We’ll be taking a trip to Nepal in less than 2 weeks to do the Everest Base Camp trek!  Upon preparing for this exciting adventure, one of the most nerve-racking things we’ve come across is making sure we have everything we need. If you forget something important, it may not be available … or it could be really expensive, so we have broken down the list into 6 categories of what we think are the things you, the trekker, will need most. Since you are responsible for not only getting yourself up & down the mountain, but also your belongings as well, you are going to want to pack as light as possible. Additionally, the airplanes taking you to Lukla have strict weight limits due to their size, so you want to be sure as well that you don’t exceed that.

On the Trek

• A good travel/hiking backpack with day pack (We use the Osprey Farpoint 55L – we love these packs! They are so incredibly spacious and they’re the perfect size for carrying-on. We’ve carried-on on airplanes all over the world of various sizes and have never had an issue!)
• A good pair of hiking boots (We have Merrell’s and highly recommend them!)

• Hiking Socks (we went with smart wool)
• Underwear (long and normal)
• Trekking Pants (snow/ski pants are a great choice)
• Warm Coat (can either be brought from home or rented in Kathmandu)
• Layered dri-fit tops (t-shirt, long sleeve, and a warm sweater. We love these because they minimize sweating)
• Winter Gloves
• Winter Hat
• A Buff
• A Poncho
• A polarized pair of Sunglasses

In the Tea House

• Warm Socks
• Comfy Slippers
• A pair of Bathroom Sandals
• Underwear (Long and normal)
• Comfortable Pants
• Layered Shirts (t-shirt, long sleeve, and a comfy hoody)
• Sleeping Bag rated for cold temperatures (this can be rented in Thamel area of Kathmandu)

Gear/Electronics/Misc

• Camera

• Phone
• Head Phones
• Watch
• Battery Pack(s) (as there may not be charging available in the teahouses and if there is, it is likely for a fee)
• Chargers/Charger Cords
• 2 1L water bottles (We got the Camelback Chugs)
• UV Pen to sterilize your water (We got the Steripen Ultra)
• Chlorine Tabs (we have these as a backup to the Steripen)
• A Head Lamp
• A Trail map (if doing the trek independently)
• Cards/Uno or even a book to pass the time (since you will have a lot of downtime at the teahouses)
• Camera Tripod (tip submitted by @salsaworldtraveler – thank you so much for your tip!)

First Aid

• Safety Pin (to pop those pesky blisters!)
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Moleskin Blister Bandaids
• Sun Screen
• Chapstick
• Diamox to prevent/lessen the effects of altitude sickness (Consult your physician. Ours was able to write us a perscription after just a quick visit!)
• Painkillers
• Cold Meds
• Stoppers/Goers
• Lozenges
• Electrolyte Tabs (We have Nuun)
• Bandaids, tape, gauze, Neosporin

Toiletries

• Toilet Paper (a must when traveling anywhere in Southeast Asia!)
• Wet wipes (A shower replacement)
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Hand Sanitizer
• Nail Clippers

Documentation

• Passport/Visa (Americans can get visas upon their arrival in Kathmandu. Please note: requirements and fees can change so please check with your local Nepali embassy or consulate on what is needed before you come)
• Permits and Fees

***Important things to know regarding permits and fees***

Sagarmatha National Park entry permit fee for foreigners: 3,000 NPR + 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (Approx. US $34)

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu district has started levying entrance fee of Rs 2,000 (approximately $20) on every foreigner entering the rural municipality from October 1, 2018 replacing the TIMS permit: 1,000 NPR (Approx. US $10)

Where to get the permit:

Sagarmatha National Park entry permit can be purchased in the Nepal Tourism Board Office on Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu, Tel: +977 1 4256909.

While Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee needs to be deposited at the Lukla Check Post.

Sounds like a lot but I actually got it all to fit in my bags below! Pretty impressive!

Have you gone on the EBC Trek? Did I miss something? Hopefully this list helps anyone wanting to trek the EBC trail. If we come across anything not on this list that we end up needing on our trek, we will be sure to update you!

Be ‘saif’ and happy trekking!

Your friends @ Saif Travels