Everest Base Camp Heli Trek - 11 Days

Welcome to Nepal. As you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our office representative will warmly welcome you. From this moment onwards, your every travel necessity will be our responsibility. Firstly, we will transfer you to our hotel, where you will check and settle in. We recommend going for a short walk around the hotel, explore Kathmandu a little. This will get you accustomed to the area as well as the atmosphere.

Our representative will also inform you of the flight time for tomorrow's domestic flight to Lukla.

Please be aware that all Lukla flights in peak trekking season (Spring and Autumn) depart (and return to) from Manthali instead of Kathmandu. This is approximately 4-5 hrs drive and often involves an early start on Day 2.

Elevation: Kathmandu 1,338m/4,390ft

This morning we will make our way to Lukla by flight. You will have been informed the time for this flight last night, and flight times do vary. Later in the day, you will have some time to grab some breakfast, if on an early flight your guide will pack your breakfast for you. Transfer will be available to take you to the domestic airport. We suggest sitting on the left side of the aircraft, so that you enjoy the panorama during the 35 minutes of flight. As you land at Lukla airstrip, you will meet the rest of the crew (porters), you can have tea/coffee while the porters rearrange your luggage to be carried on their back. Your trekking guide will lead your way through National Luminary Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate from where the route to the epic journey begins. Your TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems) card. A TIMS card is a basic trekking permit you need for all treks in Nepal. Your TIMS will be registered at the entrance police checkpoint. Once checked, we go for an hour walk and have our first lunch stop in Thado Koshi. This is your preference if you'd like lunch here, or continue to walk further and have lunch directly at the lodge, where we will be staying. During this walk you will walk alongside the Dudh Koshi river, crossing suspension bridges with quick stops to try some mango juice and rest until we arrive in Phakding. Once we've handed you your room keys, you can take some rest before coming down to the dining hall for dinner. Or you can explore the nearby monasteries and what the village has to offer. Dinner will be at 7:30pm. Elevation: Lukla 2,800m/9,184ft, Phakding 2,652m/8,700ft

It’s wise to begin the day early to take advantage of perfect morning temperature, weather and views. Mt. Thamserku welcomes us from the northern side across the hill and also we get to enjoy awesome views of landscapes. We enter Sagarmatha National Park where our TIMS and trekking permits are checked and we get ahead by encircling a huge mani stone just next to the gate. It's mostly a downhill walk until we reach river ground level next to Dudh Koshi river. Then-after we hike grueling uphill, cross beautiful iconic Hillary suspension bridge and finally arrive at Namche Bazaar later on the day. We stay overnight at one of the quality lodges in Namche Bazaar.

Walking Time: 5-6 hours Accommodation: Local lodge Meal: B, L, D.

Today is the first scheduled acclimatization day to the high altitude and we are supposed to stay active for better acclimatization. We spend the day enjoying small hikes in and around Namche Bazaar. We hike up to Everest View Hotel to enjoy the adorable Himalayan vista. We can also visit Khumjung Monastery which houses Yeti Scalp and may also visit Hillary School. You can also visit the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life that the Everest region houses. If you think you would hike more there are plenty of beautiful villages like Thame, Khunde to walk around with outstanding views of snow capped Himalayas and cultural exposure.

Walking time: 4-5 hours Accommodation: Local lodge Meal: B, L, D.

The trail contours around the valley side high above Dudhkoshi River. As we trek ahead we get amazingly beautiful views of great peaks of Everest region that are Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. We pass through several small villages and tea shops. It's mostly gradual and downhill through refreshing rhododendron forest until Phunki Thenka. We cross the suspension bridge and have lunch at Phunki Thenka . After our break we will make the long climb on a dusty zig zag trail. The hike now to Tengboche is uphill through pine trees for about two hours. Tengbouche is home of an ancient monastery that is now rebuilt. The views from the monastery are awesome, we have plenty of time to have spiritual chats with the monks there and soak up the view too.

Walking time: 5 to 6 hours. Accommodation: Local lodge Meal: B, L, D.

Before giving your baggage to porters and starting the trek, remember to pack your windproof jacket with you on your backpack today; you will definitely need it (even in warm season and if its colder like December-February; you will definitely need a down jacket almost throughout the trek). First part of the walk today is a little descent through pine and Himalayan cherry trees. We shall cross a wooden bridge over the Imja River. After the crossing of the Imja River, its slight ascend to Pangboche village. We have our lunch at Somare Village enjoying the views. Take a good inspection of Mt. Everest as we are not going to see it shortly after and for two more days until you reach Gorekshep. Now we notice that we have significantly gained altitude. We notice the shady trees are now substituted by more small shrubs. We see an unpleasant rocky landscape as there are no noticeable plants to cover the landscape except grass in the meadows (post monsoon time). Now its time to take out your windproof jacket and probably head band to avoid a strong blast of air. If exposed to chilly wind, you will be prone to the common sickness here—the Khumbu cough, so take precautionary methods.

Walking time: 5 to 6 hours Accommodation: Local lodge Meal: B, L, D.

Dingboche is the perfect altitude to spend our second acclimatization day. We stay active throughout the day; thus we hike to higher altitude to Nangkartshang Peak (5083 m/16676 ft ) that lies north of Dingboche. Or if you want to take a challenging longer day you might go to climb Chhukung Ri which offers up-close views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Thamserku, Awi peak and innumerable others. We also get a glance of Pheriche valley from top. However the stone huts with snow capped Himalayas at backdrop would make anyone spellbound. Walking time: 3 to 4 hours Accommodation: Local lodge Meal: B, L, D.

Let's start early. We have been gaining significant altitude, so it's normal to gasp, feel a lack of energy, have a headache, have loss of appetite, and feel nauseated sometimes. Don’t hesitate to share these experiences with your guide so that he will keep checking on you occasionally if you get other severe symptoms and how you are feeling every while and again. This is important. The awful feeling the altitude is giving you will be conquered by the outstanding vistas of Lobuche East (6,119m/ 20,075ft) ahead, and the formidable north face of Tabuche to the left. After three hours we reached Dugla (4,620m/15,153ft). After lunch we continue the walk up the steep hill to the Sherpa memorials, there are outstanding views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse and Tabuche. From Dugla, the trail starts steeply up towards the glacier moraine, levels out and after a few hours the trail eventually leads to a small cluster of tea houses pleasantly situated at Lobuche (4,940m/16,207ft). We feel excited that Everest base camp lies 1,000 ft above this point.

Walking time: 4 to 5 hours Accommodation: Local lodge Meal: B, L, D.

Getting up early is recommended to start our long walking day even sooner in the morning. Our grueling hiking day begins with an ascend to Lobuche Pass. Slowly walking through a very unstable rocky path, in about three hours we arrived at Gorakshep. We check in to our guest house, get our lunch done and start the hike to Everest Base Camp. The trail reaches the top of the ridge and follows the mountain’s spine due north towards the cul-de-sac at the end of the glacier. The elevation makes the hike exhausting but the views make it worth taking the tour ahead. From EBC, Khumbu glacier and views of Pumori, Nuptse, Khumbutse are seen. Views of Everest are best seen from Kalapatthar tomorrow morning. Walking time: 8 to 9 hours Accommodation: Local lodge Includes: B, L, D. Another option you have today is to hike Kalapatthar today late afternoon to get the best views of Mt. Everest at the time of sunset and target Everest base camp tomorrow morning. If we do this, we will be hiking up steep in sunlight and returning in dusk. You can discuss or plan your interest and suggestion from our professional trekking guide at the final moment too. Anyway, we trek back to Gorekshep to spend the night.

We take a hike to Kalapatthar today. About 2 to 3 hours hike is grueling but take it slowly thoroughly enjoying the view. You are sure to realize that you have done the most worthy thing upon reaching the top of Kalapatthar gives the most stunning view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Pumori, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and the whole Mahalangur Himalayan range are wonderful from Kalapatthar. View of Everest Base Camp, the massive Khumbu Glacier, the whole 360 degree view is breathtaking. While you take photographs, your helicopter will be there and you will take an enjoyable Heli ride back to Kathmandu. Don’t miss to watch out for the Himalayan vistas from the helicopter too; it's an amazing opportunity.

Walking time: 2-3hours Flight Time: 1-1 ½ hours Accommodation: Local lodge Meal: B, L, D.

If you don't have other schedules fixed in Nepal, you might be leaving today. We will provide an airport drop for your scheduled flight back home and wish you a safe flight back home. We are sure the Everest Base Camp Heli trek has left you determined to come to Nepal again to explore its more beautiful landscapes in the future.