It was a childhood dream of mine to climb to Everest Base Camp. Apart from occasionally hitting the gym and going for runs, I was without physical preparation, without a porter or guide that are commonly advised, and without a trekking group.
This was going to be the hardest and best thing I’d ever done, so I decided to film all of it!
One of my proudest achievements to date! If you’re nervous about hiking, Nepal is a great destination for starters. With lodges along the way there’s no need to camp out (although some do), and there’s plenty of shops and restaurants along the way. I planned out my route for months in advance but kept plenty of wiggle room in terms of travel days and money for plans to change. It’s crucial not to rush on the way up to give your body time to acclimatise to the height as there’s hundreds of deaths each season due to people not taking their symptoms seriously.
My itinerary:
1: Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m) to Phakding (2,610 m)
2: Phakding (2,610 m) to Namche (3,440 m)
3: Namche (acclimatisation day)
4: Namche (acclimatisation day)
5: Namche (3,440 m) to Deboche (3820 m)
6: Deboche (3820 m) to Dingboche (4,410 m)
7: Dingboche (acclimatisation day)
8: Dingboche (4,410 m) to Leboche (4,940 m)
9: Leboche (4,940 m) to Gorak Shep (5,164 m)
10: Gorak Shep (5,164 m) to EVEREST BASE CAMP (5,364 m) to Pheriche (4,371 m)
11: Pheriche (4,371 m) to Namche (3,440 m)
12: Namche (3,440 m) to Lukla (2,860 m)
13: Lukla to Kathmandu
As I was going to carry my own backpack, light packing was essential.
Here’s what I was wearing on me and carrying in my 18kg backpack:
- Printed travel insurance
- Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card (obtained in Kathmandu)
- Enough cash for lodgings and food (ca. 80’000 NPR) and the Sagarmartha National Park permit (obtained in Monjo, ca. 33’000 NPR)
- Printed itinerary for when electronics fail due to freezing (I did my research and mapped my route out on maps.me)
- Rented sleeping bag from Kathmandu with my own silk liner
- Rented down jacket from Kathmandu
- Walking sticks
- sturdy walking boots (don’t get new ones and risk blisters, wear them in)
- One pair of thermals, trousers, top & jacket
- Two pairs of socks
- Gloves, hat & neck gaiter
- Battery pack for my phone (keep them in your sleeping bag to keep them working as long as possible!)
- journal and pen to safeguard your memories!
- Diamox altitude pills (bought in Kathmandu)
- waterbottle with built-in filter to drink from streams
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to help out.
Check out my previous post about doing vipassana meditation in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, and my vlog about it!
Reparent Your Soul 
Hello Jasmine, congrats, great video and info. You did well.
What month did you go??….where did u start the trek??…did you get a chance to see if in Kathmandu you can get organized treks cheaper than online??….please, help me with that. That I am going, for sure….and I want to do it the way you did !!! Take care, lovely young woman.
Re
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Hi Re! Thank you for your kind comment! I started the trek in Lukla after flying in from Kathmandu in early December! I did the trek without a trek guide or porter so I can’t advise on that, but I only recommend that if you have time to research the route first. Sorry I’m replying so late, have fun and good luck!
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Hello mam,
Good to see your journey specifically solo.
My query is,
Advance booking for Kathmandu to lukla flight or helicopter is must or we can do when we reach Kathmandu.
Did you get safe accommodation every place easily without advance booking?
Dr RAJIV.
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Hi, thank you for your comment! Yes you should book your flight to Lukla in advance, and as long as you don’t have a large group you can easily find accommodation in my experience!
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