What to Pack for Everest Base Camp Trekking Tour from Nepal?

Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, stands lofty at the Tibetan plateau at 8844.43 meters above sea level. As the highest peak on earth, Mount Everest attracts tens of thousands of tourists come to sightsee its magnificent natural beauty and feel its wonder at the closest distance. For average trekking tourists, their trekking to Mt. Everest ends at Everest Base Camp, the closest tourists’ site to the top of the peak and also the core of the Mt. Everest tour.

For a successful Everest Base Camp tour, you need to have full preparations before your actual visit. What follows are detailed information on what to pack for an EBC trekking tour from Nepal.

Basic items needed for an EBC tour

Due to its relatively more flourishing trekking culture in Nepal, many necessities needed during the trekking could be purchased along the route. If you forgot something you could easily buy them in tea houses during the trekking.

In Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mount Everest and also the tourist hub, you could buy almost everything you need for an EBC tour. Here are basic items generally needed along the trail.

Gloves, wind breaker and poncho

Sunscreen

Lip balm with sunscreen

Broad brimmed hat or bandana

Lodine water tablets

Water bottles

Sunglasses

Headlamp with extra batteries

Favorite snacks

Waterproof bags to protect electronics or paperwork

Umbrella

Duct tape or moleskin for blisters

Toilet Paper

Trekking poles

Thermos

Clothing: Base, Middle and Outer Layers

If you start your trekking in March, April or May, there is a high chance that you will trek in sunny weather and might even just wear shorts and a t-shirt at lower elevation. However, as you climb higher it gets colder and the base camp can be below freezing any time of a year. So you need to prepare for the cold and bring a few extra layers just in case. Layering your clothing enables you adjust your body temperature by adding or removing clothes.

The base layer is the first layer of clothing you should put on; it helps your body maintain a steady temperature and absorb sweat that might occur during your trekking. The best fabric for inner layer would be cotton and wool. Here are some common base layers for reference:

Heavyweight long underwear bottoms

Heavyweight long underwear top

Cotton long sleeve tee-shirts

Cotton tee-shirts

The middle layer clothing functions as an insulating layer and the best option is for a thick jacket or fleece. Jacket that is easy to zip and unzip would be the best choice, for you could adjust temperature without having to go much trouble to remove your jacket all the time. For middle layer clothing we recommend the following:

Heavy fleece or down Jacket

Sweatshirt

Fleece pants

Midweight fleece or soft-shell jacket

The outer layer clothing protects you from rains and dusts. The best material would be Gortex which is both breathable and waterproof. A nylon jacket or a plastic poncho is a good choice. We recommend the following out layers:

Gortex or waterproof Jacket with hood

Rain poncho

Lightweight waterproof/breathable rain jacket

Lightweight waterproof/breathable rain pants

Hats, gloves and gaiters

Hats-When it’s warm a wide brimmed hat is important to protect you from the heavy sunshine and when it’s cold you should have a Balaclava or wool hat that covers your face and neck.

Gloves-Bring a lightweight or heavyweight glove with cotton or wool fabric to protect your hands when it is cold.

Gaiters-Though it is unlikely that you will be walking through snow but such case occurs occasionally. Gaiters help you walk in the snow-covered trails and prevent your feet from being hurt by cold.

Footwear: shoes and socks

Hiking shoes-It would be best to bring both hiking boots and a pair of home shoes, so you can wear them for different purposes on different occasions. Your choice for footwear depends on your personal preference. The trail to EBC in Nepal is fairly level without a lot of rocks; if you often hike in tennis shoes then you could probably do the same in the trekking. Please remember that your hiking boots should have extra room for socks but not be so loose that your heel slips while trekking. If you feel your feet uncomfortable, it’s best to find another boot as replacement.

Socks-Wool socks or cotton socks would be a better choice for you, for both of them absorb sweat efficiently. Change a fresh pair of new socks every other days, so your feet will not feel upset. Boots and socks are very important for though the whole trekking period your feet do all the movement. Some recommended shoes for trekking:

Hiking boots with ankle support

Camp shoes or Tennis Shoes

Plastic bag to carry spare shoes

Hiking socks

Daypack and duffel bags

You’d better bring your own daypack that suites you most. In addition, bring several waterproof bags of various sizes so you could put your passport and electronic items in them.

Duffel Bag for carrying your gear

Daypack load your most needed things on the trail

Waterproof cover for daypack

Average bags in several sizes

Stuff sacks for dirty clothes or shoes

Sleeping bag

You are suggested to bring your own sleeping bag or purchase one in Kathmandu. We could also be able to provide you one if needed. Tea houses along the trail could provide mattresses, sheets and pillows and you can even ask for an extra blanket in most cases:

Sleeping bag fit for -15° C

Sleeping bag liner

Sleeping bag stuff sack

Medicine for Altitude Sickness

Trekking in a high altitude, proper medicine is indispensible. Vitamins and nutrient substances are pretty good to help strengthen immune system. Besides, you should take some medicine to treat a cold, anti-inflammatory and painkillers for emergency.

For high altitude illness: Nifedipine tablets can be used for highland pulmonary edema and Dexamethasone can be used for highland cerebral edema.

Besides, you ‘d better bring with you some First Aid Kit during your trekking just in case some emergency happens; some most frequently included items are advil or Ibuprofen, diamox for altitude sickness, personal prescriptions, medical tape and antibiotics.

For an Everest Base Camp trekking tour, you will be careful in your preparations; you could also consult our experienced guides for professional suggestions, then you would certainly achieve a wonderful and complete trekking experience to EBC.