Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return

Altitude: 2610 m, Phakding

Distance:6.2 km

Flight Distance: 138 km

From Kathmandu, you will board a 45-minute flight to Lukla early in the morning. You can enjoy the views of magnificent mountain ranges during the flight.

Once here, you will have a hearty breakfast and a short briefing on the trek to come.

After this, your journey on foot begins. You will walk towards Phakding. Phakding is a beautiful village with around 30-40 houses.

This 3-hour walk takes you along well-paved footpaths through Dudh Koshi valley.

You will spend the night here.

Altitude: 3445 m, Namche Bazaar

Distance: 7.4 km

Time Taken: 4-6 hours

You will continue your trek through the Valley of Dudh Kosi River. Once you reach Monjo, you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park. Here, you will need to verify your trekking permits.

You cross the Dudh Kosi River five times today, through exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags.

After a tough walk of around 2-3 hours of walking, you will reach Namche. From here, you get your first view of Everest and Lhotse.

From here, you continue walking for around 2-3 more hours to reach the main trading center of Khumbu region, Namche Bazaar.

Namche Bazaar is the unofficial capital of the Solukhumbu (Everest) region. Built on a steep mountain bowl, it has excellent views of high Himalaya on either side.

Night at Namche Bazaar.

Today is an acclimatization day. Yet, it is not rest or idle day. For your body to acclimatize better, you should take a short hike to higher altitudes.

There are beautiful, short, day hikes to choose from.

Trek to Khumjung:

Distance: 7.6 km

Time Taken: 4 hours

You can take a hike to the villages of Khunde and Khumjung. On the way, you can visit the local school and hospital. Else, you can visit the monastery and see the so-called skull of a Yeti.

Else, visit the bakery here that sells freshly baked food items.

Trek to the airstrip at Syanboche (3720m):

Distance: 500m

You begin with a trek to Everest View Hotel. This hotel provides impressive views of the surrounding mountains. It also serves great coffee and tea.

From here, you trek upwards to the Syangboche airstrip. It is the world’s highest airport at 3780m. Here, you can take a detour to Khumjung village on the way back.

Overnight at Namche Bazaar

Altitude: 3860 m, Tengboche

Distance Covered:9.2 km

Time Taken: 4-5 hours

The trails for today has many little up, downs and weaves in out of valleys.

From Kenjoma, the trails provide excellent views of Everest and Ama Dablam.

You pass through small settlements like Sansa, Phunkithanga. You also pass through pine forests and Mani stones.

From here, you reach the saddle on which the monastery of Tengboche sits at 3870m.

Thyangboche village is a charming spot built around the main Tibetan monastery in the region, Thyangboche. You can enter and pay a visit to the monastery. During the mornings and evenings, you can listen to the monks chanting their mantras.

One of the most unforgettable sceneries of this trek is from this place. You can see a panorama of some of the biggest mountain peaks. Kwangde (6187m), Tawachee (6542m), Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse (8501m), Amadablam, Kantega, and Thamserku, to name a few.

Night at Tengboche.

Altitude: 4360 m, Dingboche

Distance Covered: 10.8km

Time Taken: 3.5 hours -4 hours

Your trek for today begins with a descent through a beautiful forest, along with the Imja Khola valley.

From here, you gradually make your way to the village of Pangboche. This village is home to the oldest monastery in the region.

The route continues through summer pastures on to Dingboche. Dingboche is a picturesque village with incredible views of Island Peak (6160m) and Ama Dablam.

You will spend the night here.

This is another day for acclimatization. To acclimatize better, short hikes nearby are great.

Some popular ones are:

Trek to Chhukung (4750m) :

Distance: 8 km

Time Taken: 3-4 hours

This is a nice and easy day hike. Chukung offers beautiful views of  Mt. Makalu (8463 meters), Island Peak, Peak 38 and several other Himalayan peaks.

Trek to Nangkartshang Peak(5083m):

Distance: approximately 6 km

Time Taken: 5 hours

A trek here offers magnificent views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Thamserku, and Mt. Kangtega.

Altitude: 4930m, Lobuche

Distance: 8.4 km

Duration: 4.5 hours to 6 hours

You start with a climb to the chorten trail and onwards to Pheriche (4240m). Here, you will pass through the Trekkers Aid Post. Trekkers can get consultation and treatment here before continuing on the trek.

After leaving Pheriche, you trek to Thulga (4600m). Here, the Gokyo trail joins with the Everest Base Camp trail.

The valley becomes barren of vegetation and can be quite rocky in some places. Make sure to watch your step while enjoying fabulous views of snow-capped mountain peaks.

After leaving the valley, you descend to the yak pastures at Lobuche.

Overnight at a lodge in Lobuche. You get spectacular views of Mt. Tawache and Mt. Nuptse from the village.

Altitude: 5160m, Gorak Shep. 5400m, Everest Base Camp

Distance: 15 km

Time Taken: 7-9 hours

You will begin with a trek to Gorakshep (5160m). This is the world’s highest human settlement and the last one before Everest Base Camp. Hence, you return to spend the night here.

The first half of the trek is nice and easy. The 2nd has a beautiful view of majestic walls formed by Everest, Nuptse, and many other mountains.

After your lunch here, you will walk on a side ridge of the Khumbu glacier. From here, you cross the Glacier and reach the Everest Base Camp area.

Everest Base Camp (5400m) is one of the main highlights of this trek. You get fabulous views of   Mt. Khutse, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Changtse and the Khumbu Glacier and Ice Fall from here.

After a good rest here, you start your trek back to Gorak Shep.

Night at a tea house at Gorak Shep.

Altitude: 5545m, Kala Patthar

Distance: 3.5km

Time Taken: 2-4 hours

Helicopter ride Distance: approx.  km            

Flight Duration:20 minutes Gorekshep Lukla and Lukla Kathmandu 1hour 30 minute.

The day begins early with a walk to Kalapathar from Gorakshep. You do this trek before the break of dawn. The chances of getting clear views are at their best in the morning.

Kalapathar is the highest altitude of your entire trek. This thump in the landscape is the perfect vantage point. You get views of innumerable mountain peaks. Most of the world famous photographs of Everest are from here.

You get a 360-degree panoramic view of some of the highest peaks in the world from here. Some of the world-famous ones include Mt. Pumori (7169 meters), Mt. Everest (8848 meters) and Lhotse (8516 meters), Mt. Changtse, Mt. Nuptse (7861 meters).

After you get your fill of the place, you return to Gorak Shep for breakfast.

After this, you take your helicopter ride back down to Lukla after refueling fly back to Kathmandu by helicopter again.

The helicopter ride back provides you with an aerial view of the entire region. It is a remarkable way to end your journey to Everest Base Camp.