Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return - 11 Days hiking

Upon arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by our guide and office staff, who will transfer you to your hotel in Thamel, the vibrant heart of Kathmandu and a popular hub in Asia. After checking in and resting, you'll meet with the other group members in the hotel's meeting hall or lobby. A guide will provide a briefing with helpful information about the trek, hotels, and other essential details. Accommodation will be at Hotel Thamel Park, Hotel Arts Kathmandu, or a 3-star hotel. Meals are not included on this day.

Depending on your flight schedule, typically early in the morning, you will be transferred to Kathmandu's domestic airport for a short, scenic flight to Lukla. Lukla serves as the starting and ending point for many treks in the Khumbu and Everest region. From Lukla, the trek begins on a pleasant trail passing through friendly Sherpa villages with views of Kongde and Kusum-Kanguru mountains. The overnight stop will be in Phakding (or Manjo). Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Accommodation will be in a local lodge or teahouse.

From Phakding, the morning walk begins with a gentle ascent through a pine forest. You will cross a long suspension bridge and reach the charming village of Monjo. A short walk from Monjo marks the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park (Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Everest, while the Sherpa call it Chomolungma). The trail then continues into a river gorge, surrounded by tall rhododendrons, pine, and fir forests. After crossing the final and highest bridge, the path winds uphill, offering views of Everest, Lhotse, and Kongde peaks, before reaching the famous Namche Bazaar at an elevation of 3,440 meters. Namche Bazaar, the central hub for the Khumbu Sherpa, hosts a bustling Saturday market once a week and is an ideal place for acclimatization and rest. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Accommodation will be in a local lodge or teahouse.

This rest day in Namche Bazaar is crucial for acclimatization and offers opportunities to explore scenic viewpoints. You can hike uphill to the Everest View Hotel or take a short walk above Namche for stunning landscape views, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Amadablam, and numerous other peaks. The fascinating National Parks Museum provides valuable information about the Khumbu area, including the history and culture of the Sherpa people, as well as details about the local flora, fauna, and mountaineering expeditions. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Accommodation will be in a local lodge or teahouse.

From Namche Bazaar, the trail towards Everest Base Camp follows a gradual, scenic path, descending to Phunge-Tenga, located near the Imjatse River and surrounded by alpine forests—an ideal lunch spot. The afternoon involves a winding uphill climb through a cool forest to reach the scenic Tyangboche (or Tengboche) and its impressive monastery. Situated on a hilltop, the monastery offers panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Amadablam, and other surrounding peaks. At Tyangboche, you can enjoy a tour of the monastery, admiring its colorful Buddhist paintings, tapestries, frescoes, and impressive statues of Buddha and other revered gurus. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Accommodation will be in a local lodge or teahouse.

From Tyangboche, the trail descends towards a river and crosses a sturdy steel bridge before a gradual climb up to Pangboche village, offering close-up views of the majestic Amadablam. After a short stop in Pangboche, the last permanent village on this route (beyond here are only temporary settlements for trekkers), the trail continues uphill to Somare, a possible lunch stop with more views of Amadablam. The path then continues with a gentle ascent to a junction where the routes to Pheriche and Dingboche diverge. The trail then heads east with a short descent to a river followed by a short climb to Dingboche, located in the scenic Imjatse valley. Dingboche offers several good lodges, where you will stay for two nights in the best available lodge with excellent views of the surrounding mountain range, including Island Peak. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Accommodation will be in a local lodge or teahouse.

This rest day in Dingboche serves two important purposes: enjoying the stunning mountain views and aiding acclimatization. You can take a short hike above Dingboche and the Imjatse valley for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Nuptse, the north face of Amadablam, and Island Peak (Imjatse Himal). The afternoon is free for relaxation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Accommodation will be in a local lodge or teahouse.

From Dingboche, the morning begins with a gentle uphill walk to a high ridge, followed by a pleasant trail to Thugla. This area, with a few teahouses, is where the Khumbu glaciers melt into a powerful river—a great place for a lunch break. The afternoon involves a steep climb to Thugla Pass, where you'll see numerous tombs and memorials dedicated to mountaineers who have attempted Everest and other nearby peaks. From the pass, the rest of the walk to Lobuche is on easier, gentler trails. You'll stay overnight in Lobuche at the best available lodge, which, despite the high altitude and rugged terrain, offers good views of Nuptse and Lobuche peaks. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Accommodation will be in a local lodge or teahouse.

The morning's walk takes you beneath Mount Everest to base camp. The route leads through a valley with a short climb above the Khumbu glaciers, then over a moraine of rocky dunes to reach Gorakshep. This area, with a few lodges, sits at the junction of the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar trails. Gorakshep was the original Everest Base Camp from the 1950s to the 1970s before it was moved further along the Khumbu glacier, directly below Everest. From Gorakshep, a few hours' walk across moraine and glaciers brings you to the current Everest Base Camp, situated near Nuptse-Lo La and Lhotse, with views of the massive Khumbu Icefall and glaciers. During the peak mountaineering season (April to May), base camp is bustling with expeditions. After enjoying this incredible experience, you’ll return along the same trail to Gorakshep for an overnight stay. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Accommodation will be in a local lodge or teahouse.

Early in the morning, you'll hike uphill to reach Kala Patthar, at over 5,545 meters—the highest point of your adventure. This vantage point offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding peaks, with Everest appearing remarkably close. After enjoying the stunning mountain scenery, you'll descend to Gorakshep for breakfast. A helicopter will then arrive at Gorakshep to take you on a scenic one-hour flight back to Kathmandu's bustling city life. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred back to your respective hotels, with the afternoon free for leisure. Accommodation will be at Hotel Thamel Park, Hotel Arts Kathmandu, or a similar hotel.

On your final day in Nepal, after a wonderful experience and adventure in the Himalayas and on the Everest Base Camp Heli Trek, you will be transferred to Kathmandu International Airport for your onward flight home or to your next destination, according to your flight schedule. Breakfast is included.