Everest Base Camp & Fly Back by Helicopter

Overview

Certainly hiking to Everest Base Camp and returning by helicopter is a popular option for those who want to experience the trekking adventure while also enjoying the convenience of a helicopter ride back. It also reduces your return time so you can use this time for another trip, or you can return home earlier.

It’s important to note that helicopter flights are subject to weather conditions and availability.

If you have any further questions or need assistance with planning your hike to Everest Base Camp and helicopter return, feel free to ask.

Day to day itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

After landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu from your designated destinations, you will be received by a representative of the travel company at the arrival gate who will then transfer you to your allotted hotels. If the time allows, you can either visit the city or relax at the hotel to overcome your jet lag. O/N at Hotel. 

Day 2: Familiarisation walk & trek preparation day

Today after breakfast, meet with the guide and walk around Thamel for familiarization. Today we will also examine your trekking gear and help you pack for the trek. In the evening there will be a group discussion for you to attend to discuss the upcoming trekking plans. O/N at Hotel.

Day 3: Fly to Lukla (35 min) and trek to Phakding (2652m) [3-4 hrs]

Ideally, we will arrive in Lukla between 7 – 9 am, so that you can have breakfast and start walking mostly downhill for a relaxed walk on your first day. The hike should take 3-5 hours, depending on if you’re travelling to Phakding or Monjo. If you go to Phakding (2,650m/8,694ft) it will be about 3 hours and if you are going to Monjo (2,850m/9,350ft) it will take approximately 5 hours. If you are going to Monjo, you will have lunch in Phakding and then continue going to Monjo until you arrive in the afternoon. When you arrive, you will check into your room and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and starting the acclimatization process. Make sure you stay well hydrated; drinking 3 to 4 litres of water a day is essential all the way throughout the trek.  9km/ 5.6 miles to Phakding or 13km/ 8.8 miles to Monjo. Overnight in Phakding Sunrise Lodge.

Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m) [6-7 hrs]

For the first couple of hours, you will get to cross some of the famous suspension bridges, while gradually moving uphill towards the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, the official entrance to the Everest Region. You then continue downhill for a short time before it levels out to flat ground and mixed terrain. The trail then follows the river to the final high suspension bridge before you begin the long ‘Namche Hill’ trek, which can take 2 hours, to reach the Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar. Today’s trek is usually 6 hours long with plenty of breaks and time to rest along the way. The distance from Phakding to Namche is 11.3 km/7.02 miles. Overnight In Namche Green Tara Hotel.

Day 5: Acclimatisation day at Namche Bazaar

Today is one of our acclimatisation days. As you trek up behind Namche Bazaar, the trail is quite steep and you can feel the lack of oxygen while you ascend 460m/1509ft to Shangbouche Airport, then cross the runway and head another 100m/ 328ft up to Shangbouche Hill at 3,900m/12795ft. We will enjoy the stunning views and relax for 30-45 minutes before returning back to Namche. This trek is an essential part of the acclimatisation process and usually takes approximately 4 hours. 3km/1.8 miles. Overnight In Namche Green Tara Hotel.

Day 6: Namche to Tengbouche (3900m) [5-6 hrs]

Today we will hike towards Tengbouche, at 3,900m/12,795ft. After ascending out of Namche, the first 2 hours are just relaxed walking as you traverse the left hand side of the valley, high above the valley floor. The trail then descends down towards the river which is where we will stop for lunch.  From here it will take 2 – 3 hours to hike up the long hill to the town of Tengbouche. This is a gradual but long ascent and in total you will do about 5/6 hours of hiking today. 12km/7.5 miles. Overnight In Tengbuche Himalayan Lodge.

Day 7: Tengbouche to Dingbouche (4400m) [5-6 hrs]

From Tengbouche, we will travel to Dingbouche, at 4,400m/14,436ft. The trail starts downhill and continues very gradually up and down hills before you cross the river and gradually head uphill towards Pangbouche for lunch (Pangbouche is one of the villages on the trail that suffered the most from the recent earthquakes), which usually takes 2-3 hours. From there it is a gradual uphill trek towards the Imja Valley overlooking Island Peak and then an hour later you’ll arrive in Dingbouche. The total trekking time today will be 5 to 6 hours. 12km/7.5 miles. Overnight in Dingbuche Hotel Goodluck.

Day 8: Acclimatisation day

Today, we spent another night in Dingbouche to further the acclimatization process. From here we will aim to reach the height of 4,900m/16,076ft, gaining 500m/1,640ft, in this acclimatization trek which should take approximately 3 hours. We will enjoy the views and rest for about 30-45 min. at the high point before dropping back down for lunch and an afternoon of relaxing. 3km/ 1.86 miles and 500m/1,640ft of ascent and descent. Overnight in Dingbuche Hotel Goodluck.

Day 9: Dingboche to Lobuche (4828m) [5-6 hrs]

From Dingbouche we will head to Lobuche, at 4828m. The trail heads back towards the  Khumbu valley and continues on a long and slow trek across a beautiful elevated route towards Dugla, where we will stop for a while to eat lunch and rest. This usually takes 2 hours and after lunch, we will go from Dugla to Lobuche, which will take an additional 3 hours with plenty of rest stops. After stopping at Dugla we have a long uphill hike over the Thukla Pass where we will go by the Everest Memorial, before heading to Lobuche. We will be trekking for a total of 5 hours today. 12km/7.5 miles.  Overnight in Lobuche New EBC Guest House. 

Day 10: Lobuche to Gorak Shep – EBC – Gorak Shep (5100m-5364m-5100m) [7-8 hrs]

Today we will travel from Lobuche to Gorak Shep at 5,160m. Today’s trek is very beautiful and unique. You’ll be crossing a lot of loose rock as well as glacier moraine. The trail into Gorak Shep takes approximately 3 hours. We will have lunch there before walking an additional 3 hours to reach Everest Base Camp, where we will spend some time enjoying the base camp of the world’s highest mountain! The hike back to Gorak Shep is another 2  hours, bringing this long day to an end after a total of 7 or 8 hours of hiking. Today is a very challenging day for most people. 10km/6.2 miles. Overnight in Gorakshep Buddha lodge.

Day 11: Hike to Kalapatthar, Helicopter Fly Back to Kathmandu

After a good night’s rest in Gorak Shep, those who feel ready and able, will wake up very early and hike up Kala Phattar to see the sun rise over Everest. This is a difficult 3 hour up-hill hike which is very hard work, but well worth it for the amazing views of Everest in the early morning. Once you return back to Gorak Shep, you will have breakfast and get a helicopter fly back to Kathmandu. O/N at Hotel.

Day 18: Departure to the Airport

Today, we will take you to the Airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight.