Everest Base Camp Packing List: Essentials, What to Skip, and What I Wish I’d Brought

The Everest Base Camp trek is an incredible experience, but you make or break it with what you pack and what you don’t. This Everest Base Camp packing list covers the essential gear you actually need for the trek, what to leave at home, Lukla flight weight limits, and what I wish I had brought. Whether you’re hiring a porter or carrying your own pack, this guide will help you pack smart and stay comfortable at altitude.

You can read more about this trek in my detailed guide here, including a complete itinerary, a cost breakdown, and some of my best advice.

Ama Dablam

You’ll want to pack light for this trek, as all flights to Lukla have a 10kg weight limit on checked baggage, and a 5kg limit for your carry-on. And if you elect to carry your own gear rather than hire a porter, you will thank yourself. As I was undertaking this trek, I kept a list of all the things I was very glad I had, and the things I wished I had brought with me. This list doesn't include the basics of clothes, toiletries, and personal items.

Snacks

I cannot emphasise this enough. I wish I had brought more snacks. Unless you’re eating heaps of dal bhat for every meal, you will rarely be eating enough to replace all the energy you’re burning, and you will be hungry. Do not skimp on snacks! Having something sweet at the end of the day or as you go also makes such a difference. I had a tiny packet of sweets that were like gold dust for me.

Toilet paper

None of the teahouses supply toilet paper. Buy a couple of rolls in Kathmandu before you go up as it is cheapest there. All of the tea houses sell rolls, but they are extortionately priced, so prepare beforehand.

Cash

Anything you buy on the mountain will be cash only. This includes food, water, wifi, toilet paper, showers, and everything in between. You will also need to have enough cash to tip your guide and porter at the end of the trip, especially if they don’t travel back to Kathmandu with you. To cover tipping and extra costs, I recommend bringing at least 20,000-30,000 Nepalese Rupees.

Wet wipes and Hand Sanitiser

For the days where showers are non-existent or too expensive, wet wipes are a lifesaver. I took 5 wet-wipe showers during my trek. It’s nowhere near as good as the real thing, but it does make you feel much fresher after a day of sweating. Hand santitiser is also an absolute must. You will be very lucky to find soap at any of the tea houses or at toilets along the trek.

Lip balm with SPF

The sun up the mountain is strong, and the air is very dry. Definitely pack lip balm that has SPF in it (50+ ideally). It was essential.

Suncream

SPF 50+ as well! The air is very thin and you won’t feel like you’re burning, but you are!

Power banks (x2) 

The further up you go, the less access to electricity you have. Granted, you aren’t using your phone for much more than photos, but make sure you bring at least one powerbank that can charge your phone 4 times. And an extra in case the cold kills it!

Water purification tablets and/or a filtered water bottle

None of the tap water in Nepal is drinkable, but it is much more sustainable to fill up a reusable bottle from the tap than to buy bottled water for the whole trek. When you’re drinking 4-5 litres a day, this is a lot of plastic, and a lot of weight on your back. Almost everyone on the trail was using either a filtered water bottle or water purification tablets. I have a Water-to-Go bottle which is great, but have also heard good things about Lifestraws and Grayl bottles. I actually ended up using the tablet in the filtered bottle so that the filter took away the taste of chlorine from the tablet, which worked out great. You’ll have to buy some bottled water for the days in Lobuche and Gorak Shep because the water there is quite grainy, but a filtered bottle does the trick here. If you buy water purification tablets in Kathmandu, make sure you check the expiration date! Your guide will likely have some as well.

Electrolytes

For that extra bit of energy and to replace the salts you lose while walking, I strongly recommend bringing some electrolytes to drink. They will also disguise the taste of the chlorine water purification tablets.

Imodium

Just in case! The last thing you want is to be stuck with food poisoning on the mountain, with no access to toilets on parts of the trail. For more on avoiding food poisoning and altitude sickness, see my complete guide to Everest Base Camp here.

Headtorch

This is a must - not only for the sunrise hike to Kalapattar, but also just for the tea houses which don’t have electricity. It’s very dark at night!

Sleeping bag

I rented a -25°C sleeping bag in Kathmandu and it was worth every penny. The tea houses generally provide you with a duvet, but it won’t be enough to keep you warm at night, especially at the really high altitudes. I often put the duvet on over the sleeping bag. If you are concerned about hygiene, consider bringing your own sleeping bag liner or buying one in Kathmandu.

Hat, buff, gloves, and a down jacket

I thought I would be using these more times than I did. But hiking up to EBC was very cold, and I don’t think I’ve ever been colder than at the Kala Patthar summit! I lived in my puffer jacket in the mornings and evenings too.

Waterproof backpack cover

Weather changes quickly in the mountains, and I had one day where it absolutely poured. A raincover for your backpack is a must.

Clean Clothes (for the evenings)

After a shower (or wet-wipe shower), being able to change into clean clothes was the best feeling. I had a tshirt, leggings, and fleece that I threw on every night for the afternoon and dinner. It made such a difference not having to put my dirty trekking clothes back on.

Merino wool gear

This material is amazing. No matter how many times you wear it, it just never seems to smell. I don’t understand it, but no complaints: it will save you space in your bag. I packed two long-sleeved tops and one pair of thermal leggings in it for nighttime. Socks and a couple of t-shirts would also go a long way.

Midlayers

I wish I had packed more midlayers. Most days you get quite hot walking, but not hot enough to just be in a t-shirt. A thin mid-layer rather than just a jumper would be perfect. I also definitely recommend sleeves over tank tops because you’re carrying your backpack and with a tank, your shoulders rub a lot. I made this mistake!

Deck of cards or Kindle/e-reader

You’ll have a lot of time in tea houses every night. A deck of cards is a great way to stay entertained and meet other people staying there. A Kindle or e-reader is also a great way to pass the time, is light, and should stay charged the whole trek. It also can be read without a light where there is no electricity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight can you bring to Lukla?

All flights to Lukla have a 10kg weight limit on checked baggage, and a 5kg limit for your carry-on. They are strict on this, so make sure you don’t go over it.

Can you buy gear in Kathmandu?

You can buy or rent everything for the Everest Base Camp trek in Kathmandu. However, if you are pressed for time, want some home comforts, or are travelling long-term and don’t want to carry gear around, here is my advice for what to rent in Kathmandu and what to bring from home.

Rent: sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles.

Buy in Kathmandu: toilet paper, hat, gloves, and buff (these are very cheap in Kathmandu!), snacks, sleeping bag liner, waterproof backpack cover, deck of cards.

Bring from home: sleeping bag liner, water purification tablets, filtered water bottle, suncream and lip balm, head torch, trekking clothes, electrolytes, power banks, wet wipes, snacks, waterproof backpack cover, deck of cards, Kindle/e-reader.

Do you need a sleeping bag for Everest Base Camp?

Yes. The tea houses generally provide you with a duvet, but it won’t be enough to keep you warm at night, especially at the really high altitudes. I rented a -25°C sleeping bag in Kathmandu and I strongly recommend getting one suitable for low temperatures.

This is a very comprehensive packing list for Everest Base Camp, and I hope it helps you be as prepared as possible for the trek. If you’re preparing to go, check out my complete guide here. As always, look after the places you visit and remember to only leave your footprints behind :)