The Everest base camp trek with helicopter return is 11 days of trekking from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. The trekking begins from Lukla and covers the entire trekking route to EBC. After having the pleasant view of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and their surrounding peaks from Kalapatthar, we will return to Kathmandu via helicopter flight. It is a moderately difficult trek, and a customized plan to make your journey quick, short, and easy.

Overview

Itinerary

More Information

Overview

Itinerary

More Information

The Everest base camp trek with helicopter return is one way trekking to base camp from Lukla. It is an adventurous journey in the Khumbu region that fulfills your desire of trekking in Everest region. It is 11 days journey from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. It takes 8 days to cover 55 km distance from Lukla to base camp.

The EBC trek with heli return is short and moderately difficult trek. We will cover the ascends and descends to base camp and gain the unique experience of trekking in Everest region. The Sherpa, villages, culture and hospitality let us to learn the Himalayan lifestyle. The mesmerizing beauty of mountains along with Sagarmatha worth it.

What to expect?

The Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter return is a one-way trek to the south base camp of Mount Everest. The short duration and adventurous trail give a lifetime memory. We can visualize the Buddhist culture through mani walls, mani stones, gomba, monasteries, Chorten, prayer wheels, and prayer flags on the trail. The peaceful environment, diverse vegetation, and animals of Sagarmatha National Park let us enjoy the biological environment of the Khumbu region. We can complete the trek with the best memories and experience.

Our Role

The Everest treks organize the trek, manage the accommodation, flight, and helicopter, and complete the paperwork required for trekking. We provide guides and porter based on the group size. Your safety is our priority. You will be safe and get the best hospitality in Kathmandu and the trekking site.

Day 01 :

Arrival in Nepal

After the arrival in Nepal, one of the company members will welcome us and drop at hotel. We will meet our guide and get briefing on the trek. We will have welcome dinner in the evening and get a chance to enjoy the cultural dance as well.

Day 02 :

Flight to Lukla and trek to Phakding

Depending on our flight time we will drive to airport and reach Lukla in 20 – 25 minutes. It takes half an hour to reach Tribhuvan international airport, Kathmandu. Generally, Lukla flights often occur from Kathmandu in early September, late November, early March and late May. Most of the time, flight to Lukla occurs from Ramechhap, Manthali airport. It takes five hours to reach Manthali airport therefore we should wake up early in the morning (3:00 am) to reach airport in time.

The Everest base camp trek begins from Lukla. We will meet our porters and pass through Lukla. The trekking route from Lukla to Phakding is easy. The bank of Dudhkoshi, small Sherpa villages, prayer wheels, and mani stones are major landmarks of the trail.

Distance from Lukla to Phakding: 6.2 km
Duration: 3-4 hours

Day 03 :

Trek to Namche Bazaar

Trekking to Namche Bazaar begins after breakfast in Phakding. The ascending trail to Namche is adventurous. Suspension bridges, small sherpa villages, pine forest, Sagarmatha national park, Entrance point at Monjo are the major landmarks of the trekking route from Phakding to Namche.

Distance between Phakding to Namche: 8 km
Duration: 6-7 hours
Elevation gain: 800 m

Day 04 :

Rest day in Namche

Since we reached 3440 m elevation with risk of altitude sickness, our body needs rest and acclimatization to adjust with changing environment. Thus, we will gain elevation and descend into lower elevation to acclimatize ourselves. A short hike to Khumjung village, Namche viewpoint will help us to gain altitude and explore the majestic beauty of different peaks along with Mount Everest.

Day 05 :

Trek to Tengboche

The trekking route to Tengboche let us enjoy the majestic beauty of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama dablam. It is moderately easy trail that passes through Kyanuma viewpoint, Sanasa village, and Phungi Thanga before reaching Tengboche.

Distance between Namche and Tengboche: 9-10 km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: 427 m

Day 06 :

Trek to Dingboche

After having breakfast in Tengboche we will start trekking to Dingboche. The trekking trail passes through Deboche, Imja Khola Bridge, Pangboche, Shomare, Orsho and reaches Dingboche. The trail compasses alpine pastures, reduced vegetation, stone walled fields and open Himalayan terrain. We will stay overnight in tea house.

Distance between Tengboche to Dingboche: 10 -11 km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: 543 m

Day 07 :

Rest in Dingboche village

To adjust the changing climatic conditions, we will gain some elevation and return to the valley. Hiking to the nearest Nagarjuna peak is the best option for gaining elevation. It takes around 3-4 hours to complete the hiking. We can enjoy the stunning view of mountains from the trail.

Day 08 :

Trek to Lobuche

After finishing breakfast, we will ascend towards Lobuche. The trekking route to Lobuche passes through Thukla and Thukla pass where mane are made in the memory of climbers who lost their life on Everest. We will walk along the moraine of the Khumbu glacier before reaching Lobuche.

Distance between Dingboche to Lobuche: 8-9 km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: 530 m

Day 09 :

Trek to Gorekshep and hike to Everest base camp

It is the final day of trekking to reach Everest base camp. The trekking begins with the moraines of Khumbu glacier. We will pass through rocky terrains with ascends and descends on which we need to be careful on this steep trail. It takes around three hours to reach Lobuche from Gorakshep.

We will take rest and have lunch in Gorakshep then start our trekking to Everest base camp. After walking for 1.5 hours, we will reach base camp. In peak season we have to wait our turn to take photographs. The entire team will return to Gorekshep for night stay.

Distance between Lobuche and Gorekshep: 4-5 km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Elevation gain: 224m
Distance between Gorekshep to Everest base camp: 3-4 km
Duration: 1-2 hours
Elevation gain: 200 m

Day 10 :

Take heli flight and return to Kathmandu

We will wake up early in the morning and hike to Kalapatthar. It takes around three hours to reach Kalapatthar from Gorekshep. After returning down we will have our breakfast then fly back to Kathmandu in heli. Flight will land in Lukla for refueling and take us to Kathmandu airport. We will drive back to hotel and enjoy the day in Thamel Nepal.

Day 11 :

Final departure

One of our company members will drop you at the airport. The entire trek will complete with your final departure.

Everest base camp trek with helicopter return is a modified trek that gives experience of both trekking and helicopter tour. The eight days trekking on the route to Everest base camp let us to explore the mind blowing view of Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserkhu, Cholache, Tabuche and many more peaks of Mahalangur range. Beside trekking, we came to know about the culture and tradition of Sherpa – the ethnic community of Khumbu region. The historic monuments, monasteries, gompa, mane and chorten reflects the Buddhist religion of the region.

Best time for Everest base camp trek with helicopter return

The best time for EBC trek with helicopter tour is March, April, May, September, October, and November. The pleasant weather, clear skies and moderate temperature during these months let us to enjoy the clear views of mountains. Spring and autumn are the best season for heli flight as well.

How to prepare for Everest base camp trek with helicopter return?

Everest base camp trek with helicopter return can be prepared by practicing walking, running, physical exercises, short hiking, walking on stairs to maintain physical fitness.

We should walk for two to three hours a day before three months of trek. Using stairs rather than lift is better practice for trek. We should do short hiking to gain elevation so that we can have experience of walking on mountains.

Similarly, cycling, swimming and physical exercises are much supportive for strengthen the muscles. Proper exercises prevent twisting of muscles during the trek. Proper medical checkup, hygienic food and healthy habits is best for making ourselves healthy during the trek.

Everest base camp trek accommodation

Everest base camp trek has well developed accommodation in mountain. There are three types of accommodations available in Everest region.

Normal accommodation: The tea houses without attached room from Tengboche, three meals in a day
Standard accommodation: normal tea houses with attached room except in Lobuche and Gorakshep, three meals in a day
Luxury accommodation: Luxury tea houses with bed heater, attached room and full board meal.

Luxury accommodation is expensive than Standard tea houses. Similarly, normal accommodation comes under budget trek.

Facilities in Everest region

Everest region is the one of the most popular trekking in the world. Along with its popularity, we get best services here. Beside charging, shower, Wi-Fi and varieties of food we can do shopping in Namche as well.

There are the best facilities of accommodation with large capacity. We don’t need to setup camps even in peak season. Clean rooms, attached bathroom, bed heater, hot water, good food are the basic facilities in EBC trekking route.

Everest base camp trek food

Three meals in a day are available during Everest base camp trek. We will have breakfast before starting the trek. After walking 2,3 hours, we will have our lunch in the nearest tea houses of the route. We will have dinner at around 6, 7 pm after reaching the tea houses for night stay.

Food available in EBC trek route

Breakfast: tea, coffee, bread, boiled egg, curry
Lunch and dinner: dal bhat (rice, lentils, curry, pickles, pappad), noodles, chowmein, macroni, pizza, sandwich, burger, mo: mo.

Who will guide you?

The professional trekking guide with experience will guide you. The guide will show you the route, explains about the place and manage the entire trip.

Everest base camp with heli return difficulties

The major difficulties of Everest base camp trek with heli return is altitude sickness. After ascending from Phakding, there is high risk of altitude sickness due to rising elevation above 2500 m. Beside altitude sickness, tiredness due to ascending route, headache and loss of appetite are the major difficulties of the trek.