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Everest Base Camp trek kit list

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Mar 27, 2023 | Latest News, Nepal

Everest Base Camp trek kit list   

Trekking to base camp? Then you’ll need our Everest Base Camp trek kit list. This page will help you plan what to pack!

Choosing the right equipment is one of the most important parts of preparing for your trip. Having the right or wrong kit, or missing things completely, can really impact on your experience in the mountains.

Below is our suggested kit list to help you prepare for the VoluntEars Everest Base Camp trek trip.

If you have to buy any new equipment for this trip then you’ll find there are many brands. Higher quality items tend to last longer and may include additional features or be more comfortable.

Please please please wear all your clothing and use all the equipment several times before arriving in Nepal so you know it fits and is comfortable. Then you will know quickly what clothing layers to swap into as the weather changes etc.

Bags

Daypack: 25-35 litre Large enough for you to carry day-use items every day on the trek (water bottle, camera, snacks, extra clothing layers, 1st aid kit)
Day pack cover (optional) To keep your day pack dry in the event of rain
Large suitcase / rucksack To take all your luggage to Nepal. You can leave this bag at the hotel in Kathmandu with spare clothes for before / after the trek

Sleeping gear

Sleeping bag

Either take with you or rent in Nepal (Rs 400 / day)

Should be rated to at least -20 Celsius, has a hood and is of good quality. Down filling is lighter, synthetic is cheaper (if you want to buy one)”

Sleeping bag liner (optional) Adds a bit of warmth and cleanliness if using a rented bag

Headware

Sun hat / cap for sun protection Wide brimmed hats protect ears, neck and face. Protects from the strong rays of the sun at high altitude. Helps prevent burning and dehydration
Beanie / ski hat To keep your head warm when it’s cold
Buff / bandana / snood One of the most important items of clothing. At high altitudes the air is dry and cold and the mountain trails can be dusty in dry weather. Wearing one of these over your mouth/nose while walking helps prevent sore throat / dry coughs. Also keeps neck warm in cold windy conditions
Sunglasses Dark, wrap around sunglasses, with UV protection, preferably category 3 or 4 to protect against harsh UV rays and ice/snow glare at higher alitudes. Spare pair useful too. Also helps protect eyes against wind and dust
Head torch Essential for mornings & evenings in the tea houses, and if trekking during darkness. Ensure it works well and has tilting function (so you don’t dazle other people). Pack extra batteries / usb powerbank

Upper body clothing

Short sleeve dri-fit shirts Polypropolyene, nylon, synthetic (not cotton), moisture wicking, short sleeve for wearing when warm
Long sleeve base layers Heavier & thicker than above, worn as another layer when cooler, merino wool or synthetic fabrics (not cotton), this provides warmth and dries quickly, long sleeve
Fleece jacket Helps keep you warm, wear it over base layers
Soft-shell jacket These are often thicker than a normal fleece jacket and often give some protection against light showers. This can be worn over the base layer and fleece so good if you feel the cold. Wear a hardshell (waterproof) jacket over this in heavy rain
Outer waterproof windbreaker jacket (hard-shell) Provides a waterproof outer layer. Should be lightweight and the hood should protect you from rain and help block the wind from your face
Down jacket (insulated) For wearing when it’s very cold. Packs small

Gloves

Light weight / liner gloves Thin gloves you can wear inside your thick gloves but also wear on their own when it’s chilly but not extremely cold. E-tip gloves work with mobile phone screens
Heavy weight Thick, warm gloves / mittens for using high up on the trails and in the evenings

Lower body clothing

Hiking shorts Recommended for when it’s sunny and warm, especially lower down at the start / end of the trek
Hiking trousers Lightweight, 2 pairs, some people like the zip-off ones (turns them into shorts)
Base layer Either merino wool or synthetic material. You will wear these under your trekking trousers on the final days of the trek when it’s colder in the high altitude.
Hardshell / waterproof trousers  
Jogger bottoms To relax in and keep warm in the tea houses at night
Underwear / sports bras Ideally moisture-wicking fabric to avoid sweatiness.

Footwear

Hiking boots, spare laces Should be sturdy, warm, waterproof, good ankle support. MUST be well broken-in before arriving in Nepal. A single bad blister can end your trek. Your boots must be comfortable as you will wear them for many hours, every day for nearly 2 weeks. Make sure your boots have good deep-cut grips on the sole to prevent you from slipping.
Trainers Every evening you will want to take your boots off when we arrive at the tea houses and you’ll need something else comfortable to wear. We recommend taking a pair of trainers
Flip-flops / crocs / sliders / slippers Useful when showering or wearing around the tea houses if it’s warm
Hiking socks 3-6 pairs of medium weight hiking socks – synthetic or wool will keep your feet dry and comfortable (not cotton)
Thin socks To use with your trainers in the evenings
Gaiters (optional) Used most often during the winter / rainy seasons to keep water, snow, grit etc out of your boots

Miscellaneous trekking equipment

Trekking poles Adjustable height
Poncho (optional) Some people like ponchos instead of traditional waterproof jackets because it covers you and your day-pack and are extremely breathable
Water bottles 2 wide-mouth bottles with 1 litre capacity each
Rehydration tablets Replace the electrolytes lost from sweating
Thick bin bags / dry bags To put your clothes in to keep them dry in case it rains and your bag leaks
Hand / foot warmers (optional) It can be nice to warm your hands on or to warm your boots
Toiletry bag For all your toiletries (which we won’t list here, but keep them small and minimal)
Female sanitary products Enough for 12 days trekking 
Prescription medication Bring sufficient for the duration of the 2 week trip and carry in your hand luggage on the international flights
Suncream SPF 30+ or 50+ is recommended for the high altitude. Take a few small tubes instead of one big one
Chapstick (with sunscreen protection) At high altitude the air is very dry and it can also be windy and sunny – all these factors together can all give you dry lips
Moisturiser Both for face & body. Your skin gets really dry in the Himalayas
Hand sanitiser 1 – 2 bottles
Camera With spare batteries / memory cards
Cochlear / hearing aid Batteries, chargers, dry boxes  
Plug adapter 2 round pins
Charging cables For all electrical devices
Power bank To charge electrical devices when no electricity available
Snacks Energy bars, nuts, dried fruit, protein bars etc to carry in your day pack and eat along the way in between meals
Cough / throat sweets Helps to prevent / soothe sore throats
Diamox To help prevent the symptoms of altitude sickness. You can order from online pharmacies like Boots

 

Note about weight limit: 15kg is your total luggage limit for the flight to Lukla (you can take more than this to Nepal but not on the trek). Pack and weigh all your trekking gear before going to Nepal.

There may be other items of kit which you’ve used before and like to have with you so feel free to add things but remember the weight limit!

Here is a downloadable PDF version of the list in case you want a printed copy to help you pack:  VoluntEars Everest Base Camp trek kit list

Any questions? Email us at [email protected] or sms/whatsapp: +44 7713 752124

 

If you’ve not yet joined us but you’re interested in the VoluntEars Everest Base Camp trek trip then click here to read more about it.

One of the Buddhist temples you’ll see along the way to Everest Base Camp.

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