Gokyo–EBC–Island Peak Packing List

Gokyo, EBC and Island Peak spans 22 days from teahouse trekking at 5,500 m+ to a 6,189 m summit with glacier travel. Pack for layered high altitude, then add mountaineering kit for the climb extension.

Also read: Planning guide · Cost guide · Trek overview

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Packing rules for Khumbu

Rule	Why
Down jacket to –10 °C	Cold evenings at Gokyo and Lobuche
Sleeping bag –15 °C	Island Peak high camp — lodges alone aren't enough
Glacier sunglasses	Snow glare on Cho La and summit day
Trekking poles	Descents, Cho La, fatigue at altitude
Cash (NPR)	Cards unreliable; prices rise with altitude
Confirm climb kit	Crampons, harness, helmet — hire or bring

Backpack

40–55 L if using a porter for main bag; 35–40 L daypack for summit stage. Keep daypack light for Island Peak summit night.

Footwear

Item	Notes
Waterproof trekking boots	Broken in — long descents from Kala Patthar
Mountaineering boots	Hire in Kathmandu for Island Peak — confirm with operator
Camp shoes	Teahouse evenings; sandals or down booties

Clothing layers

• Merino base layers (top + bottom)
• Fleece or light down mid-layer
• Down jacket (puffy) for evenings and summit
• Waterproof shell jacket and pants
• Trekking pants + shorts for lower valley
• Warm hat, sun hat, buff, glacier sunglasses
• Liner gloves + insulated summit mitts

Sleep kit

Item	Notes
Sleeping bag –15 °C	Required for Island Peak high camp
Sleeping bag liner	Teahouse hygiene
Inflatable sleeping pad	High camp comfort; optional in lodges

Teahouses provide blankets — still bring your own bag for cold nights and the climb.

Trekking poles & navigation

Essential for Cho La, long descents and knee protection on 22 days.

Track elevation gain and daily distance — useful for acclimatisation pacing.

Water & hygiene

• 2–3 L capacity — refill at teahouses (purify)
• Hand sanitiser, wet wipes
• Toilet paper — not always supplied
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ — intense UV at altitude

Island Peak mountaineering add-ons

Confirm with your operator — often hired in Kathmandu:

Item	Notes
Crampons	Fit to mountaineering boots
Harness + helmet	Fixed-line sections on headwall
Jumar / ascender	Summit headwall
Headlamp + spare batteries	Alpine start (~midnight)
Lightweight insulated gloves	Under summit mitts

Electronics & documents

• Power bank — paid charging at teahouses
• Passport copies, permits, insurance docs
• Cash in NPR for trail and tips

Related planning

• Itinerary — 22-day phases
• Accommodation — teahouse vs tent nights
• Difficulty — altitude and climb
• Food guide — dal bhat rhythm