Everest Base Camp Trek Packing List 2026 — The Complete Guide

Introduction

Packing for the Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most important parts of your preparation. Pack too much, and your porter carries unnecessary weight. Pack too little, and you suffer in -20°C nights at Gorak Shep. After 15+ years and 1,000+ successful EBC treks, our guides at Global Nepal Treks have seen every packing mistake possible.

This is the definitive EBC Trek packing list for 2026 — everything you need, nothing you do not. Every item on this list has been tested on the trail by our Sherpa guides.

The Golden Rule of EBC Trek Packing

Your daypack should weigh no more than 7–8 kg. Your porter carries the rest — maximum 15 kg total. Every unnecessary item makes your trek harder and more expensive.

Weight breakdown:

• Daypack (you carry): 7–8 kg maximum

• Duffel bag (porter carries): 10–12 kg maximum

• Total: 18–20 kg maximum

Clothing — The Most Important Category

Getting clothing wrong is the most common packing mistake on EBC Trek. The Khumbu region has 4 completely different climate zones from Lukla (2,860m) to Kala Patthar (5,545m). You need a layering system.

Base Layer — Thermal Underwear

• 2 × thermal long-sleeve tops (merino wool preferred over synthetic)

• 2 × thermal leggings

• 4–5 × merino wool socks (Darn Tough or Smartwool brand recommended)

• 4–5 × moisture-wicking underwear

Why merino wool? It keeps you warm when wet, dries faster than cotton, and does not smell after multiple days of wearing. On EBC Trek, you will wear the same base layers for 2–3 days between washes.

Mid Layer — Insulation

• 1 × fleece jacket (300g weight minimum — Patagonia R2 or similar)

• 1 × lightweight down jacket (600-fill power minimum — for lower altitudes and rest stops)

• 1 × heavyweight down jacket (-20°C rated — essential above Namche Bazaar)

The down jacket is the most important clothing item on the list. At Gorak Shep (5,140m) temperatures drop to -15°C to -20°C at night. Do not cheap out on this item.

Outer Layer — Waterproof Shell

• 1 × waterproof hardshell jacket (Gore-Tex or equivalent — must be fully waterproof, not just water resistant)

• 1 × waterproof hardshell trousers

Do not bring a softshell only. Monsoon moisture and unexpected snowstorms at high altitude require a fully waterproof outer layer.

Trekking Clothes — Day Wear

• 2 × trekking shirts (quick-dry synthetic or merino wool)

• 2 × trekking trousers (zip-off convertible trousers are ideal — shorts below Namche, full length above)

• 1 × lightweight fleece or midlayer for evenings in tea houses

Head, Hands, and Feet

• 1 × warm winter hat covering ears (down-filled or thick fleece)

• 1 × sun hat or baseball cap (UV protection for high altitude sun)

• 1 × balaclava (for Kala Patthar pre-dawn climb)

• 1 × lightweight gloves (for lower altitudes and trekking)

• 1 × heavyweight insulated gloves or mittens (for Kala Patthar and high camps)

• 1 × buff or neck gaiter (multipurpose — dust, cold, sun protection)

• 2–3 × pairs of trekking gaiters (optional but useful in snow above Lobuche)

Footwear — The Most Critical Item

• 1 × pair of waterproof trekking boots — ankle support, Vibram sole, Gore-Tex lining

This is the single most important item on the entire list. Your boots must be:

• Broken in before the trek — minimum 50–100km of hiking in them

• Waterproof — not just water resistant

• Ankle support — rocky terrain above Namche Bazaar requires ankle support

• Vibram or similar aggressive sole — for grip on ice and rock

Recommended brands: Salomon Quest 4D, Scarpa Zodiac Plus, La Sportiva Trango, Lowa Renegade

• 1 × pair of lightweight camp shoes or sandals (for tea house evenings — your feet need rest)

• 1 × pair of gaiters (for snow sections above Lobuche — optional)

Gear and Equipment

Backpack — Your Daypack

• 1 × 30–40 litre daypack with hip belt and chest strap

• 1 × rain cover for your daypack (essential — many packs come with one)

• 1 × large duffel bag for porter (60–80 litre — most agencies provide this)

Sleeping

• 1 × sleeping bag liner (silk or fleece — adds 5°C warmth, keeps sleeping bag clean)

• Note: A full sleeping bag is NOT required if you use our provided -10°C sleeping bags

Ask your trekking agency if they provide sleeping bags. Global Nepal Treks provides 10°C-rated sleeping bags for all trekkers. You only need a liner.

Trekking Poles

• 1 × pair of collapsible trekking poles (carbon fibre or aluminium)

Trekking poles reduce knee stress by 25% on descents. They are essential on EBC Trek, especially on the long descent from Namche to Lukla on Day 12. You can rent poles in Kathmandu for $2–3 per day.

Headlamp

• 1 × headlamp with spare batteries (lithium batteries perform better in cold — alkaline batteries fail below -10°C)

• 1 × spare headlamp (optional but recommended)

You use your headlamp every morning. Pre-dawn Kala Patthar summit (4:30 AM start) requires a reliable headlamp.

Hydration

• 2 × 1-litre water bottles (Nalgene wide-mouth recommended — easy to fill with hot water from tea houses)

• 1 × insulated water bottle (keeps water from freezing above Lobuche)

• 1 × hydration bladder (optional — tubes freeze above 4,500m)

Carry a minimum of 3 litres of water capacity above Namche Bazaar. Dehydration is the primary cause of altitude sickness. Drink 3–4 litres per day on the trail.

Water Purification

• 1 × SteriPen UV water purifier (fastest and most reliable)

• OR water purification tablets (Aquatabs or Iodine — backup option)

• OR LifeStraw bottle (alternative)

Do not rely on buying bottled water above Namche. Above Namche plastic bottles cost $3–5 each. Water purification saves money and reduces plastic waste.

Sun Protection — Critical at High Altitude

• 1 × sunscreen SPF 50+ (reapply every 2 hours — UV radiation increases 10% per 1,000m altitude gain)

• 1 × SPF lip balm (chapped lips are painful and very common above 4,000m)

• 1 × pair of UV400 sunglasses with side shields (glacier glasses recommended above 5,000m — snow blindness is a real risk)

Personal First Aid Kit

Carry your own basic first aid kit. Global Nepal Treks guides carry a group medical kit, but you should have personal medications too.

Essential Medications

• Diamox (Acetazolamide) 250mg — altitude sickness prevention and treatment

  • Dosage: 125–250mg twice daily starting 24 hours before ascent above 3,000m

  • Consult your doctor before taking — not suitable for everyone

• Ibuprofen 400mg — headache and inflammation (very common above 4,000m)

• Paracetamol 500mg — fever and pain relief

• Imodium — diarrhea treatment (very common in Nepal)

• Rehydration salts / electrolyte sachets — essential for dehydration and altitude sickness prevention

• Antihistamine — for dust allergies common on the trail

• Blister treatment — Compeed blister plasters (blisters are the most common complaint on EBC Trek)

• Antiseptic cream and plasters — for minor cuts and scrapes

First Aid Supplies

• Moleskin or blister plasters — 10+ sheets

• Elastic bandage — for knee and ankle support

• Medical tape

• Small scissors

• Antiseptic wipes

• Thermometer

Altitude Sickness — Critical Information

Recognize the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS):

• Headache

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Difficulty sleeping

If symptoms appear — do NOT ascend. Rest for 24 hours. If symptoms worsen, descend immediately. Our guides carry pulse oximeters and monitor all trekkers daily.

Emergency contacts on the trail:

• HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) — immediate descent and Gamow bag

• HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) — immediate helicopter evacuation

Electronics and Power

Essential Electronics

• 1 × mobile phone (offline maps downloaded — Maps.me or Gaia GPS)

• 1 × power bank (20,000mAh minimum — charging costs $2–5 per hour above Namche)

• 1 × universal travel adapter (Nepal uses Type C, D, and M sockets)

• 1 × camera (your phone is sufficient — dedicated cameras are heavier)

Offline Maps — Download Before You Go

Download these apps and maps before leaving Kathmandu:

• Maps.me — download Nepal offline map

• Gaia GPS — download Khumbu region trail map

• Google Maps — download Kathmandu offline map

There is no reliable internet above Namche Bazaar. Offline maps are essential.

Charging on the Trail

• Below Namche — free charging at most tea houses

• Above Namche — $2–5 USD per charge

• Above Dingboche — $5 USD per charge, limited availability

• Above Lobuche — $10 USD per charge, very limited

Bring a 20,000mAh power bank to avoid paying charging fees at high altitude.

Documents and Money

Essential Documents

• Passport — original, valid minimum 6 months beyond your trek end date

• Nepal visa — on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport ($30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days)

• Travel insurance documents — printed copy showing helicopter evacuation coverage to 6,000m

• Airline tickets — printed and digital copies

• Emergency contact list — written on paper (not just in your phone)

Permits — Global Nepal Treks arranges these for you

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit — approximately $30 USD

• TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System) — approximately $20 USD

Total permit cost: approximately $50 USD — included in your Global Nepal Treks package.

Money

• USD cash — most useful foreign currency in Nepal

• Nepali Rupees — required above Lukla (no card machines above Namche Bazaar)

• ATMs available in Kathmandu and Lukla only

• Recommended cash to carry above Lukla: $200–300 USD equivalent in Rupees

  • Hot showers: $2–5 per shower

  • Wi-Fi: $2–5 per day

  • Device charging: $2–10 per charge

  • Tips: $150–225 for guide + $120–150 for porter (15 days)

  • Extra snacks and drinks: $5–15 per day

Toiletries — Keep It Minimal

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Biodegradable soap (eco-friendly — essential in National Park)

• Biodegradable shampoo (small travel size)

• Toilet paper (10+ rolls — not always available in tea houses above Dingboche)

• Hand sanitiser (500ml — use before every meal on the trail)

• Wet wipes (shower replacement above Dingboche, where hot showers are rare)

• Small microfibre towel (tea houses do not provide towels)

• Nail clippers and a small mirror

What NOT to Pack — Common Mistakes

What to Buy in Kathmandu

If you are missing any items — Thamel in Kathmandu has everything:

• Trekking gear shops on every street in Thamel

• North Face, Columbia, Arc'teryx genuine gear available

• Budget gear: $10–30 for fleece jackets, $20–50 for trekking trousers

• Trekking pole rental: $2–3 per day

• Sleeping bag rental: $2–3 per day

Our recommendation: Buy base layers and mid layers at home (better quality). Buy outer layers and accessories in Thamel (cheaper).

Gear Checklist — Quick Reference

Clothing

• Thermal base layer top x2

• Thermal leggings x2

• Trekking shirts x2

• Trekking trousers x2

• Fleece jacket x1

• Lightweight down jacket x1

• Heavyweight down jacket (-20°C) x1

• Waterproof hardshell jacket x1

• Waterproof hardshell trousers x1

• Warm winter hat x1

• Sun hat x1

• Balaclava x1

• Lightweight gloves x1

• Heavy insulated gloves x1

• Buff/neck gaiter x1

• Merino wool socks x5

• Moisture-wicking underwear x5

• Waterproof trekking boots x1

• Camp sandals x1

Gear

• Daypack 30–40L x1

• Duffel bag 60–80L x1

• Rain cover for daypack x1

• Sleeping bag liner x1

• Trekking poles x1 pair

• Headlamp + spare batteries x1

• Water bottles x2

• SteriPen or water purification tablets x1

• Sunscreen SPF 50+ x1

• SPF lip balm x1

• UV400 sunglasses x1

• Power bank 20,000mAh x1

Medical

• Diamox 250mg (prescribed)

• Ibuprofen 400mg

• Paracetamol 500 mg

• Imodium

• Rehydration salts x10

• Blister plasters x10

• Antiseptic cream

• Elastic bandage x1

Documents

• Passport (6+ months validity)

• Travel insurance (helicopter coverage to 6,000m)

• Emergency contact list (written on paper)

• Cash USD + Nepali Rupees

Frequently Asked Questions — Packing for EBC Trek

Q: Can I rent gear in Kathmandu instead of buying?
Yes. Trekking poles ($2–3/day), sleeping bags ($2–3/day), down jackets ($3–5/day), and duffel bags ($1–2/day) are all available for rent in Thamel. For a 15-day trek, renting a sleeping bag costs approximately $30–45 — cheaper than buying if you only trek once.

Q: How much does my porter carry?
Your porter carries a maximum of 15 kg, including your duffel bag. Everything above 15 kg you carry yourself. Pack light, and your porter will be happy and move faster.

Q: Can I buy gear on the trail?
Basic items like socks, gloves, and a buff are available in Namche Bazaar at higher prices than in Kathmandu. Do not rely on buying essential items on the trail.

Q: Do I need crampons for the EBC Trek?
No. Standard waterproof trekking boots with Vibram soles are sufficient for the EBC Trek. Crampons are only required for Island Peak Climbing and technical summit attempts.

Q: Is one trekking pole enough, or do I need two?
Two poles are strongly recommended. Two poles provide 4-point stability on rocky terrain and reduce knee stress on both knees equally during descents.

Q: What is the most forgotten item on EBC Trek?
Based on our 15+ years of experience — hand sanitiser. Tea house hygiene is limited, and stomach illness is the most common reason trekkers abandon the trail before reaching Base Camp.

Ready to Trek? Book with Global Nepal Treks

You now have the most complete EBC Trek packing list available online. The next step is booking your trek with a licensed, experienced agency.

Global Nepal Treks has been guiding trekkers to Everest Base Camp since 2008. Government-licensed (Licence No. 3058), NMA and TAAN member, with 1,000+ successful EBC treks completed.

EBC Trek starts from $1,100 per person — all-inclusive: permits, accommodation, all meals, licensed Sherpa guide, porter, domestic flights, and airport transfers.

📧 info@globalnepaltreks.com
📞 +977-9744258519
🌐Everest Basecamp Trek