Nepal has become really popular when it comes to trekking and why not? Nepal has so much to offer and gives you the chance to explore its wonderful landscape. Not only will you witness the spectacular landscapes, but you will live through and experience the wonderful culture while doing so.
Another reason why trekking is popular in Nepal is that there is something for everyone. If you have limited time, you can go for the shorter treks. You can take a short and easy trek like the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.
Or if you are looking for a real challenge, then there are treks that will give just that and a lot more. Strenuous treks such as the Everest Treks, Annapurna Treks, and Manaslu Trek are more challenging. Even though, if you are looking for an easy tour to the Everest region like the Everest base camp helicopter tour you still need a good gear list.
Nepal certainly has got it all and is a paradise, especially for trekkers who want to walk for the uncompromisable view for their effort. Enjoy the spectacular view of the mountains and experience the wonderful hospitality of the people in this region.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you are planning to trek Everest Base Camp or other trekking routes in Nepal. We can help you to manage your trip. Or you can directly call, WhatsApp, Viber, IMO at +977-98511 83278 (Ram)
Everest Base Camp Trek Packing List for The Male and Female Trekkers
I took my first solo adventure to the Everest Base Camp in the month of May. Although the weather is never promising in the mountains, you can choose the best time to travel to Everest Base Camp too. This means that you can never be certain of what it will be like up there, but you can definitely be prepared for it.
Regardless of the seasons, it can get quite hot during the day even at higher altitudes, while temperatures will fall below 0°C at night. This is why I have listed the things that were most useful to me when I took my trip. I have also listed the items I missed out on which I regretted so that you get the best Everest Base Camp Trek packing list for male or female trekkers.
There are several things that you need to take into consideration when you are packing for your trek. If you are missing a lot of things from my Everest Base Camp Trek packing checklist for males and females, you can also purchase most of them in Kathmandu.
There are many counterfeit and real shops in the main tourist area of Thamel. If you are on a real budget, then these counterfeit shops are a good option for a one-time service. You can expect much of the quality though. Prices at the real stores, like the North Face, Marmot, and Mountain Hardwear stores are almost the same as in other big countries.
Putting everything aside, you must be packing adequately, light, and smart. Packing smart will not only save you money but it also won’t be a burden when you are trekking and you won’t have to compromise on anything. Most importantly, I would suggest you go up slowly, take it easy, and give your body time to get used to the altitude. And you are good to go!
If you are a guy, you can use this list as your checklist too! Just omit the ‘Lady Products’, and you’re good to go. Or you can check the Packing List for Everest Base Camp Trek. So here's a complete list of all the clothing, gear, medication, and other items that are absolutely necessary for your trek to the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal.
1. Clothing
Sports Bras (for Female)
Bras are bulky and will not be the most comfortable thing when you are trekking. Especially the wired ones don’t fit best in compact spaces and there are high chances you will just ruin them.
During the day, there will be a lot of sweating and regular bras made it more uncomfortable for the big hiking backpack I had on my bag. This is why I would recommend you to carry a few sports bras, preferably the ones that dry easily so you can easily dry the sweat or water after washing them.
Down Jacket
A down jacket is a necessary item for your trek, hands down. It will help to keep the cold away. In the mountainous regions of Nepal, it can get really cold in the mornings and evenings.
These jackets are lightweight and are quite packable. Saving enough space in your bag and saving you from the cold as well.
These jackets are highly comfortable too. They keep you warm during your early morning sunrise visits and at nights when you are star gazing.
Waterproof and Windproof Jacket
During your mid-day walk, you will not be able to wear your waterproof and windproof jacket. You can instead use the windproof jacket to block out the winds.
If by any chance there is rain, these jackets can again come to your rescue. These jackets would be an ideal choice for your trek.
Hiking Socks
Going on a trek with regular socks does not sound like a good idea. If you think they are the same, well, you couldn't be more mistaken. You will be walking for 6-7 hours every day. This can put a lot of stress on your feet.
Proper hiking socks help soak your feet and keep them dry. These socks also absorb odor and keep your feet from smelling after repeated use. It will also help you make your walk a comfortable one. You will not have blisters after hours of walking.
Also, be sure to carry plenty!
Light and Comfortable Clothes
The clothes you are carrying should be snug and comfortable as you will be wearing them to trek and sleep in. Something that you can wear after your long day of walking.
Whether you are carrying your own bag or you hire a porter, I would suggest that you carry an extra set of clothes when you head out for your trek. This is why you must ensure that the clothes you are carrying won't add too much extra weight to your bag.
Flash Dry Shirts
Flash dry shirt is an awesome companion for your trek. It is obvious that you will sweat after hours of walking. Putting on that same shirt tomorrow would be a big no-no.
You will then have the dilemma to carry more shirts which would increase the weight of your bag.
This is where flash dry shirts come into play. After hours of walking, you can wash this shirt and it will dry in a few hours.
So, the next day you will restart your journey with a clean shirt. Sounds good?
Cap or Hat
Do not forget to take a cap or a hat for your trek since you will start your treks in the morning, usually through the noon till evenings. These will protect your eyes and face from the sun during the day.
Choose the one that you are most comfortable with. And it will help you block out the sun and keep you free from sunburns. Also, these places are quite windy too. So, be sure to take this item with you.
Woolen hat, Gloves, and Scarf
These are an absolute lifesaver! It will get really chilly once you are done trekking even if you are in your room or the dining rooms. The items mentioned above are a must for your trek. You will travel to high altitudes and places that are tremendously cold.
These items will keep you warm and you won't have to compromise on your adventure.
Quick Dry Towel
This item is rather optional but no less necessary. Quick-dry towels will also come in very handy during your trek. These towels are small, compact, and dry up quickly after use. You won't have to go through the trouble of carrying a damp towel.
Even if they are not quick-dry you can always hang them up on the top of your bags while you trek during the day and they will dry up in no time.
Neck Bands
These again are not a necessity but are super helpful and versatile. You can use them during the day to protect your face or to keep your hair out of your sweating face. Or they even work great as a scarf to warm you up in the evenings.
2. Footwear
Hiking Boots
Hiking Boots are the most important and essential items on your list that can define your trekking experience. As you will be walking about 6-7 hours a day, a good-quality hiking boot can do the job for you. You will be walking in rough terrains throughout your trek.
These routes can be really unpredictable so why not take precautions. Many people feel that running shoes will do the job but let's all be clear here, it does not. Unless you are prepared to injure yourself.
Hiking boots are specially designed to withstand all kinds of terrains to give you that comfortable experience. They will also save and prevent you from ankle sprains and other foot-related injuries.
Slippers
Once you are done trekking, you will require a pair of slippers to move around. There are very rare guest houses that offer slippers and even if they do they won’t have many for all the guests during the peak seasons. Also, the tea houses generally do not have attached bathrooms.
Either way, you will have to make a trip to the dining hall for your meals, and trust me you won’t feel like slipping into your hiking boots again. So be sure to carry a light pair of slippers with you.
Down shoes
These aren’t necessary but again helpful. If you are somebody who is more prone to cold or if you are trekking to the Everest Base Camp in the colder seasons, then I’d suggest you carry a pair.
3. Medication
Diamox tablets
These tablets are used to prevent symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). It is absolutely necessary that you purchase these from the city before you go to the mountains.
Remember you will be trekking in the most remote and well-facilitated trekking routes in the world. And although there are health posts up there, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Water Purifier
Purchasing purified water bottles up in the mountains can get a bit expensive depending on the altitude. Since you need to intake 4-5 liters of water a day, buying bottles for $1 to $5 a bottle is not the best idea.
I didn’t have any with me, but I was advised to drink the water straight from the tap. The water comes down from the very mountains and flows through streams. The tea houses you will be staying at also serve this same fresh drinking water.
But, just to stay on the safer side, you might as well carry a water purifier because prevention is better than curing these types of situations. Also, you will also have enough space to store these purifiers.
Other Items
Again, these are not a must, but I would advise you to carry them with you anyway. These items do not take much space or weight in your bag so just grab a few and toss them right in!
- Blister plasters
- Diarrhea tablets
- First Aid Kit
- Painkillers
- Isotonic Powder
Other medicines include paracetamol, Imodium for diarrhea, Neosporin for wounds, muscle rubs, antacids, strepsils, and other medicines for your health conditions.
4. Gear
Hiking Backpack
The most important item for your trek in Nepal would be to bring a strong backpack for your trek. It doesn't matter if you are carrying it or you will hire a porter.
It would be a smart decision if you would purchase a waterproof bag. You will be able to protect your other gear and equipment.
These bags are built to give you maximum support. As you will be carrying a heavy load for a certain number of days, these bags help reduce stress on your bag.
So, it is a smart decision to carry a proper hiking backpack.
Daypack
You should also consider taking a daypack for your trek. This will come to great use especially when you decide to explore a particular place.
You can easily keep your backpack at your teahouse and keep the necessary items such as a camera, jacket, water bottle, book, etc and head on to explore.
These daypacks can be easily folded and packable. So, don’t forget to take this bag.
Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are really useful items. They help maintain stability while you are walking on an upward trail. These poles will help you on your climbs and reduce stress on your knees as you will not be fully putting pressure on your knees.
Torch
A torch is another item that you should pack. You might experience power cuts during your stay. Although power cuts are a rarity.
These torches come in handy when you are heading up a hill to catch the sunrise or to your midnight trips to the bathroom.
Oximeters
They keep track of the alleviation that you are climbing. They monitor how your body is adapting to the higher elevations and help prevent altitude sickness.
Polarized sunglasses with UV protection
These are again an absolute necessity. Since you will be trekking through the day from morning till early evenings, the sun can get a little harsh during the day.
Also, you will be at higher altitudes where the air is thinner which will expose you directly to the sun’s fatal UV radiations.
If you don’t have one already, purchase a good pair of polarized sunglasses with UV protection. You will thank me.
Raincoat
Like I mentioned earlier, the weather in the mountains is never promising. When I went there in the month of May, it rained for almost 5 days. Obviously not one after the other, but they were unpredictable and sometimes quite heavy.
Be sure to take a trekking raincoat with you that can fit you and your bag in it.
Sleeping Bag
All the trekking routes in Nepal have a decent space for accommodation. They have proper beds, adequate mattresses, pillows, and blankets that surprisingly were sufficient for me.
But if you are somebody who is a little too picky about where you are sleeping in, then you can carry the excess weight of taking a sleeping bag with you.
Backup Battery
Although all the guest houses have power stations you can charge your gadgets at, they do charge you a little extra for it. However, if you have many gadgets or if you are taking a lot of photos, you may run out of battery during the day, Backup batteries are absolute lifesavers at such times.
Do not miss out on capturing any of these moments because who knows when you will go there next?
Water Bags/Bottle
I would advise you to carry your own water bag/bottle and fill them with fresh stream water and use your water purifiers. You will be sweating a lot, trust me and It is of utmost priority that you stay adequately hydrated.
Carry your own personal water pouch which is more convenient to fit in and carry around and you must be consuming four to six liters of water every day.
Other Items
Other important items that are not really much of a necessity but are helpful would be:
- Maps
- Whistle; and
- Headphones
5. Toiletries
Carrying toiletries would be a smart decision as well. It might be difficult to get a few items when you are trekking.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is another item that you should not forget to take. It protects your skin from burns.
In areas at high altitudes, the strength of the sun is stronger and you will be highly susceptible to sunburns. Applying sunscreen would certainly help you avoid these sunburns.
Moisturizer for face and body
The air around the mountains is thinner and more dry than usual. So if you are coming from a more tropical or humid place, let me warn you that your skin will get really dry.
Be sure to pack a good moisturizer for your body and save yourself from chapped skin.
Toilet Paper
These are other absolute necessities. The guesthouses won’t keep toilet papers in the toilets and have water as their more conventional methods of ‘cleaning’. Although you can buy them at almost any store or your own guest house, they will be priced a lot higher and again, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Wet Wipes
Make sure you also take wet wipes when you are trekking. It gets really cold as the altitude rises and you might also have difficulties finding hot water for showers. Wet wipes will be of huge help in these scenarios.
Tampons/Sanitary Napkins
Be 100% sure you take these with you. The stores in the mountains generally only offer a small variety of sanitary napkins which may not fit everybody's comfort. And you will not find tampons or Diva cups up in the trekking routes at all.
Other Items you shouldn't forget to carry
- Toothbrush/Paste
- Travel Shampoo/Body Wash Set
- Deodorants
- Sanitizer
- Talcum Powder
- Lip moisturizer
- Small comb
- Pocket Knives
6. Snacks
There aren't many nutritious or healthy snacks in retail stores in the mountains. You will find plenty of chocolate bars and other low-energy bars and drinks, but again they are very highly-priced. Also, you can take coffee mixes, cereal mixes, oatmeals, and other energy drink powders that will come in very handy during your trek.
Pro-tip, take something sweet because the sugar will immediately give you that energy at times where you are ready to give up.
So be sure you carry enough but not too many that will add too much weight to your bag.
7. Things you must NOT forget to take on your EBC Trek
Passport
There will be a few checkpoints that will require your passport. Especially if you are a foreigner. So keep your passport securely at all times. Also, if you are taking the flight, which is highly recommended you will require it. The gateway to the Everest base camp is the Tenzing Hillary Airport at Lukla where you will be starting and ending your trek.
Cash
There are few or no ATMs at all as you ascend to higher elevations. You will have to carry all of your money in cash in the Nepalese currency to purchase anything and to pay all of your bills.
Permits
The trekking regions in Nepal require permits for foreign tourists. Be sure to inquire about them before you go and purchase all the necessary ones. You can either obtain them in Kathmandu or at the entrance, either way, keep them with you at all times.
Travel Insurance
Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the world's most challenging and dangerous treks. It is a high elevation trek that offers helicopter services at every village, God forbid if anything goes wrong.
This trek requires extra precaution to your body and health to prevent altitude sickness and other possible hazards. If you don't have insurance, get one that covers all medical costs to make sure your wallet doesn’t have to bear all the expenses.
Conclusion
If you are a guy, you can use this list as your checklist too! Just omit the ‘Lady Products’, and you’re good to go. Or you can check the Packing List for Everest Base Camp Trek. So here's a complete list of all the clothing, gear, medication, and other items that are absolutely necessary for your trek to the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal.
Packing these items certainly helped me on my trek and will definitely help you to fully enjoy your trek without compromising on anything. My Everest Base Camp Trek packing list is full proof and works best even for all you guys out there.
As I mentioned earlier, there are several shops in Kathmandu that provide these items. The best part is, you can even rent a few of the items that you think will only be useful for you only during your trek in Kathmandu.
If you think that carrying all these items will be too much weight, don't worry. You can always hire a porter to carry all of that weight for you. So don’t be afraid to carry all these items because trust me you will need them. Hire a porter instead of trying to reduce your luggage.
Also, to fully enjoy your trek, train before your trek and stay fit. Do the cardiovascular exercise as this exercise will help you get in shape for your adventure. Be sure to pack adequately, light, and smart. Most importantly, I would suggest you go up slowly, take it easy, and give your body time to get used to the altitude. And you are good to go!
Lastly, we at Sublime Trails would be honored to be at your service. Please contact us if you have any queries.
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