Packing for Everest Base Camp (EBC) is a game of strategy: you need to be prepared for -20°C nights without overloading your porter or yourself. Based on your current guide and the latest 2026 trail requirements, here is the refined, comprehensive breakdown of what you need.
👕 The Layering System (Clothing)
Cotton is your enemy at altitude because it traps sweat and freezes. Stick to moisture-wicking synthetics or Merino wool.
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Base Layers (2-3 sets): Lightweight Merino wool tops and bottoms. One set is for trekking; one “clean” set is strictly for sleeping.
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Trekking Shirts (4-5): A mix of short and long-sleeved moisture-wicking shirts.
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Middle Layer: A heavy fleece jacket or a synthetic “mid-layer” jacket.
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Insulation Layer: A high-quality down jacket (rated to at least -15°C/0°F).
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Outer Shell: Waterproof and windproof GORE-TEX jacket and trousers.
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Trekking Pants (2): One lighter pair for lower elevations and one thicker, windproof pair for the final push to Base Camp.
🥾 Footwear & Extremities
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Trekking Boots: Must be high-ankle, waterproof, and fully broken in before you land in Lukla.
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Camp Shoes: Lightweight sneakers, Crocs, or down booties for the tea houses.
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Socks (5-6 pairs): 3-4 pairs of medium-weight trekking socks and 2 pairs of thick thermal wool socks.
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Gloves: One pair of lightweight liners and one pair of heavy-duty, waterproof outer mitts/gloves.
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Headwear: A wide-brimmed sun hat for the day and a thermal beanie that covers your ears for the night.
🧼 Hygiene & Medical (The “Survival Kit”)
Hygiene is often what determines if you finish the trek. Facilities are basic, and the air is very dry.
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The “Himalayan Shower”: Large packs of baby wipes (there are often no showers above 4,000m) and hand sanitizer.
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Sun Protection: SPF 50+ sunscreen and SPF-rated lip balm. The UV rays reflecting off the snow are brutal.
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Water Purification: Purification tablets (Chlorine/Iodine) or a LifeStraw. Do not buy plastic bottles on the trail to protect the environment.
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Medical Kit Essentials: * Diamox (for altitude sickness – consult your doctor first).
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Blister Plasters (Compeed is highly recommended).
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Khumbu Cough relief: Throat lozenges and a buff to breathe through.
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Anti-diarrheals (Imodium), Rehydration salts, and Ibuprofen.
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🔋 Electronics & Logistics
Batteries die 2-3x faster in the cold. Keep them in your sleeping bag at night.
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Power Bank: At least 20,000mAh. Charging at tea houses costs $3–$8 per device as you go higher.
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Headlamp: Essential for “Alpine starts” (early mornings) and navigating unlit tea house hallways at night. Bring spare batteries.
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Universal Adapter: Nepal uses Type C, D, and M sockets.
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Cash (NPR): Bring plenty of Nepalese Rupees. ATMs in Namche Bazaar are unreliable, and everything above that is cash-only.
💡 Quick Pro-Tips for 2026
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Dry Bags: Line your duffel and daypack with dry bags. If a porter’s bag gets dropped in a stream or caught in a downpour, your sleeping bag must stay dry.
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Pillowcase: Bring your own small pillowcase to put over the tea house pillows for better hygiene.
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Snacks: Pack “comfort” snacks (protein bars, chocolate, or dried fruit). Your appetite will drop at altitude, but you need the fuel.
Packing for Everest Base Camp (EBC) in 2026 requires a balance between staying warm in sub-zero nights and being mobile during sunny mountain days. Since you are using a porter, your gear will be split into two bags: your Duffel Bag (carried by the porter) and your Daypack (carried by you).
🎒 The Two-Bag Strategy
1. The Duffel Bag (Porter-Carried)
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Weight Limit: Strictly 10kg to 15kg (standard for most tea house treks).
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Contents: Your sleeping bag, spare base layers, camp shoes, toiletries, and evening wear.
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Tip: Use a heavy-duty waterproof liner or dry bags inside. Porters’ loads are exposed to the elements all day.
2. The Daypack (You-Carried)
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Size: 25L to 35L.
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Contents: Water (2-3 liters), snacks, camera, sunscreen, rain shell, and an extra “puff” jacket.
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Tip: You won’t see your duffel bag from morning until you reach the next tea house. If you might need it during the walk, it stays in your daypack.
👕 Essential Clothing Layers
| Layer | Item | Why It Matters |
| Base | Merino Wool Thermals (2 sets) | Wicks sweat and stays warm even when damp. One set is strictly for sleeping. |
| Mid | Heavy Fleece or Down Vest | Traps heat. A vest is great for keeping your core warm without overheating your arms. |
| Insulation | Down Jacket (-15°C/0°F) | Your “lifesaver” for evenings and the final push to Base Camp. |
| Outer Shell | GORE-TEX Jacket & Pants | Must be windproof and waterproof. The wind above 4,000m is biting. |
| Lower | Trekking Pants (2 pairs) | Quick-drying and zip-off versions are useful for the warmer lower elevations. |
🏔️ 2026 On-Trail Logistics & Costs
In 2026, the Khumbu region has become increasingly digital, but cash remains king for “luxuries.”
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Cash (NPR): Budget NPR 4,000–6,000 ($30–$45) per day for personal expenses.
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Charging: NPR 300–800 per device (power banks are cheaper in the long run).
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Wi-Fi: NPR 500–1,000 for “Everest Link” cards (signal is spotty above Dingboche).
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Hot Showers: NPR 500–1,000 (often gas-powered or buckets of hot water).
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Water: A liter of water costs NPR 100 in Lukla but can hit NPR 400 at Gorak Shep. Use purification tablets to save money and reduce plastic waste.
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Altitude (Diamox): Still widely recommended as a preventive measure (125mg twice daily), but consult your doctor. In 2026, local pharmacies in Namche still stock it, but it’s best to bring your own.
🧼 The “Comfort” Kit
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Pillowcase: Put this over the tea house pillows for a touch of home hygiene.
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Baby Wipes: Often called a “Sherpa Shower.” Use these when it’s too cold to strip down for a real shower.
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Lip Balm with SPF: The sun at 5,000m will crack your lips in hours without protection.
In 2026, the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trail has seen significant upgrades in infrastructure, but the “High Altitude Tax” on comfort remains. Managing your gear effectively is the difference between a successful summit of the base camp and a miserable retreat.
Here is the essential breakdown for your logistics, hygiene, and electronics.
🧼 Hygiene & Health (The “Khumbu Survival” Kit)
Water is scarce and freezing at higher altitudes; you won’t want to strip down for a shower.
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The “Sherpa Shower”: Pack 3 packs of biodegradable wet wipes. One large pack for the body, one for hands/face, and a travel pack for the day.
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Toiletries: 2 rolls of toilet paper (rarely provided; costs NPR 400+ high up), travel-sized biodegradable soap, and dry shampoo.
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Sun & Wind Defense: SPF 50+ sunscreen and multiple tubes of SPF lip balm. The “Khumbu Cough” is real; bring a Buff (neck gaiter) to breathe through to humidify the dry, dusty air.
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Waste Management: Bring small, sealable “wag bags” or Ziplocs. In 2026, “Leave No Trace” is strictly enforced; you must pack out non-biodegradable waste.
🔋 Electronics & Power (2026 Rates)
While many tea houses now have solar or micro-hydro power, it is a significant revenue stream for them.
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Power Bank: Bring a 20,000mAh bank. In 2026, charging a single device costs NPR 400–NPR 1,000 ($3–$8) per charge. A large power bank pays for itself in 4 days.
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Headlamp: Non-negotiable for night-time bathroom trips and the 4:00 AM hike to Kala Patthar. Bring spare lithium batteries (they handle cold better than alkaline).
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Cold Protection: Store your phone and camera batteries inside your sleeping bag at night. Body heat is the only thing that keeps them from draining to 0% in the sub-zero Gorak Shep nights.
🎒 Packing & Logistics Organization
| Item | Location | Why? |
| Passport & Cash | Daypack (Inside Pocket) | You need your permits and ID at multiple checkpoints (e.g., Monjo). |
| Water (2-3L) | Daypack | Use a hydration bladder for sips and a Nalgene for “hot water bottle” use at night. |
| Duffel Bag | Porter-Carried | Limit weight to 10–12kg. Use color-coded dry bags to separate clean vs. dirty clothes. |
| Trekking Poles | External Daypack | Essential for the descent from Namche and the rocky moraine near Lobuche. |
💰 2026 On-Trail “Hidden” Costs
Budgeting for these extras prevents stress when you’re 5,000m up:
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Hot Showers: NPR 500–1,000 ($4–$8).
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Wi-Fi (Everest Link): NPR 600–1,200 per data card. Signal is decent in Namche but drops significantly toward Base Camp.
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Boiled Water: NPR 200–500 per liter. Tip: Use purification tablets to save ~$150 over the whole trek.
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Tipping: Standard for 2026 is $100–$150 for your guide and $60–$80 for your porter (total for the trip).
Packing for Everest Base Camp (EBC) in 2026 requires more than just warm gear; it requires a strategy for the region’s evolving regulations and rising digital costs. Based on the latest trail updates for 2026, here is your definitive checklist and tactical guide.
⛺ The “Essential Three” Gear Items
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Four-Season Sleeping Bag: Even in 2026, tea houses remain unheated. You need a bag rated to -15°C (0°F). If yours is lighter, a fleece liner is mandatory.
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Trekking Poles: Non-negotiable for the descent from Namche and the rocky Thukla Pass (4,830m). They reduce impact on your knees by roughly 25%.
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Headlamp: Crucial for the 4:00 AM push to Kala Patthar (5,545m). Keep spare batteries in your pocket; the cold drains them twice as fast.
🧼 Hygiene & Health (The “Khumbu Survival” Kit)
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The “Sherpa Shower”: Pack 3 packs of large biodegradable wet wipes. Hot showers in 2026 cost NPR 500–1,200 ($4–$9) and are often unavailable above 4,000m.
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Sun & Wind Defense: SPF 50+ sunscreen and SPF lip block. The UV rays at 5,000m are relentless.
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Altitude Meds (Diamox): Consult your doctor. The 2026 standard is 125mg twice daily, started 24 hours before reaching 3,000m.
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The “Khumbu Cough” Buff: Wear a buff over your mouth to humidify the dry, dusty air. It’s the best way to prevent the infamous high-altitude cough.
🔋 2026 Tech & Connectivity Costs
Charging and Wi-Fi have become major revenue streams for local lodges.
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Power Bank: Bring a 20,000mAh unit.
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Charging Costs: In 2026, expect to pay NPR 300–800 per device or a flat NPR 1,000–1,500 to charge a power bank.
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Internet: Buy a Ncell or Everest Link card in Namche.
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Data Prices: Roughly NPR 1,500 ($11) for 100GB of high-speed data (mostly reliable up to Dingboche).
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💰 2026 Budget & Permits
As of 2026, the TIMS card is no longer required for the EBC region, replaced by local municipality fees.
Cash is King: ATMs above Namche Bazaar are notoriously unreliable in 2026. Carry your entire trail budget in Nepalese Rupees from Kathmandu.
🎒 Packing Strategy: What Goes Where?
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In Your Daypack: Water (3L), snacks, rain shell, down vest, camera, sunscreen, and your passport. You won’t see your porter’s bag until the evening.
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In Your Duffel (Porter): Sleeping bag, spare base layers, camp shoes, and your “clean” set of sleeping thermals. Use dry bags to categorize everything—it makes repacking in a dark tea house much easier.
In 2026, the philosophy for Everest Base Camp (EBC) is “Fast and Light.” Overpacking is the most common reason for fatigue and logistical stress. Based on current porter regulations and trail conditions, here is your definitive guide on what to leave behind and how to optimize your load.
🚫 What NOT to Pack
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Heavy Electronics: Laptops and professional drones (which require expensive permits in 2026) are usually dead weight. Your smartphone is sufficient for 95% of photos.
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Cotton Anything: Cotton absorbs sweat, stays wet, and freezes. If it’s not Merino wool or synthetic, leave it in Kathmandu.
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Full-Sized Toiletries: You don’t need a 500ml shampoo bottle. Use travel-sized containers or solid bars.
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Expedition Gear: You aren’t climbing the summit. Heavy mountaineering boots, ice axes, and crampons are unnecessary for the standard tea house trek.
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Too Many Shoes: One pair of broken-in boots and one pair of light camp shoes (like Crocs or sneakers) is all you need.
⚖️ Porter Limits & Tipping (2026 Standards)
To protect local workers, strict weight limits are enforced. The standard ratio is one porter for every two trekkers.
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Duffel Bag Limit: Your portion of the duffel bag should not exceed 12kg to 13kg (approx. 27 lbs).
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The “Tipping Golden Rule”: Tips are the backbone of a porter’s income. In 2026, it is customary to tip your porter $100–$150 (per person in your group) at the end of the trip.
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Handover Etiquette: Always present your tip in an envelope using both hands—this is a high sign of respect in Nepalese culture.
💰 2026 Rental vs. Buying in Kathmandu
If you don’t want to fly with bulky gear, Thamel is the world’s best place to rent high-quality equipment for pennies.
| Item | Rental (per day) | Buying (Local Quality) |
| Down Jacket (-20°C) | $1.50 – $3.00 | $50 – $90 |
| Sleeping Bag (-20°C) | $1.50 – $3.00 | $60 – $100 |
| Trekking Poles (pair) | $1.00 – $2.00 | $15 – $30 |
| Complete Gear Set | ~$7 – $10 | $250 – $400 |
inal Tactical Tips
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The “Clean Set” Rule: Keep one set of thermals and socks in a sealed dry bag that never touches the trail. This is your “sacred” sleeping outfit—nothing feels better than putting on dry clothes after a rainy day.
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Solar Power: In 2026, many tea houses have upgraded solar charging. A small solar panel on the back of your daypack can save you $50+ in charging fees over the course of the trek.
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The “Lodge” Kit: Pack a lightweight deck of cards or a Kindle. Evenings in the tea houses are long, and these are the best ways to bond with other trekkers or relax.
