Everest Base Camp is the pursuance of many fellow travelers, but only a few are fortunate enough to walk to the base camp and enjoy the grandeur of Mt. Everest. Some are laid back due to constraints of time, and some are due to their fear of walking more than a week continuously in the high altitudinal region. For this, we have an eleven-day Everest Base Camp Heli Trek. This trek combines the Everest Base Camp Trek and helicopter tour. You walk to the Everest Base Camp on foot and return through a helicopter enjoying the stunning landscapes with views of sky-dominating mountains in that region. With this trek, you don’t have to worry about a tiring walk back down to Lukla, flight delays/cancellations in Lukla, and insufficient time for acclimatization when you are on a very tight schedule.
We'd like to inform you that during the peak trekking seasons, which are Spring (March, April, and May) and Autumn (September, October, and November), flights to Lukla are routed through Ramechhap Airport. Therefore, we kindly request that you prepare for an early morning drive (around 1 AM from Kathmandu) to Ramechhap on the second day of your journey.
Highlights of Everest Base Camp Heli Trek
The trekking to the Everest Base Camp is pretty similar to the standard package of the Everest Base Camp Trek. Everest Base Camp Trek Heli Trek starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The flight is followed by a walk down the Dudhkoshi River. We cross the river and ascend to Phakding. Further, we walk through forests, enter Sagarmatha National Park, and pass villages like Jorsale and Monjo to Namche. At Namche, we spend an extra day for acclimatization.
We walk up to the Everest View Hotel for stunning views of the mountains in the Everest region. We continue ascending to Tengboche from where we will be rewarded with striking views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Louche, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Everest, Mt. Thamserku, and many more. From Tengboche, we walk through the pastures of Dingboche and Lobuche to Gorekshep. Finally, we reach Everest Base Camp. At Everest base camp, we applaud some amazing views of mountains like Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Louche, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Tawache, etc. Mt. Everest is invisible from the base camp. Therefore, we hike up to Kalapatthar to enjoy sunrise views with a stunning peak of Mt. Everest. After the hike, we conclude our Everest Base Camp Heli Trek with a flight back to Kathmandu via helicopter. We can even get aerial views of Gokyo lakes, Khumbu glaciers, and other stunning places as we fly over the boundary of the Everest region to Kathmandu.
If you want to take a full up-and-down walking journey to and from Everest Base Camp, you have our standard Everest Base Camp Trek package. Further, the Gokyo Lake Trek and Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lakes can also be an option. So, come forward and give World Alpine Treks a chance to take you to your dreamland – Everest Base Camp. We ensure a safe and joyful trip to Everest!
The first day marks your arrival day in Kathmandu. Clear all the visa requirements and customs clearance if any at the arrival section of the airport. As you come out, you will find a representative from World Alpine Treks waiting for you holding a board with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. The representative will shortly inform you about the plans ahead.
On the second day, you will be headed to the domestic terminal of Tribhuwan Airport for a flight to Lukla. The flight to Lukla is an enriching experience, and you will be able to enjoy some wonderful views of the mountains. As you land in Lukla, you will meet our other crew members at the airport. From Lukla, we walk down through the trail along with hotels and lodges to Dudhkoshi River. We cross a long suspension bridge over the river and follow a path to Phakding. We stay at Phakding for the night. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
We wake up early and enjoy our breakfast. Then we follow our trail that goes through an undulating path up and down via traditional villages, fields, and rhododendron forests. We gradually ascend up and enter Sagarmatha National Park with magnificent views of Mt. Thamserku on sight. We pass villages like Jorsale and Monjo on the way to Namche. Namche Bazaar is an old but lively Sherpa village. It is a gateway to all the trekking routes to the Everest region. There are many vibrant shops, cyber cafes, restaurants, hotels, and lodges. Namche Bazaar never rests. It always gets a lot of visitors and is always crowded. We stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Namche for the night. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
The narrow streets of Namche is always crowded. Do not be surprised if the yak bells and other horns wake you up. Today is a day set aside for acclimatization purposes. As we gain height, our body needs to be well adapted to the altitude change. Therefore, we have set aside an extra day in Namche. Today, we hike up to Everest View Hotel for close-up views of the mountains in the Everest region. From the hotel, we can enjoy some striking views of mountains like Kwangde, Thamserku, Kangtega, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, etc. We can visit a museum and a photo gallery on our way back to Namche from the Everest View Hotel. We stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Namche for the night. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
As we ascend, our trail traverses through the forests of rhododendrons with brilliant views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Amadablam, and Mt. Lhotse on sight. After a while, the trail descends to the Dudh Koshi River at Phungi Thanga. From here, the trail further ascends through the forests of pine and rhododendron to Tengboche. Tengboche is popular for the Tengboche monastery and astonishing views of Mt. Ama Dablam along with other peaks in the region. Tengboche monastery is considered the largest monastery in the region. Today, we stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Tengboche for the night. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
We leave Tengboche and start climbing up the trail for around six hours to Dingboche. As we ascend, we can notice the change in vegetation. We can find ourselves moving above the tree line with pastures and meadows along the way. On the way, we can see small fields enclosed by stone walls to protect crops from cold winds. As we open up to the meadows of Dingboche, we will find ourselves in a spectacular location with wonderful views of Lhotse and Nuptse Ridge on sight. If the weather is favorable, one can relish the amazing views of the sunset over the Ama Dalam Himal in the Everest region. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse/ lodge in Dingboche. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
We spend another day in Dingboche. This day in Dingboche is a part of acclimatization. As we have already gained enough height, acclimatization is a necessity. Therefore, we enjoy our day in Dingboche today. After breakfast in the guesthouse, we hike up to Nagerjun for close-up views of mountains in the Everest region. We will be blessed with amazing views of Mt. Makalu, Mt. Ama Dalam, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, and many more. After enjoying the spectacles of the mountains from Nagerjun, we walk back to the guesthouse in Dingboche for the night. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Leaving Dingboche, the trail climbs up a ridge with some magnificent views of Taboche Peak and Cholatse. Further, the trail continues through yak pastures until we cross a wooden bridge over a stream to Duglha. From Duglha, we ascend for an hour along a steep route above the moraine of Khumbu glacier. From here, we ascend the valley to Lobuche enjoying the views of Khumbutse, Pumori, and Lingtren. Mt. Everest becomes invisible as it is hidden behind the towering peaks of Lhotse and Nuptse. On reaching Lhotse, we stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Lobuche. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Today is one of the most rewarding days of our journey. Our week-long hard work is going to pay off as we will be stepping into the Everest Base Camp – the dream of every single travel lover. From Lobuche, we follow a rocky path to the last village of the trail – Gorekshep. From Gorekshep, we continue towards the world’s highest base camp i.e. Everest Base Camp through the Khumbu glacier. It is considered one of the most dangerous sections of the Everest Base Camp Trek. As we reach the base camp, we will be showered with some mesmerizing views of glaciers, lakes, caves, and icefalls. Though the views of Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Nuptse are quite clear, Mt. Everest hides back behind the shades of Lhotse and Nuptse. After spending some time in base camp, we return to Gorekshep via the same route. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse/ lodge in Gorekshep. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Today, we woke up a little early to catch the sunrise views from Kalapatthar. We hike up for around two to three hours from Gorekshep to Kalapatthar. As we ascend, we get the first glimpse of the mighty Mt. Everest along with the other peaks like Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Changtse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Ama Dablam, etc. The golden rays of sunrise glittering over the snow-clad mountains in the region look amazing. After having this amazing view from Kalapatthar, we will return to Gorekshep, and then a helicopter will pick us up and take us back to Kathmandu. Tonight, at a hotel in Kathmandu. (Inclusive of Breakfast and lunch).
Before a few hours of your scheduled flight, you will be transferred to the international terminal of Tribhuwan International Airport. (Inclusive of Breakfast).
Accommodations on the Everest Base Camp Heli Return Trek range from tea houses to hotels, catering to various comfort levels. In Kathmandu, good hotels or similar provide clean rooms with attached bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and either breakfast services or outlets that can prepare breakfast.
Once on the trek, the accommodation becomes basic, starting with tea houses in Lukla and Phakding that provide basic twin-sharing rooms with blankets and, in some cases, attached bathrooms. In Namche Bazaar, the options are slightly better, with some lodges offering attached bathrooms, hot showers, and limited Wi-Fi or charging facilities for an extra fee.
As you go higher towards Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and finally Gorak Shep, the tea houses become increasingly essential. Typically, rooms have two beds, shared bathrooms, and minimal heating. The dining room is always open and shared with a heated stove, while the rooms are usually freezing, especially at night.
There is limited availability of hot water for showers, which needs to be paid for extra at higher altitudes. Gorak Shep's accommodations are the most basic, with shared facilities and limited amenities due to the remote location.
Food and additional services, such as Wi-Fi or charging, are more expensive the higher one goes due to the difficulty of transporting goods up to these remote areas. The fact that the return from the end of the trek is by Helicopter reduces the need for additional nights at lower-altitude tea houses, thus making the whole experience more accessible to handle and less exhausting. Trekkers are strongly advised to carry a warm sleeping bag and book in advance during peak seasons to ensure comfortable stays.
The price for the Everest Base Camp Heli Return Trek, including helicopter return, comes from US$ 2425 per trekker. Usually included in the given price are permits, accommodation, meals during the trek, an experienced guide, porter, domestic flights (to Lukla), and a Helicopter ride back to Kathmandu. Sometimes, transfers, insurance staff, and some trekking gear may also be included, depending on the package.
However, the Everest Base Camp Heli Return Trek cost of individual expenses such as travel insurance, extra food and drink, and tipping of the guide and porters are today not included in the price of most trek packages. Make sure that what you expect is included and what is not included if you still want it to be part of the contract.
The foods that are taken during the Everest Base Camp Trek are basic, starchy foods that provide the relevant strength. Here is what to expect:
Breakfast: Breakfast foods vary and may consist of porridge, muesli, pancakes, bread toast, or Tibetan bread. Eggs: boiled, fried, or scrambled eggs are the number one option when it comes to protein. Some provide first beverages, which can be tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.
Lunch and Dinner: Dal Bhat, a traditional staple food in Nepal is rice, lentil soup, and vegetables. This one is healthy, provides sustained energy, and sometimes cooks for you all over again for free! Other meals include noodles, fried rice, dumplings (momos), pasta, soup, and vegetable curries. At these lower elevations, you can get typical things such as Pizza and burgers, and in some of the more well-established villages such as Namche Bazaar – Spring Rolls.
Snacks and Beverages: Sweets, chocolates, biscuits, and nuts: energy bars, soft drinks tea houses, or shops on the agreed route also offer snacks. Non-caffeinated beverages contain herbal tea, ginger tea, lemon tea, and warm water. At higher altitudes, hot drinks are necessary to consume water and, at the same time, help to warm the body.
On the entirety of the Everest Base Camp trek, there is drinking water, however, to ensure it is safe to drink is a different story.
There is also bottled water, and this is especially common in the lower areas such as Lukla and Namche, but it becomes extremely expensive the higher one goes, resulting in a lot of plastics that are discouraged in the Everest zone. For consumption, trekkers are advised to carry personal water bottles and at least 3-4 liters of water in a day.
The best time to visit Everest Base Camp by helicopter return is during spring - from March to May - and during autumn, from September to November. These months offer a period of stable weather with clear skies and excellent visibility; this is quite important, both for trekking and helicopter flights.
Spring (March to May): The season is very famous for its beautiful temperatures, and the rhododendrons in bloom add to the beauty of the trail. Days turn warm, and the conditions favorable for trekking and snow-capped peaks create magic. Spring is one of the popular seasons for trekking in the Everest region.
Autumn (September to November): Superb mountain views with crystal-clear skies and dry weather conditions after the monsoon make it perfect for trekking and helicopter flights under moderate, stable temperatures. This is also one of the peak seasons for trekkers.
The weather during these seasons is also clear, which allows for perfect trekking and smooth helicopter operations. As for the seasons, summer or monsoon and winter aren't really good due to heavy rainfall and low visibility, as well as cold temperatures, which might disrupt the flight. Thus, for having an ideal trek, it is best to plan your trip in spring or autumn.
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Miscellaneous
The return trek through Mount Everest by helicopter is moderately difficult on average. It involves walking for five to seven hours in one day for several days.
The trail covers areas that require hikers to climb steep inclines, drop steep slopes, and deal with rough terrain. The other difficulty experienced during the trek is the issue of altitude, as this trek goes above 5000 meters. Trekking might be affected by signs of altitude sickness.
Proper acclimatization and a slow pace minimize risks. Good physical fitness and endurance are necessary. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, making the trek more painful. Helicopter return helps diminish the physical tiredness of the downhill journey. In summary, this is a good trek for fit and determined trekkers.
During the EBC trek, altitude is diagnosed as the central issue of acute mountain sickness. This sickness mainly affects people who stay above 3,000 meters because the body cannot adapt to low oxygen levels at those altitude levels. Some inclusion of AMS general symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting, loss of breath, lesser appetite, and fatigue or tiredness.
As a result, trekkers are advised to optimize the distance they cover and the rate at which they climb by taking rest days in essential places such as Namche Bazaar and Dingboche to avoid altitude sickness. Avoiding alcohol and smoking is also important, as well as getting enough sleep- drinking water, eating healthy foods, and getting proper rest. If they feel they have the symptoms, they should not work, and if the condition becomes worse, they should go down.
Pre-treatment with medications such as Diamox can prevent or ameliorate the condition, but only under the doctor's prescriptions. There are some misconceptions a person has to time face when doing the trek, so it's better to trek with an experienced guide and porter to avoid such complications or mismanagement of altitudes.
Everest Base Camp Heli Return Trek travel insurance is crucial because different risks such as accidents, diseases, high altitude discomforts, flight delays, and emergencies that may warrant evacuation are covered. Importantly, the policy must be selected to offer a helicopter rescue of up to 6,000 meters because the costs are high in the region.
Some major insurance providers offering trekking-specific plans include World Nomads, known for adventure travel coverage, Allianz for comprehensive trekking policies, and IMG Global, which includes medical evacuation.
AXA Assistance and SafetyWing are also reliable options for trekkers. Before buying, ensure the policy covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter rescues. Keep a copy of your insurance and emergency contact numbers handy during the trek.
When you are hiking along the trails of the Everest Base Camp trek, then you will need to evacuate at some point or another, and this is more so when there is acute altitude sickness, injuries, or any form of severe illness.
There are many modes of evacuation from the Himalayas, and the most preferred method is helicopter evacuation due to the distant location of the Everest region and rugged countryside. In this case, the trekkers are helicopters to the nearest hospital or Kathmandu for treatment in case of an emergency.
For this purpose, trekkers should be under health insurance that will cater for travel insurance including helicopter rescue up to 6,000 meters. Helicopter services also know the operation of evacuation at various stages is coordinated by trekking agencies or guides while some help is received from other trekking agencies.
Wi-Fi and internet facilities are provided along the EBC trek, but they are not the same in all locations. In lower regions, such as Lukla and Namche Bazaar, it is more reliable and moderately priced. Most tea houses have Wi-Fi free or at a low cost.
The higher you go up, as far as Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep, the connection gets weaker, slower, and costlier due to its remoteness. One of the more well-known internet service access options on the trail is Everest Link. It offers prepaid cards, which will enable you to access Wi-Fi at various teahouses.
However, trekkers should not depend on regular internet for communication or work because the connectivity may get disrupted due to weather or technical issues. Rather, it is best to notify your close ones in advance and use the internet only for occasional updates.
Small group size the for the group ranges from one to five and this is the case with the Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour. The seating is possible only for 4 to 5 persons, including the pilot in each Helicopter. Thus, decreasing the size of the group is more suitable for comfort, security, and individual approach.
Where the travel is being done in a larger group, several helicopters are hired so that everyone is accommodated. Helicopter flights are quite flexible. A group size of individuals or small groups can be arranged to be booked for a private flight.
To trek to the EBC, one has to get some major permits. If you want to understand more information about the permit for trekking in Nepal.
The first permit is the arrival permit to the Sagarmatha National Park, of which the area of the EBC falls. This will be available to buy from Monjo or at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu.
In addition, to access the Khumbu region, a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit is required. This permit helps in the development of the local area and can be obtained in Lukla or even online.
All these permits are compulsory to be carried during the trek and may have to be produced whenever necessary by the concerned authorities.
Everest Base Camp, Heli Return Trek, will take 11 days as per our itinerary.
Yes, the major purpose of the Everest Base Camp Heli Return Trek is to return via Heli.
The weather is most favorable for flying and trekking during the spring seasons – March, April, and May- and autumn – September, October, and November.
No specific preparation is necessary for this adventure, but one should be quite fit; those who have trekked before or those who work out at least three times a week should attempt this.
You fly to Lukla and then trek over several days to the Base Camp, and then take a helicopter to Kathmandu back.
Yes, you can, but this will be subject to space availability, and you have to incur extra costs for the days you extend.
It's advisable for trekking, altitude sickness, helicopter evacuation, and medical emergencies. And it is necessary that it is capable of reaching up to 6,000 meters for helicopter rescue.
Among the possibilities that might influence a decision on a helicopter flight is the state of the weather, such as long clouds and great winds. Trekking further to Lukla for flight would go on if required.
The EBC Heli return will cost you USD 2425 per person.
Excellent trip to ABC & EBC with a professional Guide
A very special thanks to my really good guide, Deepak. I don't think I can find a better one. I traveled solo and he was always there advising me on things to buy, also taking good care of me and answering all my queries during my trek. When I had blisters and walked with so much pain, he always made jokes to make me feel better. Would choose Alpine Treks because of Deepak on all my future Nepal trips as my trip was a success! The Alpine Treks team is amazing and everyone showed more care than interest in money which I found truly amazing. They always prioritized my safety, and food and made sure I was always contented with everything. They give very good service. Deepak personally sent and fetched me from the airport and they always had lovely greetings and farewells.
My trip went very well because I decided to go with World Alpine Treks. It's really important to find the right trekking company and I especially recommend them as they were more interested in my well-being and to enjoy my stay in Nepal more than anything else. There was full transparency from the start to the end & Deepak always answered every query I had even before I arrived in Nepal. World Alpine Treks is a trustable, honorable company and I would recommend it to all. Have been on a hiking trip to EBC, ABC & Annapurna Circuit with them.
Everest Base Camp with World Alpine Treks
The Everest Base Camp trek with World Alpine Treks was an incredible experience from start to finish. Their organization, professionalism, and personal touch made the entire journey seamless and unforgettable.
From detailed pre-trek guidance to a warm welcome at the airport in Kathmandu, every aspect was thoughtfully arranged. Our guide was not only knowledgeable and supportive but also attentive to safety, especially with altitude acclimatization. The porters were hardworking and cheerful.
The tea house accommodations were clean and comfortable along the route, and the meals were fresh and hearty.
World Alpine Treks went above and beyond to create a rewarding and well-managed adventure. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to explore the Himalayas with a reliable and passionate team.
I have been to EBC and had Deepak as my guide. He is very professional, warm, and cute. He took care of our group and helped us immediately with whatever we needed. During the 13 days, he gave us a lot of good suggestions to make the trip safer. I trust him and enjoy my time in Nepal very much. If you are going to Nepal for trekking, EBC is a good choice and Deepak is a good guide to consider.
我曾經去尼泊爾的EBC健行，並且認識了高山嚮導Deepak。他非常的專業、溫暖，而且很可愛。在10幾天的旅行中，他給了我們很多的建議，讓旅程更為安全。是一個值得信任的嚮導。
What an amazing Journey to EBC
It was an incredible trek to Everest base camp with friends, guides Durga, and all the porters. The teahouses and meals each night were good. We would highly recommend World Alpine Treks to everyone! World Alpine was organized, clear, and quick to communicate with. They provided a detailed packing list and all necessary information before the trip started which we found very helpful and made the entire experience easy.
Perfect EBC trekking with Friends
We had an unforgettable experience trekking to Everest Base Camp in September with World Alpine Treks. Our group of 5 was guided by Durga, who provided all the necessary information and ensured a smooth journey from start to finish. Durga’s leadership and expertise made us feel safe and well-prepared for each day's challenge.
A special shoutout to our porters, Bishnu, Ramesh, and Megh, who were absolutely fantastic—helpful, friendly, and always ready to assist. The entire team went above and beyond, and the trek was perfectly organized with stunning views, comfortable accommodations, and great company.
Thank you Deepak for organizing this trek! We highly recommend World Alpine Treks to anyone looking for EBC hiking!
