing and more important while packing. Therefore, arrange some free and enough time for packing. Do not ever pack rashly. That way, you’re going to either miss out on something or may pack unnecessary things. Instead, get yourself a certain time for packing. Besides, our tip for you is that, start packing some days prior to the departure date. By doing this, you will have enough time to figure out your packing.

Pack wisely

Do your packing for the trek wisely taking all of the things into consideration. Don’t go for everything that is in your mind. Check whether the things you are packing are suitable or necessary or not for the trek. In addition, this way you will save some valuable space in your backpack. And you can also have a light and easy backpack to carry.

Go for thick but light clothes

Everest Base Camp Trek sees a chilly temperature no matter which season you trek in. But you don’t need heavy clothes to wear, the thick and light clothes can do good for the trek. Therefore, prefer thick but light clothes over heavy and space-consuming clothes.

Know everything about the trek

Knowing what it is like to do Everest Base Camp Trek will help you pick the right items for the trek. Here, check info like how long is the trek, difficulty of the trek, detailed itinerary, accommodation, and other facilities in the trek. Similarly, if you have known every corner of the trek then you can do suitable packing for the trek easily. Here, we mentioned most of the trek info down below, don’t forget to check those.

Know the season you are traveling in

This is the most important thing to look at, the season you are traveling in. Out of Winter, Monsoon, Spring, and Autumn, which season you are picking for the trek. As you may know, the conditions are different in each season. Find the right time and know about the stats of temperature and conditions and then start packing accordingly. Likewise, if you see, the packing for the Winter season is not the same for seasons like Spring and Autumn.

Talk with the experienced ones

If you have some experienced Everest Base Camp Trekkers in your reach then reach them. Besides, they can tell you the dos and don’ts for packing lists for the trek. It is a blessing to have someone like that in your circle.

Buying or Hiring the gear

Generally, you will have options to buy or hire the basic trekking gear in Nepal. However, you cannot rent everything, just a few of the gears like a Sleeping bag, hiking boots, and down jackets. Also, the gears are charged around USD 1 per day and they are of good quality, clean and wearable. Otherwise, you always have a choice to buy gears yourself. Besides, there are shops around Kathmandu and Namche Bazaar selling a variety of trekking gears.

Hire a Porter

This can be the most helpful thing if you hate carrying loads on your back. Hiring a porter for carrying your loaded backpack is highly suggested for the trek like Everest Base Camp Trek. Also, the trek is long and you have to walk for a long distance. If your bag is too heavy to carry then it can slow your speed. Thus, in such situations, you can hire a porter for the whole trek.

The porters in EBC trek generally charge around USD 16 to 20 per day. That cost will cover all of the salaries and other costs of a porter. Also, if you have already thought of hiring a porter for yourself then you can pack freely. Moreover, you don’t have to make the backpack light now, you’ll get plenty of porter services. Overall, you just have to pay them their salary, they are so used to carrying loads in the Himalayas.

Outlined Itinerary for Everest Base Camp Trek

The only reason to mention the outlined itinerary of the trek here is to make you aware of the trekking plan. It takes around 13 to 16 days to do Everest Base Camp Trek in a normal manner. However, there are other shorter and longer itineraries designed for all ranges of trekkers. The most popular one is the 15 days long Everest Base Camp Trekking from Base Camp Adventure Team which goes as below:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and Hotel Transfer.

Overnight in: Kathmandu’s hotel.

Day 02: Fly to Lukla from Kathmandu and then trek from Lukla to Phakding.

Flight Duration: 40 minutes.

Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours.

Altitude Gain: Lukla(2845m), Phakding(2,610m)

Overnight in: Phakding’s Teahouse.

Day 03: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar.

Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours.

Altitude Gain: Namche Bazaar(3,450m)

Overnight in: Namche Bazaar’s Tea House.

Day 04: Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar.

Overnight in: Namche Bazaar’s Tea House.

Day 05: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche.

Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours.

Altitude Gain: Tengboche(3,865m).

Overnight in: Tengboche’s Teahouse.

Day 06: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche.

Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours.

Altitude Gain: Dingboche(4,410m).

Overnight in: Dingboche’s Teahouse.

Day 07: Acclimatization Day in Dingboche.

Overnight in: Dingboche’s Teahouse.

Day 08: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche.

Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours.

Altitude Gain: Lobuche(4,940m).

Overnight in: Lobuche’s Teahouse.

Day 09: Trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp and return to Gorak Shep.

Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours.

Altitude Gain: Everest Base Camp(5,364m), Gorak Shep(5,140m)

Overnight in: Gorak Shep’s Teahouse.

Day 10: Trek from Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar and return to Pheriche.

Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours.

Altitude Gain: Kala Patthar(5,545m), Pheriche(4,243m).

Overnight in: Pheriche’s Teahouse.

Day 11: Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar

Trek Duration: 7 to 8 hours.

Altitude Loss: Namche Bazaar(3,450m)

Overnight in: Namche Bazaar’s Teahouse/lodge.

Day 12: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla.

Trek Duration: 6 to 8 hours.

Altitude Loss: Lukla(2,860m)

Overnight in: Lukla’s Teahouse.

Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla.

Flight Duration: 40 minutes.

Altitude Loss: Kathmandu(1,400m)

Overnight in: Kathmandu’s hotel.

Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu.

After going through the above given outlined itinerary, you certainly have understood somewhat about Everest Base Camp Trek. It is pretty clear now that the trek is a 14 days long plan to explore the Everest region and ultimately Everest Base Camp. This information will help you somehow to prepare the backpack surely.

Best Time for Everest Base Camp Trek

The best time is supposed to be a time that is just perfect for trekking in every means. Such time has to be good weather and temperature-wise especially when you are trekking on one of the challenging trails. If that is the case then there are two such times whom you can call the best times: Autumn and Spring. Trekking during these seasons is very much easy and convenient as compared to the Winter and Monsoon which are also known as the low times for any trek in Nepal.

Now, let’s know-how are the best times and low times like:

Autumn | September to November

From September to November, it is Autumn season in Nepal and Everest region. The season is considered the best time for trekking in Nepal including Everest Base Camp Trek. Therefore, if you travel in this season, you are sure to get clear mountain views, sunny trekking days, and a warm temperature to trek under. Also, the temperature of most of the parts of Nepal in this season is around 15°C to 25°C, which is a pleasant condition to trek amid. In fact, this means you don’t have to pack extra heavy and warm clothes, a few pairs will work nicely. No need for snow gears at all.

The weather chart of the Everest region in Autumn is as below:

Spring | March to May

The season of flowers, Spring, is another right time for Everest Base Camp Trek. Also, the temperature is bearable enough, not too cold and not too warm. With the right kind of clothing, you can do the trek this season. Likewise, you’ll experience mountains clear and nonstop all day long. Plus, the blooming flowers do make the trail more scenic in Spring. There is no chance of overcast nor snowfall throughout Spring. In sum, this means some thick warm clothes can complete the trek, no need for gaiters, and heavy down jackets.

The weather chart of the Everest region in Spring is as below:

Read more: Everest Base Camp Weather

Low times for Everest Base Camp Trekking

Monsoon and Winter are the low times for Everest Base Camp Trek. The times that are very difficult to endure. Not many people pick these times for trekking in Nepal, that is why they are called low times.

However, some people like to dare adventure in Winter and Autumn. Trekking in Nepal is possible in these seasons if you go when the seasons are not at their best, like early or late Winter. But when the seasons are at their top, the conditions become very unfriendly and challenging. Moreover, you have to face the challenges of these seasons and also have to carry extra winter and monsoon gear. Therefore, that ultimately weights your backpack.

Winter | December to February

Winter which runs through December to February is a difficult time to trek. It is very harsh and chilly up in the mountains during this season. You’ll need loads of warm and thick clothes to keep yourself warm.

The weather chart of the Everest region in Winter:

Monsoon| June to August

This is the season of rainfall when mountains are mostly behind the dark clouds. Similarly, rainfall can occur anytime and any longer in these months. In particular, there are high chances of rainfall, snowfall, and landslides in this season, which is why people do not like to trek in it. However, you can trek in the times when Monsoon is not so active. But you need to pack rain gears to avoid possible problems.

The weather chart of the Everest region in Monsoon:

Difficulties of Everest Base Camp Trek

Trekking Distance

Everest Base Camp Trek is a trek of a total of 130KM from Lukla to Lukla. Besides, the distance is supposed to be covered within 14 days. If this sounds impossible to you then you have a thing to worry about. Also, you should be in a good condition to cover the distance in the scheduled time. Otherwise, you are sure to face difficulties on the trek.

Trekking Duration

Every day you will be walking for around 6 to 7 hours in Everest Base Camp Trek. Similarly, on some day even more than that. If you don’t seem like a guy who can walk for such a duration then here is another problem for you. Besides, those 6 to 7 hours are to be walked on a trail which is very steep at some parts. Overall, the trail is demanding and if you cannot give the 6 to 7 hours daily, do not do this trek.

High Altitude

In particular, it is oblivious that you have to reach some height to see the tallest peak of the world. But that height can cause you some problems if you are not so used to such height. Everest Base Camp Trek gains around 500m daily and the highest point you reach is the 5,545m(Kala Patthar. Also, this altitude gain always brings the risk of altitude sickness among the trekkers. In fact, if no precautions are taken, the trekker may have to cancel the trek due to sickness.

Trekking With the Backpack on the back

Usually, trekking with a backpack on the back is a difficult thing to do if your backpack is a little too heavy. Also, this will slow your speed down and can also bring mountain sickness closer. Furthermore, the experienced trekkers are so good at this but the novice cannot do this right. Similarly, that is why novice trekkers are not suggested to carry a heavy backpack for the trek. Actually, it is better to switch your load to a porter in challenging treks like this. In fact, you just imagine walking the whole 130 KM with a heavy backpack on your shoulder, how difficult it sounds.

Limited available services

Generally, this trek can be a huge blunder for those who love trekking in developed areas. On the Everest Base Camp trek, you have to compromise with limited services most of the time. Besides, you cannot seek luxury and comfort everywhere you go on the trek.

Read more on: How difficult is Everest Base Camp Trekking?

Packing List for Everest Base Camp Trek  – Conclusion

Here, we reach the end of this article. In short, we believe that this article has turned very helpful for you to provide enough information about the Packing list for Everest Base Camp Trek. Additionally, our motive in this blog is to make you aware of other information than just the Packing list for Everest Base Camp Trek. Therefore, it is why we have added the headings like outlined itinerary, best time, and difficulties along with the full item list for the trek. Moreover, we believe that you have taken more than we expected from this blog.

If you have any queries related to Everest Base Camp Trek or any other treks and adventures in Nepal, do remember us, Base Camp Adventure. It would be the nicest thing to help you out.