What To Pack
You can expect to walk around 80-90 miles altogether on your trek to Everest Base Camp through many climate zones and altitudes ranging from 9,000 feet all the way up to 18,500. It is very easy to over pack and bring along items that are not necessary. Our porters can carry a maximum of 10 kg/22 lbs each, and each porter is split between two guests. This means that every guest can give their porter about 11 lbs each so packing only what is necessary is very important! Anything over 11kg/22 lbs will be carried by the trekker themselves.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CAN BUY ALMOST ANY OF THE ITEMS BELOW IN KATHMANDU OR AT NAMCHE BAZAAR! IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BUY SOME OF THE ITEMS, THEY WILL BE FOR RENT IN KATHMANDU AS WELL.
If you’re traveling to Nepal with someone, have a discussion on what to bring and weigh your packs before arriving in Kathmandu.
Essentials:
Passport: This is the one item you can’t get in Nepal!
Cash: Please bring about $500-$700. If our flight is not able to land at Lukla because of weather conditions, we will take a helicopter at a cost of about $400/person that is not covered in the cost of the trek.
Main backpack: We suggest a 50-60 liter pack that has a hip belt. This is what you will be splitting with your partner or someone and what your porter will be carrying.
Daypack: An internal frame climbing/trekking pack of approximately 20-30 liters in carrying capacity. Emphasize simple, lightweight designs. Snacks, water, cameras, toiletries and other immediate necessities will be carried in this pack.
Trekking poles: Collapsible skiing/trekking poles. Three section, adjustable-height models are preferred.
Socks: Two pairs of heavy socks. One pair for trekking and one pair for the teahouses.
Hiking boots: Waterproof hiking boots designed for hiking in cool to cold conditions. Insulated boots with room in the toe box and good ankle support should be stressed. Brands I suggest are La Sportiva, Salomon, and Merrell are all great name brand boots.
Sandals/Flip flops: After a long day of trekking, wearing these around the tea houses makes it very comfortable. That, plus taking showers in them is also recommended.
Underwear: 2-3 pairs of synthetic or wool fabrics are highly recommended. Once cotton gets wet, it takes a long time to dry out so we do not recommend it.
Bottom Base layer: It can get very cold at night, so something warm that is made out of synthetic or wool is recommended. Avoid cotton!
Synthetic T-shirt: One or two short-sleeved outdoor t-shirts for hiking on warm days.
Long-sleeve top base layer: This item must be made of a non-cotton material such as merino wool or polyester. Note that light-colored, hooded shirts are strongly recommended for sun protection, and are worn by guides throughout most climbs.
Hiking pants: One pair of lightweight synthetic hiking pants. Some prefer to bring zip-off styles, though that is not required.
​
Midlayer top: One or two midweight, form-fitting, lightweight fleece layer for use over baselayers. Hoods are optional but recommended.
Insulated Parka: This jacket or parka should be heavily insulated with high-quality down fill. We recommend an overall parka weight between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds. For warmth, a hood is required.
Softshell gloves: Midweight, lightly insulated gloves for use when mittens are too warm and liner gloves are not warm enough.
Insulated gloves: One pair of warm shell gloves with insulated removable liners. Excellent for use when conditions are too cold for softshell gloves, but too warm for expedition mittens.
Hat: The sun on the whole hike can be very intense! Any style of lightweight hat for shading the head will work well. Baseball caps and sombrero-style sun hats are the most common.
Ski hat: A non-cotton wool or synthetic hat that covers the head and ears comfortably.
Sunglasses: I recommend Julbo Explorer 2.0 mountaineering sunglasses.
Headlamp: Sometimes we will start the hike before sunrise and sometimes you will need to use the restroom at night!
0° Fahrenheit sleeping bag: Teahouses can get extremely cold at night, as many of them don’t have any heat. Whether filled with down or synthetic insulation, your sleeping bag should be rated to approximately 0° Fahrenheit and feature a collared hood for warmth. Be sure to include a compression stuff sack. Weather conditions and your body temperature needs may affect what rating of sleeping bag you require.
​
Water Bottle: Bring two one-liter capacity water bottles. Wide-mouth, hard-sided, plastic bottles are ideal. Nalgene brand bottles are recommended. Do not bring metal bottles, and do not bring soft-sided water bottles.
​
Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizer, etc.
​
Medical kit: We will bring a large medical kit, but it’s always a good idea to have your own!