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EBC Trek Permits and Admin

Permits and Admin is not always the most fun part of packing, the permits are available in Lukla and Monjo so it can be paid on the way.

Everest Base Camp permits required 2020

• Local permit  cost NPR 2000 ($20)
• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit (USD 30 + 13% Govt. Tax)

Both permits can be bought during the trek at checkpoints at Lukla and Monjo. This is the easiest way to do it and you can not miss these checkpoints on the route.

Do you need a TIMS permit to trek to EBC?

TIMS ( Trekkers’ Information Management Systems) is a system that was set up by the central government of Nepal to collect data of all trekkers in Nepal and according to central government the TIMS card is a requirement before any individual can trek anywhere in Nepal.

From what I understand the Nepal government wants you to get a TIMS permit so that they can add you to the database of trekkers in Nepal. This permit costs you RPM 2000 and is only valid for a single entry into any national park. This permit was required and checked in the Annapurna and Langtang region, but not in the Everest region.

There is a lot of conflicting information online so we went to the tourism board in Kathmandu to get the correct information. The tourism board assured us it is still necessary and that the information online is incorrect. While hiking to EBC they did not ask for our TIMS at any check point, when I told them I was forced in Kathmandu to buy the permit the officials laughed and told me to go and ask for my money back in Kathmandu. Several officials at checkpoints in the Everest Base Camp Trekking region were not interested in seeing our TIMS permits and assured me it is not required.

Insurance for Everest Base Camp trek

Insurance is very important on any high altitude trek, altitude sickness is very common and since there are no roads in these mountains if you get seriously injured or sick you will have to be evacuated by helicopter which is very expensive. Most travel insurance will not cover extreme activities like high altitude trekking.  Get a quote here for World Nomads hiking insurance for Nepal that covers you to 6000m (that is a ‘yes’ for Everest Base Camp at 5364m).

Doesn’t matter where you live or where you are at the moment, it takes less than 2 minutes to get a quote and you can buy it online even if you are already traveling. If you only take out a policy for your trek duration it is not too pricey, starting in a couple of days? it is not too late!

Gear and Equipment – buying or renting

There are many shops selling the necessary clothes and gear to trek to Everest Base Camp in Kathmandu. Mostly fakes of well-known brands like The North Face. Many people buy the fake gear, completing the trek successfully using this equipment. Obviously the quality is inferior. You can rent gear in Kathmandu, be careful it is often fake, I rented a The North Face sleeping bag that fell apart after 3 days of use. There are a handful of shops selling authentic branded equipment in Thamel, you can not miss them. We bought proper The North Face gear in Thamel, I would however recommend buying essential gear before your trip while you still have time to order and exchange sizes, colors, models etc.

Knock-trekking Gear in Kathmandu

There are hundreds of little trekking shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara selling good looking knock-off equipment from well known brands.

You are not climbing Everest so you probably wont die of cold in a fake jacket in summer. Having something that fits, lasts and keeps the wind and rain out is just nicer and will improve your chances of finishing the trek successfully. 

Season is an important consideration when buying gear, in summer the knock-off stuff is OK and might last for the duration of your trek. When we were trekking to EBC in late February it was a lot colder than when we did the same trek in April. I was glad we had proper gear, it was freezing. I wore my real down jacket most of the trek, even sleeping in it at Gorakshep, I would recommend taking a light packable down jacket with a hood. The fake jackets are not filled with goose down, but with synthetic material, it is heavier and not nearly as warm.

Backpack

A quality and comfortable backpack is a very important piece of equipment. I will recommend a dedicated hiking backpack from a well known brand.

f you are planning to do many multi day hikes it make sense to invest in it and buy a light and good quality one like the Deuter ACT or Osprey Atmos 65L for men or Deuter ACT Lite 50 or Osprey Atmos AG50 for ladies. Alya and I are currently trekking with 60L and 40L backpacks respectively.

Quality, but more budget options to consider are Teton Escape or High Sierra Sentinel or for ladies High Sierra Explorer.

We were traveling around Asia for about two years when the trekking bug bit and I was using a travel pack, these backpacks such as Osprey Far Point 55 Travel Backpack are great for traveling because they are not only top loading, you can open them in front for easy packing. Travel packs also have all sorts of straps, clips and zips and they are comfortable to carry, but a backpack designed for hiking is the number one choice for comfort.

How to pack a backpack for hiking

| Deuter ACT backpack |

Are you traveling long term and planning to do some serious hikes? for the best of both worlds go for a top  quality, well designed hiking pack with easy access. Long term travel and serious hiking.

Osprey Aeather 70L AG Rucksack or Ariel 65 women’s version

• Travel Pack Features: With both top loading and J-Zip Front Panel opening – easy access like a travel backpack
• Top Hiking Pack Features: Adjustable Torso Length, Integrated & Detachable Rain Cover, 3D Suspended Backpanel and Lumbar for perfect fit and comfort, a top hiking pack!

If you are using porters you can pack your clothing and gear in a duffel bag instead of a backpack, they will put it in a basket anyway or it will be carried by yaks/donkeys The North Face Base Camp Duffel 

Hiking Season for EBC

How cold and wet it is plays a very important role in what you pack for your EBC trek. There are two distinct seasons for trekking to EBC. The best months to trek to Everest base camp are in the  pre-monsoon season through March, April and May or in the post monsoon season from late September, October, November.

Pre monsoon (Feb-May) the weather should be largely stable and dry, great for trekking, but it can be very busy with many hikers.

Trekking here in February/March it was dry, but cold. I was wearing a Columbia shirts down jacket and North Face Trekking Pants more than 80% of the time, wearing a Outer Shell Rain Jacket over the down jacket when it was very cold.

Hiking to EBC in April I wore only the shirt and rain jacket most of the time, layering up with a fleece  under the rain jacket on cold days.

Post monsoon (late Sept-Nov) with less haze and clouds in this period it will normally provide better views of these spectacular mountains. This time is colder but a great time to hike to Gokyo Lakes.

Dec-Feb Hiking still possible but very cold, up to -30C at night! Some times a lot of snow falls on the trail, passes might be closed. Avoid the crowds but bring proper equipment!

Book a place where you can store some luggage if you are arriving with more than you can carry. Check these places out, policies change so make sure before booking

We’ve stayed at several hotels in Kathmandu in different parts of Thamel and finally found the best (at least for us) location Keshar Mahal Marang Street. A small and quiet dead-end street in Thamel with only hotels, hostels, restaurants and coffee shops. The street is a 5-minutes walk from the main touristy area with hundreds of shops and agencies. There are a couple of great restaurants and coffee shops nearby.

There are a couple of hotels on the street we stayed at Aryatara Kathmandu Hotel for quite a while, every time we finished a trek we came back for a couple of days. It’s a very nice place, big rooms, comfortable beds, good breakfast (included), great hot shower, AC, wi-fi, TV, etc. The room price includes free airport pick-up (for international flights only). The staff is very helpful and friendly. We stored our extra luggage here every time we went hiking for free without any problem.

More options in the same street

Packing Footwear for EBC Trek

Hiking boots/shoes – make sure your shoes are;

• waterproof
• breathing
• have good grip – sometimes you walk on muddy or rocky terrain
• fit good – you have some space to wiggle your toes
• good quality

Should you trek to Everest Base Camp in boots or shoes? this is a very common debate, waterproof is very important, the need for ankle support is a personal preference.  If you do not have hiking experience I would go for a higher cut for some ankle support.  There are many people hiking in Nepal in sneakers. Wearing merino wool socks in waterproof hiking shoes, the temperature should not be a problem.

We have walked thousands of kilometers with many different shoes and both of us are super happy with our Salomon X Ultra boots. Very light and comfortable for boots and 100% waterproof Gortex, we have walked in ankle deep snow and mud for hours and our feet stayed dry! Ladies Salomon X Ultra Boots

If you like a low cut shoe – Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof is awesome, Alya walked more than 3000 in a pair of these shoes! or Salomon X Ultra Prime  another durable, waterproof, comfortable, low cut shoe.

Ladies Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof. If you’re looking for something cheaper Columbia Dakota Drifter is a good option.

Packing clothing for the EBC Hike

What clothes to pack? – Layering is key, this popular hiking jargon just means wearing a couple of layers of clothing. Breathable clothing can help you to keep warm, dry and comfortable in changing conditions by removing layers depending on how you feel and the conditions you’re in. Multiple thin layers will keep you warmer than a single thicker layer is because warm air is trapped between the layers acting as an insulator.

Clothes are arranged in 3 layers from your skin outwards; a Base layer (underwear) that wicks (draws moisture away) sweat off your skin use a synthetic material that doesn’t absorb wetness. Middle layer (insulating): retains body heat protecting you from the cold. An Outer layer (the shell) waterproof and windproof.

The Shell

Outer Shell Rain Jacket – wind and waterproof jacket ladies or Outer Shell Rain Jacket for men with hood in case of strong wind or rain. Walking EBC in April we walked most of the time in a hiking shirt and outer shell jacket, layering up with a fleece and thermal vest a handful of times when it was cold.

Rain poncho – On our last trip to EBC Alya left her rain jacket at home and took a ligh poncho that can fit over her and her backpack to make sure nothing gets wet. She wore a fleece or down jacket the rest of the trip. We always pack ponchos when go traveling – they are small and light and are often quite handy. It rained a bit once or twice and she used the poncho.

Trekking pants – I had one pair of light fast dry hiking pants  and never zipped of the legs, on one or two occasions it was very cold and I layered up with thermal underpants, which I took of later in the day. If you go hiking off season when it is very cold – warmer waterproof pants. For women I’d suggest to pack trekking pants and yoga pants. Alya always take both and prefer wearing yoga pants – they stretch easy and are more comfortable. For hiking in lower temperatures she layers up with both pairs.

Insulating Later

Fleece – Essential item. I where a fleece under my outer shell on cold days and over a thermal vest in tea houses.  Check these fleeces for women they come in so many different different colors.

Fleece vest– very light to pack,  a fleece vest is nice for extra heat layering,  ladies.

Base Layer

Hiking shirt – Do not pack cotton, if you sweat under your jacket you will be wet and freezing underneath. Alya prefers hiking in breathable, moisture wicking, quik dry T-shirts, packing a long sleeve shirt and one short sleeve T-shirt. I love hiking in Columbia shirts, they do not absorb water so dry quickly and protects me from the sun if I take my jacket off. Quick dry if I get importunity to hand wash on the way. 

Sport bras – they are great for hiking and outdoors, Alya says that she prefers sport bras over normal bras. 

Thermal underwear – really recommend to pack it with, you can use thermals (men’s models) for sleeping and as an extra layer for hiking if it gets cold. I always take normal cotton socks for sleeping as well.

Underwear – take two-three pairs with depending on a hike duration.

Merino wool socks – a must have especially for long hikes. In the past we didn’t pay much attention to socks – bought any random cheap socks and used to have blisters. We’ve heard a lot from other hikers about merino wool socks and finally decided to give it a go. They do work great, now we always wear them for hiking. Some advantages of merino wool socks; don’t absorb odors, protect your feet, dry quick and very durable. For even more comfortable walk check Darn Tough hiking socks they’re famous for great foot support and blister protection. Alya likes their ladies’ models; colorful and funky.

Beanie – since I don’t have much hair I often wear a beanie. Even though she has a lot of hair, Alya sometimes wear a beanie when it is very cold, pack one.

Gloves – Wearing thin fleece gloves or no gloves was fine most of the time. My hands get cold very easy and I was happy that I packed a pair of winter ski gloves on one or two cold mornings, I specifically recall ascending Kalapathar warm gloves helped a lot!

Cap/hat – a must have in the mountains for sun protection. Alya prefers wearing a cap, I usually takes a hat on hikes. 

Sunglasses – bring sunglasses for hiking in the mountains with high UV protection and polarized lenses.  

EBC Trek -Suggested hiking clothes for women

Shell Rain jacket | Fleece | Running shirt | Running T-shirt | Hiking pants | Yoga pants | Rain poncho | Fleece vest |Thermal underwear|Sport bras|Gloves|Beany | Cap | Sunglasses | Socks | Ski Gloves

Everest Base Camp Trek Packing List -Suggested hiking clothes for men

| Rain jacket | Fleece | Fleece vest| Hiking shirts | Hiking pants | Rain poncho | Thermal underwear | Beany | Gloves | Buff | Hat |Sunglasses |Socks |

• Pack a BUFF Multifunctional Headwear – protects your neck and face from sun burn, wind and weather.

Gaiters – Waterproof Windproof Warm Shoes Cover. Keep them dry and keep snow, debris and dust out while hiking in any terrain or weather.

Rock Down slippers – these super comfortable, warm, down slippers with soles are great for wearing in the tea-house when taking off your hiking boots Rock Dove Women’s down Slipper

Is a Sleeping Bag necessary on the EBC Trek?

It gets very cold inside the tea houses at night. Our water froze inside our bottles inside at night at the highest altitude! You do get blankets and can ask for extra, we however always carry a light summer sleeping bag that compresses for easy packing, it helps for warmth and we like sleeping in our ‘clean’ sleeping bags.

Everest Base Camp Trek Packing – Suggested Accessories

• Trekking Poles – very popular on this trek, great for reducing impact on your knees, huge variety available. You are looking for durability, comfort, shock absorption, quality and adjustibility. TrailBuddy Hiking Sticks, TrailBuddy Hiking Sticks very well rated, good value for money, aluminium trekking poles. Aluminium is strong and a bit heavier than carbon, my advice is save some money, go for these guys! Top of the line Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Pole, 68-140cm.

• Microfibre towels take almost no space, are light and dry easy so that they won’t get moldy and start smelling. Share one towel if you are a couple.   Active Roots Microfiber Travel Towel
• We have been using our Petzl’s for ages, the electricity in the tea houses is not always on at night, a headlamp is handy Petzl Actic 300 Lumen waterproof headlamp
• Water is expensive and the higher you climb the higher the price. It is possible to sterilize tap water and save a lot. You have three options to sterilize tap water and drink

• Water Purification tablets we did this on many hikes before buying a lifestraw bottle (works but your water taste like swimming pool water)
• Steri Pen  UV sterilize device. Used by couple of other trekkers on route, looks good, quite pricey.

Check out this test of lifestraw, you can find many funny ones on Youtube, the point is this is a cheap, safe way to get good quality water out of taps and streams on a hike.

• Perfect Hydration Bladder – Staying hydrated is very important. A Hydration pack is a very nice alternative, you don’t have to constantly stop to take out your water bottle, buy good quality that is leakproof, having a wet backpack and no water is a terrible experience (yes it happened to me)

• Swiss knife We always take it with on hikes, road trip and just traveling. Usually it’s difficult to find a sharp knife in tea houses, we always used our Swiss knife for cutting, opening cans as well as for opening packs slicing when having lunch on the way. Note! Don’t forget if you fly only with hand luggage no knives will be allowed.

• Take a notebook in case you want to make some notes, right down names of places.
• Travel wet wipes are very handy if it is to cold (or expensive) to shower, we have been sitting in our tent ‘washing’ with these on countless hikes, a must on your EBC packing list.
• Hand cleaner easier than finding a tap and soap to wash your hands if you want to eat.

Gadgets and devices

It’s all up to you to decide whether to make your backpack heavier by packing a big camera with lenses or keep it light and take photos with a phone or maybe pack a GoPro for taking videos. 

You have to pay to charge electronics at the tea houses. Charge your phone, kindle, Go Pro any USB device with a portable charger. Luxtude 13400mAh Waterproof Portable Charger

Smartphone

Even without reception an awesome all in one device; taking photos and videos, listening music or audio books, alarm etc. Don’t know about you but we prefer Samsung over iPhone. I recently bought a new phone Samsung Galaxy S9 and quite happy with it.

Camera

If you still don’t trust the quality of your phone photos take a digital camera like Olympus OM-D, it takes good photos and ok video, plus it is small and light. We always take our Canon 80D with but the only reason we do it because we’re bloggers if it wasn’t for that we wouldn’t even consider of taking this big camera with two lenses.

GoPro

Another cool and small thing that will help to capture your trek. We just bought a new GoPro Hero 6 and are quite impressed with the quality of the footage though we used it mostly underwater. Even photos are pretty good. If you have a smartphone and a GoPro no need to pack a camera as well. It’s very easy to do editing with free GoPro Quik app just connect the GoPro to your phone and in 10 minutes you’ll get an awesome video with music. Just a couple of months after we bought it they released GoPro Hero7.  If you want a budget alternative check AKASO EK7000 it might be not as great as GoPro but costs less than half.

I am so glad I had a kindle! Awesome to read in bed on acclimatizing days. Was carrying guide books and some books to relax with.

Book suggestions, buy the ebooks to take them with you on your kindle!

Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya (Travel Guide)

First Aid Kit for EBC trek

Pack a good, basic, light first aid kit such as this one.

Add some

• pain killers paracetemol/aspirin/ibuprofen
• imodium for an upset stomach
• rehydrate (isotonic drink) for when you are dehydrated
• Diamox
  • Many people take Diamox. At high altitude the air pressure is low and less oxygen available, Diamox prevents AMS by acting as a respiratory stimulant. We had some AMS symptoms and got Diamox from trekkers on their way down and started taking it, we did feel better, but it might have been the placebo effect.  Contraindications Diamox, it is a diuretic so you constantly have to urinate, it is a pain to go to the toilet in the cold at night. Needles and pins (paraesthesia) in hands in feet, I had needles and pins in the soles of my feet, it was not too bad

Altitude RX Oxyboost Complex for Mountain Sickness – natural remedy against altitude sickness, we have never used it, but it has good reviews, check here for about 500 reviews, sound like it works to me!

• Plasters – make sure you have enough you might get blisters  Tip! If you have spots on your feet where you usually get blisters try to prevent them by first putting some vaseline on it and then plaster. If you already have blister you can use Compeed – a special plaster that you can put on blisters, it reduces the pain and protects against rubbing. There are special blister prevention patches for shoes as well. We’ve never used them but the reviews are quite good.
• Antiseptic/iodine.
• Vaseline – you can use it for blister prevention put it every morning on your feet (some areas) before you start walking. It’ll help to reduce chafing.

Toiletries

| Toiletry bag | Razor | Silicone travel bottles | Silicone cream jars | Small manicure set | 3 in 1 Soap | Soap case |

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