Nepal EBC Trekking Packing List

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Packing Advice

• This packing list is just a recommended guideline for your reference. Everything is optional for you to choose from.
• It’s best to leave all unnecessary valuables and jewelry at home.
• Print a copy of your reservation and place it inside your checked baggage for identification purposes while you are traveling.
• More packing advice >>
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• In your day pack, take along water, snacks, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, rain jacket and pants at a minimum. Add any other items you might need during the day because you may not see the porters until the end of your trek for that day. Your guide can give you good advice on what to pack that day.
• The porters will carry your backpack or duffel with all your other gear.
• Wrap clothing in waterproof plastic bags.
• As with all hiking and camping adventures, you will want to dress in layers — to be able to take an outer layer off when you get too warm…and put a layer on when you get chilled.
• Bring double extra sets of batteries as cold weather shortens their life.
• Carry critical trekking gear on the airplane in case baggage is delayed.
• You may want to bring some older items of warm clothing as gifts for your guides and porters.
• Bring money for tips along with you.

One porter is provided for every two trekkers. The pack that the porters carry is limited to 30 kg (65 pounds), so 15 kg per person. Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at an extra charge, so weigh your luggage ahead of time.  The Lukla flight also has a weight limit of 15kg/32lbs — 10kg for checked luggage and 5kg for carry-on.  Extra weight will be charged $1/kg if allowed at all.

Water is $2-3/liter for boiled water at the tea houses (free at the luxury lodges). You can also purify your own water. It’s nice to offer a donation to the monasteries you visit ($1-5/monastery). Lunches and dinners on the tea house EBC trek should be around $20/person/day. If you want to use the Internet (through Gorakshep but unreliable) and charge your camera batteries, budget another $10/day for that.

Plan to pay for meals, water, and other services with Nepal rupees. It is best to exchange USD to NPR in Kathmandu. There are some banks and exchanges up in the trek region but the rates are high and availability of services can be intermittent (the 1 ATM machine works 50% of the time). It is also good to have an emergency stash of USD in case you need emergency evacuation or medical services.

Clothing

You want your inner layer to be wicking — no cotton. Next layer should be insulating and warm, and the top layer should be water proof but breathable. You will need clothes for hiking during the day, lounging in the evening, and for sleeping. Layers are important as temperatures vary greatly.

You will wear shorts towards the bottom and a parka at the top. Be prepared for cold weather. At this time of year the days are typically sunny and clear with moderate temperatures and the evenings are usually quite cold. Trekking to the very high Everest Base Camp (at more than 17,000 feet) can include 0° temperatures at night and a 50% chance of some snow anytime above the 13,000 foot level. During the day, above 15,000 feet, do not anticipate temperatures above 35°. Since your body is taking in less than half its normal supply of oxygen, 32° will feel colder than we are accustomed to at home.

Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying, preferably moisture-wicking and non-cotton.

• Long pants (zip-off pants are very useful)
• Shorts, mid-thigh or longer
• Short-sleeved shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Undergarments
• Sweater, jacket, windbreaker
• Rain jacket and/ or rain poncho
• Sun hat with brim and chin strap
• Bandana (for dust, washing, etc.)

Cold Weather Clothing

• Down jacket or parka (for temperatures below freezing plus wind)
• Fleece jacket or wool sweater
• Fleece pants
• Waterproof/rain/shell pants
• Long underwear
• Mittens and/or gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered)
• Wool or pile hat
• Balaclava or neck gaiter
• Hand and foot warmers (chemical activated)

• Medium weight down jacket or parka

Footwear

Be sure to break in your shoes before the hike!

• Hiking boots, preferably warm, waterproof, and with ankle-support — not too light and not too heavy
• Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
• Hiking socks for warmer conditions
• Wool socks for colder conditions
• Sock liners to wick away moisture

• Gaiters (for mud and scree)

Sleeping

• Sleeping bag (Rated 32 degrees F/0 degrees C or colder is recommended)
• Sleeping bag liner

Baggage

• Large duffel bag or backpack with rain cover, for porters to carry (80 liters or larger)
• Day pack and rain cover, for you to carry
• Waterproof plastic bags for organizing gear and dirty clothing (ziplocs and garbage bags work)

Electronics

Store electronics in sealed water-proof bags (double bagged if possible). Remember to set the date and time on your cameras.

• Headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries
• Camera, lenses, memory disks, batteries, charger/power cord
• Video camera, memory disks, batteries, charger/power cord
• Tripod (travel size)
• GoPro, memory disks, batteries, charger/power cord
• Lens cleaning cloth
• Power adapter/converter (2-round-pin European style)

Toiletries

• Soap
• Shampoo, conditioner, hair gel
• Hairbrush, comb, mirror, hair ties
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
• Deodorant
• Moist towelettes (handy-wipes)
• Hand sanitizer
• Lotion (Badger foot balm is also helpful)
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm with sunscreen
• Small towel and washcloth
• Toilet paper
• Facial tissue
• Shaving supplies
• Nail clippers, nail file, nail brush
• Insect repellent
• Q-tips
• Sewing kit
• Feminine products
• Cosmetics

First Aid

You really only need one first aid kit in your travel group, so coordinate with your travel companions.

• Prescription drugs
• Malaria pills (if necessary)
• Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Aspirin
• Band-aids/plasters
• Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment
• Throat lozenges
• Vitamins
• Antihistamines
• Melatonin, Acetazolamide, or other sleep aid
• Gauze bandages and tape
• Diarrhea medicine (Imodium AD or similar)
• Ace bandage
• Antibiotics (talk to doctor)
• Diamox for altitude (talk to doctor)

Documents

• Passport (make sure it is valid 6 months after your trip)
• Visas for all countries as necessary
• Airline tickets, e-tickets (make sure name on ticket matches name on passport)
• Copy of AWR travel itinerary
• Medical insurance card
• Address book
• Business cards
• Document organizer
• Make copies of passport, visas, drivers license, airline tickets/schedule, travel itinerary, credit cards (front and back), travelers checks’ numbers, frequent flyer numbers, travel insurance, and emergency contact information. Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a travel companion’s luggage and email them to yourself (or store in Cloud). Put copies of your travel itinerary in each checked bag.
• Bring at least 2 extra passport photos for trekking permits.

Other

• Sunglasses, straps
• Eyeglasses, contacts/case/solution
• Binoculars
• Pocket knife
• Notebook, lots of pens
• Books, playing cards, games, crossword puzzles, frisbee, football, kite
• Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
• Duct tape (can be wrapped around water bottle)
• Carabiners for attaching things to your day pack or hanging things to dry
• Matches or lighter
• Cash, travelers checks, credit cards (including some small bills, U.S. dollars must be newer than 2006 with no tears)
• Guide books, maps, language books
• Small umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season or even for sun shade
• Salt, pepper for bland food, flavoring for coffee
• Gifts for guides and local children
• Banner/flag/sentimental item to hold up in an important place, santa hats for your holiday photo

• 2-3 Water bottles and/or Camelbak (no disposable water bottles)
  • Bring 3 liters of bottled water for the first day of hiking.
  • Guides will boil water or use steripens for water sanitization for you along the route.
  • To prevent water from freezing on coldest days, keep your water and tube inside your jacket. For Camelbaks, blow air back into the bladder after each sip and drink often.
  • Gatorade or other drink mix helps with taste and minerals.
  • A plastic syrup bottle with handle and spout makes a good water bottle. Put a rope or lanyard through the handle, and it fits nicely under your jacket.
  • Write your name on your bottles and bladders to easily identify whose is whose.
• Trekking or ski poles
• Energy bars (also nice to share with other climbers, guides, and porters)