- 12 Days
- 4600m
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- Duration
- 10 Days
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- Max. Altitude
- 5,364m.
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- Trip Grade
- Moderate
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- Activity
- Discovery, Hiking, Luxury
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- Group Size
- 8 People Max
Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return
Hiking to the Everest Base Camp is on every trekker’s bucket list. However, sometimes you don’t have the time to trek the Base Camp and trace back. Or maybe you’re just looking for just a little extra adventure. Don’t worry, we have the perfect adventure just for you. Our Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter return 10 days is an absolutely amazing package!
On this journey, you will walk to the Everest Base Camp but take a helicopter ride back from Gorakshep to Kathmandu. This trip package avoids returning from the same hiking route and makes the duration shorter.
The Everest Base Camp Trek is the most wonderful trail in the Khumbu valley. It takes you to the world’s highest mountain, the Mount Everest. It is indeed the most famous trek in the world.
Each angle and bend of the trail shows the wonders of nature that not all people get to see in their lifetime. From the scenic views, glacial moraines, unique Sherpa culture, and stunning foothills, this journey is a must for trekkers.
This is certainly a dream destination for adventure lovers and thrill seekers. However, not everybody has the time to complete the entire trek. Everest Base Camp Trek and fly back by helicopter is a 10-day journey which allows you to discover the whole trek to the Everest Base Camp, but return on helicopter.
Contact us to know more about the trip. If you want to take a classic Everest Base Camp Trek, we can plan your trip to match your preferences.
What makes the Everest Base Camp Heli Trek amazing?
Instead of trekking all the way down to Lukla (the same trail), we will take a helicopter flight from Gorekshep to Kathmandu. Explore the best alternative to the standard Everest Base Camp Trek.
This package is designed for those with limited time to explore Everest. You will avoid the same return trek to Lukla because you will be flying to Kathmandu from Gorekshep on a helicopter. You won’t have to worry about frequent delays or cancellations in Lukla due to bad weather. Magical Summits takes care everything for a comfortable trip.
Is this Trip for you?
The Everest Base Camp Heli Trek reaches a maximum altitude of (5,500m/18,195ft]) at Kalapathar and an overnight elevation of (5,140m/16,865ft) at Gorekshep. Physically hard involves 6-7 hours hiking per day.
Our itinerary is carefully planned to allow for the best possible acclimatization, but you must be physical and mental prepared for the trek. There is no previous trekking experience required, but you must be reasonably fit, enjoy walking for several days and be adaptable to high altitude environments.
Trip Highlights
- Be inspired and amazed at the close-up views of Mount Everest.
- See the sunrise/sunset over Everest from Kalapatthar
- Have a spectacular flight over the Himalayas.
- Get to know the unique Sherpa culture and tradition.
- Discover the stunning views of Khumbu Region and Khumbu Icefall.
Itinerary
1
Arrival in Kathmandu
You will arrive at Kathmandu airport where we will pick you up from the airport and drop you to your hotel. Meanwhile, you can take your time exploring the temples and monuments or simply rest!
There are many places that you will find fascinating if you wander around.
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- Accommodation
- Optional
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- Meal
- No
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- Max. Altitude
- 1,400m
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- Time
- Rest day
2
Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding
Everest Base Camp trek adventure starts on the second day with a scenic flight from Manthali airport to Lukla Tenzing Hillary airport (2,804 m).
Note: Kathmandu to Lukla flight has been shifted to Manthali airport, Ramechhap. During peak seasons Spring (March, April, May) and Fall (September, October, November) due to increased traffic as well as renovation in Kathmandu airport since March 2019. Manthali airport can be reached within 4 to 5-hour drive from Kathmandu.
This means you need to wake up early in the morning around 2:30 am to go for a drive and catch your early morning Lukla flight from Manthali.Night travel is required as there are only few hotels available in Mathali and the flights to Lukla all leave in the morning.
The flight itself is a spectacular and thrilling 20-minutes journey over the Himalayas.On arrival in Lukla, we start our trek to Phakding village, which will take about 3 hours.
Note: if you wish to avoid the night road journey to Manthali talk to us about taking a helicopter directly from Kathmandu to Lukla.
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- Accommodation
- Lodge
-
- Meal
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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- Max. Altitude
- 2,651m
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- Time
- 3 hours
3
Trek to Namche Bazaar
After breakfast, you’ll start your second day of hiking through the Dudh Kosi Valley. Today, on your way to Namche, you will cross the Dudh Kosi River five times on exciting suspension bridges with colorful prayer flags.
After you cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge, you will continue your ascent, and then gradually head to Jorsale. This is a two- and half-hour hike to Namche with two viewpoints on the way.
You will enjoy the spectacular view of Mt.Everest. You enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Jorsale. You need to verify your permits here.
After about 5 hours of tiring walk, you will reach Namche Bazaar. It is the major trading center of the Khumbu region.
It lies on a steep mountain bowl with excellent views of the Himalayas, with various facilities, such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, shops, etc.
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- Accommodation
- Lodge
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- Meal
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
- Max. Altitude
- 3,430m
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- Time
- 5-6 hrs
4
Acclimatization Day / Discover Namche
You will two nights in Namche Bazaar. This is because acclimatization is very important to ensure proper altitude acclimatization before proceeding higher.
This helps to prevent altitude sickness. Thus, this day will be a more relaxing day, but this doesn’t mean that you will stay idle. You can take a day hike through the villages of Khunde and Khumjung today. And come back to Namche through the Everest View Hotel.
You can enjoy the breathtaking view of Everest, Ama Dablam, and many other mountains. You can also visit the bakery at the world’s highest altitude.
After having a delicious breakfast, you’ll take a steep one hour climb to the Syangboche airstrip. From here, you will slowly ascend towards Khunde, passing through the numerous Chorten.
From Khunde, follow the trail east to Khumjung, the largest village in the Khumbu region. Here you will enjoy your lunch and then follow a gradual climb to the Everest View Hotel, where you will enjoy the splendid mountain views.
Then you’ll return to Namche where you can take some rest and prepare for the next day.
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- Accommodation
- Lodge
-
- Meal
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
- Max. Altitude
- 3,430m
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- Time
- 3 hours
5
Trek to Tengboche
The day begins after breakfast as you start your trek to Tengboche. The route to Tengboche moves in and out of side valleys with little ups and downs to Kenjoma. It soon joins the Khumjung trails just before the collection of Mani stones.
From this part of the trek, the views of Everest and Ama Dablam are excellent. You will pass Sanasa, a small settlement from where the trail goes down to Phungithanga.
From here, the trail climbs steeply through pine forests and around Mani stones as it follows the side of the hill to the saddle where the Tengboche monastery is located at 3870m. The magnificent sceneries of Ama Dablam, Kwangde, Tawachee, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse will leave you mesmerized.
6
Trek to Dingboche
Today’s trek begins with a short hike passing through the lush green forests of Rhododendron to reach the village of Pangboche. Pangboche is home to a lot of Everest climbers.
As you walk for a while you’ll reach Orsho. The trail to Pheriche and Dingboche separates from here. After a few hours of hiking, you will reach Dingboche, a small village in the village of Chukhung.
Dingboche is known as the gate to the Island peak climbing. From here, the views of Mt.Ama Dablam and Island peak are stunning.
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- Accommodation
- Lodge
-
- Meal
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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- Max. Altitude
- 4,300m
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- Time
- 5 - 6 hours
7
Acclimatization day at Dingboche
This is the second day of acclimatization and this time in Dingboche. You can take a rest day. However, if you wish, you can hike the top of the hill for acclimatization purposes.
The best way to prevent altitude sickness is by climbing high and sleeping low. It’s a good way to acclimate your body.
After lunch, you can take a short hike to the beautiful Chhukung Valley. The valley is surrounded by majestic peaks such as Mt. Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, Ama Dablam, Island peak etc. You can also discover the Imja khola.
8
Trek to Lobuche
Today you will slowly start your hiking through the Pheriche village. The trek becomes much more challenging from this day because of the altitudes. You get to Dungla at 4600m, passing through a difficult and steep walk to the top of a high hill.
Here you can discover the memorial stupas dedicated to climbers and trekkers who have lost their lives to the Everest over the years.
From now, you will move over the rough mountainous terrain to Lobuche. Lobuche is a small settlement offering spectacular views of the peaks of Mt. Lobuche, Pumori and Nuptse.
Before you go to bed, be prepared for a chilly night.
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- Accommodation
- Lodge
-
- Meal
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
- Max. Altitude
- 4,930m
-
- Time
- 5 hours
9
Trek to Gorakshep (5,140m) and hike to Everest Base Camp (5,360m) and return to Gorakshep
You’ll start your early morning hike to Gorakshep, which will take about 2 hours. The trail is nice and easy at first, but one hour later the trail gets harder.
However, the nice view of the big walls of Everest, Nuptse and many other mountains will compensate for the difficulty.
Once you climb about 150m, the trail gets better again. Very soon you will arrive at a moraine and finally at 5140m, the highest settlement in the world at Gorakshep.
After lunch, you start your walk to the Everest Base Camp. You will be hiking on a side ridge of the Khumbu glacier.
After walking on the ridge for about an hour and a half, you cross the glacier to the Everest Base Camp area.
So, today’s trek takes you to the ultimate goal or destination by trekking to EBC at an altitude of 5360m. Here you will meet many other Everest climbers and get to share each other’s experience.
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- Accommodation
- Lodge
-
- Meal
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
- Max. Altitude
- 5,140m
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- Time
- 6 hours
10
Morning Hike to Kala Patthar and Down to Gorakshep and Fly to Kathmandu
Before the first daylight breaks, your ascent to Kala Patthar starts, which takes about 2 hours. A short hike to Kala Patthar with a clear view of Mt. Everest and its surrounding peaks is truly magical!
Some of the best pictures of the Everest are from this point of view. Upon your return to Gorakshep, enjoy your last breakfast in the mountains. Afterwards, you will fly back to Kathmandu by Helicopter which will be fun.
You’ll get a chance to watch the aerial view of the amazing and beautiful Himalayas in this helicopter ride.
With this, the journey of a lifetime into the Himalayas comes to an end. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, we will escort you to your respective hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day.
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- Accommodation
- Lodge
-
- Meal
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
- Max. Altitude
- 5,545m
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- Time
- 6 hours
11
Free day / Fly to home
Today is rest and relax throughout the day or say goodbye to Nepal. Enjoy your final moments in Kathmandu with a city strollor souvenir shopping.
In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurant with culture show.
Our representative will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport for your return flight home.
What to Expect
What's Included
- Airport transfers pick-up and drop-off.
- Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.
- Helicopter from Gorakshep – Lukla – Kathmandu.
- Everest National park entry permit and local entry permits.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek.
- All accommodations during the trek.
- English speaking Sherpa trek guide.
- Staff insurance and necessary ground transport for support staffs.
- Porter to carry your luggage during the trek (1 porter for 2 trekkers).
- Magical Summits duffel bag.
- Hiking pole for the trek, if needed.
- Trek map.
- Farewell dinner including a cultural show.
What's Excluded
- International airfares and Nepal visa.
- Any personal medical or evacuation expenses incur.
- International Travel insurance which included rescue.
- Tips for the guide & porter(tipping is expected).
- Any others expenses which are not mentioned on the ‘Included’ section.
FAQs
1. What is the best time to trek Everest Base Camp?
The journey is full of adventure and offers spectacular panoramic views of the world’s highest and most beautiful mountains. This trek is possible all year round but the best time to visit is March to May and September to December.
2. How difficult is the Everest Base Camp trek?
3. Do I need travel insurance before hiking to Everest Base Camp?
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"I was born and raised in Nepal, nearby Everest region. I am proud to be a native Sherpa, and I have been a Mountain guide over a decade now. Following my passion, I decided to start helping travelers with their travel plans! I think life is a journey, a trip where you collect experiences when you share with other people and with nature."
