Everest Base Camp Packing List: 10 Things First-Timers Actually Need

The Everest Base Camp trek runs 12-14 days through elevations from 2,800m to 5,364m, where teahouses are unheated, Lukla flights cap baggage at 15kg total, and nighttime temperatures at Gorak Shep drop below -15°C even in trekking season. Pack for that range rather than for Kathmandu's mild valley weather, and rent the bulky gear locally instead of checking a second bag.

Insulated down jacket rated for sub-zero nights
Moisture-wicking thermal base layers
Sleeping bag rated to -15°C to -20°C
A pair of adjustable trekking poles
30-40L daypack with a rain cover
Headlamp plus spare batteries
Water purification tablets or a SteriPEN, and high-SPF sun protection
Trekking permits: Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu
Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover to 6,000m
A soft duffel that fits Lukla's 15kg weight cap

1. Down jacket

Above Namche Bazaar, teahouse dining rooms and bedrooms go unheated once the sun sets, so a heavyweight down jacket isn't optional; most trekkers rent one in Kathmandu's Thamel district rather than buy, since quality expedition-grade jackets are cheap to hire and hard to justify owning otherwise.

2. Thermal base layers

Pack at least two sets of merino or synthetic base layers that wick sweat away from skin and dry overnight, since cotton stays damp and turns dangerously cold once you stop moving at altitude.

3. Cold-rated sleeping bag

Teahouses provide blankets but no heating, so bring or rent a bag rated to at least -15°C to -20°C for the Dingboche-to-Gorak Shep stretch of the route.

4. Trekking poles

The steep, loose descents from Kala Patthar and the Cho La approach make poles close to essential; most guiding companies list them as non-negotiable gear for knee protection over 12+ trekking days.

5. 30-40L daypack

Porters carry your duffel, so your daypack only needs to hold water, snacks, layers, and documents; a 30-40L pack with a built-in rain cover is the size range most operators recommend.

6. Headlamp and spare batteries

Early starts for Kala Patthar sunrise and unreliable teahouse power mean a headlamp with lithium spare batteries is standard kit, since cold drains charge fast.

7. Water purification and sun protection

Buy bottled water sparingly above Namche; instead pack purification tablets or a UV pen alongside high-SPF sunscreen and glacier-rated sunglasses, since UV exposure at altitude stays high even under cloud cover.

8. Trekking permits

You need two permits, not the old TIMS card: the Sagarmatha National Park permit (NPR 3,000) plus the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit (NPR 3,000), both arranged through a registered agency since Nepal now requires a licensed guide on this route.

9. Travel insurance with helicopter cover

Confirm your policy explicitly covers evacuation to 6,000m before you fly to Lukla; a heli rescue from Gorak Shep can run $8,000-$15,000 without it.

10. A duffel that fits the baggage cap

Lukla-bound flights enforce a strict weight limit, so pack a soft duffel within 10kg checked plus 5kg cabin rather than a rigid suitcase porters can't strap to a frame.