Everest Base Camp Trek Packing List – Exactly What You Need To Bring

Hi Corin, if you are trekking the standard route – strainght up and down the Khumbu Valley – then it is unlikely that you will need yak tracks, but if you have them then there is no harm taking them. If you plan to do any of the EBC trek variations that involve crossing some of the big passes – like Cho La on the Gokyo Lakes route – then I would definitely take yak tracks. Crampons are overkill, especially if you have to change your hiking boots. All the best!

Hi Marco, some international companies will include international flights in their tour prices, but most operators only include the domestic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla return. You need to get yourself to Nepal first! I would recommend the Gokyo Lakes route for the best scenery: https://ebctrekguide.com/gokyo-lakes-trek-everest-base-camp. November is fine, although expect cold weather. If you decide to do the Gokyo route then the Cho la Pass may be closed due to snow / weather. It may be better to do the classic EBC route if you decide to trek in November.

Hi Ivan, it is possible to trek in late June, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The weather can be very bad and many teahouses close for the monsoon season.

Hi Joyce, the Classic EBC trek takes about 12 days – KTM to KTM, whereas Goyko adds on average 3 days (so 15 days KTM to KTM). It is possible to do both treks faster but I wouldn’t recommend it as acclimatisation takes time and the 12 day or 15 day profile is a conservative approach.

Hi Gary, it is quite easy to find willing guides / tour operators in KTM. The Thamel area is rammed with tourist guide shops / gear shops where you can scout for a guide or company. Establishing the quality of the service / what’s included in the price etc. can be a bit of a minefield. The trick is to shop around to compare and contrast services / options. In terms of weather mid-May is a fine time to trek. You can expect freezing temperatures in the high country at night time and in the early hours of the morning. By mid morning and into the afternoon, the temperatures will be in the high single digits or early teens. The high passes, like Cho La can be pretty cold (weather dependent) so make sure you have lots of layers. All the best!

Hi Mike, most villages will have tea houses with basic medical supplies and if you are travelling with a reputable tour operator the lead guide should have a pretty comprehensive first aid kit. My recommendation is to bring basic medication – i.e. Paracetamol etc, and a basic first aid kit, but nothing too heavy or cumbersome. Cheers!

Hi Yogi, yes, the day time temperatures in the lower regions around Lukla will be comfortable. But temperatures drop in the night. By the time your reach Namche you can expect very cold temperatures at night. Temperatures can rise into the low to mid teens during the day around Namche and further up the trail. As you get further north day time temperatures can be frigid. Packing light is important, but make sure to have sufficient layers so that you have options to layer up and down as temperatures fluctuate.

Hi Suresh, thanks for your comment. It is not necessary to take a portable toilet on the EBC trek. The toilets throughout the trek, particularly further up the trail, are very basic. Ranging from outdoor long drops and ceramic holes in the ground, to standard toilets but with no flushing mechanism. Despite being very basic, all toilet facilities beat the idea of a portable toilet that you have to carry with you. Hope this helps!

Sure thing Suresh!

Hi Ashi, generally tubes or bottles are fine. Even aerosol cans can be fine as the ascent to altitude is slow. There are basic facilities for shower in some teahouses, particularly those lower down the trail. Hot water is however a rarity. You can buy a bowl of hot water to do a wet wash with a clothe at all teahouses. Hope this helps.

Hi Dan, I recommend contacting World Nomads directly if you are struggling to find the right insurance product. From memory you need to select the Explorer option, not the Standard. Then you need to add a Sports & Activities premium. You can search for hiking and you will see they offer coverage up to 6,000m on known routes, like EBC. I believe Heli-vac in Nepal is included but there is an excess. Again, worth double checking with World Nomads. All the best!

Hi Ken, Thanks for getting in touch. Kathmandu has loads of gear shops, especially in Thamel so you should be able to find all the clothing you need. Quality is generally average to poor though. In terms of shoes, Karrimor and Hi-Tec are definitely budget brands so I’m not surprised that reviews aren’t great. If you are on a tight budget then the Hi-Tec Altitude or the Karrimor Mount aren’t bad. Otherwise, Salomon or Merrell is a much better bet! All the best!

Hi Eric, it is possible to trek during the monsoon season, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Views may be clouded over, expect lots of rain and landslide risk is higher. Many teahouse may also be closed for the season. I would recommend taking a guide, but you are able to hike solo if you want. All the best!

Hi Memo, thanks for getting in touch. The above list works perfectly across the year and is fine for October too!

Hi Ross, category 3 is fine. All the best!

Hi Dave, it really depends on how comfortable / experienced you are at arranging things on the ground. Major operators cost a little more but take all the hassle out of having to arrange hotels pre and post the trip, flights to Lukla and of course your support crew (guides / porters). Organising on the ground is possible but quality varies and finding a reliable operator can be challenging. Going with an organised group and pre-booking will cost between $900-$1500 pp (including domestic flights, hotels, teahouse accommodation, guides / porters etc). If you are happy to arrange everything yourself (i.e. domestic flights, teahouse accommodation, hotels pre and post), then you can get a guide and porter for around $300-$400 pp.

Hi Richard, the pass is generally open, but depending on snowfall can close in October and November. Unfortunatley there is no way to predict far in advance. I would just be aware that it is possible that the pass will be closed.

Hi Nathalie, yes, October is a good time to trek to EBC. Weather can be very variable week to week and at different altitudes, but generally October is dry and warm during the day (below 3000m) and then more frigid and cold above 3000m and at night and in the mornings. All the best!

Hi Dave, you are best to bring some dollars for your on arrival visa and to have a little cash on you for the first day. I then recommend using a cash machine to draw local currency and use that on the trek and in Kathmandu.

Hi Helga, September is a great time to trek to EBC. You might want to want till mid September to definitely be sure of missing the monsoon.

Hi Birgitte, it really depends how comfortable you are carry a ~50L backpack. Hiring a porter is not expensive so you may want to get one just for the convenience. You might also want to check with your tour company if they use Yaks to transport your main bag.

Thanks Alex. Finding age specific groups can be challenging as most tour operators cater for a wide audience. Why don’t you try rope in some friends and create your own group.

Hi Marcela, trekking independently on the standard EBC trail is not a bad idea if you are relatively experienced and have a good map. Way-finding is pretty easy. A guide though is always helpful, and can also help with arranging teahouse accomodation etc. It’s also a way to give back to the region. The trail in Jan / Feb is generally fine, especially if you don’t plan to go over any of the big passes (Cho La, Renjo etc.). If you are taking the classic trail (straight up and down the Khumbu Valley), then the route is pretty straightforward and won’t be impassable. Delayed flights into and out of Lukla airport are always a risk. I would plan a contingency day or two for bad weather. Hope this helps!

Hi Rocio, the packing list is sufficient for a December trek, although please make sure you get a good quality four season sleeping bag, quality outdoor winter jacket and warm gloves / beanie. Almost all teahouses have a yak burner in the common room, but all other parts of teahouse, including rooms are not heated (hence, a good sleeping bag is a must!).

Hi Cedrik, Gokyo Ri and Cho La should be open around this time – as long as there isn’t a late massive snowfall in late Feb / early March. In terms of gear, there are loads of gear shops in the Thamel district of Kathmandu – just make sure you avoid bad ripoffs – these will fail on the trek.

Hi Prashant, I recommend using our tour operator recommendation service. We will put you in touch with a trek operator who can arrange a night over in EBC: https://ebctrekguide.com/go. In terms of going to Camp 2 on Everest, I am not aware of any trek operators who offer this. In fact I’m pretty sure this is impossible without purchasing a climbing permit (cost: $12,000). The closest you can get to camp 2 is the EBC crampon point, just before you enter the Khumbu icefall. Any closer requires a climbing permit. All the best.

H Aditi, here is information on training: https://ebctrekguide.com/best-training-program-everest-base-camp-trek and in terms of best months check out this article: https://ebctrekguide.com/best-time-to-trek-to-everest-base-camp All the best!

Hi Linh, you can also use a water filter like Steripen. I recommend using it in conjunction with purification tablets.

End April as it coincides with the climbing season so the mountain, teahouses and trails are teaming with interesting folk.

Hi Tim, I recommend you take a 90L duffel: https://www.amazon.com/TYTN-Duffel-Expeditions-Travel-Sport/dp/B07D77F96L/

Hi Kasia, teahouse availability varies but as you have a large group I would recommend bring a porter or guide a long to help with securing rooms each day. A guide would also be helpful for way-finding, especially as you plan to do the Gokyo route. You will find the Gokyo section nice and quiet compared to the main EBC track. You won’t see many kids on the trail, I’ve hiked to EBC twice and have only ever seen a handful of kids. Hope this helps!

It is indeed!

Hi Madeleine, not at all. The three passes trek is a challenge, but as you sound fit and healthy I’m sure you will be fine. Just make sure to build in enough acclimatisation days to avoid altitude sickness. The passes in Nepal are super high (almost as high as Kilimanjaro) so you need to acclimatise properly, especially before going over the first pass. January does come with it’s own challenges though. Snow cover and cold are at or near its peak during this month so it is possible the passes will be closed. Make sure to go with an experienced guide and bring good quality / warm gear!

Hi Keith, Lice is generally not a problem and sanitary conditions, although poor are also generally not a problem. I recommend using antibacterial gel to wash your hands before eating. You can also bring a pillow cover if you are concerned about bed bugs, but I have trekked extensively in the region and never had a problem. That being said, make sure to set your standards low.

Hi Sue, yip, that is fine.

Hi Vibhor, you can rent many of the items you need in Kathmandu. I would make sure to have the main clothing items, hiking boots etc., but when it comes to sleeping bags, trekking poles, daypacks etc, these can be rented. Also Kathmandu, particularly Thamel, has loads of gear shops when you can buy cheap rip off gear if you are missing anything.

Hi Steven, if you are using porters then I would go for a 90L duffel bag for your main gear / clothes and a standard a standard hiking daypack, like the Osprey Talon 30. If you will be carrying your own gear then a hiking backpack with a capacity of 60L is sufficient. I would recommend Osprey again. I would not take a canvas bag.

Yip, no need to bring food. Teahouses offer a wide variety of food and snacks. You may want to bring your favourite snacks or a spread (like peanut butter). All the best!

Hi Le Blanc, yes, a sleeping bag is essential. It gets well below freezing a night in Gokyo and around the higher villages. Finding a guide in Gokyo to help you navigate the Cho La Pass should be straightforward, but I recommend searching for one earlier on the trail, perhaps in Machermo.

Hi Maria, yes, it is possible to hike independently to EBC. The trail is well marked and there are many villages along the route. Make sure to take a good map though. In terms of sleeping at EBC this is a little more tricky. The only way to arrange this is via a well connected trek company that can get you a night in the camp of one of the climbing expedition teams. It usually costs around $150 a night.

Hey Kieran, thanks for getting in touch! In terms of teahouses, one is usually able to find at least one with availability – most don’t take forward bookings, however, a lot of tour companies have existing relationships with teahouse and will pre-book or use a porter to run ahead each day to secure beds / rooms. If you take a porter then this is a possible way to secure a room every night. In terms of flights, it is possible to get onto a last minute flight from Lukla, but there are no guarantees. If you are super flexible you can always stay a night in Lukla waiting for a flight back. Hope this helps!

Hi Luis, yes I recommend having at least a day extra in KTM, as delays out of Lukla are relatively common. Credit cards are generally not accepted in the Everest region, so cash is best. There is a cash machine in Namche, but I recommend bringing cash from KTM.

Thanks Bill! Yes, you can bring a small backpacking stove but I’m not sure about propane canisters. There are many outdoor shops in Thamel, Kathmandu – I would assume some sell propane canisters, but I’m not certain. Most teahouse though have good facilities and can provide hot water.