Welcome to Kathmandu! Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Explore Holiday Treks who will escort you to your hotel. Once you’ve checked in, you will have the rest of the day to relax, unwind, and prepare for your trek to Everest Base Camp. Depending on your arrival time, you can explore some local sights in Kathmandu, such as Thamel, or simply rest and adjust to the new surroundings.
After an early breakfast, you will head to the helicopter pad for your scenic flight to Lukla, which serves as the gateway to the Everest region. The helicopter ride offers stunning views of the surrounding hills, valleys, and the majestic Himalayan peaks. Once in Lukla (2,860 meters), you’ll begin your trek to Phakding. The trek is relatively easy and takes around 3 hours. Along the way, you will cross several suspension bridges and pass through Sherpa villages, giving you your first taste of the local culture and breathtaking scenery. Overnight at a lodge in Phakding.
Today, you will trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, the largest town in the Khumbu region and an important trading hub. The 6-hour trek is relatively challenging, with a steady ascent through forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak. As you approach Namche, the trail steepens, but you will be rewarded with stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, and other Himalayan peaks. Namche is a vibrant town with lodges, shops, and cafés, and it is also where many trekkers spend a day acclimatizing. Overnight in Namche.
To aid in acclimatization, today is a rest day in Namche Bazaar. You will take a short hike to nearby viewpoints, such as the Everest View Hotel, where you will be able to take in panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and other surrounding peaks. This hike will help your body adjust to the altitude while providing you with incredible photo opportunities. Afterward, you can explore Namche Bazaar’s markets or relax in the local cafés. Overnight in Namche.
After breakfast, you will continue your journey towards Tengboche. This 5-hour trek offers spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, and the surrounding peaks. You will descend slightly before crossing the Dudh Koshi River and then ascend through lush forests of pine and rhododendron. Tengboche is home to the famous Tengboche Monastery, a peaceful and spiritual place. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the monastery, interact with the monks, and soak in the views of Ama Dablam. Overnight in Tengboche.
Today’s trek takes you from Tengboche to Dingboche, a village known for its stunning views and as a key stop on the way to Everest Base Camp. This 5-hour trek is slightly more challenging, with gradual ascents and occasional descents. Along the way, you will pass through forests and villages and will be able to enjoy more unobstructed views of the Himalayas. Dingboche is a beautiful village surrounded by mountains and is an excellent place to acclimatize. Overnight in Dingboche.
This is another important rest day for acclimatization. You will spend the day in Dingboche, allowing your body to adjust to the higher altitude. A short hike to the nearby Nagarjun Hill offers panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, including the north face of Ama Dablam. The hike will help with acclimatization while also giving you the chance to explore the area around Dingboche. Afterward, you can relax in the village and prepare for the higher altitudes. Overnight in Dingboche.
After breakfast, you will continue your ascent towards Lobuche. The trek takes about 5 hours, and the landscape becomes more rugged and barren as you gain altitude. Along the way, you will pass through the memorials of climbers who have lost their lives in the region. Lobuche is a small settlement with a few tea houses, located in a scenic valley beneath the towering peaks of Lobuche and Nuptse. You’ll have the chance to rest and prepare for the final leg of the trek. Overnight in Lobuche.
Today is the day you reach Everest Base Camp! After an early breakfast, you will embark on a 6-hour trek to the Base Camp. The trail is challenging, with rocky paths and occasional steep sections, but the final destination is worth the effort. Upon reaching Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters), you will be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the Khumbu Icefall, towering peaks, and glaciers. After spending some time at Base Camp, you will retrace your steps to Gorakshep for the night. Overnight in Gorakshep.
In the early morning, you will climb Kala Patthar, a famous viewpoint that offers panoramic views of Mount Everest and the surrounding peaks. The hike to the summit of Kala Patthar takes about 2-3 hours, and the view is nothing short of spectacular. After soaking in the views and taking plenty of photos, you will descend back to Gorakshep for breakfast. Then, you will take a helicopter ride back to Kathmandu, enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the Himalayas on the way down. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel.
After a relaxing morning in Kathmandu, depending on your flight time, you can do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Your Everest adventure with Explore Holiday Treks will come to a close, but the memories of the world’s highest peak will stay with you forever.
The Everest Base Camp Return by Helicopter is a luxury option for trekkers who want to skip the long trek back to Lukla and return to Kathmandu via helicopter after reaching Everest Base Camp. Instead of retracing your steps through the rugged terrain to Lukla, you can take a helicopter flight from Everest Base Camp (EBC) or from a nearby location such as Pheriche or Kala Patthar to Lukla, and then fly back to Kathmandu. This option offers an incredible way to experience aerial views of the Himalayas while saving time and energy.
There are several reasons trekkers opt for a helicopter return from Everest Base Camp:
Time-saving: The trek back from Everest Base Camp to Lukla can take 2-3 days of walking. Flying by helicopter shortens the journey, allowing you to return to Kathmandu in a matter of hours.
Physical Relief: After trekking for several days at high altitudes, a helicopter ride provides a much-needed rest, especially for those who may be feeling fatigued or struggling with the physical demands of the trek.
Unique Experience: Flying over the Everest region offers breathtaking aerial views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and the Khumbu Icefall. It's a thrilling experience that provides a perspective of the mountains that most trekkers never see.
Emergency Evacuation: In some cases, trekkers who may have altitude sickness or other health issues use the helicopter for medical evacuation from Everest Base Camp.
A helicopter ride from Everest Base Camp to Lukla takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. From Lukla, you'll then board a flight back to Kathmandu, which takes about 30 to 40 minutes. Depending on weather conditions, it may take a bit longer, but the flight itself is relatively quick and straightforward.
It’s not always possible to fly directly from Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters / 17,598 feet) because of altitude restrictions. The helicopters are limited by the elevation and can be affected by weather conditions such as wind, clouds, or poor visibility. Most flights are usually taken from Kala Patthar (5,550 meters / 18,209 feet) or Pheriche (4,371 meters / 14,340 feet), which are slightly lower and provide safer conditions for helicopter takeoff and landing.
Some helicopters can pick trekkers up directly from Everest Base Camp if weather and safety conditions allow, but it’s more common to take off from a lower spot nearby, like Kala Patthar.
Yes, helicopter travel in the Everest region is generally considered safe, provided that the helicopters are flown by experienced pilots, and the operator follows safety protocols. Nepal has a number of reputable helicopter companies with well-trained pilots who are accustomed to the unique challenges of flying in the Himalayas.
However, as with any high-altitude flight, safety depends on weather conditions. Fog, cloud cover, and high winds can sometimes affect the ability of the helicopter to take off or land. In these cases, your flight may be delayed or rescheduled. It is advisable to allow for some flexibility in your itinerary if you're planning to fly by helicopter.
Yes, it is highly recommended to book your helicopter flight in advance, especially during peak trekking seasons (spring and autumn). The demand for helicopter rides is high, and scheduling flights requires coordination with operators. Your trekking agency can assist with booking the helicopter flight as part of your luxury package, or you can arrange it separately. Some agencies offer pre-booked helicopter returns, while others may only confirm the flight closer to your trek completion, depending on weather and flight availability.
If you are scheduled to return by helicopter, the operator will typically arrange a pickup time in advance, which will be communicated to your guide. On the day of the helicopter flight, your guide will take you to the agreed-upon pickup spot (usually Kala Patthar or Pheriche) where the helicopter will land. From there, you will board the helicopter and fly back to Lukla, and then on to Kathmandu.
It’s important to note that the helicopter can only fly in good weather conditions. If weather conditions change or visibility is poor, the flight may be delayed or canceled, so there needs to be some flexibility in your itinerary.
Acclimatize properly: Helicopter rides to Everest Base Camp are subject to altitude restrictions, and it’s important to be well-acclimatized. This is why trekkers often fly from Kala Patthar (which is a bit lower than Everest Base Camp) for a safer takeoff.
Stay in contact with your trekking agency: Your agency will typically arrange everything and communicate with the helicopter operator regarding flight schedules. It’s crucial to keep in touch with your guide to stay informed about any changes.
Be flexible: Helicopter flights are highly dependent on weather conditions, so it's good to be flexible with your schedule. Allow a buffer day in case your flight is delayed.
Pack lightly: Helicopters have weight limitations, so pack only essential items for the flight. Large luggage may need to be left behind in Lukla.
Spectacular aerial views:One of the main advantages is the breathtaking view from the helicopter. You'll get to fly over Khumbu Glacier, Lhotse, Everest, and the surrounding peaks, offering a once-in-a-lifetime perspective of the Himalayas.
Quick and convenient: A helicopter return is a time-saver, especially for trekkers who have limited time or prefer not to walk back down. The flight is much quicker and easier than trekking for several days.
Comfort after the trek:After trekking for several days, a helicopter flight allows you to avoid the strenuous walk back, which can be particularly exhausting for those affected by altitude or fatigue.
Luxurious experience:Flying by helicopter is a luxury option, and it can make your Everest adventure even more special and memorable.
Yes, some trekking agencies offer helicopter tours to Everest Base Camp, where you fly directly to the base camp, enjoy a short stay for sightseeing, and then return to Kathmandu. However, this is different from the traditional trekking experience and is usually done as a part of a helicopter sightseeing tour or luxury package. For trekkers who prefer the full adventure, it’s still most common to trek to Everest Base Camp and then return by helicopter.
