Another Himalayan adventure awaits—this time, to Everest Base Camp (EBC). My Kundalini Yoga mentor is celebrating her 60th birthday this year and she chose to honor this milestone by trekking to EBC. I’m grateful to join her on this journey. Our trek begins this May 1, 2025 and ends on May 18, 2025.
The excitement is real, but so is my anxiety. For the past two months, I’ve been hitting the gym and climbing Mt. Makiling, hoping to prepare my body for the challenge. Still, I wonder if it’s enough. One requirement is 100 burpees daily; I’m not there yet! I manage 50, three times a week. But maybe, as with most things, progress matters more than perfection.
Jump off point is at Lukla Airport (2,860 meters) Source: Elite Exped
About Everest Base Camp
EBC sits at 5,364 meters (18,225 feet) on the south side of Mount Everest in Nepal’s Sagarmatha National Park. It’s the launching point for climbers aiming for the world’s tallest peak at 8,848 meters (29,031 feet). Our route starts at Lukla Airport (2,860 meters), then winds through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Debuche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, and finally EBC, before retracing our steps. The slow pace is necessary for acclimatization, and every step brings us closer to the mountains and ourselves.
Training and Preparation
Preparing for EBC isn’t just about physical strength—it’s about mental readiness, too. The trek involves long days, steep trails, and high altitude, so building endurance, flexibility, and resilience is key. Conditioning hikes, like my Makiling climbs, are recommended, as is getting used to your gear and carrying a loaded backpack. It’s normal to feel unsure and like me, most trekkers wonder if they’ve trained enough. What matters is starting early, staying consistent, and listening to your body.
The destination: Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meteres (18,225 feet). Source: Elite Exped
EBC Gear Checklist
Here’s the gear list I’m packing, compiled from our organizer and seasoned trekkers:
- Packs: 65-liter duffel (carried by sherpa) and a 30-liter daypack
- Bottles: 1-liter Nalgene bottle and a thermos flask for hot drinks
- Shoes: Waterproof, ankle-supporting boots (broken in), trainers for evenings, flip flops for showers
- Head: Merino wool buff, baseball cap, beanie
- Clothing: Waterproof jacket with hood, windproof pants, 790-filled lightweight down jacket, fleece midlayer, thermal base layers, trekking pants (lightweight and fleece-lined for the evening)
- Gloves: insulated gloves and liners
- Underwear: Moisture-wicking underwear
- Socks: wool and liner socks
- UV-protective sunglasses, trekking poles, head lamp
- Sleeping: Down sleeping bag, sleeping pad
- Snacks: protein bars, trail mix
- First aid kit (Band-Aid, blister care, ibuprofen, antihistamine, antibiotics, Diamox)
- Others: hand/toe warmers, SPF 50 sunscreen, lip balm, ziploc bags, Swiss Army Knife, travel insurance, Nepalese rupees (USD 250 for tips)
Reflections
This trek is more than a physical feat—it’s a celebration of life’s milestones, a chance to embrace uncertainty, and a way to reconnect with nature and myself. I’m excited, nervous, and determined to take it one step at a time. As a yoga teacher, I see this journey as a living practice of balance, endurance, and being present.
If you’re planning your own EBC adventure, may your gear serve you well and your spirit stay strong. Every mindful step brings you closer to the summit—of the mountain, and of your own dreams.
