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What to take for the Everest Base Camp Trek


Imja Tsho & Amphu Labsta Tsho near Chukhung on the Everest 3 Passes trek.
Imja Tsho & Amphu Labsta Tsho near Island Peak

Information on what to take for the Everest Base Camp trek and details of companies that provide travel insurance for high altitude treks.


Click here to read my other blogs about the Everest Base Camp and Everest 3 Passes treks.


Contents


  1. Introduction

  2. Clothes in Main Pack & to Wear

  3. Miscellaneous Items

  4. Medications

  5. Toiletries etc

  6. Sleeping

  7. 35 to 45 Litre Day Pack

  8. Travel Insurance Policy

  9. Links to my other Everest Base Camp Trek Blogs


 

1. Introduction


I am not a light packer and I have a porter or porter/guide to carry my pack.


However, this ultra light packing list is by someone who did the Everest Base Camp 3 passes trek in November and everything weighed 4.26 kilos including the pack! I usually have more than that in my day pack!


What I pack depends on the time of the year. I have only trekked in the Everest region in May when it is warmer and easier to wash clothes. See my blog My Daily Reports on the Everest 3 Passes Trek.


We have done the Everest Base Camp trek twice. The first time I was too hot in my Rab Ascent 900 sleeping bag so I bought a Rab Ascent 700 for my second EBC trek. It was perfect for the May temperatures, but during winter I would need something warmer or would have to use the lodge's blankets.


If you do forget to bring something for the Everest Base Camp trek you can very likely buy it in Kathmandu, Lukla or Namche Bazaar. I wouldn't want to buy boots or hiking shoes in Nepal. I met a trekker in Gokyo who had to abort his Everest 3 passes trek as the boots he bought in Kathmandu were falling apart.


 

2. Clothes in Main Pack & to Wear


  • 2 light pairs of long trekking pants (they can convert to shorts)

  • 2 trekking T shirts (one synthetic and the other heavier merino wool)

  • 1 light long sleeve synthetic trekking top

  • 1 warm merino long sleeve trekking shirt

  • 1 Rab trekking sweater

  • 3 merino hiking socks

  • 3 liner socks

  • 4 underpants

  • Scarpa boots

  • Scarpa shoes (not essential, but more comfortable, and a back up for the boots)

  • Long johns for trekking when it is cold and in the evenings

  • Primaloft pants for cold evenings (can be bought for about NPR 3000 in Kathmandu)


 

3. Miscellaneous Items


  • Factor 50 sunblock

  • Trekking Map

  • Two pin double USB plug

  • Reading spectacles

  • Spare boot laces

  • 4 Spare Energizer lithium AA batteries (for the Steripen)

  • Petzl rechargeable headlight

  • String (approx 6 metres for drying clothes in the bedroom)

  • 12 Clothes pegs

  • Ear plugs (I don't like using them)

  • Kobo or Kindle

  • Photocopies of relevant pages from guide books

  • Water purification tablets (for emergencies)

  • Cellphone charger

  • Earphones for listening to music at night

  • Dried apricots to keep me regular!


 

4. Medications


  • Paracetamol

  • Azithromycin for bad stomach issues (don't use Ciprofloxacin due to side effects risks)

  • Rennies tablets for heartburn

  • Strepsils for coughs (can be bought at some lodges)

  • Plasters (lots)

  • Micropore tape

  • Knee brace (never used it)

  • Thermometer

  • Covid test kit

  • Diamox (I have never used it but bring it in case I get altitude sickness)


 

5. Toiletries etc


  • Shaver

  • Toothpaste

  • Toothbrush

  • Small soap

  • Trekking towel

  • Flip flops for showering

  • Very small bottle of shampoo

  • Small mirror

  • Nail scissors

  • Hand cream

  • Small bottles of hand sanitizer

  • Comb


 

6. Sleeping


  • Sleeping bag

  • Silk liner bag

  • Pillow case (to go over the tea houses' dirty pillows)


 

7. 35 to 45 Litre Day Pack


The contents depend on the weather & temperature.

  • Lightweight waterproof jacket

  • Lightweight waterproof trousers

  • 2 Trekking poles

  • Rab down jacket

  • Liner Gloves

  • Warmer Gloves

  • Buff

  • Wool hat or beanie

  • Microspikes

  • 2 one litre water bottles

  • Tilley hat and baseball hat

  • Sunglasses (category 2 - 4)

  • Steripen

  • Plasters and micropore tape

  • Blister kit (never used it)

  • Toilet paper

  • Lip ice (factor 30)

  • Cellphone

  • Money and passport

  • Notepad and pen

  • Garmin Inreach Mini

  • Cover for day pack


 

8. Travel Insurance for the Everest Base Camp trek


Travel insurance for trekking in Nepal is expensive because of all the scams perpetuated by guides and trekkers themselves.


Do ensure that you obtain an insurance policy that will cover you up to 5,500 metres if you are trekking to Everest Base Camp.


Jamie McGuinness has climbed Everest 6 times and runs a trekking company called Project Himalaya. He has written a very good blog on travel insurance for Nepal and Ladakh. This blog provides details of companies providing the appropriate travel insurance in the UK, North America and Worldwide.


 

9. Links to my other Everest Base Camp Trek Blogs


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