Essential Everest Basecamp Packing Guide

After completing EBC using the packing list our tour company gave us, I decided to make this extensive essential Everest  Basecamp packing guide, to help you all out more than I was helped.

I definitely ended up not having or not needing quite a few things, so knowing that info alone will make your EBC packing experience better! Also, if I knew I could buy many of the items in Thamel (in Kathmandu) I would have done that. So that being said:

KEY: Many items can be bought in a small area of Kathmandu called Thamel for very cheap and decent quality. I will write “BIT” for “Bought in Thamel”. Just note, the sizing can be tricky and not guaranteed — for example, I’m normally a medium in pants, and small top, but everything I bought said Large.

Oh and most of the items below I have linked on an Amazon shopping list to show you what they are and make your shopping easier! Including my pink mirror sunglasses! Please click here to see it!

Also, I heard my “Everest De-Packing Video” is actually really helpful. It’s long, but if you want to know exactly what I used and didn’t use, check it out below!

Ok let’s start with some Everest Basecamp packing TIPS:

What is the Weight Allowance for Your Everest Basecamp Bag?

If you are flying from Kathmandu to Lukla (most tours do this), the weight allowance for the flight is 10 kgs for the checked bag and 5 kgs for your carry-on. Don’t forget to calculate the weight of the actual bag and sleeping bag. 

If you go over, you can pay extra, but keep in mind that your bag for the porters to carry cannot exceed 15 kgs. So if you go over that, you will be carrying the rest in your backpack!

Note: Most tour companies include the trekking bag and sleeping bag, however if you have your own, you can use your own. Their bag and sleeping bag weighed around 4 kgs, and you have to count that towards your total weight!

You Will Need Way Less Clothes Than You Think

Don’t over pack. Most people, including me, end up wearing the same items almost every single day. Try to stick to the amount I’ve listed below – it should also keep you within the required weight limits.

Use Travel Compression Bags to Organize

Travel compression bags are my go-to hack for traveling full time, and I would have been very frustrated if I didn’t have them for EBC. 

You will be given a very thick duffel bag that you need to organize your stuff in for almost two weeks, so the compression bags really help organize things, and makes them easier to find. Especially when it’s freezing at night and you can’t be bothered to try to find stuff.

Try to Buy Stuff in Thamel

Thamel is a mecca of knock off North Face and other hiking brands, but they’re actually pretty good quality, and extremely cheap. You also don’t have to lug stuff over! But if you love going to REI, or don’t trust the quality, feel free to shop at home.

Everest Basecamp Packing Guide for Clothing:

Here’s everything I wore…it seems like a lot, but it’s only 1-2 of each item, and again, I wore most of it at the same time!

• 2 Pairs of Merino Wool Base Layers 
• 1 Pair of Activewear Thermals (BIT, Underarmor)
• 1 Additional Thermal Leggings
• 2-3 Regular Leggings
• 2 Moisture Wicking Long Sleeve Tops (BIT, AKA “polyprene”, and if going in high season, bring short sleeves)
• 1 Cotton Long Sleeved Top
• 1 Sports Bra
• 10 Underwear (only used 5, with pads to keep them clean)
• 1 Waterproof Hiking Pants (BIT, fake North Face)
• 1 Waterproof Snow Pants
• 2 Smartwool Socks (one extra thick)
• 2 Regular wool socks
• 1 Windproof/Waterproof Pair of Gloves (BIT)
• 1 Merino Wool Beanie
• 1 Fleece-Lined Beanie
• 1 Baseball Cap (BIT)
• Trekking Boots (Mine are Columbia)
• Lightweight Sneakers
• Crocs or Rubber slippers (for communal showers)
• Down Booties (BIT, Fake North Face)
• 1 Down or Down Alternative Jacket (Can BIT but not sure of the quality)
• 1 Windproof/Waterproof Unlined Jacket (mine is available on my Shop)
• Sunglasses (again, here is where you can find my pink mirrored sunnies)
• Neck Buff
• Wool Scarf

Toiletries for Everest Basecamp:

• Travel sized body wash (bar soap gets messy)
• Travel sized shampoo/conditioner (I only washed my hair once)
• Small Toothpaste and toothbrush (I actually brought my electric toothbrush)
• Biodegradable toilet paper 
• Biodegradable wipes (I’d say two packages)
• Compostable tampons and/or pads
• SPF for face (I also used BB tinted moisturizer with SPF)
• SPF powder
• Sunscreen for body
• SPF chapstick (VERY important!!!)
• Deodorant
• Small Febreeze type spray (I didn’t have but wish I did)
• The only makeup I brought was mascara…I wouldn’t suggest bringing much makeup

Backpack and Other Hiking Stuff for EBC

• Gaiters (BIT, keeps your pants and shoes clean/dry)
• Crampons (BIT, if it snows…it did for me and we still didn’t use them)
• Trekking Poles (BIT, I ended up not using them but most people do)
• A 40 Liter Backpack (you’ll be carrying it the whole time! Mine is available on my shop)
• 2Liter Water Bladder (BIT)
• 1Liter Nalgene or sturdy plastic water bottle, preferably with filter straw (Mine was by Brita)

Medicines and Wellness

• Diamox altitude sickness prevention (BIT, even if the tour guide says not to take it, I highly recommend it)
• Cough/Cold Medicine (like Dayquil)
• Cough drops (BIT Strepsil)
• Ibuprofen or pain reliever
• Stomach meds like Pepto and Tums (in case your stomach isn’t used to things like Yak cheese)
• Electrolyte packets
• Vitamin C packets
• Snacks you’ll actually eat (you’ll get sick of the food, bring junk food, candy, or protein bars if you like those)
• Whatever meds you normally take

Electronics for Everest Basecamp

• Headlamp or something with a flashlight
• 1-2 Powerbanks (at least one solar powered)
• GoPro or Action Camera with extra batteries
• Your Phone 
• Heated Blanket (if going in colder months)
• 2 round pin converter or Universal converter

*Note: drones are not permitted. I also opted to leave my heavy Sony professional camera behind since it’s heavy, and you have to carry your cameras on the very long trek days.

Entertainment

• Download playlists
• Map or small journal
• Cards (we liked Uno Flip)
• Short book (AKA not heavy)