7 Tips and a Packing List for Everest Base Camp Trek

I traveled to Nepal in 2024 to tackle the hike to Everest Base Camp. Looking for the entire trip details? Find them here.

Here are my top tips on how to have a successful trek:

1. Have a week of buffer time after the trek in case you have flight delays. More often than not, flights to Lukla are delayed (they only go in PERFECT weather). Sometimes, it can be three days before you fly. If you have buffer time before your international flight home, this isn’t a problem.
2. Don’t have that kind of time? Then go in prepared to pay for a helicopter to and from the trek, about $500 each way. The cheaper option is a flight, but helicopters can fly in more conditions. We were supposed to fly to Lukla on November 3 but didn’t make it out, so we helicoptered on November 4 to Phakding, which set us back on schedule. We left Phakding on November 13 when our guide found out we could be picked up within two hours of our arrival. We’d heard Lukla had already three days of flight delays. Note: The helicopter price can fluctuate; higher demand or the further you fly in, the higher the cost.
3. The trek isn’t for the faint of heart. Yes, the altitude is no joke, but the path itself is a lot of steep ups and downs. Training prior is a must. I recommend step-ups with a weighted pack and swimming to prepare your body for oxygen deprivation. Both of these truly, in addition to clean eating three months leading up to the trek, prepared me for the days of hiking.
4. Go your own pace. It’s not about getting to Base Camp first; it’s about getting there. Period. I went my own pace (nice and slow) and had the highest oxygen level at Gorkashep (minus my Nepali guide’s of course).
5. Be prepared to be uncomfortable. I had headaches and lost my appetite for a large part of the trek due to the altitude. However, I had approached the trek knowing I was going to be “uncomfy.” And I prayed. A lot.
6. Bring a book or cards. You honestly have a lot of downtime at the tea houses. You’ll be too tired to explore.
7. Listen to your guide; they know what they are talking about. Whether it was not eating the meet or taking it slow on the uphills, I took my guide’s advice. And if he had told me I need to evacuate, I would have as he’s the expert. Be humble and listen. At the same time, you have a say so speak up. We decided as a group not to spend the night at Gorkashep as we’d only heard awful things (cold, crowded, can’t breathe). So, we ended going from Lobouche–Gorkashep–Base Camp-Gorkashep-Tukla in one day (came out to 14 miles). While I don’t recommend that idea for most, it was the best decision we could have made for us, even if our legs hurt the next day!

Packing List for Everest Base Camp Trek

• 12 x underwear
• 6 x merino wool hiking socks
• 1 pair of shoes for tea houses (I bought the Chaco Ramble Puff Cinch Quilted ones and they were THE BEST decision)
• 1 pair of hiking shoes
• 4 sports bras
• 3 moisture wicking shirts (I wish I had brought two more)
• 1 merino wool pullover (I wish I had another one)
• 1 puff jacket
• 1 under armor long sleeve
• 1 winter jacket
• 1 pair of rain pants
• 2 x hiking pants
• 2 x long leggings (I would only bring one for a base layer as I only used these once)
• 1 power bank
• 1 headlamp
• 1 lightweight sleeping bag
• 1 sleeping bag liner (used only once but totally worth bringing)
• 1 camping pillow
• 1 pillow case
• 1 small towel
• 2 x roll of toilet paper
• 2 packs of moist towelettes
• 1 pack of 50 2L water purifying tablets
• 1 pair of trekking poles
• 1 hiking backpack cover
• 2 x buffs (one lightweight and one for cold — didn’t use the cold one and wouldn’t bring again)
• 1 sun hat
• 1 warm hat
• 1 pair of glove liners
• 1 pair of water resistant gloves
• 1 water reservoir
• 1 Nalgene bottle
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 charger for phone
• 2 x hand sanitizer bottles
• Toiletries
• Sunscreen
• Ibuprofen
• Imodium
• Probiotic
• Airborne/Emergen C
• Cold Meds
• Anti nausea
• Ginger Chews
• Liquid IV
• Earplugs (life saver in the loud tea houses)
• Dry bag (didn’t use and wouldn’t bring again)
• Plug adapter: type G (UK one), type C
• Snack packs (one per day with about 400 calories in each — made up of Power Crunch bars, mini Twix, Stinger waffles) plus Swedish Fish