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Congratulations you’ve considered trekking to Everest Base Camp! This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Trekking in the Himalayas is quite the undertaking. It can be intimidating and unpredictable but so thrilling at the same time. You will have absolutely no regrets if you pack smart. 

I distinctly remember packing was more stressful than the trek itself. My packing stress was deeply rooted in my lack of knowledge about daily life on the trek. 

So here is what I wish I knew before I started packing.

Your typical day will look something like this: wake up at 6:00 a.m., head down to the communal kitchen for breakfast. Trek anywhere from 3-5 hours, stop somewhere for lunch, trek again for 3-5 hours, eat dinner at the town you’ve arrived at, and head to bed. Typically your mornings will be very chilly, especially as you get higher in elevation. However, each Tea House bedroom provides you with twin beds, a pillow, and a bed sheet. Always wear layers when you’re sleeping. Depending on what month you go in it may be helpful to sleep with your water bottle (to prevent it from freezing). 

It goes without saying to bring layers. This will include a down jacket (which you can rent in Kathmandu for a cheap price), a hat/ gloves, multiple pairs of wool socks, and comfortable shoes. Aside from clothing it will be helpful to bring sunscreen, bug spray, polarized sunglasses, and plenty of protein bars. 

However... on the insider scoop, here are 6 things you cannot leave without:

1.) Solar Charger

It is rare to find outlets in the Tea Houses (hotels on the trek are called Tea Houses). It is inevitable your camera and Go-pro will die, especially in the cold temperatures. I tied my solar charger to my backpack while trekking. Even on cloudy days it was able to charge. This allowed me to utilize the charger in rooms without outlets.

2.) Pillow Case

Thankfully the rooms come with pillow cases. However there are no washing machines in the Himalayas to regularly wash the pillow cases. You will be sharing the pillow case with more people than you know. Trekkers are not showering. Bring your own pillow case to ensure some type of hygiene while sharing beds.

3.) Filtered Water Bottle

Most Tea Houses have running water but it lacks filtration. It is unsafe to drink or brush your teeth with this water. A life straw will save you money. This will also help reduce the amount of water bottles you purchase on the trek. 

4.) Probiotics

Nepalese food is cooked with tap water and has a high likelihood to carry bacteria our bodies are unfamiliar with. Probiotics will ensure proper digestion and reduce your risk of getting sick on the trek. Additionally, I do not recommend consuming meat on the trek. The Everest Base Camp Trek is a no kill zone, which means the meat is killed elsewhere and carried up by foot to the tea houses. Probiotics can help combat food borne illness but avoiding meat is the safest solution. 

5.) Journal

One of the most important things you can do while trekking is to keep a daily log. After a long day of trekking it is nice to sit down and reflect on your journey. The trek is demanding both mentally and physically. You will grow immensely on this journey, it will be helpful to journal. Your future self will thank you. 

6.) Toilet Paper

Do not go overboard but one or two rolls will last you. You can easily find cheap options on the trek but it’s nice to have good quality toilet paper from home.

Here are 5 things you should leave at home:

1.) Heavy Trekking Boots

If you’re a regular hiker, you know what works best for you. Most websites advice you to buy heavy trekking boots to combat the cold and difficult terrain. I would say the opposite. A comfortable, lightweight, supportive shoe will do the trick. They get dirty so white is not a good option.

2.) Expensive Trekking Glasses

Completely unnecessary to buy mountain glasses. All you need is a comfortable pair of UV500 polarized sunglasses. The sun is strong and will damage your retina if you stare directly at it. Snow blindness is also common as you get into the higher elevation. Be cautious and always wear your polarized glasses outside.

3.) Wifi/ SIM Card

The point of the trek is to escape reality and go off the grid. There are cheap SIM cards for sale in Kathmandu and wifi for sale at each Tea House. I would recommend using your phone for pictures and leave the social media at home. View this experience as a spiritual moment in time,. Utilize your opportunity to escape reality.

4.) Sleeping Bag

As I said before the bedrooms come with enough layers to keep you warm. Carrying a sleeping bag can be heavy and slow you down. The goal is to pack as light and smart as possible. Avoid renting one in Lukla because they tend to be expensive and you will barley use it.

5.) Hand Warmers

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